This highly anticipated entry into the Pokémon franchise has definitely been worth the wait.

User Rating: 9.1 | Pocket Monsters Diamond DS
Too long? Scroll down to the end to read my summary!

It all started back in the mid 90's, when Nintendo struck gold with their latest franchise, Pokémon. As the fan base grew and grew, Nintendo released two video games for the Game Boy - Pokémon Red and Blue, which rose to becoming an international success. Now, over 12 years later, Pokémon has still stood the test of time. Nintendo have released dozens of Pokémon games over those years, but now their latest "true" Pokémon games have come to the Nintendo DS, but how does it square up?

Here is my personal review of Pokémon Diamond (and Pearl):

--- GAMEPLAY ---

Ever since the debut of Pokémon video games on the Gameboy, the series has been a game that seemed like a simple role playing game on the outside, but in the inside was a game that involved a tremendous amount of strategy and thought.

Even now, in 2007, the gameplay in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl have barely shifted. The concept of Pokémon is quite simple to understand - the land is inhabited by a large amount of creatures called Pokémon. As a "Pokémon Trainer", your goal is to capture Pokémon in the wild to use them for batting, collecting etc. What makes the gameplay in Pokémon so great is that it's flexible enough to "work" for practically all ages. You don't have to be particularly capable of thinking strategically to get somewhere in the game.

For most of the game, you'll either be exploring or battling. Running in certain areas on the game will trigger a random battle with a certain Pokémon. You can weaken it and eventually capture it, or you can make it faint and receive experience for doing so, which in the long run will strengthen your team of Pokémon. A Pokémon's strength is measured by several stats and an overall "level". The higher the level, the higher the stats will be meaning your Pokémon will be stronger (just like in most RPGs).

Players can also encounter other Pokémon trainers along their journey. These computer controlled trainers have a stash of their own Pokémon which you cannot capture, but can earn experience from. There are times when you'll have to take on a "double battle", where you'll use two Pokémon instead of just one.

So, how do the battles actually work? Well, every single Pokémon in the game has a "type". They also have a set of four attacks with a type of their own. Certain types will be weaker or stronger against others, which is why using the right attack types is vital. For example, lightning attacks won't affect rock Pokémon, but water attacks will deal more damage than usual. However, lightning attacks will do more damage on a water Pokémon. Understanding how each type affects another is the key to being good at the game. The battle is over when a Pokémon's health has depleted to 0 (zero), or you or a trainer runs out of conscious Pokémon.

Interestingly enough, Nintendo have added in a long awaited Wi-Fi feature in Diamond and Pearl, allowing players from across the globe to battle and trade Pokémon, adding possibly hundreds of hours to the game's lasting value. To use the online mode, you'll need to exchange a 16 digit friend code with someone else, otherwise you won't be able to battle them (or trade with them directly). However, you can trade without friend codes and also battle to a certain extent. The only problem is that the battle mode (at a place called the Battle Tower) without the friend codes can feel redundant. Players can also play with friends close by, with several types of mini-games to choose from too.

--- GRAPHICS ---

I've yet to hear a reviewer compliment the graphics for Diamond and Pearl without including some negative comment. The presentation for Pokémon Diamond and Pearl is very well presented. In fact, it's clear to see that the series is slowly but surely evolving into 3D.

You'll notice as you play that the characters are still simple 2D sprites. Not that this is a bad thing. The most interesting thing about the graphics that you'll notice is that there is a slight 3D effect with the environments.

People have often critisized the Pokémon series for failing to branch out into 3D properly, but I almost completely disagree with what these people think. Pokémon has and always will look presentable in 2D. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl almost definitely back up this statement too, with their colourful and vibrant designs.

--- SOUND ---

Possibly the biggest gripe about Pokémon Diamond and Pearl is the fact that the Pokémon still have their traditional and somewhat aged "beep" sounds they make (and have made since their debut on the Game Boy). To make matters worse, the newer Pokémon included in Diamond and Pearl seem to have been given higher quality sounds, if only in the slightest, meaning there seems to be a rift between the new and the old Pokémon in terms of sounds. These minor gripes are trivial and aren't something particularly problematic.

--- VALUE ---

Pokémon games can last you a LONG TIME. The main quest can take up to 40 hours or more, which is almost standard for an RPG. However, collecting every Pokémon can slap on a couple of hundred hours, with the online mode still to cover. So really, if you get every last minute out of Pokémon, you're looking at an incredible amount of play time. Pokémon is definitely great value for money and may well last you for months to come.

Overall, I strongly reccomend this game. It's great value for money and it's a hell of a lot of fun for anyone who enjoys video games. You'll find yourself addicted to the game in no time. To date, it stands as one of the best titles on the Nintendo DS. I'm giving this game a 9.1.

To summarise:

GOOD:
Flexible gameplay with a touch of strategy
An interesting online mode
Amazing presentation
Massive lasting value

BAD:
Some of the sounds haven't really "moved on"
Areas of the online mode feel redundant and rushed.
The gamplay seemed a little easier this time round.
Touch screen controls aren't particularly useful.