Pokemon Platinum Version DSi and DS Lite

Released on 22/05/2009

• Pokemon Platinum Version Preview

  Pokémon Platinum (Nintendo DS)

  

  The latest incarnation of the global phenomenon is among us. If you've resisted so far there is no longer any escape.

  Pokémon isn't a game, it isn't a kid's game and it certainly isn't a craze. Pokémon is a phenomenon. When it was released in 1996 we were riveted by Dolly the cloned sheep, Tupac Shakur and the brilliant Day Of The Tentacle by Lucas Arts. Only Pokémon soldiers on today and it just keeps getting stronger and stronger...
  

  Pokémon at a glance..

  • Pokémon stands for Pocket Monster.
    
  • The game was released in 1996 and was created by Satoshi Tajiri.
  • There are 493 species of monster in the game.
  • Pokémon is a role-playing game where you capture ad then train monsters to battle against each other.
  • By 2008 Pokémon had sold 186 million copies worldwide making it second only to the Mario games in terms of videogame success.
  • As well as a the videogames, two TV shows, a trading card game and a series of Manga books there's also a 747 Jumbo Jet with a Pokémon paintjob, a theme park and a slew of merchandise.

  

  The release cycle for Pokémon games is well established so Pokémon Platinum, while welcome, is not a bolt from the blue for those well-versed in Pokémon lore. The pattern goes like this: a new Pokémon game or playing system is created and two games are released simultaneously. These games share the new playing system and differ only in the Pokémon monsters available in the game. Then, a little time later (two years in the case of Pokémon Platinum) a compendium edition is released that includes the monsters from both games and perhaps one or two slight game tweaks. Pokémon Platinum is a combination of Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, which were released in 2007.

  The mini games, the atmosphere, the Wi-Fi tweaks and even the music are as good as it gets.

  Is it impossible to start?

  At the heart of every Pokémon game is a basic premise that is no more complex than a game of Scissors Paper Stone. That simplicity means that anyone can start playing the game. However once you begin the depth of play can give you vertigo and this is what so recommends the game: usually a strategy game that can boast the options and depth of Pokémon Platinum would demand a PhD's worth of research for anyone to get involved. The reality however, is that anyone can get involved, immediately.

  

  The basics

  Pokémon are little creatures that fight each other. You are a Pokémon trainer and can train up to six Pokémon at a time. Pokémon can be found in the wild or under the control of other trainers. Pokémon have one of three character elements – Fire, Water and Grass. Fire beats grass, grass beats water and water beats fire. However, in addition to this there are a further 17 elements and Pokémon can have one or more of these. Add to this four moves per creature, each one with its own element, and the game's possibilities start pirouetting off into a dizzying mathematical whorl.

  The play is all about the Pokémon. As a trainer you start out by hunting them out in Sinnoh, the region of Poke world that Platinum is set in. You capture them, train them and then battle them against rival in-game trainers, wild Pokémon and online against the world's Pokémon.

  It'll take you more than 20 hours to complete the main quest but that doesn't mean that it's then game over. Oh no, that just means the whole thing opens up for even more fun. Initially the Battle Frontier opens up, which is Pokémon stripped down to its simplest form. In this section you travel to an island away from the main play area, rent a team of Pokémon and fight against progressively tougher trainers. This lends itself to effectively training you, increasing your battle skills and teaching you how to craft a well-balanced team. Skills which you will soon be itching to try out against friends or in the Wi-Fi Plaza area for random play against other players worldwide.

  If you've played Pokémon before then you'll know all you need to about the phenomenon and all you need to know now is that this is the game at its absolute pinnacle. The mini games, the atmosphere, the Wi-Fi tweaks and even the music are as good as it gets. If, however, you are new to this then simply be aware that just dipping your toe into Pokémon will soon see you immersed in a whole new gaming universe and it's a deeply pleasant and rewarding experience.

  

  Published: 08/05/2009

• Pokemon Platinum Version Review

  Monster bunch

  Despite being one of the most popular games in the world Pokemon still has it's detractors and today, right here right now it's time to say enough. Pokemon is the greatest RPG game in the world. "But all the characters are cutesy and the music saccharine sweet," moan the naysayers. "It's a kid's game, it has nothing to offer me," they ramble on. You know these dull-thinking, limp-minded morons really wind me up, didn't they hear me three sentences ago? Back then I explained that "Pokemon is the greatest RPG game in the world". Weren't they a-listening? Didn't they understand? Oh well let them be. Luckily we have open minds, we aren't swayed by prejudice and bias. Crucially we also know that if you strip off the cutesy outer layer, this is a hugely complex and entertaining game. We know that if you play this once you'll be hooked.

  If you play this once you'll be hooked.

  That's the fact I'm afraid, this is an RPG that is as good as it gets and the wild irony is for a game of this type you can just pick it up and Play. Most games with this amount of depth are complex affairs that demand a lot of patience before you get into play proper. The only barrier to playing this game is that people think it's a cute kids game.

  So how great is great?

  In the game you are a Pokemon trainer. This means you have to catch, train and then battle your Pokemon (or pocket monsters) against monsters in the wild or other trainers. That's it. That's all you need to know about how to play. The thing is, once you're in, the nuances and twists and turns involved in battling other monsters mean that the variety on offer is immense.

  You have to catch, train and then battle your Pokemon... that's all you need to know about how to play.

  For people who are already addicted to Pokemon you'll simply have been nodding away waiting to find out what's different in this incarnation. There have been tweaks, there's a new form of Pokemon called Frost Rotom that is, well it's a fridge. There's also a fan and a dishwasher... all of which may have seemed like a good idea in a planning meeting but they don't translate brilliantly. Though, that said, the online community has gone mad for them. Also Sinnoh, the Poke-world region the game is set in, is vast and has areas like casinos with basic slot machines to divert yourself with. Essentially this is purely a refinement on what came in Diamond and Pearl. However, the refinements are so good that I can't say it's not worth playing if you have one or both of those games because it is. As well you know.

  Game on

  The main quest of the game will take you quite some time but once complete you get the Battle Frontier. Here you rent Pokemon and battle them on an island away from the main game and fight trainers, each one tougher than the last. This is Pokemon distilled to its purest form and encourages you to build the perfect team of five and know the different monsters' strengths and weaknesses. This game also sports the best online battles and trades the game has seen. It also allows you to get a mate to join you on the Battle Frontier for a two-on-two scrap. In short everything you've ever wanted from the game is here, what was already there has been refined... and what was there was good enough to make this a brilliant game. Well. Don't just stand there... go and get it!

  GAME's Verdict

  

  • The best RPG there is. Seriously
  • It looks and sounds great
  • It's highly addictive

  

  • Essentially it's Just Diamond and Pearl
  • Some people think it's a kids game. They're wrong
  • It's highly addictive

  Review by: Simon 'Pokirraneymon' Kirrane
  Version Tested: Nintendo DS
  Review Published: 25.05.09

  Published: 21/05/2009

• Pokemon Explained

  Pokémon Platnium on DS

  The latest incarnation of the global phenomenon is among us. If you've resisted so far there is no longer any escape.

  Pokémon isn't a game, it isn't a kid's game and it certainly isn't a craze. Pokémon is a phenomenon. When it was released in 1996 we were riveted by Dolly the cloned sheep, Tupac Shakur and the brilliant Day Of The Tentacle by Lucas Arts. Only Pokémon soldiers on today and it just keeps getting stronger and stronger...

  
  Pokémon at a glance...

  • Pokémon stands for Pocket Monster.
  • The game was released in 1996 and was created by Satoshi Tajiri.
  • There are 493 species of monster in the game.
  • Pokémon is a role-playing game where you capture ad then train monsters to battle against each other.
  • By 2008 Pokémon had sold 186 million copies worldwide making it second only to the Mario games in terms of videogame success.
  • As well as a the videogames, two TV shows, a trading card game and a series of Manga books there's also a 747 Jumbo Jet with a Pokémon paintjob, a theme park and a slew of merchandise.

  Pokemon types

  The release cycle for Pokémon games is well established so Pokémon Platinum, while welcome, is not a bolt from the blue for those well-versed in Pokémon lore. The pattern goes like this: a new Pokémon game or playing system is created and two games are released simultaneously. These games share the new playing system and differ only in the Pokémon monsters available in the game. Then, a little time later (two years in the case of Pokémon Platinum) a compendium edition is released that includes the monsters from both games and perhaps one or two slight game tweaks. Pokémon Platinum is a combination of Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, which were released in 2007.

  The mini games, the atmosphere, the Wi-Fi tweaks and even the music are as good as it gets.

  Is it impossible to start?

  At the heart of every Pokémon game is a basic premise that is no more complex than a game of Scissors Paper Stone. That simplicity means that anyone can start playing the game. However once you begin the depth of play can give you vertigo and this is what so recommends the game: usually a strategy game that can boast the options and depth of Pokémon Platinum would demand a PhD's worth of research for anyone to get involved. The reality however, is that anyone can get involved, immediately.
  
  The basics

  Pokémon are little creatures that fight each other. You are a Pokémon trainer and can train up to six Pokémon at a time. Pokémon can be found in the wild or under the control of other trainers. Pokémon have one of three character elements Fire, Water and Grass. Fire beats grass, grass beats water and water beats fire. However, in addition to this there are a further 17 elements and Pokémon can have one or more of these. Add to this four moves per creature, each one with its own element, and the game's possibilities start pirouetting off into a dizzying mathematical whorl.

  The play is all about the Pokémon. As a trainer you start out by hunting them out in Sinnoh, the region of Poke world that Platinum is set in. You capture them, train them and then battle them against rival in-game trainers, wild Pokémon and online against the world's Pokémon.

  It'll take you more than 20 hours to complete the main quest but that doesn't mean that it's then game over. Oh no, that just means the whole thing opens up for even more fun. Initially the Battle Frontier opens up, which is Pokémon stripped down to its simplest form. In this section you travel to an island away from the main play area, rent a team of Pokémon and fight against progressively tougher trainers. This lends itself to effectively training you, increasing your battle skills and teaching you how to craft a well-balanced team. Skills which you will soon be itching to try out against friends or in the Wi-Fi Plaza area for random play against other players worldwide.

  If you've played Pokémon before then you'll know all you need to about the phenomenon and all you need to know now is that this is the game at its absolute pinnacle. The mini games, the atmosphere, the Wi-Fi tweaks and even the music are as good as it gets. If, however, you are new to this then simply be aware that just dipping your toe into Pokémon will soon see you immersed in a whole new gaming universe and it's a deeply pleasant and rewarding experience.

  

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