Pokemon Pearl Version

"Good ol' Pokemon..."

It never fails to disappoint me. Ever since I was eight and played Yellow Version for the first time. It best Christmas present I was ever given. Not so much expense-wise, but pokemon games always give me that great, tingly, nostalgic feeling. From one hundred fifty one to now nearly five hundred. Pokemon is still going to be growing for some time to come. It has shown no signs of slowing down over the years, and, let's face it. As long as there are eight-year old boys, this series will survive.

The gameplay of this game is a typical turn-based system. Who attacks first is based on speed, damage done is determined by strength, and defense helps survive high strength. Plus the typical special strength/defense. Typical RPG elements. The non-typical thing (at least back in the day) is the capturing of your team. You use pokeballs to catch pokemon. From there, you raise them, and you're a happy family. A deadly, happy family. You knock out your opponent's pokemon, and win battles... with some plot here and there.

The graphics are really improved from old game boy pokemon. Now there is some 3D elements. But pokemon never really has been about graphics, but these are good.

Plot. It is kind of hard to rate pokemon's plot. Everything is repetitive. Beat rival, gym leaders, evil boss of an evil company, and elite four. But, hey. It has satisfied kids for the many years pokemon has been around, so why should I blame them for using the same plot? Of course, it isn't EXACTLY the same, but same basic structure. And what is a pokemon game without legendary pokemon? This game's new ones were pretty cool. But they'll never beat my Lugia...

So, all in all, it is just a typical RPG with typical elements, and you capture a bunch of animals and make them fight. But I can't shake the nostalgia. I still love the series, but since I liked Gold, Silver, and Crystal versions better, this game gets a 9.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 05/29/07