Game: Pokemon Diamond/Pearl
Developer: Gamefreak
System: Nintendo DS
Year Released: 2006
Available online: No
Purchase Here: https://amzn.to/3b0TPEl
Released in 2006, Pokemon Diamond/Pearl, the next entries in one of the most popular game series of all time. Diamond/Pearl while not having many game play changes from the previous entries, were two of the best selling games in the series. Outselling both of the two previous sets and the set that came after this one by almost 2 million copies. The game reviews themselves were mixed, the graphics and sound taking a hit the most. Adding 107 new pokemon to the series bringing the catchable total to 357.
The same story as always. A child receives a pokemon after meeting a Professor and then travels across the land to catch all of the pokemon while completing the pokedex for the Professor. Along the way defeating all of the Gym leaders and becoming a Pokemon Master. Along the way he meets the crime syndicate Team Galactic who you must stop
Diamond/Pearl is not a game that I spent a lot of time playing before starting the Game Journey. From the short amount of time I played the game before, I know that these are not my favorite entries in the series. That honor belongs to Blue/Red/Yellow, the games from the Pokemon series that should be on the list and for some reason are not. Maybe this play will end up changing my mind or maybe it will make me dislike the game more. Who knows! Let’s get tot the Scores!
Graphics:
Pokemon Diamond/Pearl looks great graphically. The developers continued to stick with the graphic style the game is known for, but updating it a bit with brighter colors and more details where possible/counts, helps create a game that stands the test of time. The graphical style makes it so that even with age the game can still look good. Not over reaching worked in the developers favor. The battles and buildings got the updates they needed while the rest got touches but not a lot because ultimately it was already peak. Everything graphically looks great and remains nostalgic. A great looking game. 
Sound:
The sound in Pokemon Diamond/Pearl is pretty much the same that it has always been. The music is well composed with each area having its own theme. The sound track and sound effects are well balanced and work well together. It’s not really a soundtrack that you would listen to while doing other things but you don’t mind it while playing the game. On the other hand you can easily shut the sound off and not miss a thing. You can play the game to anything and it is just as fun. So not a bad soundtrack, just not great. 
Difficulty:
As an RPG/Adventure game, the difficulty is typical. The amount of time you put into keeping up with the levels, the more it pays off and makes the game easier as you go on. Of course the game gets harder as you go on and the Pokemon leveling choices make a difference but everything progresses at a pretty good pace helping to keep the game balanced. Like any RPG you decide how the game will go. Put in the work and the game will be not too easy, not too difficult(if you put the work in), Just right.
Entertainment Value:
Gotta Catch ’em all! Pokemon Diamond/Pearl continues the tradition of being entertaining rpg/adventure games. Despite the over goals of the game remaining the same, the games are updated enough that even after three hundred plus Pokemon you still want to get the latest entry and continue to catch them all. Maybe it’s the need to catch the complete set or you like the adventure. Either way, the Diamond/Pearl are no different. When something works, it works.
Does it hold up:
Diamond/Pearl holds up, there is no arguing that. The graphics have a look that stands up to time. The sound in this game is not something that people are looking for. The difficulty and entertainment are great enough that people keep coming back to the series but when we break it down, these are not the entries people are going to go back and play. They are going to pick up blue/red or sword and shield. So the games hold up but does it matter? 
Overall Score:
Pokemon Diamond/Pearl comes in with an overall score of 3.5 out of 5.
Some aspects of the game are there and everything works, then others are there and don’t work or don’t matter. Graphics, entertainment and difficulty are excellent. Sound and does it hold up not so much. The games are good and deserve everyone’s attention. They just are not games that must be played before you die.
Final Thoughts:
While the two sets of Pokemon games on the list were not terrible, they are just not great. Not sure why these 4 games are the ones that are on the list, it really doesn’t make much sense to me. Red/Blue/Yellow were the games that started it all and are the ones that should be must play before you die games. Diamond/Pearl aren’t bad and look great. Give it a shot, it’s not a time waste, just don’t think they should be the representatives on the list.
What are your thoughts? Agree/Disagree? Have something to add? Leave a comment down below! Do you want to help the Journey progress? Visit the Sponsor a Game page for more details to help keep this train rolling!
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