This LP was originally posted on LiveJournal in 2009–2010. It has been moved to Altered Origin proper for posterity, but be aware that it is old and technically unfinished.

...I did it again, you guys.

I pre-ordered another Japanese Pokémon game (even though I can't read Japanese) and I'm going to publicly post my thoughts and progress (and humiliation) as often as I possibly can (which will conflict with my schedule and general poor attention span). When will I ever learn?

Not this time, that's for damn sure. So now I, Phoenixsong, will be updating this journal as I play through my copy of HeartGold.

Before you view any of the entries below, make sure you understand the following:

This is not a source for "breaking HeartGold/SoulSilver Version news/info" or anything of the sort. You want that, go to Serebii. This is more of a review or journey diary than anything else, so keep going only if you're interested in reading about my personal experience with and thoughts on the game.

This blog WILL contain spoilers. I can't read Japanese and so won't know whether any given text box is talking about how comfy shorts are or how the rival is about to profess his undying love for the protagonist. So while I can't spoil anything like that for you, I will be going into detail about almost everything I see and do in the game. If you want to avoid anything that might spoil what you're supposed to do next then I suggest you stop reading here.

There are no screenshots. As I'm playing a real game on a physical DS, I have no way to get decent-looking images. You'll just have to use your imagination.

I'll be playing pretty much non-stop (barring work, sleep, etc.) and will try to post updates of a decent length whenever I can. I'm taking notes in a journal as I play and will rewrite them here, but I'm still trying to work out what good stopping points are and how often to update. But as long as you're along for the ride then I hope you find my little adventure informative. Or at least mildly entertaining. Or something.