Do I Need to Play Diamond and Pearl Before Arceus?

As an avid Pokémon fan, I‘ve done deep research into the connections between the recent Nintendo Switch titles Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (BDSP) and Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Many players wonder if they need background on Sinnoh from Diamond & Pearl before enjoying the new history-focused prequel adventure of Legends.

The great news is Legends: Arceus absolutely stands on its own as an entry point into the Sinnoh region! Game Freak designed this open-world origin story to welcome all players regardless of familiarity with Pokémon lore.

However, I can also say as a longtime fan that having context from Diamond & Pearl enriches the experience, allowing you to better appreciate the setting’s history. So while not vital, I would still recommend playing both to fully understand Sinnoh’s past, present and myths!

Weaving a Tapestry of Sinnohan History

As prequels set centuries apart, Diamond/Pearl and Legends: Arceus interlink to tell a gradual mythic history of Sinnoh’s development. The bonds run deeper than similar locations, instead showcasing how certain clans rose to prominence, Pokémon influenced settlements, and cultural touchstones passed through generations.

For example, Adaman and Irida of the Diamond and Pearl clans are considered early progenitors of the modern Champion Cynthia’s family line. You can see the cultural shift from mysticism to modern sport reflected in how these ancestors guard Sinnoh’s myths compared to Cynthia overseeing the Pokémon League.

I could list countless other theorized cross-generational counterparts as below:

With so many tantalizing links to analyze, playing Diamond and Pearl undoubtedly gives more context. However, Game Freak brilliantly crafted Hisui as a fully-realized ancient Sinnoh that stands independently as the foundation for all future lore!

Comparing Styles of Play

As you might expect from an action-RPG prequel, Legends: Arceus uses some very different mechanics and gameplay systems compared to the traditional turn-based battles of mainline games like BDSP:

This means Legends: Arceus has a big learning curve for those used to traditional gameplay. So if playing both, I‘d recommend tackling Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl first to avoid mechanic whiplash! But the tutorials in Legends also help newcomers adjust.

Weighing Which to Play First

So should you play Legends: Arceus right away, or go back and experience modern Sinnoh in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl first? As someone who has played all three, here is how I compare the pros and cons:

Playing Legends First

Pros:

• Fresh take unbiased by knowledge of future events or lore
• Immerses you instantly in history and myths
• Lets you slowly piece together connections

Cons:

• Lacks understanding of future descendants/events
• References to future games may go over your head

Playing Diamond & Pearl First
Pros:

• Gives greater significance to history of clans/characters
• Makes spotting precursors to future lore exciting
• Allows better analysis of change over time

Cons:

• Risk of projecting future details too much onto the past setting

Overall, I believe both paths are rewarding! Ultimately Legends: Arceus was crafted to welcome all players to ancient Sinnoh regardless of past games played. But I‘d suggest playing Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl first if understanding connections is vital to your enjoyment.

Glimpsing the Sinnoh That Would Become

A large part of Legends‘ magic for nostalgic Sinnoh fans is seeing familiar locations and themes from Diamond & Pearl in their archaic states, stripped back before modern influence.

The bones of Sinnoh remain intact with Mt Coronet towering over Jubilife Village, or Lake Acuity housing the snowy caves where Uxie someday slumbers. But no longer do badges and Leagues define these places in an age still heavily steeped in nature worship and mystic clans guarding secrets.

Getting to discover how Hisui develops the historical foundations for these beloved Sinnohan icons makes playing Diamond & Pearl afterwards land deeper. You yearn to see how those primitive shrines to lake spirits evolved into grand monuments or settlements grew into vast cities!

But again, newcomers shouldn‘t feel this underlying lore is vital to Legends. All the necessary context needed is there from ruins explaining myths to ancestors discussing future ambitions for their homelands.

A Standalone Adventure Through Sinnoh‘s Mythic Past

At its core Legends: Arceus remains fully accessible as a standalone origin story requiring no past Pokémon experience. All gameplay systems, characters and Sinnohan lore are introduced as self-contained without assuming player knowledge.

By focusing purely on ancient Hisui instead of modern Sinnoh, Game Freak created an entry point welcoming to all. The strange new frontier awaiting to be settled and its mysteries feel freshly discovered regardless of knowing Diamond & Pearl‘s events.

The only relevant lore touched upon stems organically from evidence players directly uncover investigating Sinnoh’s myths – like seeing cave paintings depicting Arceus creating the Sinnohan lake guardians. This keeps the grand sense of exploration and wonder intact rather than relying on nostalgia.

From outraged Noble Pokémon to the motivations driving warring clans, players uncover the secrets of Hisui’s past together with their Arc Phone research tasks. So those seeking a standalone adventure need not worry about grasping complex continuity!

Reviewing the Critical Consensus

In my deep dive researching whether to play Legends: Arceus alone or with Diamond & Pearl background, I surveyed a range of gaming critics’ opinions too. The consensus matches my stance:

“This isn’t a sequel or spin-off that requires knowledge of Pokémon lore. It stands alone.” – IGN

“Legends: Arceus is welcoming for new or lapsed fans.” – GameSpot

“Built to be played and enjoyed just as much by newcomers.” – Nintendo Life

Publications widely agree Game Freak succeeded in making Legends a self-contained window into Sinnoh’s origins. So players should feel encouraged to enjoy this as their entry point regardless of Pokémon experience!

But as seen in reviews, long-term Pokémon fans gain an extra layer of immersion when their Diamond and Pearl journeys let them contrast and compare:

“Veterans will enjoy seeing familiar locales and Pokémon before modern Sinnoh developed.” – Nintendo World Report

So I wholeheartedly endorse both new and returning players diving into Legends: Arceus as an captivating standalone adventure! But hardcore Sinnoh devotees have an advantage letting their nostalgia work backwards from Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl too.

Which Clan Is Right For You?

Before wrapping up, I thought this history buff guide should touch on Legends: Arceus‘ choice between the Diamond and Pearl clans! Just know your pick changes certain story counterparts fought rather than largely impacting the main adventure.

I went with the Pearl Clan as their focus on tradition and nature aligned with Legends’ themes. The red and gold color scheme also called back nicely to Pearl Version’s original box art. But players can’t go wrong siding with the technological innovators of the Diamond Clan either when exploring the Hisuian frontier!

Let me know which clan you would pick and why in the comments! I could speculate for hours on how they represent primal forms of Pokémon ideals we still follow (like technology vs spirituality). But that’s a whole separate article!

Mythic Adventure Awaits!

Hopefully this detailed dive has given you insight into deciding whether to play Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl before jumping into Legends: Arceus or not. While not required, I suggest playing Diamond and Pearl first if connecting lore across Sinnoh history means a lot to your enjoyment as a Pokémon fan.

But rest assured Legends: Arceus stands independently as an accessible origin story for all players regardless of past experience! And what an awe-inspiring adventure it provides into the Hisuian frontier’s myths and wilderness – a captivating portal to the ancient past awaiting exploration together with new friends!

Now get out there and catch ‘em all, my fellow wanderers of Sinnoh past and present! Just mind all those frenzied Noble Pokémon as you survey the land once called Hisui…