Review: Pokémon Diamond
06-01-2007
By: TSA
Pokémon Diamond, and its counterpart Pokémon Pearl, are the latest entries in the storied Pokémon franchise. The titles are also the first feature-length, traditional Pokémon titles for the Nintendo DS. This title delivers a solid experience that definitely asserts the franchise as something more than mere child's play, but that is not to say the game is without its flaws.
The basic premise of any traditional Pokémon game is the player goes around as a Pokémon trainer seeking to become a Pokémon master. Achieving this is done by going around the region where the main character lives, traveling from town to town to challenge trainers known as Gym Leaders, who are the only thing standing in the way of you and a Gym Badge. Collecting eight of these badges is required to enter the Pokémon League, which essentially is a final test of the trainer's mastery over their Pokémon. Four final trainers and the grand champion await at the end of the long and grueling road.
Unlike most role-playing games, the main character is not the primary combatant during battles. Instead, you travel around the Sinnoh region trying to capture as many Pokémon as possible in order to have a diverse team that can tackle any opponent. Players catch Pokémon out in the wild using an item known as Pokéball, which comes in different variations with varying capabilities.
Players then raise their Pokémon by engaging in battles with other trainers and wild Pokémon. Pokémon who are victorious earn experience points which level up the Pokémon, and as they advance, they can learn new techniques and even evolve into a superior form. The catch is at anytime a Pokémon may only know four abilities, and if they wish to learn a new move, an existing move must be forgotten.
Pokémon also come in various types, such as grass, water, fire, psychic, etc - and each type has strengths and weaknesses against the other types. Memorizing and mastering which types are best suited against other types, and what moves each Pokémon should master is crucial to determining how successful the player will be. Even with a team of Pokémon at much higher levels than an opponent, a player can be humbled if the opposing Pokémon can each exploit a weakness and take down each of your Pokémon with "super-effective" moves.
Of course, other traditional role-playing game elements appear, such as status ailments, a huge inventory of items one can purchase from shops or discover out in the wild, a monetary system for purchasing items, and many NPC characters that are both friend and foe.
While the basics of a Pokémon game are still present, there are a few new unique additions for the Nintendo DS installment. A rather gimmicky addition is your Pokétech, a special watch that appears on the bottom screen in-between battles and dialogue sequences. Over the course of the game, players can obtain new applications, some of which are more useful than others. Ultimately, it is most useful as a map (using the "Berry" application) than anything else.
Perhaps the coolest element of the gameplay is the inclusion of a day and night system, based on the internal clock of the Nintendo DS. Certain Pokémon will only be obtainable at certain times of the day, as well as in certain locations, and playing at the appropriate hour (or tinkering with the internal clock) become crucial for those out to fully complete the title, or are seeking a rare Pokémon specimen.
The principle gameplay, however, follows a basic formula that may become a bit too redundant for some. Players must travel across routes to reach the next town with a gym, often gathering and leveling Pokémon along the way. In the town, typically a small side quest must be completed before one can actually battle the Gym Leader. Even then, once inside the gym, there are several obstacles and other trainers awaiting you before you actually fight the Gym Leader.
The combat is strictly turn based, in which the top screen displays the action and the bottom screen displays your combat menu. Players can either tap the buttons with the stylus or use the traditional buttons to navigate to which command they wish to use. Rather than using an MP system, each of the Pokémon's moves have a PP count, which when it hits 0, the move will no longer be available as an option.
Battles are started either via a random encounter in an area of tall grass, water, or in a cave, or when you cross paths with a trainer. Sometimes you can bypass a trainer battle by avoiding their line of vision, but eventually, and quite frequently, you will have no choice but to cross their paths. This becomes quite frustrating, especially with the frequency of such redundant battles, and this is compounded by the fact that in the open areas, running or riding your bicycle, aka trying to move faster, will penalize the player in the form of even more frequent random encounters.
All of the battles, however, will be necessary as each subsequent Gym Leader is very capable of rendering hours of progress null. Having the most effective team or just flat out having much higher leveled Pokémon is typically the best strategy for each Gym Leader. Thus, mandatory level grinding as forced by the game's design is more or less there to ensure younger players are better prepared for the upcoming challenges.
Not everything, though, is strictly battles and trying to capture the right Pokémon or leveling them up. The game focuses a great deal on exploration and contains several side-quests. For example, there is a competition in one of the cities where you must dress up your Pokémon in order to win part of a contest, as well as move in beat in a rhythm based game, and then perform certain moves for judges in order to rack up applause.
Traveling is also a hassle for most of the game, even early on when you acquire the ability to run or ride a bike. AS mentioned before, moving faster increases the frequency of random encounters. The distance between each location is also rather significant at points, especially when the path is filled with anxious trainers ready to force you into a battle. Backtracking also becomes a bit tedious as later in the game you will find yourself running all around the map, but eventually you will unlock an ability to instantly warp to any town.
Diamond's plot isn't really that different from any of the others; a young trainer is out to prove themselves, and along the way some outside organization has evil schemes to use Pokémon to their advantage. Last time it was trying to use the Shadow Pokémon. This time, Team Galactic is out to find a rare Pokémon that can destroy the region and rebuild it in the image of Team Galactic's leader. The game is really more about small sub-plots that are about as shallow as a kiddie pool. The encounters with your rival and Professor Rowan and his assistants do add a bit more, but again, if you are looking for a profound story, look elsewhere.
This is also the first portable Pokémon title to be in 3D. The game is displayed via an overhead view at a slight angle, much like the 2D Legend of Zelda titles, but objects in the world, including the terrain and buildings, are all rendered to give a 3D appearance. All characters and Pokémon, however, are strictly 2D. The majority of the world is rather detailed, especially as you progress later in the game. The battle sequences themselves, however, are still strictly 2D, although some attacks or moves have really cool effects, such as Dialga's "Roar of Time". Fans wanting more intricate battle sequences will have to wait until Pokémon Battle Revolution releases in just about three more weeks. Areas such as open fields, caves and waterways - the areas where random encounters can occur - are generally the most desolate and bland. The mix of 2D and 3D works really well, and helps the title avoid repetitive looking areas that have plagued previous all 3D Nintendo DS titles (such as Final Fantasy III DS).
The soundtrack is definitely designed to create a mind map for players; each song eventually will trigger an automatic response to a situation. For example, every normal battle is the same tune, every Gym Leader battle has the same tune, and every town has the same exact tune. This repetition helps make the player more familiar with elements of the gameplay, though they are well suited for each situation. Sadly, there isn't much variety and eventually everything just swims to the back of the mind, not really standing out and just being a part of the normal flow. Many of the sound effects are recycled from previous titles, as are a few of the jingles such as the one that plays when your Pokémon heal at the Pokémon Center. While nothing stands out in a good way, there certainly is one audio element that really sticks out in a bad way. The sound effects for the Pokémon themselves, their roars and calls are horrendous and really seem almost as a "tradition" because something much better could be used to replace the rather annoying audio samples. After seeing the Pokémon on television so much, one would think they'd be using that form of language (i.e. saying their own names in various speeds and pitches) over what currently exist. That may not be feasible with the Nintendo DS hardware, but there had to have been something better suited for this element of the game.
Difficulty in this game is something of an enigma. If this Pokémon title is truly aimed at younger audiences, then this reviewer thinks that gaming youth must be getting vastly better with their skills than older generations of gamers at that same age, or the stereotype associated with Pokémon really doesn't apply. Sure, most will breeze through the standard trainer battles and wild Pokémon encounters. But unless one really learns the intricate system of combat in terms of which moves and Pokémon types are best suited for each battle, you may find yourself in a bind later on during one of the many tough "boss" battles. For most of the game, simply having two different Pokémon types at least ten levels higher than any Gym Leader or having a Pokémon within the level of the opponent that would be super effective sufficed. But towards the end of the game, simply trying to strong-arm your way to victory is not very effective, as really powerful Pokémon and much better AI from your opponent will give many a run for their money. It was honestly a great feeling to have battles near the end that went on for half-an-hour or longer, going back and forth with the rival opponent.
While having the most effective Pokémon obviously make it easier, it's not until after you fail at some battles that one may realize what type of Pokémon they need to find. Even then, they must be near the same level as your opponent, which means spending lots of time level grinding if you wish to go that route. The game just offers a lot of varying options that cater to each player's personality. Brain or brawn, you decide. Possibly the best thing about the game's overall difficulty is that once you resolve the main storyline, there is still a lot more to do that is required before you truly reach the end of the game (that is, getting to the credits). And the battles that transpire after you might think the game is over are even more difficult, and the final segment was really something. Bottom line, the title really isn't for children, it's pretty deep and very well suited for gamers of all ages, and is very rewarding.
Some audio issues mentioned earlier, as well as the constant battles from random encounters and trainer duels does bog the game down a bit. The issue of traveling earlier on in the game may also bother some, and those who need everything outlined in black and white in terms of what to do next may not enjoy the explorative nature of many segments of the game, which require players to go out and figure out what to do based on some detective work. It all amounts to an engaging experience, and the shortcomings definitely shouldn't impede any serious player from completing the title. Some may find it just too redundant and may give up at some point through the game, but everyone who starts playing should try to finish because the final segment is pretty challenging.
Not to mention, this is all for the single-player mode. Within any Pokémon Center, players can get online and trade their Pokémon or duel others, which actually will help all players in learning how to handle different types of Pokémon much more efficiently. There's also the connectivity to the upcoming Pokémon Battle Revolution, in which all your hard work will not go to waste once the word "fin" appears on the final screen of the game. While the need to purchase both copies may be reserved for only really hardcore fans, the purchase of one of these titles is a pretty good investment. Definitely one of the better Nintendo DS titles to come out in awhile.
Final Score: 4 out of 5
Pokémon Diamond, and its counterpart Pokémon Pearl, are the latest entries in the storied Pokémon franchise. The titles are also the first feature-length, traditional Pokémon titles for the Nintendo DS. This title delivers a solid experience that definitely asserts the franchise as something more than mere child's play, but that is not to say the game is without its flaws.
The basic premise of any traditional Pokémon game is the player goes around as a Pokémon trainer seeking to become a Pokémon master. Achieving this is done by going around the region where the main character lives, traveling from town to town to challenge trainers known as Gym Leaders, who are the only thing standing in the way of you and a Gym Badge. Collecting eight of these badges is required to enter the Pokémon League, which essentially is a final test of the trainer's mastery over their Pokémon. Four final trainers and the grand champion await at the end of the long and grueling road.
Unlike most role-playing games, the main character is not the primary combatant during battles. Instead, you travel around the Sinnoh region trying to capture as many Pokémon as possible in order to have a diverse team that can tackle any opponent. Players catch Pokémon out in the wild using an item known as Pokéball, which comes in different variations with varying capabilities.
Players then raise their Pokémon by engaging in battles with other trainers and wild Pokémon. Pokémon who are victorious earn experience points which level up the Pokémon, and as they advance, they can learn new techniques and even evolve into a superior form. The catch is at anytime a Pokémon may only know four abilities, and if they wish to learn a new move, an existing move must be forgotten.
Pokémon also come in various types, such as grass, water, fire, psychic, etc - and each type has strengths and weaknesses against the other types. Memorizing and mastering which types are best suited against other types, and what moves each Pokémon should master is crucial to determining how successful the player will be. Even with a team of Pokémon at much higher levels than an opponent, a player can be humbled if the opposing Pokémon can each exploit a weakness and take down each of your Pokémon with "super-effective" moves.
Of course, other traditional role-playing game elements appear, such as status ailments, a huge inventory of items one can purchase from shops or discover out in the wild, a monetary system for purchasing items, and many NPC characters that are both friend and foe.
While the basics of a Pokémon game are still present, there are a few new unique additions for the Nintendo DS installment. A rather gimmicky addition is your Pokétech, a special watch that appears on the bottom screen in-between battles and dialogue sequences. Over the course of the game, players can obtain new applications, some of which are more useful than others. Ultimately, it is most useful as a map (using the "Berry" application) than anything else.
Perhaps the coolest element of the gameplay is the inclusion of a day and night system, based on the internal clock of the Nintendo DS. Certain Pokémon will only be obtainable at certain times of the day, as well as in certain locations, and playing at the appropriate hour (or tinkering with the internal clock) become crucial for those out to fully complete the title, or are seeking a rare Pokémon specimen.
The principle gameplay, however, follows a basic formula that may become a bit too redundant for some. Players must travel across routes to reach the next town with a gym, often gathering and leveling Pokémon along the way. In the town, typically a small side quest must be completed before one can actually battle the Gym Leader. Even then, once inside the gym, there are several obstacles and other trainers awaiting you before you actually fight the Gym Leader.
The combat is strictly turn based, in which the top screen displays the action and the bottom screen displays your combat menu. Players can either tap the buttons with the stylus or use the traditional buttons to navigate to which command they wish to use. Rather than using an MP system, each of the Pokémon's moves have a PP count, which when it hits 0, the move will no longer be available as an option.
Battles are started either via a random encounter in an area of tall grass, water, or in a cave, or when you cross paths with a trainer. Sometimes you can bypass a trainer battle by avoiding their line of vision, but eventually, and quite frequently, you will have no choice but to cross their paths. This becomes quite frustrating, especially with the frequency of such redundant battles, and this is compounded by the fact that in the open areas, running or riding your bicycle, aka trying to move faster, will penalize the player in the form of even more frequent random encounters.
All of the battles, however, will be necessary as each subsequent Gym Leader is very capable of rendering hours of progress null. Having the most effective team or just flat out having much higher leveled Pokémon is typically the best strategy for each Gym Leader. Thus, mandatory level grinding as forced by the game's design is more or less there to ensure younger players are better prepared for the upcoming challenges.
Not everything, though, is strictly battles and trying to capture the right Pokémon or leveling them up. The game focuses a great deal on exploration and contains several side-quests. For example, there is a competition in one of the cities where you must dress up your Pokémon in order to win part of a contest, as well as move in beat in a rhythm based game, and then perform certain moves for judges in order to rack up applause.
Traveling is also a hassle for most of the game, even early on when you acquire the ability to run or ride a bike. AS mentioned before, moving faster increases the frequency of random encounters. The distance between each location is also rather significant at points, especially when the path is filled with anxious trainers ready to force you into a battle. Backtracking also becomes a bit tedious as later in the game you will find yourself running all around the map, but eventually you will unlock an ability to instantly warp to any town.
Diamond's plot isn't really that different from any of the others; a young trainer is out to prove themselves, and along the way some outside organization has evil schemes to use Pokémon to their advantage. Last time it was trying to use the Shadow Pokémon. This time, Team Galactic is out to find a rare Pokémon that can destroy the region and rebuild it in the image of Team Galactic's leader. The game is really more about small sub-plots that are about as shallow as a kiddie pool. The encounters with your rival and Professor Rowan and his assistants do add a bit more, but again, if you are looking for a profound story, look elsewhere.
This is also the first portable Pokémon title to be in 3D. The game is displayed via an overhead view at a slight angle, much like the 2D Legend of Zelda titles, but objects in the world, including the terrain and buildings, are all rendered to give a 3D appearance. All characters and Pokémon, however, are strictly 2D. The majority of the world is rather detailed, especially as you progress later in the game. The battle sequences themselves, however, are still strictly 2D, although some attacks or moves have really cool effects, such as Dialga's "Roar of Time". Fans wanting more intricate battle sequences will have to wait until Pokémon Battle Revolution releases in just about three more weeks. Areas such as open fields, caves and waterways - the areas where random encounters can occur - are generally the most desolate and bland. The mix of 2D and 3D works really well, and helps the title avoid repetitive looking areas that have plagued previous all 3D Nintendo DS titles (such as Final Fantasy III DS).
The soundtrack is definitely designed to create a mind map for players; each song eventually will trigger an automatic response to a situation. For example, every normal battle is the same tune, every Gym Leader battle has the same tune, and every town has the same exact tune. This repetition helps make the player more familiar with elements of the gameplay, though they are well suited for each situation. Sadly, there isn't much variety and eventually everything just swims to the back of the mind, not really standing out and just being a part of the normal flow. Many of the sound effects are recycled from previous titles, as are a few of the jingles such as the one that plays when your Pokémon heal at the Pokémon Center. While nothing stands out in a good way, there certainly is one audio element that really sticks out in a bad way. The sound effects for the Pokémon themselves, their roars and calls are horrendous and really seem almost as a "tradition" because something much better could be used to replace the rather annoying audio samples. After seeing the Pokémon on television so much, one would think they'd be using that form of language (i.e. saying their own names in various speeds and pitches) over what currently exist. That may not be feasible with the Nintendo DS hardware, but there had to have been something better suited for this element of the game.
Difficulty in this game is something of an enigma. If this Pokémon title is truly aimed at younger audiences, then this reviewer thinks that gaming youth must be getting vastly better with their skills than older generations of gamers at that same age, or the stereotype associated with Pokémon really doesn't apply. Sure, most will breeze through the standard trainer battles and wild Pokémon encounters. But unless one really learns the intricate system of combat in terms of which moves and Pokémon types are best suited for each battle, you may find yourself in a bind later on during one of the many tough "boss" battles. For most of the game, simply having two different Pokémon types at least ten levels higher than any Gym Leader or having a Pokémon within the level of the opponent that would be super effective sufficed. But towards the end of the game, simply trying to strong-arm your way to victory is not very effective, as really powerful Pokémon and much better AI from your opponent will give many a run for their money. It was honestly a great feeling to have battles near the end that went on for half-an-hour or longer, going back and forth with the rival opponent.
While having the most effective Pokémon obviously make it easier, it's not until after you fail at some battles that one may realize what type of Pokémon they need to find. Even then, they must be near the same level as your opponent, which means spending lots of time level grinding if you wish to go that route. The game just offers a lot of varying options that cater to each player's personality. Brain or brawn, you decide. Possibly the best thing about the game's overall difficulty is that once you resolve the main storyline, there is still a lot more to do that is required before you truly reach the end of the game (that is, getting to the credits). And the battles that transpire after you might think the game is over are even more difficult, and the final segment was really something. Bottom line, the title really isn't for children, it's pretty deep and very well suited for gamers of all ages, and is very rewarding.
Some audio issues mentioned earlier, as well as the constant battles from random encounters and trainer duels does bog the game down a bit. The issue of traveling earlier on in the game may also bother some, and those who need everything outlined in black and white in terms of what to do next may not enjoy the explorative nature of many segments of the game, which require players to go out and figure out what to do based on some detective work. It all amounts to an engaging experience, and the shortcomings definitely shouldn't impede any serious player from completing the title. Some may find it just too redundant and may give up at some point through the game, but everyone who starts playing should try to finish because the final segment is pretty challenging.
Not to mention, this is all for the single-player mode. Within any Pokémon Center, players can get online and trade their Pokémon or duel others, which actually will help all players in learning how to handle different types of Pokémon much more efficiently. There's also the connectivity to the upcoming Pokémon Battle Revolution, in which all your hard work will not go to waste once the word "fin" appears on the final screen of the game. While the need to purchase both copies may be reserved for only really hardcore fans, the purchase of one of these titles is a pretty good investment. Definitely one of the better Nintendo DS titles to come out in awhile.
Final Score: 4 out of 5
Comments: 33
Register to Post Comments | Add Comment
Comment #1 by kirbyfan407
06/01/07 20:04
Comment #2 by Aoum
06/01/07 20:30
Comment #4 by sea
06/01/07 21:04
You're wrong about the games' background music. All the towns have their own unique themes, and if I'm not mistaken the routes have their own themes as well. Of course, the music itself is a bit repetitive and not too many songs are memorable, but still, did you only use sound for the first two hours of the game?
Also, I'm surprised you didn't critique the games' touch screen use. I think it is lackluster; particularly, menu navigation is almost entirely button-controlled, and the touch screen functionality that is included is completely useless, aside from in the battles or when you're in a mini-game.
Still, pretty good review. I gave the game an 8.25 when I reviewed it a few weeks ago, so seems like we're more or less on the same page with it.
Also, I'm surprised you didn't critique the games' touch screen use. I think it is lackluster; particularly, menu navigation is almost entirely button-controlled, and the touch screen functionality that is included is completely useless, aside from in the battles or when you're in a mini-game.
Still, pretty good review. I gave the game an 8.25 when I reviewed it a few weeks ago, so seems like we're more or less on the same page with it.
Comment #5 by kirbyfan407
06/01/07 21:41
Comment #6 by Santuli
06/01/07 21:44
@sea
Actually, most of the menus aren't jsut buttoned-controlled, but you're so used to using the buttons that you use them instead of the touch-screen. I realized almost towards the end of the game that I could use the touch-screen in my Bag as well, but I didnt cuz I always use buttons.
Liked the review. You werent afraid of not giving this game a perfect/nearly perfect score.
Actually, most of the menus aren't jsut buttoned-controlled, but you're so used to using the buttons that you use them instead of the touch-screen. I realized almost towards the end of the game that I could use the touch-screen in my Bag as well, but I didnt cuz I always use buttons.
Liked the review. You werent afraid of not giving this game a perfect/nearly perfect score.
Comment #8 by mumbo230
06/01/07 22:05
Comment #9 by TSA
06/01/07 22:05
Eh, I seriously thought each route, except for that bike route, had the same theme, and all but maybe 1 town had the same theme. If they didn't, that's how "non-distinct" they were.
I am for sure the crossing the water music using "surf", the cave music, and the battle themes were the same (in their respective situations).
Yeah, the touch-screen is crap...but then again, it's crap on nearly every major franchise game on DS. Maybe PH will prove it differently?
I am for sure the crossing the water music using "surf", the cave music, and the battle themes were the same (in their respective situations).
Yeah, the touch-screen is crap...but then again, it's crap on nearly every major franchise game on DS. Maybe PH will prove it differently?
Comment #10 by Santuli
06/01/07 22:10
I found battling with the touchscreen much better. I didnt use the stylus though, I just tapped teh buttons with my fingers. So much easier, lol.
I didnt pay attention to the music much, only during "boss" battles where its very climatic or something. Most of the time the volume was off or very low (idk why, maybe cuz most of the time I would be watching TV or listening to music as I played).
Maybe go back to a couple different places in the game and see if they were as non-distinct as you said...?
I didnt pay attention to the music much, only during "boss" battles where its very climatic or something. Most of the time the volume was off or very low (idk why, maybe cuz most of the time I would be watching TV or listening to music as I played).
Maybe go back to a couple different places in the game and see if they were as non-distinct as you said...?
Comment #12 by TSA
06/01/07 22:23
Comment #13 by Gojira
06/02/07 00:19
Comment #14 by mew
06/02/07 00:39
Comment #16 by keatonsheik
06/02/07 01:01
Comment #17 by mew
06/02/07 01:22
Comment #18 by TSA
06/02/07 05:19
Comment #19 by TheThatGuy
06/02/07 11:46
Comment #20 by DNMN
06/02/07 16:13
You mention a few times how you occasionally have to level-grind. The ONLY time I ever had to level grind was right before the Elite Four, and in all reality, I spent most of the game with less than 6 Pokémon on my team. It wasn't UNTIL the Elite Four that I trained up a Starly to a Staraptor as my 6th member. And I only did that to counter some of the Ground-types in the Elite Four (like Quagsire and Whiscash). I never faced a Gym Leader with Pokémon at a higher level than theirs. I was either about equal, or a few levels weaker, and the ONLY time I ever lost a battle was the first time I fought the Elite Four. I ended up beating them with all my Pokémon at level 54, which is 12 levels lower than the Champion's strongest one (a few of them leveled up once during the course of the battles, but that was it).
Comment #21 by TSA
06/02/07 17:02
I only lost once to a trainer en-route somewhere because I didn't heal up my Pokemon. I always had three of my Pokemon 10 levels above any opponent's at anytime. I had a Rock, Grass and Electric type. Later on when I got Dialga, I had 4 that high.
My problem with the Elite Four was I didn't have elixir to replenish moves, and I wasted my best moves early on, and in one battle, most of my attacks were not effective or didn't affect the opponent's Pokemon. I did not lose on my first try, but it took about 1.5 hours to clear it.
So I took the "strong-arm" route. That's how I beat most RPGs the first time. I level grind early, and then coast the rest of the game.
TheThatGuy - Thanks. I never played those, and I read an FAQ that said Diamond/Pearl was the first to use it. I fixed that sentence.
My problem with the Elite Four was I didn't have elixir to replenish moves, and I wasted my best moves early on, and in one battle, most of my attacks were not effective or didn't affect the opponent's Pokemon. I did not lose on my first try, but it took about 1.5 hours to clear it.
So I took the "strong-arm" route. That's how I beat most RPGs the first time. I level grind early, and then coast the rest of the game.
TheThatGuy - Thanks. I never played those, and I read an FAQ that said Diamond/Pearl was the first to use it. I fixed that sentence.
Comment #22 by Raian
06/02/07 17:25
Comment #23 by Hero_of_Fire
06/02/07 18:24
Comment #24 by LinkIII
06/02/07 19:09
Raian - That works fine...until you get to the Elite Four and the Battle Tower, or if you're planning on battling on Wi-Fi. I did that back on Ruby version...Swampert got murdered in the Elite Four, and, obviously, I didn't stand a chance at winning. It took me several tries at that, and, in this game, where I trained all my Pokemon, I only needed to do it once.
Comment #25 by TSA
06/02/07 20:01
Comment #26 by sea
06/02/07 23:27
As of the third generation of Pokemon games, going for brute force won't get you past more than the first part of the game. The Battle Tower and online battling against people who know what they're doing proves that you need to have a very well thought-out and diverse team in order to succeed. Beating the Elite Four is tougher this time around because they've actually got good Pokemon, instead of the same bunch you're used to seeing up until that point. In fact, they go the brute force route themselves, and that's why they're challenging - nobody else in the game up until the last few hours bothers to use any strategy whatsoever. They will totally sweep your team with super-effective moves rather than sit there using Leech Seed and Snore over and over (which are good moves, but obviously only in certain situations).
Again, it's the Battle Tower that actually poses a real challenge. Try getting a string of more than fourteen wins there. When trainers start putting your Pokemon to sleep, using Toxic on them, and then maxing their own evasion stat so that only one in twenty attacks hit them, then you'll realise just how easy the rest of the game is.
As for the touch screen, I realise that almost everything in the game uses it. It's just not used well. Come on, spinning a wheel to scroll through menus? Why can't I just drag and drop items to organise and use them? I mentioned in my review on VGRC.net that it feels like a half-assed GBA port, because frankly it's the only explanation for the absolute garbage application of the touch screen functionality. The worst offender is organising Pokemon in boxes, where it won't let you use the touch screen to move them around or select them. Ever tried transferring Pokemon from the Game Boy Advance games? Funny thing is, you can use the touch screen to scroll through your boxes while selecting the ones to transfer.
Seriously, now. Awesome games, but there's just so much laziness and inexplicable idiocy on the part of the developer that it's impossible to ignore.
Again, it's the Battle Tower that actually poses a real challenge. Try getting a string of more than fourteen wins there. When trainers start putting your Pokemon to sleep, using Toxic on them, and then maxing their own evasion stat so that only one in twenty attacks hit them, then you'll realise just how easy the rest of the game is.
As for the touch screen, I realise that almost everything in the game uses it. It's just not used well. Come on, spinning a wheel to scroll through menus? Why can't I just drag and drop items to organise and use them? I mentioned in my review on VGRC.net that it feels like a half-assed GBA port, because frankly it's the only explanation for the absolute garbage application of the touch screen functionality. The worst offender is organising Pokemon in boxes, where it won't let you use the touch screen to move them around or select them. Ever tried transferring Pokemon from the Game Boy Advance games? Funny thing is, you can use the touch screen to scroll through your boxes while selecting the ones to transfer.
Seriously, now. Awesome games, but there's just so much laziness and inexplicable idiocy on the part of the developer that it's impossible to ignore.
Comment #27 by Santuli
06/03/07 13:25
TSA, I had the same problem, I went in with few Elixirs, but you can use Leppa Berries, which restore 10 PP. I used a holw bunch of them instead of my Elixirs. The good thing about Leppas is that you can regrow them, so you have an unlimited supply of PP recovering items.
I dont think I lost a single battle til the Elite Four, where my Pokemon were barely lvl 50, and I got crushed, so I leveled a bit more. I only had 4 Pokemon for the whole game until I caught Palkia, then only 5 at the Elite Four (I had an HM slave on the team though, and used it as a decoy against the Elite Four to use while I healed up).
The most challenging part before the Elite Four that I experienced was teh Steel Gym, but I fixed the problem quickly by buying a Fire Blast TM for my Ponyta. I didnt have many problems anyways. All teh Steelix's lost against my Empoleon, hehe.
Other than that, it was all easy until the Elite Four. My Pokemon were around lvls 54 (except Empoleon at 57ish). It wasnt too hard. Any dragon types I easily beat with either Palkia or Empoleon's Ice Beam, but the Champion gave me some troubles
I dont think I lost a single battle til the Elite Four, where my Pokemon were barely lvl 50, and I got crushed, so I leveled a bit more. I only had 4 Pokemon for the whole game until I caught Palkia, then only 5 at the Elite Four (I had an HM slave on the team though, and used it as a decoy against the Elite Four to use while I healed up).
The most challenging part before the Elite Four that I experienced was teh Steel Gym, but I fixed the problem quickly by buying a Fire Blast TM for my Ponyta. I didnt have many problems anyways. All teh Steelix's lost against my Empoleon, hehe.
Other than that, it was all easy until the Elite Four. My Pokemon were around lvls 54 (except Empoleon at 57ish). It wasnt too hard. Any dragon types I easily beat with either Palkia or Empoleon's Ice Beam, but the Champion gave me some troubles
Comment #28 by kevinsano
06/04/07 06:50
Comment #29 by LexLionHart
06/04/07 10:58
On the subject of beating the Elite Four... I actually didn't find it too much of a challenge, even though I was seriously underleveled (an average of about 12 levels down). Having good Flying and Psychic-types will get you past the first member; having a good Grass-type will get you past the second; having a good Water-type and some Ground-type moves will get you past the third; and heavy power will make short work of the last, with the main difficulty coming in the form of the Bronzong.
I have yet to challenge the Battle Tower, mostly because I'm still trying to build a solid team to go in there with. Right now I'm in love with Substitute, and am trying to make a team based mostly on that one move. So far all I've got are Poliwrath and Rotom. Any other suggestions?
I have yet to challenge the Battle Tower, mostly because I'm still trying to build a solid team to go in there with. Right now I'm in love with Substitute, and am trying to make a team based mostly on that one move. So far all I've got are Poliwrath and Rotom. Any other suggestions?
Comment #30 by Ninjax
06/09/07 08:38
Comment #31 by silwerwolf
06/12/07 07:57
when this game comes to europe and i get it to my ds
im going to transfer one of my three groudons to
it and a torchick and train the torchick istead of
the other starters blaziken is so mutch cooler than
inferape.
( honestly i have not cheated to get three groudons!
all are from ruby i started the game over played untill
i got groudon traded it and the starter to fire red
and did that until i got all starters.)
TEAM MAGMA RULES!
im going to transfer one of my three groudons to
it and a torchick and train the torchick istead of
the other starters blaziken is so mutch cooler than
inferape.
( honestly i have not cheated to get three groudons!
all are from ruby i started the game over played untill
i got groudon traded it and the starter to fire red
and did that until i got all starters.)
TEAM MAGMA RULES!
Comment #32 by Namine
06/27/07 02:15
Comment #33 by Lain
06/28/07 00:36
I was really psyched to get this game about 4 days ago and I got it. It really burned me up when I found out it wasn't anything like the series. For one, why do we have to travel to HEARTHOME to do contests when in the series there is a contest in JUBILIFE!
But I liked the new contest system more than I did last time, with the visual, dancing and acting sections. But what, again, burns me up, is the fact that we STILL don't have the "Battle" part of the contest, yet it's on Pokemon through the Ruby/Sapphire AND Pearl/Diamond series.
I REALLY wish they would actually make the series similar to the game. I mean, WHAT HAPPENED TO LUCAS?! It goes that way for all the PKMN series. No Brendan in Ruby/Sapphire series, No Silver[Rival] in Crystal/Silver/Gold or the main female for that matter.
What really makes me mad is that the third gym leader, forgot her name, can catch a Lucario that's horridly hard to beat. Isn't there only ONE Lucario in the whole game? Then how are we supposed to get a Riolu?
The Pokemon developers are becoming so cruel. I miss the good old days of Cyrstal. Sadly, the main reason I play this one is because i'm a pokemon freak and the new pokemon. Gah.
But I liked the new contest system more than I did last time, with the visual, dancing and acting sections. But what, again, burns me up, is the fact that we STILL don't have the "Battle" part of the contest, yet it's on Pokemon through the Ruby/Sapphire AND Pearl/Diamond series.
I REALLY wish they would actually make the series similar to the game. I mean, WHAT HAPPENED TO LUCAS?! It goes that way for all the PKMN series. No Brendan in Ruby/Sapphire series, No Silver[Rival] in Crystal/Silver/Gold or the main female for that matter.
What really makes me mad is that the third gym leader, forgot her name, can catch a Lucario that's horridly hard to beat. Isn't there only ONE Lucario in the whole game? Then how are we supposed to get a Riolu?
The Pokemon developers are becoming so cruel. I miss the good old days of Cyrstal. Sadly, the main reason I play this one is because i'm a pokemon freak and the new pokemon. Gah.
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