Pokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlare the latest installments in thePokemonseries, yet they are the first of their kind in many ways. The games are the first examples of remakes of post-Game BoyPokemongames. They are also the firstPokemonremakes to be made after Nintendo decided to integrate the best of what its home consoles and handhelds had to offer by making the Switch.
As a result,Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlare the firstPokemonremakes to be made for a home console. Most importantly, they are the first games in the series to deviate from the visual norm established by the introductory games of their generation. Indeed,SwordandShielddiffer fromBrilliant DiamondandShining Pearlin a fair number of ways, and the aesthetics are just one component of these differences.
RELATED:Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Player Shares Guaranteed Method to Find Feebas
The Different Visuals
Pokemon SwordandShieldcarried the aesthetical legacy of the3DSPokemongameswhen it came to their arts style. The transition from the seventh generation to the eighth was a superficial one from an artistic perspective.SwordandShieldessentially took advantage of the Switch’s superior capabilities, as the semi-pixelated models found on the 3DS were now polished and clean, but the general art style remained the same. This is not just the case with the human characters, but also with the Pokemon themselves. The animations and poses remained generally the same, and it is especially obvious when comparingSwordandShieldwithXandYorSunandMoon.
In the previous generations,Pokemonremakes brought an older set of games back to life using the current generation’s engine, mechanics, and graphics. WhileBrilliant DiamondandShining Pearldefinitely look like the typical modernPokemongame, followingSwordandShield’s steps in the process, they have defining features of their own - the most notable being the chibi look the characters have in the overworld, which changes back to the usual style with regular proportions. In a way, it is a 3D interpretation ofPokemonbattles prior to X and Y’s release.
These creative decisions are a product of the developers wanting to maintain the looks of theoriginalDiamondandPearl, which were sprite-based. UnlikeSwordandShield, which appears to be trying to push the series forward as far as visuals go,Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearltake advantage of their status as remakes. They try to not only remindPokemonand its fans of the franchise’s roots, but also appeal to the nostalgia of adults that might have grown up with the original Gen 4 titles.
RELATED:Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl: Where to Find and Catch Mewtwo
The Pokedex Problems
Pokemon SwordandShieldare associated with one of the most controversial design decisions in the history of the franchise.The lack of a National Pokedexled to outrage, with the phenomenon even given a name: “Dexit”. Not only were around half of the existing Pokemon unavailable in the main game, which is normal, but their data was nowhere to be found in the games’ files. This provided a dark blueprint for what was to come in futurePokemongames. The title of the series’ oldest days, “Gotta catch’em all”, was not just reduced to an artifact. It was rendered obsolete.
InPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearl, the Pokedex issues continue to creep up, but in different ways.
As remakes, the Pokemon that can be caught in theBrilliant DiamondandShining Pearlare essentially what makes up theGen 4 National Pokedex. While that is not completely satisfactory, it makes sense to a certain extent.Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearltry to offer an experience that is simultaneously reminiscent of an era that is long gone and fresh for the franchise. Since it is implied, if not outright confirmed, thatPokemongames will have restricted Pokedexes until further notice,Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlcleverly played around with said restrictions instead of reacting confusingly likeSwordandShield.
The Difficulty
It is safe to say that whilePokemongames were not explicitly difficult, they have gotten easier over the years, and not only due to quality-of-life improvements.Pokemon SwordandShieldnever needed a handholding tutorial likeSunandMoon, but there was never much of a challenge during the main story. Grinding became less of a chore, but it also resulted into sweeps being easier than ever. The high levels of some of the late game Trainers are only superficially intimidating.Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlare not harder thanSwordandShield. In fact, they are even easier in certain aspects, such as theExp. Share being impossible to turn off.
This lower difficulty is especially jarring when the original Gen 4 games could be reasonably challenging with their bosses, especially the Champion. What separates the remakes fromSwordandShieldin this department is the postgame offerings. Bosses can be refought like inPlatinum. In a way that can be seen as ambushing, they have ridiculously powerful teams with perfect EVs, IVs, and competitive strategies.Cynthia’s Garchompbecame the strongest AI Pokemon in the mainline games’ history. These battles do not make the Gen 4 remakes any harder since they’re optional, but their presence shows the developers’ will to give fans the challenge they desire, which could be a good influence on futurePokemongames.
Pokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlare available now on Nintendo Switch.
MORE:Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl: Where to Find Amulet Coin
