Pokémon Brilliant Diamond Review: Is It Worth It?

Hey guys! Let's dive into the sparkling world of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond on the Nintendo Switch. If you're anything like me, you've got a soft spot for the classics, and this remake promises a nostalgic trip back to the Sinnoh region. But does it live up to the hype? Is it worth your hard-earned cash? Let’s break it down.

What's the Hype About?

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are remakes of the original Nintendo DS games from 2006. For many, these games hold a special place in their hearts. The Sinnoh region introduced us to some fantastic Pokémon, memorable characters, and a compelling storyline centered around powerful legendary Pokémon and the mysteries of time and space. The remakes aim to bring this beloved experience to a new generation of trainers while rekindling the flame for veterans. The developers at ILCA took on the challenge of recreating this world, and the anticipation has been palpable.

Gameplay and Nostalgia

At its core, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond sticks closely to the original formula, which is both a blessing and a curse. The gameplay is classic Pokémon: you traverse the region, battle wild Pokémon, challenge gym leaders, and thwart the plans of the villainous Team Galactic. The turn-based combat remains largely unchanged, which some will find comforting and others will see as outdated. However, the sheer nostalgia factor is strong. Walking through familiar towns, encountering beloved Pokémon, and hearing those iconic tunes can bring a tear to the eye of any long-time fan. If you're looking for a faithful recreation of the original, this game delivers.

Visuals: A Chibi Dilemma

One of the most debated aspects of Brilliant Diamond is its visual style. The game adopts a chibi art style for the overworld, with characters appearing in a more cutesy, scaled-down form. While this look is charming in some respects, it has been a point of contention for many players. Some feel it detracts from the seriousness of the story and the overall immersion. However, the battle sequences offer a significant upgrade, with detailed Pokémon models and vibrant attack animations. It’s a mixed bag, but ultimately, the visuals don't make or break the experience. The environments themselves have been beautifully updated, bringing the Sinnoh region to life with vibrant colors and improved details. Exploring forests, caves, and snowy mountains feels more immersive than ever before.

Quality of Life Improvements

Brilliant Diamond introduces several quality-of-life improvements that enhance the gameplay experience. The most notable is the Grand Underground, a vast network of tunnels beneath the Sinnoh region where you can dig for valuable items and create your own Secret Base. This adds a new layer of exploration and customization to the game. Additionally, the Fairy-type has been added to the game, which rebalances some of the type matchups and adds new strategies to battles. Pokémon Hideaways in the Grand Underground are a fantastic addition, allowing you to encounter Pokémon that aren't normally found in the Sinnoh region. This adds a lot of replay value and encourages exploration. Furthermore, the UI has been streamlined, making it easier to manage your party, items, and other essential functions. These small but significant changes make the game more accessible and enjoyable for both new and returning players.

What Could Be Better?

Despite its charms, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond isn't without its flaws. Some of the game's design choices feel dated, and the lack of significant innovation may disappoint those looking for a more modern Pokémon experience.

Lack of Innovation

One of the biggest criticisms of Brilliant Diamond is its reluctance to deviate from the original formula. While staying true to the source material is commendable, the game misses opportunities to introduce new features and mechanics that could enhance the experience. For example, the battle system remains largely unchanged, lacking the dynamic camera angles and strategic depth of more recent Pokémon games. Additionally, the story progression is almost identical to the original, which may feel repetitive for those who have already played Diamond and Pearl. While nostalgia is a powerful draw, some players may find the lack of innovation disappointing. Features like Mega Evolution or Dynamaxing, which have been introduced in later Pokémon games, could have added a fresh twist to the battles and made the game feel more modern. The absence of these features feels like a missed opportunity to elevate the remake beyond a simple recreation.

Technical Issues

At launch, Brilliant Diamond was plagued by a number of technical issues, including frame rate drops and glitches. While some of these issues have been addressed in patches, they still detract from the overall experience. The game occasionally suffers from slowdown, particularly in crowded areas or during intense battle sequences. Additionally, some players have reported encountering visual glitches, such as textures not loading properly or characters clipping through walls. These technical issues can be immersion-breaking and frustrating, especially for those who expect a polished experience from a modern remake. While the developers have been actively working to fix these problems, they remain a concern for some players. It's important to check for the latest updates and patches before playing to ensure the smoothest possible experience.

Online Experience

The online features in Brilliant Diamond are functional but lack the depth and polish of other modern multiplayer games. Trading and battling with friends is possible, but the interface feels clunky and outdated. There's no integrated voice chat, which makes coordinating trades and battles more difficult. Additionally, the Global Wonder Exchange system, which allows you to trade Pokémon with random players around the world, is less intuitive than in previous games. While the online functionality is adequate for basic trading and battling, it falls short of the robust online experiences offered in other Pokémon games. Features like online tournaments, cooperative raids, and more comprehensive social features could have greatly enhanced the multiplayer experience. The current online system feels like a missed opportunity to create a vibrant and engaging community around the game.

Is It Worth It?

So, the million-dollar question: is Pokémon Brilliant Diamond worth your time and money? The answer, as always, depends on what you're looking for in a Pokémon game.

For Nostalgia Seekers

If you're a long-time Pokémon fan looking to relive the magic of the original Diamond and Pearl games, then Brilliant Diamond is a solid choice. The game faithfully recreates the Sinnoh region, its characters, and its storyline, offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The updated visuals and quality-of-life improvements enhance the experience without sacrificing the charm of the original. Just be prepared for some dated design choices and a lack of significant innovation. For those who grew up with the original games, the nostalgia factor alone may be worth the price of admission. Hearing the classic music, exploring familiar locations, and battling beloved Pokémon can evoke powerful memories and create a sense of connection to the past. However, it's important to manage expectations and recognize that this is a faithful remake, not a reimagining. If you're seeking a radically different experience or a significant departure from the original, you may be disappointed.

For Newcomers

If you're new to the Pokémon franchise or haven't played the original Diamond and Pearl games, Brilliant Diamond is a decent entry point. The game is relatively easy to pick up and play, and the story is engaging enough to keep you hooked. However, be aware that the gameplay is more traditional and less dynamic than more recent Pokémon games. You may find the turn-based combat and linear progression to be somewhat outdated compared to modern gaming standards. Additionally, the chibi art style may not appeal to everyone, especially those accustomed to more realistic or stylized visuals. Nevertheless, Brilliant Diamond offers a solid introduction to the world of Pokémon and provides a taste of what makes the franchise so beloved. It's a good starting point for exploring the series and discovering whether you enjoy the core mechanics and themes. Just be aware that there are more modern and innovative Pokémon games available that may offer a more compelling experience for newcomers.

The Verdict

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond is a faithful remake that caters primarily to fans of the original games. It offers a nostalgic trip back to the Sinnoh region with updated visuals and quality-of-life improvements. However, its reluctance to innovate and its technical issues may disappoint some players. If you're looking for a classic Pokémon experience with a fresh coat of paint, Brilliant Diamond is worth considering. But if you're seeking a more modern and innovative Pokémon game, you may want to look elsewhere.

In short:

• Pros: Faithful recreation of the original, nostalgic charm, updated visuals.
• Cons: Lack of innovation, technical issues, dated design choices.

Overall Score: 7/10