Nerds That Geek Game Review: 'Pokémon Go'

​Written by Shae Rufe

It's been a long time coming, but Pokémon Go finally has been released! Now, I feel the need to put a disclaimer here; I by no means am a hardcore gamer. In fact, I'll go as far to say that gaming on your phone is a whole different level than computer or console gaming. Don't get me wrong, phone games are awesome, but in the gaming community I feel there is a distinction. I'm a casual gamer when it comes to the video games I play. It takes me forever to finish a game, and typically it's on a console. I've never been super into playing the latest games, and I'm not really into computer games or indy games enough to know what's the latest and greatest. I don't have a backstory on how video gaming saved me from a dark place, though I have respect for those who have. I think games are amazing and the community is wonderful. So, that being said I did grow up playing Pokémon and I have a pretty cool story involving Pokémon Red. Back in the day when Pokémon was new and I was a shy nerdy kid not as open about my geeky hobbies, there were Pokémon meet ups. Being into Pokémon wasn't the hip thing back in the late 90's and early 00's, not at my school anyway. Thankfully, I had some pretty awesome friends. My best friend at the time, Jessica, took me to a Mall in Orlando where we got to battle other players on our Game Boys. The coolest part? The people running the place were giving out Mews. I have loved Mew since, well, forever, and to actually get my favorite Pokémon was a huge dream come true.

Pokémon has always held a special place in my heart. From the cartoon series, to the movie, to the trading  cards and video games, this franchise has been a huge love of mine. Now, I am old school, so to me the original 151 Pokémon will always be the best. No, really, Mew is the ultimate Pokémon and nothing can beat her/him! I might also have a Mew plush, that I totally found at Denver Comic Con this year....best purchase I've ever made ever, you guys. So, Pokémon is a big deal to me. When Pokémon Go was announced I nearly jumped with actual excitement (though I promise you I did bounce), and so when it was finally released the other day I was beyond thrilled to download it. I should also mention I'm that kid that never reads instructions, so I've been figuring this out as I go along.

First thing is first, you have to create your character. As a Pokémon trainer, the attire is pretty much all the same, with minor color differences and patterns. At least you can customize your character's hair, eyes, and put together a trainer outfit of awesome. After that, it's the joys of finding a name. I clearly lucked out when DuchessShae wasn't taken, and frankly I'm still shocked it wasn't! Picking a starter Pokémon was a throwback to my childhood, and just like then, I chose Charmander to be my very first Pokémon. The actually gameplay is pretty interesting. The capturing of Pokémon is really neat. Having to throw the ball and catch the creatures takes some practice and some getting used to, but it's well worth it. The game interacts with your phone camera and imposes the Pokemon into the picture, making it look like it's actually real.

The game wants you to travel. Literally, you can't just walk around your house and fight in a gym. While you can see the Gyms nearby, anything not in your predetermined space bubble, you can't get to. So you can walk to where these places are, or play the game in the car while someone else drives. Seriously, do NOT play this game while driving, it's dangerous. There's a meter in the bottom that tells you what Pokémon are nearby. Now, I'm still working out how to play this game, but that's half the fun! Like last night, I learned that using an incense makes some Pokémon come to you. Also that various places are marked and will give you pokeballs and other items for visiting them. You level up at first by collecting as many Pokémon as you can as well as battling in Gym fights. The latter of which I haven't had the chance to do yet. Gyms actually won't let you battle until you're a certain level, and once you hit that level you get to choose a team; Valor, Mystic, and Instinct are your three options. All have an icon that looks similar to the legendary elemental Pokémon birds. I chose Team Mystic because it's the best team ever! Though the other teams are equally as awesome.

The only major issues I'm having are that the servers seemed to be overloaded most of the first weekend the game came out. While the game is still new, it's frustrating to try and play only to get bumped off. Logging back in proved difficult over the past few days as the servers seemed to be constantly down. However, that problem seems to be fixed since logging in and obsessively catching Pokémon has been my life for the past two days. I know others have had the same problem, Facebook has become a fun community of memes and rage posts. Still, the game is well worth a download for any Pokémon fan out there. I'm interested to see what further updates bring, and if we eventually get to battle each other as was originally advertised. I'm still figuring out the game, and also trying desperately to evolve alllllll my Evee's, because guys I have caught way too many Evee's......

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