Pokémon Diamond

THE GOOD:
Good: This installment in the pokemon seres would be the fourth one. There are many new features to this game for it has been 2 years since the release of the other Pokemon games. There are a few new things added, here are a few that I will list here with good points of the game.
-New 3D Graphics
-New pokemon
-New items
-Wi Fi
-New trading over wifi

THE BAD:
The newest Pokemon games sucked. Im going to be blunt, these Pokemon are not original. For example, Pikachu was a rat, Rattata was a rat, Pidgey was a bird. What does that make Dialga? These Pokemon are not unique and they are just slabbed together for the newest game.
Here are a list of things I don't like about the game.
-Pokemon are not unique
-Same thing over, get 8 badges and fight elite 4
-Wi-Fi lags
-Voice chat sometimes is un-comprehensible
-Too many legendaries

SUMMARY:
The newest game wasn't good. There are many good aspects to the game but plenty of downfalls. They just didn't feel like the older games where everything was new and exciting. Pokemon better start rethinking about how they do these games.
Here are going to be some categories in which I will give a score and state a reason.

Graphics: 8/10
Reason: They are great, but the anti-aliasing kill it somewhat. What I mean by that, is when they move, so do the pixels on the side of the houses/building. The 3-D graphics are nice, finally the upgraded from the sprites, but they definitely have some work to do with them.
Here is some gameplay and a video on the 3-D graphics. There are some additions to the game as to the weather. Here is a list of some weather: Rain, Snow, Dust storm, Heat. The weather has no effect on you though, its just another nice touch.



Story: 8/10
Reason: Meh, the story is the same, yet again. Battle 8 gyms, beat the Pokemon leauge and catch them all. The only real difference this time is that your "Rival" is not your rival in this game. He is your friend that you kindly battle. Aside for the dumb little side quest, this game is the same since its been since 95'. The only good thing is the 3-D graphics
In this video, It shows your first rival battle. Sorry but it's in Japanese.


Music: 9/10
Reason: The only thing they did right in this game. There are plenty of songs in this game, just like the others. A lot of routes have different songs, most of the caves have that spooky kinda sound in them, and some trainers have different battle sounds. All around, there are plenty of sounds. Just like the other games, during the elite four, the head honcho, so to speak, has his own theme too. In all, there are plenty of tracks to listen to.
In this video, you will hear the music when you face the trio of uxie, mesprit, and azelf.


Gameplay:8/10
Reason: If this is your first time playing pokemon, then this will be very simple. First off, in the beginning, you have to choose 3 pokemon as your starter. These are your choices in this game: Piplup, Turtwig, and Chimchar. Water, Grass,and Fire just like the other ones. When you fight other trainers, it is imperative that you know what types are good against each other. Fire is good against grass, water is good against fire and grass is good against water. Now, when you choose your partner, its the only one you can get before you can trade over Wi-Fi. Each Pokemon can only have 4 moves.

In this game, the pokemon start at LV5. You may level up them up by battling. If you go out in the grass, you may fight wild pokemon. Before the battle though, you may also hold an item. For example, you can hold a berry on the pokemon so when the battle starts, the item will go in effect when the pokemon gets hurt. Another way you can level up, is by battling other trainers. There is a 1 on 1 battle, and a 2 on 2 battle. You control the pokemon the same in the 2 vs 2 battle, except in this kind of battle, you can choose who you want to fight. If you battle enough, your pokemon will evolve. Sometimes though, pokemon won't learn a certain move if they do though.

Pokemon can be obtained by weakening them. Please note though, you can only catch wild pokemon. One better way to catch them, is to give them a status problem. Poison them, burn them, paralize them. You chances of capture will go up a lot. This will really help with the catching of legendaries. One other thing, moves only last a few times. PP is what keeps the moves able to be used.

Each pokemon can get affected by their type. For example, Electric type pokemon can learn a move called "Thunder wave" which makes a pokemon have a less chance to attack. It cause Paralyisis. You can heal it by buying something called "PARLYZ heal" Another example is, a poison type pokemon can learn a move called "Poison Sting" which may or may not poison the pokemon. The poison slowly hurts you pokemon and can be treated with an Antidote. Even when you are done with the battle it will hurt you in the world map.

Moving around the map is as simple as using the D-Pad. You can go anywhere you want, depending on how far you are. There are certain TM's and HM's that lets you go places faster. Fly, lets you go to any pokemon center you have been. Its very helpful.

Overall:33/40
Reason: Yeah, it looks good with a 33 out of 40 but in my opinion, it wasn't that great. Pokemon games are getting way too repetitive. They should add something at the end saying "congratulations! you have caught every Pokemon!" Instead, there is nothing but the hours you put in on getting them. Wifi saved this game for me. I liked that part the best.