Game news Pokémon Diamond Pokémon Pearl: What did the press think at the time?
Released in Europe in 2007, Pokémon Diamond Version / Pearl Version is the first episode of the main saga to land on the land of the Nintendo DS. An arrival that promises to exploit the online features as well as the dual-screen of the console. Successful bet ? We took a look at what the press thought at the time.
As each new “real” Pokémon game nears release, it’s the same old story. Did Game Freak and Nintendo take any risks to change their formula established since 1995 and the release of Pokémon Red Version / Blue version in Japan ? Is it always the same thing? Questions that have been observed for a long time and the arrival of the fourth generation with Pokémon Diamond / Pearl was no exception. How did these two titles convince the press?
Summary
- New products for all tastes
- “Have a Macbook Pro to play solitaire”
- Already seen or not?
New products for all tastes
We spare you the surprise, Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl have had at least good marks, with just a 6/10 listed by GameRevolution. Overall, the French press is tougher than the English-speaking press : the scores hover around 15/20 for the first, around 18/20 for the second. But then, how were these notes justified at the time?
As mentioned above, it is often the ability of Game Freak and Nintendo to upset their recipe for success that is at the heart of the debates.. And who says change of formula necessarily means new things. On the Pokémon Diamond program, the press agrees that they are not numerous. Among them, the pokemon is an object of contention: cool for some but essential in the eyes of others. It includes, among other things, a pedometer (practical for eggs), a team controller to ensure the good health of its six Pokémon or a history of the last captured. At the time, Gamekult (7/10) indicates that it is “a very practical tool at the beginning, becoming essential later“.
The other major innovation remains the GTS, the Global Trade System. By arriving on Nintendo DS, Pokémon therefore takes advantage of the online game features of the latter. On the menu this time, a combat system via friend code and a welcome exchange system which is causing some ink to flow. For GameSpy (4.5 / 5), the online participates in the community life of the game despite the ridiculous requests of the players on the exchanges, while it is considered by Gamespot (8.5 / 10) like a must-have for gamers.
And among all this media scrutinized, none mention one of the major changes brought by Diamond and Pearl: the attacks. During the first three generations, it was their type (Water, Plant, Fire …) that defined their category (physical or special). With Diamond and Pearl, each ability is divided into one or the other. A modification which is important since it adds a layer to the already strong strategic depth of the license.
“Have a Macbook Pro to play solitaire”
But there is another point on which the press seems to agree: the achievement of the title. First episode of the main series to cross the two screens of the Nintendo DS, the press and the public expected a real graphic upgrade of the saga. And they were disappointed. If the media welcome the arrival of 3D elements in the landscape that give depth to the game, they point the finger at the conservation of the 2D sprites used during the fights: they are almost the same as those seen in the GameBoy Advance games (Ruby/Sapphire, Red fire/GreenLeaf). GameSpy aims to be the most playful, emphasizing the variety of biomes and a weather that integrates with exploration and combat. Conversely, GameRevolution indicates at the time having the feeling “to have a Macbook Pro to play solitaire“. A feeling that sums up the feeling of the video game press about the production of Diamant et Perle.
An idea reinforced by the optimization carried out by Game Freak on the two screens and the lower touchscreen. The press is seduced by the gain in ergonomics provided by the latter but seems mixed on its realization. JV’s Romendil (15/20) sums it up best: “the touch screen is used too little, and the fact of not being able to control everything with the stylus may encourage the player to return to a classic operation with the buttons“.
Already seen or not?
But then in conclusion, what does it give? As one can imagine, all the media are unanimous on one point: Pokémon Diamond / Pearl has absolutely not revolutionized the recipe launched by its three older brothers. It is always a question of playing a trainer or a trainer who has just moved to a new region. He is then responsible (without being asked for his opinion) to complete the Pokédex, an encyclopedia listing all the creatures in the world. For this, he is led to breed Pokémon, make them fight and become the greatest trainer in the region. The narrative construction is more or less the same since it is also necessary to thwart the plans of the Plasma team while getting their hands on legendary creatures likely to destroy the whole world.
And every time a game is released, it’s always the same catchphrase. If the press is often harsh with Game Freak and Nintendo’s lack of risk-taking, it welcomes a heart of gameplay that is still as effective as it happens to make anyone who has already touched the license addicted. A drug whose next dose is expected on November 19, with the release of Sparkling Diamond Pokémon and Sparkling Pearl Pokémon on Nintendo Switch.
Sources : Gamespot ; Nintendo Life ; IGN Gamespy ; GameRevolution ; Jeuxvideo.com ; Gamekult ; Games ; Eurogamer ;
Through Charlanmhg, Writing jeuxvideo.com
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