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Pokemon GO for Android

By Niantic Free Editors' Rating

Editors' Review

shelbybrown Feb 23, 2018

Get out, meet your neighbors, and capture the local pocket monsters in Pokemon Go for Android.

Pros

Not an armchair game: To play Pokemon Go, get outside. Find and capture Pokemon in parks, on street corners, near monuments, in front of churches, on piers, with neighbors, but rarely in front of your home.

Growing community support: Following the game's launch, Niantic seems overwhelmed by the success of Pokemon Go and was slow to react to the needs of the large, vocal, and, at times, frustrated player community. After some initial stumbles, Niantic has done a better job of creating public events, from festivals, monthly community gatherings, and holiday parties, to raids and periodic releases of legendary monsters and new pokemon from different regions.

Battle for gyms: Maps are dotted with gyms, where you can battle for control over a gym. You can fight opposing teams for control or assign up to six of your best Pokemon to defend one.

Battle with other trainers: Raid Battles occur when a Boss Pokémon takes over a Gym. Your goal is to defeat this Pokemon, and to do this, you'll need other trainers. Thankfully, the game will notify you of upcoming Raid Battles in your area.

Gather supplies: To stock up on items -- including potions, medicine, balls, fruit, eggs, and incubators -- visit PokeStops and Gyms and spin the photo disc. Each visit generates random items you collect by tapping.

Cons

Gyms skew to higher level players: Gyms, especially in populous locations, tend to be held by high-level trainers with their high-level monsters. While Niantic has adjusted gym mechanics to give more players a chance to knock out opposing Pokemon and occupy gyms with their own monsters, battles over gyms still tilt toward Pokemon with higher hit points and combat power.

Microtransactions: While the game is free to play, unless you are super diligent about collecting and then managing your supplies, you can easily run out of Poke Balls or space in your bag to carry items. Through a shop, you can purchase additional balls, incubators, lures, incense, and bag upgrades. Items start around a buck and top out at $10.

Bottom Line

Get out, take a walk, and capture pocket monsters in Pokemon Go for Android. The free-to-play game is rewarding no matter your level, but to achieve high levels requires an investment of time and possibly money.

Full Specifications

What's new in version 0.123.2

Bug fixes

General

Release November 15, 2018
Date Added November 15, 2018
Version 0.123.2

Operating Systems

Operating Systems Android
Additional Requirements None

Popularity

Total Downloads 210,574
Downloads Last Week 30
Report Software

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Developer's Description

Pokemon GO has now introduced social and trading features that allow Trainers to connect with each other by adding friends, sending Gifts, and participating in a new Friendship Level system that unlocks bonuses. Trainers can now trade Pokemon with other Trainers nearby, earning a Candy Bonus for the Pokemon received.

Join Trainers across the globe who are discovering Pokemon as they explore the world around them. Pokemon GO is the global gaming sensation that has been downloaded over 800 million times and named "Best Mobile Game" by The Game Developers Choice Awards and "Best App of the Year" by TechCrunch.

Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Pikachu, and many other Pokemon have been discovered!

Pokemon are out there, and you need to find them. As you walk around a neighborhood, your smartphone will vibrate when there's a Pokemon nearby. Take aim and throw a Poke Ball... You'll have to stay alert, or it might get away!

Search far and wide for Pokemon and items

Certain Pokemon appear near their native environment--look for Water-type Pokemon by lakes and oceans. Visit PokeStops and Gyms--found at interesting places like museums, art installations, historical markers, and monuments--to stock up on Poke Balls and helpful items.

Catching, hatching, evolving, and more

As you level up, you'll be able to catch more-powerful Pokemon to complete your Pokedex. You can add to your collection by hatching Pokemon Eggs based on the distances you walk. Help your Pokemon evolve by catching many of the same kind. Choose a Buddy Pokemon to walk with and earn Candy that will help you make your Pokemon stronger.

Compete in epic Gym battles

You'll join one of three teams and battle for the ownership of Gyms with your Pokemon at your side. As your Charmander evolves to Charmeleon and then Charizard, you can battle together to defeat a Gym and assign your Pokemon to defend it against all comers.

Team up to defeat powerful Raid Bosses

A Raid Battle is a cooperative gameplay experience that encourages you to work with up to 20 other Trainers to defeat an extremely powerful Pokemon known as the Raid Boss. If you succeed in defeating it in battle, you'll have the chance to catch an extra powerful Pokemon of your own!

It's time to get moving--your real-life adventures await!

Notes:

- This app is free-to-play and offers in-game purchases. It is optimized for smartphones, not tablets.

- Compatible with Android devices that have 2GB RAM or more and have Android Version 4.4-7.0+ installed.

- Compatibility is not guaranteed for devices without GPS capabilities or devices that are connected only to Wi-Fi networks.

- Compatibility with tablet devices is not guaranteed.

- Application may not run on certain devices even if they have compatible OS versions installed.

- It is recommended to play while connected to a network in order to obtain accurate location information.

- Compatibility information may be changed at any time.

- Please visit www.PokemonGO.com for additional compatibility information.

- Information current as of June 18, 2018.

- Trainers of all ages welcome! But if a Trainer is a child, parental consent is required. Please see the Terms of Service for more details.

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