>can only catch Patrat, Audino or Lillipup before the first gym

Every game has a wide selection of Pokemon before this point, outside of arguably Kanto, but even Kanto has the Nidorans, Pidgey, Spearow, Pikachu, Caterpie, Weedle and Rattata.

I like BW but you're stuck with absolute shitmons until the first gym, including the monkey they outright give you, and it doesn't get better until the fucking desert.