Gotta Catch 'Em All!
For a long time now, pushing two decades, Pokémon have been one of the most iconic creatures of modern times. Like the words karaoke and karate, Pokémon is a culmination of two words - Pocket and Monsters - Pokémon - and the likes of Psyduck, Pikachu and Charmander have been popular ever since it's inception.
So what better way to celebrate my 100th post on my blog, than reviewing my first game AND the hottest mobile game on the planet - Pokémon Go.
Pokémon Go is the latest Pokémon game from Niantic, where a mobile device is used to track and capture Pokémon just like in the games and TV series. Harnessing the power of GPS and augmented reality, the game actually has the player moving around their locale and finding Pokémon all over the place. Complete with the ability to use Pokegyms and supply points known as Pokestops, Pokémon Go seems to be the game to get players off their butts and into the wider world.
Initially only available in select countries - this being mainly American and Australia, Pokémon Go was a hit as soon as it was available. Some clever mucking about led to people in other countries discovering how to download it on their phone too - and it worked just as well. However, it's now been released in more countries - including the United Kingdom, so more people than ever can try to catch them all.
The game itself is quite simple - select your starting "trainer" and this will be your avatar. It's not terribly detailed, but you have a canny few selections of hair colour and outfits, and then it's time to play. Selecting one of three starting Pokémon, the player then is ready to go out in society to capture them.
Each Pokémon that is discovered is stored in a Pokedex so you can follow which ones you have caught or not caught. Some are rarer than others - and when they do appear there is sometimes some craziness descending on a location to try and get one.
Basic gameplay is thus - you move around as you would in real life and your phone tracks where you are via GPS. If there is a Pokémon nearby you will be informed and you can try and catch it with the limited amount of Pokeballs you are supplied with. If you catch it, it goes into the Pokedex and you can then adjust the Pokémon such as changing it's name, making it more powerful or levelling it up. By doing so it makes the Pokémon better - and this will come in useful later in the game.
As you progress, you yourself, will level up as a trainer. When you level up, you open up more opportunities which include accessing Pokegyms (which are usually local landmarks) where you can fight others Pokemon and guard the gyms for your team. Yes, you can also join a team when you are the correct level and the whole game becomes more of a capture the flag operation. You can choose from three different teams, all with different philosophies, and each one is a colour - the colour of the Pokegym will determine it's affiliation.
Along the way you will also need some supplies which can be gleaned (randomly) from Pokestops which are scattered around the area. These can give you more Pokeballs, eggs or other goodies and can be taken advantage of once, then a cooldown period will ensue. After that you can return and take advantage of it's goodies again. A church near me is a good Pokestop and is typical of structure you would expect to be a Pokestop. For those who want more convenience there is, of course, a shop where you can buy extra stuff from if you want to pay for it - but this game can be enjoyed freely without the need for this if you do not want to part with your cash.
I mentioned eggs earlier and this is another interesting point - you can hatch Pokémon from eggs! If you have an egg incubator (you start with one but can buy/earn more) and have an egg - you can place it in the incubator and "hatch" it by clocking up the relevant distance on the pedometer and get a standard to rare Pokémon to add you your collection.
The game is addictive but more so innovative in that it gets you out and about. Nintendo have been so quiet of late and are no strangers to innovation. When it works, it is ground breaking (reference: The Wii) and when it doesn't, it just fades away (eg: The WiiU). This latest offering could be a glimpse into the future of video gaming - actually being involved in the game this way, even only simply, is qute the experience.
I know we are getting Virtual Reality (VR) headsets in the near future and we are taking all those steps towards the sci-fi futures promised by our past, but this is a cheap and fun alternative while we are waiting for such things.
I applaude Niantic for such a clever game and although it's brilliant right now, it will be interesting to see the longeivity for it. For now though, let's just enjoy a game that gets us out into the sunshine and experience the outside unlike a Call of Duty or FIFA 20xx wouldn't be able to. In a nutshell, this game is innovative, unique and addictive - all the stuff you would want from a game. However, please be very careful while playing it as people have injured themselves while trying to get pokemon in silly places.
Pokémon Go is available now for iOS and Android phones from the relevant App stores.
For a long time now, pushing two decades, Pokémon have been one of the most iconic creatures of modern times. Like the words karaoke and karate, Pokémon is a culmination of two words - Pocket and Monsters - Pokémon - and the likes of Psyduck, Pikachu and Charmander have been popular ever since it's inception.
So what better way to celebrate my 100th post on my blog, than reviewing my first game AND the hottest mobile game on the planet - Pokémon Go.
Pokémon Go is the latest Pokémon game from Niantic, where a mobile device is used to track and capture Pokémon just like in the games and TV series. Harnessing the power of GPS and augmented reality, the game actually has the player moving around their locale and finding Pokémon all over the place. Complete with the ability to use Pokegyms and supply points known as Pokestops, Pokémon Go seems to be the game to get players off their butts and into the wider world.
Initially only available in select countries - this being mainly American and Australia, Pokémon Go was a hit as soon as it was available. Some clever mucking about led to people in other countries discovering how to download it on their phone too - and it worked just as well. However, it's now been released in more countries - including the United Kingdom, so more people than ever can try to catch them all.
The game itself is quite simple - select your starting "trainer" and this will be your avatar. It's not terribly detailed, but you have a canny few selections of hair colour and outfits, and then it's time to play. Selecting one of three starting Pokémon, the player then is ready to go out in society to capture them.
Each Pokémon that is discovered is stored in a Pokedex so you can follow which ones you have caught or not caught. Some are rarer than others - and when they do appear there is sometimes some craziness descending on a location to try and get one.
Basic gameplay is thus - you move around as you would in real life and your phone tracks where you are via GPS. If there is a Pokémon nearby you will be informed and you can try and catch it with the limited amount of Pokeballs you are supplied with. If you catch it, it goes into the Pokedex and you can then adjust the Pokémon such as changing it's name, making it more powerful or levelling it up. By doing so it makes the Pokémon better - and this will come in useful later in the game.
As you progress, you yourself, will level up as a trainer. When you level up, you open up more opportunities which include accessing Pokegyms (which are usually local landmarks) where you can fight others Pokemon and guard the gyms for your team. Yes, you can also join a team when you are the correct level and the whole game becomes more of a capture the flag operation. You can choose from three different teams, all with different philosophies, and each one is a colour - the colour of the Pokegym will determine it's affiliation.
Along the way you will also need some supplies which can be gleaned (randomly) from Pokestops which are scattered around the area. These can give you more Pokeballs, eggs or other goodies and can be taken advantage of once, then a cooldown period will ensue. After that you can return and take advantage of it's goodies again. A church near me is a good Pokestop and is typical of structure you would expect to be a Pokestop. For those who want more convenience there is, of course, a shop where you can buy extra stuff from if you want to pay for it - but this game can be enjoyed freely without the need for this if you do not want to part with your cash.
I mentioned eggs earlier and this is another interesting point - you can hatch Pokémon from eggs! If you have an egg incubator (you start with one but can buy/earn more) and have an egg - you can place it in the incubator and "hatch" it by clocking up the relevant distance on the pedometer and get a standard to rare Pokémon to add you your collection.
The game is addictive but more so innovative in that it gets you out and about. Nintendo have been so quiet of late and are no strangers to innovation. When it works, it is ground breaking (reference: The Wii) and when it doesn't, it just fades away (eg: The WiiU). This latest offering could be a glimpse into the future of video gaming - actually being involved in the game this way, even only simply, is qute the experience.
I know we are getting Virtual Reality (VR) headsets in the near future and we are taking all those steps towards the sci-fi futures promised by our past, but this is a cheap and fun alternative while we are waiting for such things.
I applaude Niantic for such a clever game and although it's brilliant right now, it will be interesting to see the longeivity for it. For now though, let's just enjoy a game that gets us out into the sunshine and experience the outside unlike a Call of Duty or FIFA 20xx wouldn't be able to. In a nutshell, this game is innovative, unique and addictive - all the stuff you would want from a game. However, please be very careful while playing it as people have injured themselves while trying to get pokemon in silly places.
Pokémon Go is available now for iOS and Android phones from the relevant App stores.
POPSCORE: 9/10
What am I talking about? Pokémon Go mobile game
Where can I find out more? http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-go/
If you liked this try: Any of the Pokémon games over the years, Monster Hunter (PSP), Ingress, that Harry Potter Spellbook thingy or if you want to skip the gaming - geocaching.
Where can I find out more? http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-go/
If you liked this try: Any of the Pokémon games over the years, Monster Hunter (PSP), Ingress, that Harry Potter Spellbook thingy or if you want to skip the gaming - geocaching.
Tips:
Some say not selecting a Pokémon at the start of the game will allow you to get a Pikachu or similar - but I've never tried this.
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