Pokémon Brilliant Diamond (2021)

I love Pokemon and the new graphics are very charming but this remake lacks soul. There is nothing inherently wrong, but there is nothing new in it. It played it too close to the originals which just leaves something to be desired, although it added some of the nice QOL of newer games which is appreaciated.

This is probably a remake that can be skipped.

I just beat the Team Galactic boss with a single Kricketune.

That's how messed up the balancing is because of the damn Exp Share.

It's frustrating because there's a very solid old school Pokemon game in here. But it's neutered by the hand holding. How difficult would have been to implement a classic mode, with an option to turn off Exp Share and your team randomly dodging moves/curing their own status effects/ surviving KO hits at random because they "love you".

I'm not even bothered by the "chibi" characters. The first 5 generations all used chibi sprites so I don't understand the gripe. But the damn Exp Share... early on I started running from all wild battles and even avoiding trainers, just to slow down my leveling up. And I'm still 10 levels ahead of some trainers!

One thing I will say though. I want to redo this game with some Nuzlocke rules. I'll add my own challenge, seeing as the game doesn't add it's own by default!

As a person who has had a deep hate for the OG D/P for so long that I can't even remember most of the reasons anymore, I've been enjoying BD a good deal. I feel like every area has the same three Pokémon, and I'm like Lv. 40 with only 4 badges, but other than that, it's been solid.

I LOVE not being stuck with all of the HMs that were an absolute move slot-wasting drag in the original games; I love the contests (even though I've only done two), the outfits, the BACKGROUNDS during fights (especially at night--oof, that skyyy), the new spin on the music, etc. The caverns in the Underground are super pretty. ALSO THE CAPSULE STICKERS ARE BACK.

My current team: Torterra, Houndoom, Kricketune (DELELELELELELEEEE), Floatzel (swapped for an Azumarill for all of an hour before I realized the little shit learned like no Fairy or Water moves so I said gimme my fastboi back), Chimecho, and Luxray.

Very early on, but I am just not finding this game fun. I would much rather go grab my DS and play the original at the moment. Maybe it's just that I am not as young as before, and going to a midnight release left me tired and cranky and falling asleep during the first battle. Since I only got to the first route after Sandgem today during lunch, I'll give it a day or two's worth of playing before I make a more final verdict.

Also, anyone with Pearl want to trade me a Misdreavus at some point since I mixed up the version exclusives, and compatibility with Home won't come this year?

Actually surprised at the positive response these games have gotten in reviews and fan feedback.

From what I’ve understood, apart from the new graphics, rearranged soundtrack, revamped caves and some updates to boss battle strategies, the game is virtually identical to the 2007 originals. I’ve seen no one who claims that the graphics actually looks better than the originals, which is worrisome for a faithful remake that has updated visuals as one of its only selling points.

Is this really all it takes to satisfy critics and players alike? Where was this complacency when Ultra Sun and Moon or Sword and Shield (arguably more ambitious releases) were released?

Who is picking one (or both) of these up?

This is by far my least favorite gen of Pokémon, so much so that I never even picked up Platinum (though I've heard a million times that it improved on some aspects of D/P). As someone who always gets all of the mainline games, that kind of said a lot about my feelings for this gen. I don't even remember specifics anymore, aside from: Defog, Rock Climb, another Fire/Fighting starter (that ended up being such garboooo) when I typically choose Fire because there are so few Fire options. (I honestly love most starters; it's often just a strategic choice.)

I still have the double pack pre-ordered, though, because it's Pokemon and I'm a sucker... But also, a lot of good things did admittedly come from this gen, like Floatzel, Luxray, Kricketune (DEELELELE BWEEEOOP) and some other Pokémon/stuff. I'm looking forward to seeing how they include new Pokémon/types/mechanics/etc.

Edit to add: Diamond will be my main, and Pearl my second round. I always pick the blue/silver/black/darker or cooler shade first.