Appendix:Platinum walkthrough/Section 1: Difference between revisions

Like many other games, the game begins with the mascot of the game being shown in the title screen; just press "Start" and start a new game and you are ready to go. You will be greeted by [[Professor Rowan]], who can give you some advice about the game. The player can choose not to read this advice and just go on.

You will be asked to pick your gender, note that you can not change your gender later in the game. You will then be asked to enter your name, which too can't be changed later on, so be sure that you have the name you want. After that, you'll be asked to enter the name of {{ga|Barry|your rival}}.

You will start watching the TV screen showing a comment left by [[Professor Rowan]]. As you try to move, you will be greeted by your [[rival]], and will also be distracted by your [[PC]]. Follow him downstairs, where the player and your [[mom]] will have a short conversation. Just before you leave the door, your mom will tell you to stay away from [[tall grass]].

Twinleaf Town has become colder, with {{Weather|snow}} patches all around. As you explore the town, be sure to visit the house in the north-west corner of the town. Here, your rival will bump into you as you try to enter. He'll head back in immediately, however, because he forgot something. Head upstairs and your rival will ask you to meet him at {{rt|201|Sinnoh}}. Exit the house again and head north. Soon, you'll find yourself at Route 201.

Your first route, which brings you a big surprise. [[Lake Verity]] is to the west, while [[Sandgem Town]] is to the east. You can't go farther until later though, but you will see your rival standing, approach him and he will call you slow. He will ask you to go to [[Sandgem Town]] with him but you remembered to not go in tall grass, your rival provided a way for not any Pokémon to appear, but just as soon as he tries to enter the tall grass, a weird man appears.

The man is Professor Rowan, and he is not happy, he tells you two not to go to tall grass, eventually, {{ga|Dawn}}/[[Lucas]] will appear, and then the professor will ask you to pick your very first Pokémon.

Once you made your choice, like any [[Rival]], Barry will pick the one that has the type advantage over your choice. Rowan will point out that these Pokémon are inexperienced with the world and need you to help them grow before he and Lucas/Dawn return to Sandgem Town. Barry will then challenge you to an immediate battle which is similar to {{ga|Blue}} in the [[Kanto]]-region games. Just remember this is a battle you don't have to win. But it is worth the [[Experience]] points.

Back at home your mom is happy that you and Barry met Professor Rowan since he stopped you from being attacked by wild Pokémon. She then asks for you to thank him properly in Sandgem Town and gives you the [[Running Shoes]].

After arriving back on Route 201, you'll meet up with {{ga|Barry}} again. Even though both of you are going to [[Sandgem Town]], he suggests that both of you should head to [[Lake Verity]] first to find and catch the legendary Pokémon to show to Professor Rowan first.

Once at Lake Verity you will see [[Cyrus]], the leader of [[Team Galactic]], who calls out that he will one day take control of Time and Space to the legendary Pokémon of the lake before he leaves. When Barry is ready to press forward you will hear the [[Mesprit (Pokémon)|legendary Pokémon]], and is ready to catch it only to realize that neither of you have any [[Poké Ball]]s to catch it with. Barry then recalls that Professor Rowan said to come to him if they needed anything and so Barry decides to ask for some Poké Balls and immediately departs for Sandgem Town.

Once past Verity Lakefront, you are free to explore the tall grass though you can't catch any wild Pokémon yet. Talk to the [[Poké Mart]] Employee in that is located at northern point near the exit to Sandgem Town to receive a free [[Potion]]. Head east to reach Sandgem Town.

Once you arrive Lucas/Dawn are waiting to take you inside the building, just as Barry comes out, commenting that Rowan is not as scary as he appears to be before leaving. Once inside, the Professor takes a look at your Pokémon and agrees to let you have it. Seeing the growing bond between you and your Pokémon, the Professor gives you a [[Pokédex]] to record data on the Pokémon you met in Sinnoh.

Outside the lab Rowan gives you {{TM|27|Return}}, then Lucas/Dawn shows you around town then suggests to talk with your mom. You could leave Sandgem Town and then use the ledges to return to [[Twinleaf Town]], but you should grab an Antidote on [[Sinnoh Route 219|Route 219]] just south of town first.

Take Lucas/Dawn's advice and heal up your Pokémon in the [[Pokémon Center]]. You can also buy [[Poké Ball]]s in the [[Poké Mart]], if you know how, but if you don't, don't worry, you won't really miss anything that will affect your gameplay. Catching a {{p|Bidoof}} will help in the early part of the games, it is very versatile, and you will know what this means later on. A {{p|Starly}} will help too, but it is not really useful in the first [[Gym]].

Once back, your mom gives you permission to go and gives you the {{DL|List of key items in Generation IV|Journal}}, encouraging you to have fun on your adventure. That's when Barry's mother shows up, looking for Barry, and gives you the {{DL|List of key items in Generation IV|Parcel}}, and believes that Barry should be at Jubilife City right now. Now return to Sandgem Town.