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jp's Pokémon Diamond (DS)
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| [May 29, 2007 09:17:27 PM]
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The global trading system is neat and all that, but I've noticed that I don't really care for the Pokemon I get. It's almost like being struck with a consumerist virus. Buy. Buy. Buy...but never really enjoy what you get. To make things worse, I know for a fact that I'll never catch them all. I don't even want to! But it's still kind of fun to play at collecting.
However, I am feeling a little bit burned out by it all. The pace of the game is so slow at times that it can get really boring. All of the animations and introductions before a fight are nice the first few times, but by now I'm desperately wishing for a "skip" button. I know I'll win the fight, give me my XP and lets move on to other things.
It really is the same old game. Again.
However, I don't mind when it's Zelda or when it's Metroid, so why do I feel that the new features are just extras? I guess it's because the core gameplay is the same and there isn't really any challenge to it. Pick a Pokemon and grind your way up the XP ladder.. In Zelda, the elements may be the same but the puzzles are definitely not and for Metroid, the weapons may be the same, but you still need to master (and perfect) the running and jumping. So, the core gameplay, while not fresh, is still engaging. Addding more Pokemon and more moves hasn't really affected the training grind. And it really is just that. A grind.
But in all, it's still kind of neat. You can't complain too much about a game that has been polished so often, and so much. So, I guess I might still play some more. :-)
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| [May 15, 2007 10:41:02 AM]
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I can't beleive I've already played over 20 hours of this game. I'm shocked by this everytime I boot the game up. Really. I guess it goes to show that time flies when you're having fun, even if you'd had this kind of fun before and things aren't really all that different.
I guess the most exciting thing that has happened is that I've finally been able to get my DS to "go online"..and I've been able to trade 3 Pokemon over the global exchange service where you offer trades and hope someone out there is interested. (the difference with usual trading is that you don't have to know beforehand who you'll trade with and the trades are conducted asynchronously).
So, what did I trade for? Ah! First thing was a "Kadabra" for another "Kadabra". (Kadabra is a Pokemon that evolves only when it is traded, so a same-for-same trade makes absolute sense). After that I traded for two more relatively common Pokemon that I didn't want to bother looking for myself. I offered up a Magikarp as well! (Magikarp is probably the lamest Pokemon ever...but there is apparently a market for them in Japan, for English-named ones..) So, I got a Japanese Cascoon (which is cool, because the Pokemon's name appears in Japanese!) and a Chansey.
Nice!
I guess having a Japanese pokemon is neat, although I stupidly evolved it and its name changed over to English! Doh!
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| [May 3, 2007 10:01:52 AM]
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If this gamelog entry had a newspaper headline, it would have to be something like:
Kid gets mauled by savage Pokemon!
Of course, I'm dead serious. The world of Pokemon is an incredibly violent place. Here's a few examples of what I mean:
(a) Be wary of walking the countryside alone....
I'm not entirely sure what happens if, when randomly attacked by wild Pokemon, you lose. Why would wild Pokemon attack you in the first place? Are they bloodthirsty? Are they hungry and desperate? Are the retaliating in vengeance for enslavin their brethren and releasing them only to engage in furious battles until their opponents are rendered unconscious? Be sure not to wander into the tall grass without a Pokemon to do battle for you!
(b) The gauntlet...
Traveling anywhere requires running a gauntlet of people who have nothing better to do than ambush weary travelers. Fortunately, once you've proven that your place in the Pokemon pecking order is higher up, you won't get bothered again. But until then, you literally have to fight your way from place to place.
(c) Slavery
Your Pokemon are more slaves than pets. Not only do you capture them in the wild, but you lock them up in a small container that also manages to, somehow, brainwash them into thinking your their friend. Heck, Pokemon are treated practically as currency, offered to the highest bidder. Maybe someday we'll witness the Pokemon revolt wherein all Pokemon, large and small, break free from their shackles and rise up against their oppressors.
(d) Oppression
Is your Pokemon becoming unruly? No problem, just earn that next Gym badge to keep him under control. Free will in Pokemon will not be tolerated.
It's still a great game. :-)
This entry has been edited 1 time. It was last edited on May 3rd, 2007 at 10:03:03.
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jp's Pokémon Diamond (DS)
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Current Status: Stopped playing - Something better came along
GameLog started on: Thursday 26 April, 2007
GameLog closed on: Friday 26 October, 2007 |
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