THE GOOD:-Great graphics.
-Fitting music.
-New PKMN.
-Migrate PKMN from GBA.
-WiFi
-Battle moves.
As time goes on, graphics will get better and better for gaming system. And no doubt, the DS doesn't disappoint us with PKMN. Some of the new PKMN are very intriguing along with their good battle moves. Also, you can migrate PKMN from GBA which saves a great amount on time on hunting the variety of PKMN. Able to trade over WiFi is great. I love the fact you can trade with people around the world.
THE BAD:
-Unoriginal PKMN.
-Same story.
-Voice chat.
-WiFi.
-Legendaries.
Unfortunately, the story will always stay the same 'cause that's PKMN for you. You can only stand the same story for so long. Beat the gyms, beat the bad guys, and defeat the E4. End story. Sure, there are some things you can do after the story, but they are just nick-knacks, nothing to epic. As for the PKMN, they are just creatures that make no sense or they are a repeat of the originals. Like, what is Regigigas suppose to represent? Also a kind of disturbing thing is the voice chat. I can understand if you're trading with a friend and chatting with them, but trading with a stranger, does that spell awkward or just me? For WiFi, it's a great thing to have, but a pain to get. If you don't have a Wireless Router or USB Connector you're tough out of luck [unless you don't mind driving to Starbucks, etc]. And last is the severe amount of legendaries. I remember in the originals, you had the three birds [or three dogs] and the two main legendaries [like Lugia, Mew, Ho-Oh, and Mewtwo]. Now we have, Dialga, Palkia, Regigias, Cresselia, and who knows how many more. I don't consider them legendaries anymore, just a PKMN you can catch once then go on GTS and get a hundred more.
SUMMARY:
The game starts off like all the others. You have a choice between three starters: Chimchar, Turtwig, and Piplup. Fire, Grass, and Water. Once the choose PKMN is obtained you'll later get a Pokedex. Then you set off on your mission to obtain the 8 gym badges. During the journey you plans may be interrupted by Team Galatica who are trying to harness the powers of Dialga. Once you defeat them and obtain Dialga you're off to beat the E4 and become champion!
During the journey you'll need to battle trainers and PKMN to get stronger and prepare for more upcoming events. You still have the training ideas. Battle wild PKMN or other trainers. Personally, I suggest battling the E4 a couple times if you really want to level up. Plus more battle moves like Roost, Close Combat, Fling and many more. Some moves can provide double benefits, for example Fling. It hurls out the held item which is where the power is at. Like in previous games, it was pretty basic moves such as Ember, or Water Gun. Sure we still have those basic moves, but there is Blast Burn and Ice Punch. They've added quite a few new battle moves and they don't dissapoint us in offense and defense. You can also use items of a variety to help your PKMN. Even berries, whether you want to plant them or make them into PokeBlocks. A boring and annoying task you have to do, but is needed to continue on.
There is quite of few extras to do such as contests, game corner, going Underground and more. These added extras entertain you if you want to take a break from the basic game play. Or just to kick back and relax and see how lucky you are.
Contests allow your entered PKMN to get ribbons and additional items if you win. Going Underground can help you find items that you can sell or use. You can even obtain ancient PKMN fossils such as Kabuto, Aerodactyl, and more. And they still have the ever famous Game Corner where you can play on slot machines or roulette tables.
Aside from the extras the most you can do is battle, train, trade, etc. The new WiFi feature is very helpful, especially if you desire an original Japanese PKMN, you can just trade with someone around the world. The GTS is a good place to go if you desire a certain PKMN, though the back fall about it is unless the PKMN is in your Pokedex you can't get it. So no Deoxys registered, no Deoxys.
A grueling task is completing the National Pokedex. The Sinnoh isn't to hard to fill up after awhile, but the National is difficult, especially if you don't own any of the previous GBA games. When you insert Ruby, Sapphire, LeafGreen, etc into the GBA slot, certain PKMN will become available to catch in the game. If you don't have the GBA games, GTS or trading forums are the best way to go. It takes time and patience, but it is possible [I've done it].
Overall this game has some good additions to it, but after awhile game play does become boring 'cause it's basically repeating it's predecessors. I suggest this game to people who are new to PKMN.
Extra Material:
I'm convinced that some of the people who are new to PKMN will adore Diamond and Pearl, not actually experiencing the greatness of the originals. I try to restrain myself from comparing the new ones to the old ones, but it is hard to do. No school like the old school, or so they say. I being a fan of the originals know that nothing will ever surpass them [unless they remake them exactly the way they are]. So seeing the new PKMN saddens me to no end. They are unoriginal, lack the beauty the originals had, and frankly bore me. You can only keep something going for so long without it losing its luster. Sometimes you just have to let a great thing fade, then let it get destroyed by overdoing it.
I will give Diamond this, they have great graphics [aside from the occasionally fuzzy pixels]. Good music that keeps you entertained and enjoying the scene. And the WiFi feature is a good installment.
Unfortunately the story is still the same. I understand that there isn't much to do with the story, but it's just like it's predecessors. Get a PKMN, go on a quest by defeating gyms, defeat the bad guys from world domination, and going to beat the E4. End. Can't something else be added? Like the show, maybe have one of your PKMN stolen and you have to go on a rescue mission for it? That would be more entertaining. There is so much that can be added, so why can't they?
I do enjoy the Underground, digging up fossils and the contests. Those are a nice installment. But after you do them awhile, yawn, you're done.
Like I said previously, Diamond seems to be a game intended for people who are more new to the PKMN world, not to the ones who have been fans since the originals. For the ones like us, nothing will compare to them.
My overall rating for Diamond is: 7/10
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