My Favourite Gaming Sequels: Pokémon Gold and Silver

Following the original Red and Blue editions was always going to be hard work, and I am a self-confessed genwunner, but Gold and Silver are excellent examples of how to do a sequel, and in many ways even surpasses the first generation games.

What made these great sequels is the way that they expanded upon the Pokémon available without going overboard, with the number of ‘mons one has to catch standing at a perfectly reasonable 251. On top of this, the designs themselves of the Pokémon are some of my favourites. Even the early game creatures, like Sentret and Hoothoot, are enjoyable to look at, and then on top of that, we have Lugia; to date one of my favourite Legendary Pokémon in the series.

With his sleek design and use of complementary colours, Lugia just looks badass.
Image credit: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Lugia_(Pok%C3%A9mon)

Like Link to the Past, Gold and Silver are classic sequels in that they iterate and improve upon so many different mechanics. The graphics themselves were given a much-needed update, with the use of colour becoming much better and giving a ‘rustic’ feel to the games. The sound is excellent, and to this day Goldenrod City is one of my favourite game tracks. 

A relaxing song that makes easy listening even to this day. I love Goldenrod City's theme music.

Video credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezmCRcMTjXI

The plot is a direct sequel to Red and Blue, unlike other titles in the series which all seem to take place in parallel worlds. Gold and Silver instead created this sense of building a legend on top of a legend. It is interesting to see all the ways in which your adventure in the first games have become stories told by passers-by, and the hints and call-backs are interesting and satisfying, perhaps even building up to something more.

The plot hearkens back to the original generation and then builds on it to make up a more epic story; the surprise return to Kanto was much welcome. It was astounding to have another 8 badges to find on top of the Johto collection and it felt like Gold and Silver truly were double the size of the previous game. It all comes together in a climactic battle atop Mt. Silver against none other than Red/Blue from the previous game, with a selection of the most iconic Pokémon from the first games.

Typing and combat is improved; the addition of the Dark type a much-needed foil for the overpowered Psychic types. Steel types have come to be some of the most iconic Pokémon in the series. Not to mention that this game introduced Umbreon and Espeon, my favourite two Eeveelutions. The addition of a day/night cycle, and the use of a phone system as a way to repeat battles against old trainers (including the top percentage of Rattata), are two gameplay innovations that have stood the test of time in the series. 

Umbreon and Espeon: managing to look both cool and cute at the same time.
Image credit: http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2017/02/16/how-to-easily-evolve-into-umbreon-or-espeon-in-pok-233-mon-go.aspx

Pokémon Gold and Silver earns pride of place on its list for being a Pokémon sequel from a time when the sequels weren’t stale. Not only that, but the way in which it improves upon so many elements of its prior titles, and the way it moved the formula forward in the best way seen from the Pokémon series, Gold and Silver are difficult to top as gameplay sequels.