Topic: Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

@Pizzamorg You know what, I kind feel that way to LOL.

I don't read most reviews anymore, and halfway I skimmed through the NL review (as I do). But my number 1 issue is almost always that the score fails to actually reflect the review. If what you wrote failed to match the number you gave it, re-write or don't score it. I mean most game reviews aren't especially long, I can't imagine there was no time for this.

I've hated this since one of the last Nintendo Power reviews I read when they complained about Super Mario Galaxy for like 1/2 of the review and then gave it like a 9.5. It makes the entire process of reviewing feel like a complete waste of my time.

You just have to read reviews as subjective impressions, that's all. I don't care what score they give it. Everyone has a different scoring system and it's all arbitrary. I just read what they wrote, and best case scenario I've read other stuff by the reviewer so I have a sense for what kinds of games they like and dislike.

People are really media illiterate these days and it's kind of scary. Don't agree with something? Must be "trash" or "fake." Agree with something? It's the only thing in the world that's seeing the situation for what it truly is.

Just calm down and step back from it. It's just a human being giving their impressions on a game just like you or I would. We're all biased and we all have our blind spots and preferences. You'll be a much happier person if you approach media like this.

The thing about reviews is that they're meant to give people a sense on if a game is good or not, or worth the price. It's called a "review" and not a "Opinion piece" or "Impressions" for a reason. Reviews are legit supposed to tell people what a game's systems are like, or give them an impression of what they should expect in buying them. In my opinion, they should be taking a look objectively at a game, and not subjectively like the one posted today. Counting points off because a game doesn't look graphically great to you is superficial at best, and shows that they don't care about if the game is of actual quality outside of the art style.

The review for BDSP is someone saying that objectively it's bad in their eyes, because the art style itself isn't good to them.

I view reviews as objective opinions, more than anything. They're nice to read, and I usually read more than one, but I don't take them as gospel. I also use demos, video footage, and word of mouth to help me make an informed decision if I'm on the fence. Or, if I feel like taking a chance, I'll just pick up what I'm contemplating.

As for the review here, I thought it was reading more like a 7 or 8 until I reached the score. The permanent Exp. Share turn-on should indeed be optional - and this isn't the only modern entry that does this, currently dealing with this in my Shield playthrough - and I do agree that the Platinum dex shouldn't just be restricted to the Underground. The objections to the art style....Well, things like this are always in the eye of the beholder. What one person likes, another person dislikes. Sure, I love the 2.5D pixel art in the originals, but I'm not going to crap on the current art style when I haven't played the games yet. As someone who disliked the new 3D chibi design at first, there have been notable improvements since BDSP was originally revealed. It's grown on me.

Also, referring to 7.8/10 - Too Much Water IGN meme....While I agree that this shouldn't have had a bearing on the overall ORAS score back then, I'm of the (unpopular) opinion that the latter water routes were indeed a slog thanks to random encounters. To ORAS's credit, the encounter rate was MUCH improved compared to the originals, but boy did I dislike the last 1/4 of the overworld in the original R/S/E back in the day. Get done with an encounter? Bam! Another water type three squares later! Heaven forbid if you were playing Sapphire where even more water types were thrown at you thanks to Team Aqua.

Some helpful links I put together ^.^

BDSP Underground Encounters (Row 4 is showing you what you need to unlock for Row 6 to show up):
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vWsknQwe4t-o8zbPFUc2g...

BDSP Master Info - Who learns which move when?
https://pastebin.com/VRXqGQNc

BDSP Exclusive Pokemon Infographic
https://www.deviantart.com/adeptcharon/art/Version-Exclusive-...

BDSP Trainer Data Including Elite Four and Champion Teams:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_uRpnFWroeCY3RaRi4lXe...

@thiz- the spreadsheet you dropped for Grand Underground is inaccurate, because you already can catch a Ralts after getting Explorers Kit not after National Dex. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ttK1EPd7gKltKcW_W7EAG...

@SViper So wait, how early can you catch one, because I really want to catch one.

@SViper You are right yeah. Thank you!

@Snatcher directly after you unlock the feature, so in 2cnd gym city

@Snatcher like @thiz- said it will be as soon as you reach 2nd Gym City (Eterna City), so before taking on 2nd Gym.

@thiz- @SViper Damn that so early! I can't wait.

Was it you who wrote the review or something?

You are right, in the grand scheme, a score doesn’t really matter at the end of the day but as others have said, consistency is important. A review that says “Game is garbage, 10/10” is not helpful. The whole point of a review is not for the reviewer to spout personal opinions, but inform the reader in what they are investing in, to allow them to make a more informed decision as to whether to spend their money or not.

Here, not only does the score ultimately not line up with the tone and content of the review, but much of the review is focused on the art style which is almost entirely irrelevant, in a review where they specifically point out the clarity/good performance, likely exactly due to this art style, given S/S. They could have said something like “While the art style may be polarising to some - I personally am not a huge fan - you will be pleased to know the game looks crisp when docked and runs…” whatever.

If you want to cry about the new art style, write a separate opinion piece to explore that, don’t muddy the review which should mostly be informative only, with your worthless opinion.

Australians gets to play in like 2 hours. For Europe its about 13 hours away. Not really sure how to get that last bit of time flying. The final sprint is always the hardest to deal with.

@thiz- Well mines are coming out of amazon, so Lets hope it show's up, idk if it shipped yet.

@Pizzamorg Its just buttering up at that point LOL.

@thiz- 2 and half hours.

@SViper You forgot to post the seconds and milliseconds...
Correcting me is okay, but chill a little will ya

@thiz- what I meant that in 2 hours and 23 minutes everyone can stream, post gameplay and such as legally.

I really can't wait to play this game, I'm so hyped!

@Pizzamorg I totally agree with you regarding the pokemon review and commented that way yesterday. I feel that reviews should be to most part impartial, I fully respect any reviewer writing their personal opinion towards something but not, as in this case, base the whole review around it.

Yesterday's review seemed to follow this websites recent trend of using divided opinion in order to grab clicks, modern day journalism at it's best!!