R P G A M E R . C O M   -   E D I T O R I A L S

Did Ya' Catch Pokémon Fever?

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Tony Capri
STAFF EDITORIALIST

Well, my wife and I did. Actually, this is our first time with a Pokémon RPG. Our children have been enjoying them for some time, but it always seemed to be something strictly for the little tikes. However, when Diamond and Pearl (the latest in the main series, and first "true" Pokémon RPGs to arrive on the Nintendo DS system) were announced and information began to surface, I started to become interested. It's no secret that good RPGs--or any RPGs, for that matter--are still somewhat of a scarce commodity on the DS.

Now, some 70 hours in with the Diamond version, I'm a bonafide Pokéfan. To my surprise, a Pokémon RPG doesn't just contain an almost endless stretch of countryside to explore and things to do. It's tremendously clever in its presentation, and the dialogue is witty and hip. Who'da thunk it?!

Most of you are probably already well familiar with the basic "Catch'em All" format of these games, and that alone is great fun. But there's also a ton of little, side things for players to get lost in, and staying on track with the main story line can oftentimes be easily put off.

Mainly, though, Sinnoh--the region where the Diamond/Pearl game is set in--is an enjoyable place to hang out. The look, sound, and feel of the entire game welcomes you at almost every step. Sure, it's a bit on the cutesy side, but there's enough intelligent thought put into the game that even adults have plenty to laugh at and admire.

Both games are identical, save for a small variety of exclusive Pokémon in each respective version, and Diamond and Pearl don't seem to deviate much from past games in the series. That said, the games can perhaps be an even better experience for newcomers like myself.

Do you feel like I'm trying to sell you on the game? Well, that's because I am. I know how tired RPG fans can grow of the same old, same old: Cute guy with barely a clue sets out to help some hot anime babe save the world, or vice versa. Pokémon, on the other hand, spends more time poking fun at all that, and though the gameplay is, indeed, very intuitive--that's why so many young folks seem to fare well with the games--there's ample room for using your noggin.

So, if you, like me, love your DS and have been hoping for a game that you could finally put some massive amounts of mileage on...that game has arrived. Sure, you'll become part of what's perhaps considered the geekiest segment of the gaming community, but who has to know?