Pokemon Pearl Version

""386... No, it's 493!""

Pokemon is an amazing game series that is improved over and over again. Used to be 386... But now it's an even larger number! 493! Prepare to be amazed with the massive changes and improvements to this amazing game; Pokemon.

Gameplay - 9/10

The Gameplay is spectacular. Pokemon are creatures that you use to battle and adventure with during the whole game. This game has improved so much more than the older Pokemon titles. The Battle System is turn based, and whoever takes their turn first is dependent on how high the Pokemon's Speed stat is. However, there are some attacks that always allow you to move first; which are called Priority Moves. Each Pokemon is different and unique because of IV's and Natures. IV's are Independent Values and is used on a scale of 0-31 to change that certain stat. If a Pokemon has an IV of 31 in it's Attack Stat, it will have an additional 31 points to that stat rather than no additional points if a Pokemon had an IV of 0 in that stat. Natures also make each Pokemon unique. Each nature affects a stat someway; whether it's add and subtract, or leaving all stats as they are. A Timid-Natured Pokemon will have a less Attack Stat and a higher Speed Stat. Each nature has advantages and disadvantages. EV's are controlled factors, and they can change the way your Pokemon's stats grow; so it is important to learn how to properly EV Train so you can "Build" them the way you like. Most Pokemon can evolve, and when they do evolve; they get stronger and usually obtain better moves.

There are also Pokemon Contests. Aside from battling. You can let your Pokemon participate in Contests and compete for Ribbons. There are many ranks, and you can upgrade from the lowest rank, to the best rank. You can also enter the types of contest your Pokemon excel in, such as Cool Contests, Beauty Contests, and Smart Contests. During the Pokemon Contest, you can also dress your Pokemon up with items you obtained through the game. The Sinnoh Region is also huge and expansive, so there are lots of places for you to explore. From grassy hills, to dark caves, and even snowy cliffs! The Stylus can be used throughout the game; using it to select commands during a battle, dressing up your Pokemon during a contest, or just trying to find a Pokemon in your Pokedex. There are now 493 different Pokemon to catch and collect, and you can have lots of possibilities with the large amount. Some Pokemon only come out during certain times of the day. You can even try to catch all of the Pokemon, and you can get a warm feeling inside of you for completing such an amazing feat.

You can grow Berries, which you can feed to your Pokemon to heal a status problem such as Poison or Paralyze. Berries can also be mixed to make Poffins, which are used to make your Pokemon happier, and to increase it's Beauty, Cool, or many other of the different choices. Watering Berries is a must for them to grow. There is also Mulch, which is fertilizer for berries to do many different things; from speeding up the growing process, or to make it have more Berries when full grown. There is also a nice feature; Breeding. You can breed different Pokemon to get different moves for the offspring that it wouldn't normally get. By breeding, you can make more stronger and better Pokemon. Travel town to town, battling Gym Leaders as you go along to get new Badges, which are required to get to a new area. Battle your hyperactive, childhood Rival. Run and ride around with your Pokemon. With 493 unique Pokemon, you can train them and play with them however you like. This game does get a bit repetitive at times, when you battle trainers over and over again; and the high amount of Pokemon you encounter during the whole game. The Gameplay of Pokemon Diamond deserves a 9 out of 10.

Story - 7/10

The story is the same for every Pokemon game, which gets repetitive. The story is about an evil organization named Team Galactic, and they are trying to harness the powers of Time and Space, and it's up to you to stop them. They try to take control of the Legendary Pokemon, and they are the main villains throughout the game. You are a Pokemon Trainer that lives in Twinleaf Town, and you have an hyperactive Rival who you grew up with; and who constantly tries to beat you at battling. You can catch them all, and beat the end game Bosses; The Elite Four. The Story's score should be a 7/10.

Controls - 10/10

The controls of this game deserve a perfect score. You do not have to press a weird combination of buttons to do a single action, just a simple (A) to confirm actions in battles and menus, and a simple (B) to cancel actions. No more reaching your thumb to the (Start) to open the menu. Just press (X) which is close to the other buttons. The button (Y) is used for Registered Items in your Bag. Do you like these controls? If not, you can tweak some of the buttons to your liking in the [OPTIONS] Menu!

Graphics - 9/10

Pokemon hasn't been known well for it's graphics. If you thought it was going to be another 2D environment game; think again. Pokemon Diamond released on the DS with amazing 3D-like, top viewed, graphics and shadows. You can easily notice the shadows near the buildings which make it realistic. There are different times of day, ranging from Morning to Night; changing the appearance of the places you go. Also altering how Battle Scenes look like in the background. The sprites during Battles are still 2D, however; they have been improved with much better coloring and sharpness. It makes the sprites look much, much nicer than before. Pokemon Diamond's graphics deserves... 9/10

Sound - 7/10

The Sound is average. It gets you wanting to hear some music in some areas, such as in caves, or when you are fighting an evil boss of a whole Organization, but sometimes; the music can just get very repetitive. Each Pokemon has a different Cry, and you can hear them emit it in your Pokedex. The unique cry of each Pokemon sometimes just don't match the Pokemon's appearance. The sound gets an average score: 7/10

Multiplayer - 10/10

Perfect Score for this category, Period. In the Union Room, you can do all kinds of things with nearby friends; battling, trading, drawing, chatting. The Colloseum is more fit for Battling, and you can set certain rules as well, or just have No Restrictions which means No Rules. If you have a Hotspot or router you can use to connect to the Internet to, you can use it to go on Wi-Fi! Connect with other people around the world using GTS to trade. You can get Japanese-named Pokemon, maybe even German Pokemon. Or you can just connect directly to people using a secret 12 Digit Friend Code. You can Trade and Battle over Wi-Fi Multiplayer. The awesomeness of Multiplayer just skyrockets the Replay Value of this game.

Replay Value - 10/10

Replay Value of Pokemon Diamond? Definitely a 10 out of 10. You have many things to do in this game; ranging from exploring the large size of the Sinnoh Region, training your favorite Pokemon, entering them in Contests, Challenging yourself and your Pokemon in the amazingly hard, Battle Tower. Trade and Battle with nearby friends, or go across the net with Wi-Fi and play with other people across the world! You can possibly get addicted to all these things; so it's a 9/10.

Price - 10/10

Did you read all of the above? You weigh in the factors to see if it is worth 35 USD. In my opinion, the Price Category shall deserve the best score; 10/10

Overall - 9/10

Pokemon Diamond has improved so much and brought lots of new features to us. It is an amazing RPG with great Gameplay, Graphics, Multiplayer and Replay Value. This is the kind of game that you can severely be addicted to, or just casually love the game. Whichever way you play the game, this is Pokemon Diamond, with 493 different Pokemon to catch and train. Definitely consider purchasing this title; Pokemon Diamond.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 09/17/07

Game Release: Pokemon Pearl Version (US, 04/22/07)