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 BRILLIANT DIAMOND)**

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.

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 BRILLIANT DIAMOND)Pros:<ul><li>The games give work on the original Diamond and Pearl visuals and revamp them to 3D.</li><li>It finally opens up the Sinnoh region once more to fans, who were ardently waiting for it.</li><li>It integrates new generation mechanics to the games, like the Fairy type and hidden abilities.</li><li>Pokémon Contests have a fresh and new atmosphere to them, which entices newer faces who are willing to try that kind of playstyle.</li><li>Following Pokémon have returned from Sword and Shield (although, they do have certain upsetting features, which we will look at later)</li><li>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.</li><li>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.</li><li>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.</li></ul>Cons:<ul><li>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.</li><li>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.</li><li>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.</li><li>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.</li><li>The Battle Frontier, something which I did not expect to be included is still a disappointment natheless.</li><li>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.</li></ul>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.

Pokemon Shining Pearl