Pokemon Platinum - 9/10
A review by K-Man
Oh wow, is that time already? I'm still trying to defeat the Elite Four on Diamond for the 10th time just so I can show of my uber , l33t, Pokemon team to the world. And now this comes along, why Nintendo why??? *goes off and buys ten copies*
It's no surprise that with every two Pokemon games, there always comes a third version. Which Nintendo manages to get away with because they know it'll sell like hotcakes and people will never get enough of its simple RPG element, catching all 493 Pokemon to date, and of course showing them off by battling. Like every two new version of Pokemon,
Pokemon Platinum is the third version of the
Diamond and
Pearl. It is the latest in the saga and features more than 100 new Pokemon like on Diamond and Pearl. Now what are the significant features in this game? Well I can name mostly one and that is that the story has been tweaked a bit to better explain what Team Galactic's real motives are. In this game, you will enter a bizarre world where gravity has no law and you can walk on walls. Here lives the dreaded Legendary Pokemon, Giratina. The cover star of Platinum. Giratina like Dialga and Palkia is in control of a force. Dialga controls TIme while Palkia controls Space, you could say that Giratina controls the in-between. Apart from the new part of the storyline, two new characters have appeared. A detective named Looker who is a master of disguise and trying to find out what Team Galactic is really up. There's another one as well but I'll leave that up to you to find out.
I don't know what is about people obsessing with a new Pokemon game even if the third version was tweaked just a bit. Maybe, it's the simple RPG that the Pokemon games are known for. Or probably because it has to do with the excitement of leveling up your Pokemon or that you're about to catch that Pokemon you've always wanted. Some probably play it just to have their Pokedex see and capture all 493 Pokemon. It's crazy but this is called fandom. Even with the upcoming remakes of the remade SoulSilver and HeartGold, people are ever so anticipating it. I have a reason to anticipate this, I missed out on Silver (yes, shame on me). Kudos to Nintendo for creating such a popular franchise, it'll be quite a while until this franchise will be tired of. If you're a Pokemon fan, no doubt do will you get this version to keep up what's what in the Pokemon universe. But if you're feeling some doubt and happy with Diamond or Pearl, then read what I have to say in my review of Pokemon Platinum.
STORY - 9/10
Okay, to get this out of the way, the story is significantly similar to Diamond and Pearl storyline. Apart from the Distortion world part where you meet Giratina and also when you meet Team Galactic for the final time, nothing has been changed. Occasionally you will meet Looker, aiding him in his goal of catching Team Galactic in the act. The storyline still has the same formula past Pokemon games always have. You choose your first starter Pokemon, train it, capture some new Pokemon, battle some Gym Leaders here and there, train some more, do maybe a few side quests here and there, and eventually you'll be battling the Elite Four, a group of elite trainer with high powered Pokemon. Waiting, is the Pokemon Champion, which is always your main goal in the series.
Still, you'll enjoy the story regardless. You may notice a few minor changes like the re-designing of certain gyms. For example, Gym Leader Gardenia's Gym has be changed to have two leaf pedals rotate like a clock. For every trainer you defeat there, the plants rotate. Eventually, the plants will rotate, leading up to your battle with Gardenia. It's these minor changes that makes me know that the developers wanted to make at least some changes for the people willing to buy the third version.
New characters make their debut on Platinum and play a role for the newly created part of the storyline (left). Hmmmm.... Dialga and Palkia? What is Team Galactic really up to? (right)
One extra thing they added this time around is the Battle Frontier and Pal Park. I don't know what the Battle Frontier until now but I heard they decided to bring it back when it first appeared in
Emerald. Basically what the Battle Frontier is, is a 5 event battle that you must win consecutively. Eventually, you'll battle that tower's Frontier Brain. But this battle is not like any other battle, no. The battle varies depending for every Tower's rules. There may be a Tower that allows you to use random Pokemon so that's when strategy comes to mind. For each win you earn, you get BP. What they are, are point you can redeem for rare item, powerful TMs, and more. However, depending what Tower you battle in, you earn little BPs so redeeming these cool stuff will take a while. The Battle Frontier will take up lots of your time so this adds into the hours and hours of gametime for Platinum.
Besides the Battle Frontier, there's also the Pal Park. Basically what this is a place where all Pokemon from past regions are located here. Yes, even the Legends. This is to capture the rarest Pokemon not found in the Sinnoh region, the current region for Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. I haven't been able to experience this for myself as I have a long hiatus from Pokemon Red and Diamond so I can't really go in-depth with this one. I can tell you however that you can pretty much capture any Pokemon here.
Welcome to the Battle Tower! One of the battles you'll be engaging in requires you to use rental Pokemon. Choose wisely!
GAMEPLAY - 9/10
The key to every Pokemon game is its gameplay. The battle system still hasn't changed since Red and Blue first came out and it hasn't changed now. I mean yeah, the way you play it has changed a bit now that it's on the DS and uses the touch screen but that's only when you're too lazy to click on the 4 main buttons. I'm glad the developers is sticking to their traditional formula of the way you battle because I cannot see them changing the formula anytime soon. Or until Nintendo creates a brand new portable console. Apart from classic battling, there's also the Pokemon Contests a.k.a making your badass Pokemon put on a freaking tutu. Unlike battling, this system uses the touch screen and involves your Pokemon in three types of minigames where you must prove your beauty and move skills to the judges. If you win first place, you'll earn a ribbon. The Pokemon Contests aren't a main part of the game but it's a good break from all the battling. I admit tough, that I have made my Aggron put on a tutu covered in sparkles. Sorry Aggron. It's a cute sidequest and I'm sure you'll enjoy the minigames.
You would think "Why Pokemon developers, why would you still keep on doing this boring battle gameplay?" but in reality, this is actually a good thing. Since Pokemon games like these have always been on the portable consoles, simple gameplay is a must. Simplicity can actually be a good thing, even if we've seen the same gameplay for more than a decade. I would rather have simple gameplay than laggy and frustrating gameplay.
From single to double battles, veteran players will familiarize themselves with the traditional battle system
Apart from the battle and contest gameplay, is also your adventure. You have this neat little device called the Poketech. Basically what it is, is a watch that allows you to install unique little application that can prove an aid to your journey or is there just for sillies. One helpful app I know is the Daycare app, with this app, you can check up on how much your Pokemon's level has been raised. No longer do you have to go back to the daycare and see how much they've been getting stronger. Another helpful app is the map app. Pretty much for the lazy bums not wanting to open their backpacks to see a more detailed version of the actual map. However this is a great tool to find any roaming Legends. However not all the apps are great, I have found some to be really useless. Like the calculator for example, why in the world would I be doing math in a video game? I mean it's not like you're figuring out the calculations about the odds of getting a shiny Pokemon. Unfortunately such formulas exits and takes the fun out of the game. I'm all for bragging rights and whatnot but actually doing a formula for getting certain rares or shinnies is just too much. It's just sad.
Overall, I did not have any problems with the gameplay. The developers did an excellent job of making its transition from the GBA to the DS and more with the addition of the touch screen. Until we get a new portable console from Nintendo, expect the original gameplay formula for any future main Pokemon games
Now for online. There is actually a lot to do in online. Not just for battling or trading. It has this online mode called the Pokemon Plaza. Basically a place where trainers from all over the world can come together and relax. And yes, they even have some minigames here and there. Well three to be exact. I did get a chance to try them all and I have to tell you that all of them are really fun and mind you, they all use the touch screen. Like there's this minigame where it features Mime Jr. on a ball and basically what you have to do is keep on balancing Mime Jr. but by keeping the ball rolling at the same with the stylus. The person who had Mime Jr. rolling on the ball the longest, wins. Not only is there minigames in the Plaza but you also get this neat gimmick. From drums to balloons, these gimmicks can make you look cool or annoy the hell out of the other players *giggles*. In fact for every minigame you win, you get to power up your gimmick. BUT, it only has three levels so not very encouraging but cool nonetheless.
Now what I didn't like about the Plaza is how there's a time limit. Since when does online time have a time limit? But I will forgive this as there's pretty much nothing else to see in the Plaza except for the minigames and the Pokemon Parade. Waiting for the parade is actually the only thing worthwhile to stay until your time limit is finished. What the parade is, is something that shows up when your time to leave is nearing. They show several Pokemon and you can even ride on them too. In fact, this is how you leave the Plaza unless you want to stick around to see the rest of the show and then they finally force you off. It's a cute and fun way to leave such a limited area.
GRAPHICS - 9/10
Now graphics-wise, what has been changed in the third version? Well, don't be surprised because the graphics doesn't differ much from Diamond's and Pearl's. But that doesn't mean they can't do some minor tweaks. Some things they have changed is the weather. T his time around, your boy or girl character will be in their winter clothing. Another minor change is the table that displays your Pokémon's name, level, HP status, etc. Not only that, but they did change the Pokemon's sprites. By this I mean, that they way they animate once they're out of their Pokeballs has been changed. It's minor details like these that are noticeable in Platinum. Besides the Pokemon's Sprites, Gym Leaders and even Elite Four members are animated as well. They add that extra bit of rush before an epic battle is about to begin. It's not much animation but at least it's some progress.
Besides the newly animated sprites, the environment you'll be is pretty much the same. Lush, 3D motions every time you pass a house or building. When it rains or snows, it actually flows real nicely maybe to a point where it's relaxing. (probably exaggerating but what the hell?). Anyway, if you haven't played either Diamond or Pearl, chances are you'll appreciate the graphics for what it is. If you HAVE played Diamond or Pearl, you will either not care or just accept it the way it is.
Graphics doesn't differ much from Diamond and Pearl so expect a complete overhaul
OVERALL THOUGHTS
The Pokemon franchise has got to be a one the most iconic phenomena of our time. Sure it received lots of controversy but regardless of that, it managed to break through and become one of the most beloved game we've played. Pokemon continues to always come strong and regardless of a third version or remake of a remade game, people are still willing to buy it because deep down we all know Pokemon delivers that simple but RPG goodness and also the feeling of collecting as many Pokemon as you can. I am obviously rating this game a solid
9 out of 10. Gameplay still sticks to its roots, graphics is bright and lively but only some tweaks have been made, Pokemon Plaza could've been better and I still cannot capture that damn shiny Ditto, RAGGGGGEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for taking the time in viewing my review of
Pokemon Platinum.
Submitted by K-Man
28/10/2009
4621
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