A new trailer for Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl has revealed that the Pokétch has made it easier than ever to use HMs. The Pokémon series did away with HMs in Pokémon Sun and Moon, by assigning them to an outside item that's upgraded over the course of the game, rather than linking them to moves and Gym Badges.
HMs (Hidden Machines) were originally used as progress gates in the Pokémon series. HMs like Cut, Strength, and Surf were used to reach new locations, but in order be able to use these moves outside of battle, players would need to acquire Gym Badges. This ensured players were defeating a given region's Gym Leaders and leveling up their Pokémon at a reasonable rate while progressing through the story. The problem with this system is that Pokémon had to waste move slots on the HMs, meaning that almost player's team would have a Water-type Pokémon when finishing the main storyline, as Surf is the most commonly used HM in the Pokémon series. This system was still used in Gen IV, but it appears the Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl remakes have a clever solution.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl appear to be fairly faithful remakes in terms of bringing back original content, which left some concerned that the old HM system was also returning. However, a new trailer for Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl on The Official Pokémon YouTube Channel has revealed that this is not the case, as players can use an overhauled version of the Pokétch items as a means of utilizing HMs.
The Pokétch is a device from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl that resembles a smartwatch, and it featured helpful apps trainers could use on their Pokémon journeys. It turns out that the Pokétch will become much more useful in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. According to the trailer, players can call on nearby wild Pokémon to use HM moves like Cut and Surf at a moment's notice rather than needing to reserve a Pokémon move slot for the move. Bidoof, one of the best HM mules in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl is shown using some of the HM moves in the trailer during gameplay, despite not belonging to the player's party.
The response to Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl has been mixed, with some lamenting its new art style and others concerned that it doesn't offer enough all-new content. At the very least, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have banished the need for HM mules to the Distortion World.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will be available for Nintendo Switch on November 19, 2021.