Nintendo’s new journey into the Pokémon universe, Pokémon Go, is already dictating people’s lives just 24 hours after it was released.
If you are in to try this game and enter the PokeWorld, here are basic things you need to know in order to play the game:
1. Requirements
Players will technically need two things to play Pokemon GO: a valid Google account or Pokemon Trainer’s Club account and a compatible phone. Android users will need at least a 4.4 for Pokemon GO to work, while iPhone users will need an iPhone 5 or higher, as well as iOS 8. It’s also noted that players will need a strong internet connection to play Pokemon GO, either via WiFi or data signal.
2. How to see a Pokemon
At its most basic level, Pokemon GO requires players to explore the world around them. Pokemon GO’s default screen is a stylized map (based off of Google Maps) showing a player’s surroundings. While walking through a town or neighborhood, areas of rustling grass will randomly appear on the screen. As players approach the grass, a Pokemon will randomly spawn nearby. Players can then tap on the Pokemon to turn on their camera to “see” the Pokemon on screen and catch them with a PokeBall.
3. How to catch a Pokemon
Unlike traditional Pokemon games, there’s no battling involved to weaken a wild Pokemon. Instead players “throw” a PokeBall by moving their finger across their phone’s screen. There’s an actual technique to throwing a PokeBall; Pokemon can dodge a poorly thrown PokeBall and eventually run away with enough misses. Once a Pokemon is caught, they’re registered to the player’s Pokedex and added to the player’s collection. Players can keep up to 250 Pokemon at a time and can also give their Pokemon nicknames, just like in the normal Pokemon games.
4. Increasing your Pokemon’s power
A Pokemon’s strength is determined by its “CP”, which can be increased via two methods: training at a local gym and by using “Stardust” on their Pokemon. Trainers gather Stardust with every Pokemon they catch and can use it to boost their Pokemon’s power.
5. Training your Pokemon
Players can also head to local gyms, which correspond to various landmarks and places of interest. When players reach Level 5, they have the option of choosing between one of three teams that battle for control of gyms. If a player’s team controls a gym, they can use it to train and strengthen their Pokemon. Otherwise, a player has to battle Pokemon left behind to guard the gym to win control of the gym.
Ready? Go ahead! Gotta catch ‘em all!
