>>31527884I've been into theory of game design for a long time and I've been playing all sorts of games for a long time as well, Pokemon series included.
I only recently finished Platinum for the first time and I can tell you I've seen far worse.
Backtracking isn't necessarily something bad. Instead, it makes the whole place feel more connected. Revisiting areas to reach places you couldn't go to at first is always somewhat exciting.
that's what all Pokemon games with the HM formula do. Pretty simple and effective game design.
Now, Pokemon Black and White 1 felt truly scattered and disjointed. Mostly because of the lack of agency and losing control because of NPCs holding you up all the fucking time. that doesn't happen as often in DPP. Plus, you the sense of urgency is misplaced if the NPCs want you to go forward but you didn't even explore the whole area yet for yourself. there is no harmony in the game design there.
BW2 did much better again in all these regards. thank goodness.
only thing I didn't really like in Platinum were the faceless looking town designs. Sunyshore City looked annoying, Oreburgh is just a blue to me.
Veilstone was annoying with its plateaus and the rest was more or less okay. but the towns seem like the weak spot of that game.
