Starting from New Bark Town as always. Mom gives me the Pokegear which has her phone number on it by default. The Pokegear has 6 (SIX!) different skins, and everything is touch-screen controlled. Even the menus are touch-controlled now, or if you prefer to stick to buttons, you could still press X and navigate using the D-Pad, but that is so last year, isn't it. Even when you're talking to people, you can advance through conversation using a button on the touch screen.

I picked Chikorita and interacted with it for a while. It isn't that used to me yet, so off I go into Route 29. My first Pokemon met was a Sentret. Ah, those were the days. Then I found out I could press A on every tree that I passed by. Seems now that EVERY TREE can be Headbutted on. Much more convenient then. I couldn't pick the Apricorn along the way because I didn't have the case yet. Anyway, I got to Cherrygrove, got my Map Card and advanced to Route 30. The map has lots of markers you can put on in every location, like a small Pokeball or tree, to remind you that you have something to do there. Again, all touch controlled. THIS is what Diamond/Pearl should have been like when it was released all those years back >_>

Up the route and back, nothing special. Did get Chikorita up to Level 7 though, because of all those Weedles I fought. Choosing Grass is the toughest route in Johto, I admit...Imagine the Antidotes I had to buy. Talked to it again, Chikorita smiled at me too. Played in the grass whenever I was in it, looked around at buildings when it's in town, lets out a relaxed yawn when in the Pokemon Center, they really fleshed this 'following Pokemon' thing out. It's kinda cute.

Fought the rival on the way back to New Bark, I didn't know what to name him so I just gave him a random English name.

And then it's the start of team assembly! I caught a Pidgey and Sentret, together with the rest of the Route 29 stuff(except Ledyba, I didn't play in the morning). These two are going to be important parts of my team later on. Train hard, you two! And Chikorita too!

Next stop, Violet City! I stopped at Route 31, next to the Dark Cave. I'll play more tomorrow. Stay tuned!