Pokemon Go

For this instalment of Gamer Zone I am going to introduce you to... 

What is Pokemon Go?

Pokemon Go is an augmented reality game. It was developed as an app. In the game, players use GPS to find, capture, battle, and train Pokémon, who appear on the screen as if they are real. You follow a map and walk to Pokestops collecting Pokemon that show up along the way.  Watch the following Video to find out more.

What is the Game about?

The first thing you need to do is set up an account and make an avatar. You can choose sex, hair colour, clothes etc Now the clever bit, the avatar appears on a map which shows your location.  As you move around the avatar moves on the game's map. Features on the map include PokéStops and Pokémon gyms. At PokéStops players can get items, such as eggs, Poké Balls, and potions and can be equipped with items called lure modules, which attract wild Pokémon. Gyms are battle locations. Features are at places of interest like a library, statue or historical monument. 

Different Pokémon species live in different areas of the world e.g. water-type Pokémon are found near water. When a player encounters a Pokémon, they can see it either in augmented reality (AR) mode or with a background. AR mode uses the camera and gyroscope on the player's mobile device to display an image of a Pokémon as though it were in the real world.  See below for some screen captures of Pokemon that we have encountered in the UK and in Holland, we even found loads of Pokemon on our trip to Efteling.

You can earn points for in-game activities. You level up by getting experience points. At level five, you can battle at a Pokémon gym and join one of three teams (red for Team Valor, blue for Team Mystic or yellow for Team Instinct.) Pick your team carefully because you can't swap! 

All Pokémon have a combat power. A Pokémon's combat power is a measure of how powerful that Pokémon is in battle. As a player levels up they will catch Pokémon with higher CP. You can challenge gym leaders to lower the gym's "prestige". Once the prestige of a gym is lowered to zero, you take control of the gym and can leave one Pokémon to defend it. 

The best part of playing Pokemon Go is that you get to make new friends and you get to play outside too. I like it when I play with my friends and we walk around together and catch Pokemon. I also like comparing my Pokedex with my friends to see who has the best Pokemons. You can also power up and evolve your characters to make them stronger but this costs you candies.

Kijkduin has become known as the Pokemon Capital of Holland. It has been on the news because there are so many Pokemon to find including lots of rare ones and literally thousands of people have flocked there to play. We had to take the boys on a Pokemon Hunt in Kijkduin, how could we miss it? Here is a short video of our experience. It really has to be seen to be believed.

My Game Rating: 10! 

Warning: You must stay alert and watch out where you are walking at all times when playing the game.