Developed by Niantic, the free-to-play augmented reality mobile game called “Pokémon Go” is for iOS and Android device. (Photo : YouTube/Pokémon Go)
Nintendo, as expected, scored its first hit mobile game application in Pokémon GO, which quickly skyrocketed to the top charts of both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store just days after release. No doubt it is generating excitement and curiosity at the same time so for optimal gameplay experience, it's best to know bits about the game before taking the plunge.
For starters, what makes Pokémon GO both interesting and compelling all boil down to two things - the game's social media component and its augmented reality platform or AR. It's clear that Nintendo took advantage of the former, knowing that the millions currently engaged in social media activities will pick on Pokémon GO. The gambit paid off for the Japanese gaming giant, which by the way developed its new offering in partnership with Niantic Labs.
Now AR is the 'it thing' in the gaming universe so it's but natural that gamers - hardcore and casual types - will want to test drive GO, which according to Forbes is a charm of a game but far from perfect. At the moment, Nintendo seems overwhelmed by the reception that it is struggling to resolve with speed the problems that cropped out following the GO release. Users have been complaining of server downtimes and other bugs but the game maker has yet to indicate when the fix is set for deployment.
In the same report, Forbes reminded gamers to manage their expectations. Pokémon GO is sure fun but the gameplay is quite different with the previous titles. There is no "in-depth battle system," the report said, adding that at best GO is "watered-down Pokémon ... the entire experience, really, is a stripped down affair."
But going back to the fun element, The Wrap said in a report that as the name implies Pokémon GO entails load of walking around (that also reads: adventure) in order to catch the pocket monsters that Nintendo has let loose. That task alone is happiness and surprises galore but there will be fighting to ensue, which the report said will happen on Gyms.
Pokémon GO players will progress and upon reaching level 5, they will be asked to join any of the Mystic, Valor or Instinct teams. The goal is to establish and then defend a territory.
Also, Pokestops are there for the essential items in exciting gameplay. Pokeballs are for healing and reviving collected Mons. Egg incubators are for growing Pokémons while Storage is where to keep them. Incense is also key to catching Pokémons as the scent lures them in. All these items are gained for free but users can opt to speed up the process by buying them.
Gamers are also advised to collect as many Pokémons as possible and keep them, perhaps for future purposes. Even the ones that seem initially unwanted will prove useful as per the report by The Verge, Pokémon swapping will soon be in effect. And that means users can discard the Mons they don't need through trading deals.
Lastly, Forbes reminded that when playing Pokémon GO it's best to go out with a fully-charged smartphone or with a backup battery and portable charger. Safety and caution should also be given utmost importance as the GO adventure could lead to unknown places and one example was the discovery of a dead body in Wyoming.
