3.5/5 ★ – MechaniChris's review of Pokémon Platinum.

This was the first Gen I didn’t buy as a kid and I always felt bad about it. I remember hearing things about it and thinking “I guess I made the right decision. Sounds like that one really jumped the shark.” Still, I was curious to know what I was missing. Not much! I know this is a lot of people’s favorite, but for the life of me I don’t know why. Is it a nostalgia thing? I mean, this has by far the worst new Pokémon additions, the worst starters (save for Torterra who I love with all my heart), the most insane story, the most overpowered legendaries, and mostly the most boring gameplay. I say gameplay like it’s different than any other game, but this game runs so much SLOWER than the others. Before I found the running shoes, I thought it would take me days just to get from town to town. Then there’s the new 3D dimension which is cool at first, but quickly loses all appeal when you realize there’s nothing there but a maze. Oh, not to mention the new mining component that FULLY sucks. I hate to disparage any Pokémon game because none of them are actually bad. This one is just the worst of a great series. It still looks good and adds some fun new things like trainer escort missions. But I have to wonder how much worse this Gen is than I even know. Keep in mind, I’ve ONLY played Platinum, which is universally agreed to be way better than Diamond/Pearl. Are those game just fully bad? Anyway, you guys enjoy the Gen 4 Remakes, I’ll be waiting for Legends Arceus.