>>56196122Yes, every game has side areas, I didn't say they didn't.
What I did say, was that Gen 5 does side exploration the best. The sheer quality of the side areas, combining music, exploration and overall vibes.
No, Gen 5 is much harder than 6. Even without the EXP. Share, I end up overleveled, and even if I'm not overleveled, the game is still easy as fuck.
Gen 5 is not like that. Lenora in BW is a big obstacle, even with a strong fighting type like Timburr or Sawk/Throh have a hard time. That Watchog always outspeeds and spams either Hypnosis or Retaliate (which would be powered up due to Herdier fainting the turn prior)
Elesa and her Emolga are also a large difficulty spike. I like how the game says to use a Ground type but 2/3s of her team are immune to Ground types.
Personally for me, after this point it's not that hard, at least until you get to Opelucid City. From then it's at least somewhat challenging.
B2W2 are a bit easier early game, but once you've progressed past Driftveil, the difficulty climbs a bit. Particularly spiking twice, once around the 8th Gym and again during the fight with Iris.
Plus B2W2 have the biggest post game in the series, a number of battle facilities, heaps of legendaries and even some newly unlocked movies in PokéStar Studios.
