When Pokémon GO came out a few years back, it was a global sensation. It seemed like wherever you went, there would be a couple of kids running around with their phones out, frantically searching for their next digital pocket monster.
The hype surrounding Pokémon GO has died down quite a bit since then, but there are still a ton of active players. That’s to be expected with a franchise as huge as this one, but in case you’ve missed the hype, we’ve got you covered.
If you’ve ever wondered what on earth Pokémon GO is or you are a casual player just trying to navigate your way through the game, this article is for you. So read on, fellow trainers, and find out what made this global phenomenon so special and how you can get more Pokéballs as you navigate through the game.
What Is Pokémon GO?
Pokémon GO is an augmented reality video game in which the player (that means, you) travels around his or her own back garden and beyond in search of collectible monsters (the titular “Pokémon”) and engage in combat with other players.
It’s essentially a creature-collection simulator. If you were the kid who had an ant farm growing up, or you have a horde of adorable puppies, you should feel right at home here.
The game uses your mobile GPS to locate Pokémon and presents them as if they were in the real world with you. You can also come across several PokéStops, and Pokémon Gyms, whose locations in the game are based on real-life places of interest.
Examples include your local Church, your nearest McDonald’s, and even the Korean Demilitarized Zone (seriously, we’re not even kidding!).
PokéStops enable you to place lures, which do exactly what their title suggests by attracting more wild Pokémon to the area. They’re pretty useful if you’re a completionist, or if there’s one type of Pokémon you really want.
Pokémon Gyms, on the other hand, are basically PvP areas. Here, players battle each other in teams, with the main objective akin to the king of the hill. Whichever team wins the battle gets to claim that gym for themselves, giving them a variety of benefits and bonuses.
In summary, Pokémon GO is chock-full of creatures to collect and train, and equally brimming with places to see – it’s set in the real world, after all, and you’d be amazed by how far the game can take you (in a literal sense). It’s a great excuse to get out of bed for a change, and an even better excuse to stare at your phone even more (you wouldn’t get it, Karen).
You can download Pokémon GO from both the Google Play Store and the Apple Store.
Who Is Pokémon GO Intended For?
The Pokémon franchise has always been pretty light in tone compared to other anime, so you can expect Pokémon GO to be no different.
There’s a catch, though, because the game demands players to stay glued to their devices for extended periods of time. While most players have some level of common sense and environmental awareness, there have been cases where some players have nearly lost their lives because they were staring at their phones while on the hunt for Pokémon.
Don’t get us wrong, the augmented reality that Pokémon GO presents is brilliant, and is credited with popularizing location-based AR technology. However, we would recommend that neither the safety-conscious nor the accident-prone play this game outside of their backyards.
How to Get More Pokéballs
Pokéballs are your primary resource within the augmented reality of Pokémon GO. They’re used for catching the titular monsters – the more you have, the more Pokemon you will be able to acquire.
Knowing where and how to get more Pokéballs is, therefore, very important. You’ll collect them quite naturally through standard gameplay, but there are some things to keep in mind.
For starters, you’ll start the game with a bunch of standard Pokéballs. If you want more, you should visit PokeStops in your area, where standard and higher level Pokéballs alike drop more frequently.
Secondly, you will receive Pokéballs whenever you level up, but don’t rely on this too much. The Pokéballs you acquire from advancing your level are more of a bonus.
And lastly, you can purchase Pokéballs within the game itself, in exchange for coins. You’ll receive coins as you play as well, but you can buy more using real-world currency too.
Summary
The hype surrounding this augmented reality phenomenon may have died a bit, but the game remains fun and engaging to this day, so there’s no reason not to give it a try. It’s a free download, after all.
