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Pokemon Brilliant Diamond

•2021•
Everyone
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond

Platforms


  • Nintendo Switch
    Nov 19, 2021

    8.1
    playscore
    7.3
    32 Critics
    9.5
    11.6K Players

32 critic reviews · 10 community reviews across all platforms

Critic Reviews


  • Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl are extremely faithful remakes that provide a great entry point to the Sinnoh region for new players and a trip down memory lane for established fans, but a lack of new features or content will leave some players wanting more.

    Brian Mackenzie · Nov 30, 2021
    Reviewed on Switch
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  • Were the games held back in scope to not step on Arceus: Legends' toes? I don't know, and I doubt we ever truly will. It's a shame either way - when it's firing on all cylinders, ILCA's first outing shows loads of promise and offers one of the most engaging Pokemon releases in years. I just wish the game itself didn't feel like it was constantly running up against limitations of its own design. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are good, but they could've been so much more.

    RPG Site Staff · Nov 29, 2021
    Reviewed on Switch
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  • It may seem a little bit costly for a remake that stays fairly close to the source material aside from a snazzy new look, but there’s still a lot of game here. Even better, it’s enjoyable no matter your age, gender or skill level. Once you’ve started playing Pokémon Brilliant Diamond you really will feel the urge to catch ’em all. And the improvements here mean it’s never been as easy or enjoyable.

    Richard Seagrave · Nov 26, 2021
    Reviewed on Switch
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  • There remains about Pokémon Brilliant Diamond the glint of something far gone, and there is something warmly reassuring about the place.

    Josh Wise · Nov 26, 2021
    Reviewed on Switch
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  • NME

    NME

    6.0

    Pokémon Brilliant Diamond is a surprise. Despite some teething issues, it came through as a decent if uninspired showing for fans of fourth-generation Pokémon games, and an enjoyable return to the Sinnoh region. Some issues could’ve been ironed out better, but for old players and new, this is probably the ideal way to experience Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.

    James Law · Nov 24, 2021
    Reviewed on Switch
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  • Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are faithful recreations of the 2008 DS title. While leaving most content untouched the Quality of Life upgrades and enhanced features make this the best way to experience Sinnoh.

    Andrew Stretch · Nov 22, 2021
    Reviewed on Switch
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  • IGN

    IGN

    8.0

    People who played Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl can revisit familiar places and relive familiar scenes once more. For those setting out through Sinnoh for the first time, plenty of new encounters and surprises await. Players of this remake will find the easy-to-understand, player-friendly conveniences of the modern Pokémon series, plus up-close-and-personal Pokémon battle scenes.

    Rebekah Valentine · Nov 19, 2021
    Reviewed on Switch
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  • The problem is that these are very good remakes of Diamond & Pearl and excellent games in and of themselves - they’re just nowhere near the best Gen 4 remake. Given that Platinum is still superior to Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl in almost every conceivable way, it’s difficult to comprehend why these games even exist aside from making them available on a modern console, in which case… just port Platinum. That’s the main takeaway I have from my time with Shining Pearl: it’s brilliant and it shines, but not quite as brilliantly bright as a game that came out 13 years ago.

    Cian Maher · Nov 17, 2021
    Reviewed on Switch
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  • On the flip side, I’m not sure who this release is for. If you’ve never played Diamond and Pearl, you’ll probably love these games. Assuming you don’t mind a couple of tiny steps backwards in terms of mechanics. If you’re familiar with the old games, this will be a mostly pleasant nostalgia trip. Especially if you’ve forgotten everything that happens, like me.

    James Paley · Nov 17, 2021
    Reviewed on Switch
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  • The Pokémon franchise is big, the company behind these games makes millions off of these and yet there is a feeling time and time again that we're not getting the full AAA experience that such selling numbers should warrant, and this is seen very plainly in how technically dated these games look, even if artistically speaking they are still super cute. We are pleased with these remakes for sure, they're jolly good fun... but we're not impressed and this has to change in the future for the franchise!

    Rudy Lavaux · Jan 06, 2022
    Reviewed on Switch
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Community Reviews


  • chris20222

    Chris

    Feb 8, 2022
    6.5

    If your looking for a Pokemon game that feels like the older mainline series games then this could be for you. Pokemon Brilliant Diamond does alot right in it being a faithful remaster to Diamond and Pearl. Graphics are nice, great revised sounds and music, easier yet still challenging to obtain shinys, interesting EV system adding a new layer to your pokemon. The underground has been revised to the Grand Underground containing traders, national dex pokemon, evolution stones and more. The battle tower remains challenging and fun, HM's are no longer required by pokemon in your party to be used which is a blessing. Running is also now automatic. I enjoyed visiting the Sinnoh region again despite the disappointment of it not being a Platinum remaster. The Platinum content was missed. (Team Galatic are a drag in this game with alot of the same pokemon) The game has crashed on me 7 times in my 160 hour game time on version 1.1.3. At times you can see black lines appear on edges of the floor which I doubt they will ever patch now given the games already had its major updates. The Elite four are overpowered and use items for days which is irritating. Cycling is now a right pain as you get caught on the edges of objects and characters alot. I suggest only cycling in open areas. Xp share can't be turned off (why?!) It's not a bad game in my opinion and is totally worth picking up on sale, especially if your a fan of the older games, but I wouldn't say it's a must have pokemon game. It's been a great excuse for me to start a living dex and I'm thankful for a gen 4 remaster. Just wish it was executed better. 6.5/10. Good Diamond, not brilliant.

    Reviewed on Switch
  • pichu

    Vi Hoàng Khang

    Jan 6, 2022
    5

    hello

    Reviewed on Switch
  • jadynrodrigues

    Jadyn Rodrigues

    Dec 11, 2021
    7.6

    The Pokémon franchise returns this Christmas and provides the fans with a revisit to the Sinnoh region. However, this latest installment in the franchise is a mediocre one at best. It makes an effort to please every wish, but fails at doing so thoroughly, which leads to a lack of coherence and a sense of completion in the finished product. Here is my take on these games: (MINOR SPOILERS INCLUDED) (SAME REVIEW FOR SHINING PEARL) Pros: The games give work on the original Diamond and Pearl visuals and revamp them to 3D. It finally opens up the Sinnoh region once more to fans, who were ardently waiting for it. It integrates new generation mechanics to the games, like the Fairy type and hidden abilities. Pokémon Contests have a fresh and new atmosphere to them, which entices newer faces who are willing to try that kind of playstyle. Following Pokémon have returned from Sword and Shield (although, they do have certain upsetting features, which we will look at later) Character Customisation has been featured in this remake, which is fortunate, since previous remakes did not contain this feature. Although it is understandably streamlined and simplified from Sword and Shield, it still give players the option to change their character into snazzy different alts. The Grand Underground, an enhancement of Diamond and Pearl's Underground, is an extremely welcome addition and improves the gameplay substantially. It imparts a richer sense of immersion to overall experience, with the various habitats and copious Pokémon available to catch there. The absence of the HM Mule System. While the games still contains HMs, they are adjusted to not hinder the player's gameplay anymore. That is, HMs do not need to be taught to your Pokémon, the simply summon wild Pokémon to solve the task. This is a much needed boon and an interesting work-around to the HM dilemma, which could be implemented in upcoming remakes in the future. Cons: The game's difficulty curve is absurd. It starts off easy and continues monotonously at the same pace, while suddenly upping the ante during the climax and ending of the game, without much prior warning or indication. The movement mechanics for this game seem as if they were designed for a 3D open-world game, but applied to a 2D Chibi game. There have been countless instances where players face issues due the movement being uncooperative. The graphics of the game aren't abysmal, but they certainly aren't admirable either. To be clear, I am NOT talking about the art style. The chibi art style of these games is acceptable, nevertheless, I feel that the developers could have worked on them a bit more. Coming to the main point however, the scale and proportion of these games is bizarre. When Pokémon follow your character in the overworld, the ratios are vastly different to what we have come to expect from Pokedex entries and prior games. Speaking about the Pokedex, it is in a sorry state right now. Forgoing the fact that the national dex isn't included, the complete Platinum dex isn't included as well. We were being misled by trailer footage that the Pokedex in these games were going to include the entire Platinum dex before the post-game, but in the final version, there are many Pokémon who are not available at all during the main plot and some whose evolutions/evolutionary items are only available after beating the Pokémon League. Only a select few survivors from the Platinum dex can be found in the Grand Underground. The Battle Frontier, something which I did not expect to be included is still a disappointment natheless. There were numerous glitches and bugs during the initial release of the games, and they still continue to exist. While some glitches are tolerable during release, they are quickly patched a short while later. These games though, contain a haven of bugs. It does not set a good precedent for a company as respectable and distinguished as Pokémon. The generation 4 remakes were heavily awaited by the Pokémon fanbase, but now having finally arrived, they do not deliver the experience that was promised. An important thing to make note of is that these remakes were outsourced by the Pokémon Company to ILCA. Hopefully at least some of the predicaments can be alleviated by a possible DLC in the future, however that remains in the hands of ILCA and the Pokémon company.

    Reviewed on Switch
  • jejuand

    Jejuand

    Dec 9, 2021
    6.4

    I wasn't able to play the original version on the DS, but this version it feels wrong. The design is not just okay, story is acceptable but the game difficult is so easy. Pokemon company should give us the option to use the share exp or not. I understand that the share exp is for the new players or youngers but the entire game it feels I was playing in the easiest mode of the game. Your Pokemons gain experience ridiculously and you can win battle with just one hit, the only difficult battle is with the champion league. This game is lame, easiest, and that makes it boring.

    Reviewed on Switch
  • guioiticica

    guioiticica18

    Nov 22, 2021
    10

    I love so much this game!

    Reviewed on Switch

About the game


Experience the nostalgic story from the Pokémon Diamond Version game in a reimagined adventure, Pokémon™ Brilliant Diamond, now on the Nintendo Switch™ system! Adventures in the Pokémon Brilliant Diamond game will take place in the familiar Sinnoh region. Rich in nature and with mighty Mount Coronet at its heart, Sinnoh is a land of many myths passed down through the ages. You’ll choose either Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup to be your first partner Pokémon and then set off on your journey to become the Champion of the Pokémon League. Along the way, you’ll be able to encounter the Legendary Pokémon Dialga.

Developer: ILCA