Pokemon Pearl Version

"Thank You Nintendo, but the perfect Pokémon game is in another sequal."

Introduction

Well, I knew this review had to come along sooner or later. Pikachu1918 is doing a review on a Pokemon game. For the record, I am not in a Pokeball, and no one is telling me to attack this game. Before I start tearing this game apart. I want to give Nintendo their dues, it took this game for me to lay out the cash and buy a Nintendo DS. As a whole I am satisfied with the title and the things Nintendo did with it, however there is massive room for improvement.


Story 3.5/10

The Pokemon game, with the trainers has had MINIMAL changes over the last 10 years. I understand how in some ways Nintendo's hands are tied in this matter, but I felt better after beating Pokemon Gold than I did this one.

For those of you new to the franchise here's the story. You're a trainer who just turned 10 years old, and you want to train a team of Pokemon to become the best trainer in the world. You'll knock out a criminal organization along the way, meet new friends, and do some interesting side missions. Once you beat the best trainer in the world, well you can capture new and rare Pokemon for your collection.

That's the story line. I guess with ten years of material to work with, I expected more. I want more lands, more gym leaders, bonus content, maybe a villain I can hate? Not just something that I'd see in a cheap cartoon.

Graphics & Interface 7.5/10

As always with Pokemon Nintendo has done a decent job with the graphics. Not a super job that would risk making the Pokemon look cheap, but decent. You can see hints of shading to give the world a more 3-d feel to it. There is nothing dorky done to it like the avatars moving when they appear in a battle, as in Pokemon Crystal. I found the interface accommodated to those who weren't used to the touch screen of the DS, and those who were. Its a nice blending of those two, and is a great game to get used to touching the screen!

Music & Sound 9.5/10

The music and sound for titles like this are always questionable. You can't place rock and roll in it. However, neither can you place music that is so sweet it rots your teeth. The music generally fits the area where you are nicely. Its not loud and addictive to make you want to
keep the music on your MP3 player, but its decent enough you won't complain either.

Now the real compliment goes to the fact that despite having limited audio equipment. Each Pokemon has their own independant 'battle cry' so even if your eyes are not on the screen, you know which type of Pokemon you'll be facing. With your Pokedex you can even play around with the sounds a Pokemon makes just for fun. its a cute little extra feature.


Game play 8/10

Remember how I said the story hasn't changed much? Well, the same can be said for the game play. In the case of the story, a little innovation would be nice. In the case of the game play. Don't fix what isn't broken. The trainer, you, moves around and encounters wild Pokemon, and other trainers. You promptly fight them with your own Pokemon.

Your own Pokemon are limited to different types, and depending on the types and moves you have. Most battles will be a breeze. The higher in level your Pokemon become, the more likely they are to evolve (change shapes/stats), and learn new moves for battles. Your Pokemon are limited to 4 moves, so you might have to forget an old move to learn a
new one.

Multi-player 8/10

Pokemon has always been the flag ship of Nintendo to promote how fun multi-player games can be on a hand held system. In Pokemon Pearl you can trade Pokemon across the globe. This is not a joke, you upload a Pokemon and state what you want for it. Then when someone agrees to your trade you get the Pokemon you want. I've gotten Pokemon from Japan and France so far.

As innovative as the trade system is. The battle system leaves something to be desired. Unless you have another player's Friend Code, or want to do a tower battle, a feature with limitations. There is no real way to do a free roam battle to challenge players as you do in later titles by Nintendo. Which does make this game a little less fun to play. Since in the Tower battle you cannot take legendary Pokemon in there.

To buy or not to buy? Final WORD!

Let's summarize the game as a whole. You have a semi-decent story line. A nice long post winning the game feature. Which is trying to capture or trade for 350 Pokemon for your Pokedex. The sounds, graphics and interface aren't so bad. The Multi-player option is nice for a first try for this genera of game. The game play is pretty solid, the graphics and sound.

This is what I call a time killer game. Its well built, and addictive enough that you won't mind the time you blow playing this title. Its also long enough to work as a time killer title. There are even a few bonus features that appear after you beat the game to make it interesting. If you can score a used copy, or willing to blow the $35 to buy it, get it! Well, this is Pikachu1918 signing off, now to go find Ash and tell him to write his own review next time!

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 06/23/08

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