The second part will focus on Johto. This set, known as Generation II, most likely cover the most ground, as this game features travel between Johto and Kanto, the region of Generation I. The games for Generation II started with Pokemon Gold and Silver. The purpose, and battles didn't change too much, but there are some significant differences. For starters, you are Trainer Gold, resident of New Bark Town. Professor Elm is the researcher of the Johto region, though you indeed meet Prof. Oak during the game as well. Another rival, Silver, is also introduced, with a cast of new trainers, Leaders, and Elite Four trainers (one of which was a Kanto Gym Leader.) A new champion was introduced as well, but Team Rocket returned with a vengeance. In this game, as opposed to just 8, you can collect a total of 16 Badges, and then go on to the isolated Mt. Silver to face Generation 1's protagonist. Move Deleter, a certain stat change, and the probability to capture shiny Pokemon was also significant. The legendaries consisted of 3 dog Pokemon (Raikou, Entei, Suicune) and 2 Bird Pokemon (Ho-oh, and Lugia.) The Psychic-Grass type, Celebi, brings up the rear, much like Mew as the 151st.
Although the initial gender specific Pokemon were Nidoran, nearly every Pokemon in this title had a gender, which help set up the breeding process of getting the baby forms of certain Pokemon. Two new types, Steel and Dark, were introduced. With this, a few Pokemon, such as Magnemite, had an added weakness. Also, this was the first game where there were two different types of Pokedex: a regional-specific version, and a National version. Accompanying the new types were an addition of 100 Pokemon, so the amount to find became 251. For the first time, Gold and Silver went by real time, as in after inputting the time in the game, the time cycles like that of a normal day, though doesn't follow time exactly. The inclusion of this also brought about specific events, which are broadcasted inside the new item, the PokeGear. While it functioned as a Map, Radio, and Clock, the PokeGear also has its own phone service, calling trainers and important figures you have enountered throughout the course of your journey.
The way of evolution was changed a little as well, more so in the case of Eevee. By default, using either the Thunder Stone, Fire Stone, or Water Stone would trigger an evolution to either Jolteon, Flareon, or Vaporeon respectively. Training and caring for Eevee in either day or night can invoke another evolution, to either Espeon or Umbreon. As the games before them featured the evolved form of the starters, Gold and Silver featured (respectively) Ho-oh and Lugia as the version mascots. A third game, Pokemon Crystal, came afterwards as a title for the popular Game Boy Color. The interface didn't change too much from the other two, yet subplots, especially that of the alphabetical Unown, and the legendary Suicune (Crystal's mascot), was new to the game. Also, this marked the beginning of the gender option for the trainer, as they can now choose to be a female if they so desired. The biggest addition was the Battle Tower, a facility where trainers can battle in the fashion similar to the N64 game, Pokemon Stadium (Covered in Pt. 5.)
Like the Generation before it, Generation II's games were remade as that of Genration IV, with Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver. The female character, Crystal, was replaced by Lyra, while Ethan took the role of Trainer Gold. The game received critical updates as well, yet retained gameplay similar to its original. Crystal's subplots were added, along with some new ones. A fresh take on the Safari Zone was also introduced, and, as with other Generation IV titles, the Mystery Gift (available at the start) and the Pal Park was added. HG/SS also had a coordinated PokeMeter that interacted with the infrared cartridge, getting some Pokemon that were hard to impossible to obtain in the main game. Alongside this, players can interact with leaders and trainers from the Sinnoh games (covered in Pt. 4), and can battle Leaders in the now empty Battle Dojo in Saffron City, should the player call for a rematch after defeating them the first time. GTS returns as well, located in Goldenrod Another element, Pokeathlon, was also introduced. Much like competitive sorts, like the Olympics, Pokeathlon uses a team of 3 pokemon to compete in various events. Stats pertaining to that can be boosted with a product known as Aprijuice, which can be purchased or made using an Apriblender.
As the Johto series is my fave, my opinion might be a little biased, but Gold, Silver and Crystal gets a 8, while the remakes, HeartGold and SoulSilver, gets a 9.
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