Pokemon Platinum Import Preview (update)

Luigi Lord here playing Pokemon Platinum which was recently released for Japan. My initial thoughts were "Oh whats the point its just gonna be exactly like Pearl and Diamond" and to my surprise there were quite a bit of changes.First noticeable change is that there's snow so apparently its winter time within Sinnoh this game round which I think is a nice touch. Also the way you come by your first Pokemon is way different from what I remember. For some reason your Rival tries to jump into the grass but is stopped by the professor where you then get your pick of Pokemon. I chose Chimchar which is probably not that good for this point in game, considering the first gym is a rock gym, and immediately after that your rival challenges you to a fight which I don't think happens in P/D. As soon as the battle starts your rival does a demented dance and then spams you with growl moves for an epic battle!... How did the battle turn out?... I lost.... Jerks....

Progressing in the game I go check out the pond (where you originally get your first pokemon in P/D) to see whats there only to discover, Dum Dum Dummmm, A TEAM ROCKET MEMBER?... Er... Team Galaxy (I'm still sad that they took out team rocket from the newer games) I only wish I knew what he said. Moving on we continue and talk to the professor get our pokedex then Dawn blocks you from progressing. Now at this point I was stuck for about 2 hours trying to figure out what to do which I then figured out was I needed to talk to my mom before continuing. After getting a journal and a parcel we go happily to the next city facing trainers along the way. After arriving Dawn introduces you to a man, not sure who he is but he has his own music so you know hes special. Getting my new and improved POKEWATCH! (which also has the calculator, clicker, etc) We continue to face who else but our good old rival once again doing his dance.

From that point out I didn't notice any changes, though I have only played up till the first gym battle I am very impressed. Though one thing seems odd to me... I never remember wild pokemon leveling up this fast! In the mines where workers should be working but battle you while finding the gym leader there were some lv 9 onyx in there? Though it has been a while since I played Pearl so it might just be my memory breaking.

Final thoughts so far: A mix of old things kept from pearl and changes. A lot of stuff unanswered due to not being able to read the text so I am highly anticipating the english release and I'm sure all pokemon fans, even those with P/D will want this game.

Note from TT:
We'll have a review once the game is released in America!

Update: I've been contacted by a member that it is actually not Winter in Sinnoh but the storyline revolves around it snowing and being cold despite it being out of season. I won't dive into the details because I don't want to spoil it.

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