DQ also doesn't have cross-continental merchandising appeal. (Yet?) I wish it would though, which means we could feel more confident about the series' long term success in the USA. Most people, even those who play RPGs, don't know about Dragon Quest(and would probably cry about it's lack of cutscenes and forcing you to go back to previous places for some good gear and stuff once you get more keys.)
Iunno, I can't be bothered to pick up Pokemon Platinum. Even though I'm being asked by some people when I'm going to pick it up. It's hard to be bothered to play my copy of Diamond since I haven't touched it since it came out. So, it's not like I can actually battle someone's team with a fair chance.
Also what bugs me are the hidden stats they have in the games that can make a difference to how your pokemon develop, and people's eerie obsession with training said stats they can't see anywhere in the game menus. Seriously, who has the time to train effort values?
I might get one of the GS remakes due to the little pedometer thingie that seems like it's an interesting idea.
The games start out slow as a seemingly intentional design choice.
http://www.whattheyplay.com/features/meeting-the-creators-of-pokemon-platinum/We asked if this constant addition of new features to keep long-time players hooked could become overwhelming. Masuda pondered for a moment and then answered: "I agree that if you make the game too complicated it's probably too difficult for a beginner to play. I always create the first half of a game as if I am a beginner. I even play through it and try to put myself in the mindset of, 'What if I was playing this without knowing anything about it?' Toward the end of the game, we can add some more complicated, advanced elements, but we always want to make it so that even beginner players can follow the story." In fact, Masuda believes this is why the series has remained so successful for so long. "The games have always been very accessible in the early stages...but for core players who've played previous Pokémon games, we try to make it so that it doesn't feel like old Pokémon. It's always fresh," he said.
Which makes sense if you're trying to target a children's audience or someone who just wants to try pokemon for the first time.
