One week into this game, and I really want to talk about it, so here we go!
In the many previous points before it came out, there were plenty of disappointments with this game that made me reluctant to give it a chance. However, as I looked at it more and more, it felt like I would be missing out on something grand if I didn't play it. So, swallowing my pride, I decided to give it a chance.
I'm glad I did.

First off, let me point out that this is one of the final games to come out for the DS. As such, GameFreak decided to make this game one that pushed the graphics to it's limits. It's one of the few games that does show off the potential the system always had in graphics but many developers never went for. Simply put, the system was always capable of more than what most did for it.
In that retrospect, despite some of the worst designs ever for pokemon, it is one of the best games Nintendo made for the system. In this game, one big shocker is that it sets up the storyline and so that the trainer is more of the bad guy than the actual bad guys of the game are. Seriously, you'll be shocked by the main side-plot in this one.
It goes without saying that you'll face 8 Gym Leaders and then face the Elite Members, but these are some of the toughest GameFreak has ever made. With these opponents, you actually have to use strategy to beat them properly. Even the first Gym Leader is a respectable challenge for when you meet them in this game. (And that's no typo. There are three Gym Leaders at the first Gym and the one you face revolves around which starter you picked. Simply, it's the one that will have the advantage.) The first Gym gives the challenge more in the area of using combos, rather than using a certain type.
Think about that. It's the first Gym, and it uses combos to beat you. This game's not messing around.
However, one plus I will mention is the fact that now you can use TMs as many times as you like. So now you can really experiment and figure out what works best for not just one pokemon, but your whole team.
Simply put, this really feels like the game Pokemon fans have been waiting for. 15 years in the making. If you ask me, it was worth waiting for it.

See ya later!