The Sinnoh remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have been announced for release late in 2021. These highly-anticipated remakes have been a source of speculation by fans since 2020, and their confirmation has many gamers excited to see what the reimagined region of Generation 4 will look like. Pokémon series remakes have always been a fine balance of modern mechanics and optimization for new gaming platforms while staying true to the source material of the original games. Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire did a good job of balancing the two contention points, creating an exciting remake including new ways to explore the Hoenn region. Fans of Diamond and Pearl are likely hoping for a similar experience in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Pokémon fans were able to see many of the upcoming changes expected to be included in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl thanks to the trailer video that was shown during the Pokémon Presents live stream in late February, as well as more information on upcoming games like New Pokémon Snap, releasing April 30th, 2021, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus expected to come out early in 2022. While there currently isn't a concrete release date for Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the announcement included an estimated drop time sometime late in the year, likely during October of November.
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Peal trade the pixelated graphics of the original Nintendo DS titles for updated 3D models and bright color saturation. The towns have been overhauled with 3D buildings and routes are covered in trees that move in the breeze, as well as grass that shakes and ruffles as the player runs through it. The changes are also accompanied by water features like lakes and ponds which ripple and reflect almost realistically, adding depth to the landscapes available to explore. Despite the updated graphics, players can see the influence of the original pixelated world in how the towns and routes are presented. Unlike recent Pokémon titles like Sword and Shield which have shifted the perspective away from the top-down angle of past games, players will again have a bird's-eye view as they steer their character through different areas on the map. While this may be a welcomed mechanic for the nostalgia of the game, some may find the change a step back from more recent improvements in newer titles.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Update Game Graphics
Players will also see an overhaul of the original 2D sprites from Diamond and Pearl. The main characters, as well as the various NPCs that appear in towns, buildings, and routes, all have been given "chibi" 3D models. These updated sprites are similar to the original look of the first games but still fit in with the other updated 3D graphics. The sprites are short, with big eyes, small mouths, and simplified physical features like hands and hair. These mini-characters are replaced by full-sized models when a player enters a battle, with the main characters and opponents appearing in the full-sized designs which have become a staple of recent Pokémon games like Sword and Shield.
It doesn't look like players will be exploring a Sinnoh-inspired Wild Area however, or see Pokémon spawning in the overworld while on their adventure in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Like the original games, Pokémon will only pop out when a player is walking through tall grass, caves, or fishing. However, battle mechanics have gotten the Sword and Shield treatment. Pokémon have fully rendered 3D models during encounters, with movement and attack animations that are bright and lively, giving battles a more immersive combat experience. While it is unknown if there will be Pokémon included from more recent regions, the current line-up of Sinnoh Pokémon are seen battling against each other in the trailer with an array of exciting, fully-animated attacks.
There will also be refreshed weather and time-of-day animations when exploring the Sinnoh Region in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. The updated weather effects show character footprints in snow and beams of sunlight falling on lush, green routes. While weather patterns aren't shown in the overworld during the trailer, they have been a part of the Pokémon games since Generation 2, and will likely feature in Brilliant Diamond and Shinning Pearl when it is released. Shadows also stretch out over the ground as the daylight begins to fade, and the sky changes from a brilliant daytime blue to a wash of stars during nighttime battle encounters, creating better immersion during gameplay.
It also appears that players will be able to explore the Underground in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, though the footage of the main character running through the tunnels only shows the overhauled look of the Underground and not the reimagined game mechanics compatible with the Nintendo Switch. In the original Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum players were able to use their Explorer Kit to delve under the region, allowing travel through the Underground map, the ability to collect currency, and options to mine the walls of the tunnels for items like evolution stones and fossils. It seems likely these mechanics will come back for the remakes, as they were an important part of Diamond and Pearl gameplay. It also appears that Honey Trees will make a come-back for the games as well, allowing players to slather up bark to attract different types of wild Pokémon while exploring the routes.
Currently, it is unknown if players will see mechanics like Dynamax or Z-moves in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, but there is evidence that Pokémon Mega Evolution will be featured in the Sinnoh region, according to an update by Pokéshopper on Twitter, as it did in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and Let's Go Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, opening the door for new Mega Evolution compatible Pokémon, as well as the return of Mega Stones. The potential inclusion of modern, updated battle mechanics will help keep battles intense and interesting for players, as they explore everything Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have to offer.
Source: Pokéshopper/Twitter