It’s time to catch ’em all!
With the recent release of Pokémon Go to the iOS and Android app stores on July 6th, Pokémon trainers have begun galavanting around searching for Pokémon to add to their Pokédex’s. An augmented reality game modified from a Gameboy game, Pokémon Go has become a global phenomenon in a very short amount of time. Utilizing your location, users can walk around searching for Pokémon to catch and to find landmarks/ Pokémon Gyms to visit. Currently available in the US, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan (Canada and Europe coming soon), fans have gone wild searching all kinds of different places for hidden items, Pokémon, and battles.
Whether it’s in your office at work:
This little guy was on my desk this morning. Looks like I’m about to be addicted to this. #PokemonGo #charmander pic.twitter.com/UXXh1XApCD
— Cahlaflour (@Cahlaflour) July 7, 2016
Or in other places… Like the bathroom.
The game has already topped the iOS App Store for number 1 free app and has already over 50,000 downloads in the Android App store as well. Reviews for the most part have been very positive with many expansions and updates for the Pokémon experience to come.
But what do we think about the game?
The Good
The app is extremely easy to use and has provided endless entertainment as I explore areas around my work and my home searching for Pokémon, gyms, landmarks, and other hidden surprises offered by the app. It’s also free and doesn’t seem to require many in-app purchases just yet, but I’m sure when I run out of PokéBalls I may be inclined to dump some money into the app. Also, the developers have mentioned a wristband, wearable by users, that will denote where Pokémon are nearby. It is said to come at the hefty price of $34.99, but I’m sure I, like many others, will indulge in the Pokémon trainer accessory.
The Bad
It’s been known for a while that Niantic would be releasing this highly anticipated Pokémon app, but the game had many bugs in development, causing for a long beta-testing period. Now that the game is available to users, it is still experiencing some of those bugs. The app has reports of crashing, location services being a bit buggy, heavy battery use, and some reported cases of people being bounced back to level one. While some of these issues seem pretty severe, the game has barely been out for 24 hours and it is sure to receive much needed updates in the coming weeks.
Also, due to the addictive nature of the game, some people have run into problems…literally. Check out what an Australian Police Department has to say:
Overall, Pokémon Go is an innovative and very creative addition for Pokémon gamers that is sure to become a worldwide competition to become the best Pokemon Trainer in all the lands.
Pokémon Go is now available on the iOS App Store and Google Play in the United States.
