It's arrived Pokefans! Nintendo and Niantic's mobile version of the Pokemon series has hit app stores across the world. Here's everything you need to know before you start out your quest to be the very best, like no-one ever was!
How To Play It Early (UK and Europe)
Unless you're lucky enough to live in Japan, Australia, New Zealand or the USA, chances are Pokemon Go isn't even out in your region. Nintendo regularly shaft territories like this, but there is a way to circumvent it! Follow the steps below
1. Firstly, you need an Android phone (Sorry, iOS losers!) on any version between 4.4 and 6.0.1 that has mobile data and GPS services.
2. Next is the hard part: finding an APK file of Pokemon Go. Now, whilst we don't condone doing this and would never ever tell you exactly where to find this file, it does exist. You got it? Good.
3. From your downloads tab, install the APK file. Make sure to give the app the accesses it needs so it runs as normal.
4. Bam! Your Pokemon Go should be working absolutely fine in the region you're in! Feel free to sign in with a Google account so you can link your Google Wallet to it to buy supplies should you want it. Don't worry, all the back end of the app is set up, so everything will be in your currency. Enjoy!
1. Firstly, you need an Android phone (Sorry, iOS losers!) on any version between 4.4 and 6.0.1 that has mobile data and GPS services.
2. Next is the hard part: finding an APK file of Pokemon Go. Now, whilst we don't condone doing this and would never ever tell you exactly where to find this file, it does exist. You got it? Good.
3. From your downloads tab, install the APK file. Make sure to give the app the accesses it needs so it runs as normal.
4. Bam! Your Pokemon Go should be working absolutely fine in the region you're in! Feel free to sign in with a Google account so you can link your Google Wallet to it to buy supplies should you want it. Don't worry, all the back end of the app is set up, so everything will be in your currency. Enjoy!
Turn Off Music, Turn On Power Saver
Image Credit: imgur.com
Let's level here. Nobody wants to hear the admittedly OK music from the app blaring from your phone. Turn that shit off. Not only will that make you look less of a douche, it's also gonna save you a ton of battery life. Seriously, this game drains your battery like you wouldn't believe. Turning of music and sound effects will help, but the power save option will shut off the display when the you phone is turned upside down, as if it were in your pocket. Make good use of this. Or carry an external battery. Either or.
Visit PokeStops Often
PokeStops are something you should make a priority on your adventures. They offer free supplies that you would otherwise have to pay for, such as Poke Balls and Potions, as well as Pokemon Eggs that will hatch into strong Pokemon after you walk for a set distance. They're often found at local landmarks, artworks and buildings, so you may even wind up finding a new place to hang out or discover something new in your local area!
Be A Sheep
When you hit level 5, you will be presented with a choice of three teams to join. Whilst this decision ultimately means nothing (At least right now), it does change the meta game for you going forward. What you're gonna want to do is join the team with the most people you know on it. Not only is that gonna be easier for you to take over more gyms together, as well as hold them off from opposing team attacks, but you'll also be able to then train at those gyms to strengthen your Pokemon. With more people to rely on, it should be easier to keep gyms under your respective teams control, get stronger during it and expand your territory.
Actually, be sure to join Team Mystic, then. No reason.
Actually, be sure to join Team Mystic, then. No reason.
AR Is Pretty Much A Hinderance
Being able to see Pokemon in the real world is fucking cool, there is no denying that. But if there's one thing I like more, it's actually being able to catch said Pokemon. The AR Camera function, whilst being fun, does make it WAY harder to catch Pokemon. You'll have to have your phone pointed in the exact position of a Pokemon to make a successful capture, and if that is frustratingly close to an aggressive person on the tram, you're gonna get a black eye to match that Gastly you just caught. Just turn it off. The standard backdrop doesn't move, so you'll end up wasting less Poke Balls and needlessly aggravating less people.
Go For A Ride/Drive With A Friend
Image Credit: fwallpapers.com
At present, Pokemon Go will not count any method of transport above 20 MPH toward your egg incubation or achievements. However, all travel under it does. It might be time to break out that bicycle you've got stashed away. And even better, it doesn't matter what speed you approach a PokeStop at, you will still be able to grab the free goodies and encounter and catch wild Pokemon. If you're a driver like me, take good advantage of this and have a friend do the work for you as you both go for a pleasant cruise around town, conquering gyms and generally being a total dork.
Store Useless Duplicate Pokemon
Don't get too attached to the 48th Pidgey you just caught, you're unlikely to get a full team of Pidgeots. Your best bet is to trade in useless 'mons for evolution candies. By the way, it really doesn't matter if you choose to power up a Pokemon before you evolve it. They'll get a significant boost from an evolution for sure, but you can then make up lost levelling time after that. Play however suits you in that regard, but don't have a cluttered bag full of awful monsters.
Understand The 'Near By' Feature
Opening the 'near by' tab at the bottom left of the screen will show you which Pokemon are in your vicinity with a footprint labelling underneath. Three footprints means you're super far away from the pokemon, two means nearer, one means nearer still and zero means you're immediately in the vicinity of a Pokemon. If you're having trouble finding a Pokemon, walk dead straight in one direction. If that adds a footprint, do a 180 and head the other way. If you're struggling to get a two down to a one or a one down to a zero, try turning in right angles till you get it right. Imagine a number of increasingly larger rings; that's essentially how the spawn points work.
Be Social
The Pokemon community is large enough to make this mobile version a global phenomenon. Already, people have hosted meet-ups to form teams, swap info and catch Pokemon together. In fact, the Lure Module is designed to specifically benefit people meeting up and catching together in a small radius. Pokemon Go is giving you all the reason to go out and meet new people. It's designed to be played on the go, out in the open, with and against other people. Don't try and be a total shut-in. Team up with your friends, meet new people, swap Pokemon locations, form teams, have battles, just had for for Gods sake. This is the start of a brand new way to play together from one of the worlds best game franchises. Don't squander that.
Well, that's about it. If you can, go ahead and get the game, it's super fun. If you're in the West Midlands area, be sure to join Team Mystic and find me out and about under the username ThatMikeOwen. Happy hunting, trainers!
Well, that's about it. If you can, go ahead and get the game, it's super fun. If you're in the West Midlands area, be sure to join Team Mystic and find me out and about under the username ThatMikeOwen. Happy hunting, trainers!
By Mike Owen
@ThatMikeOwen
The Editor in Chief of Foul Entertainment, Mike edits most of what you see on the site. He runs the production of our podcasts, and currently pens Pop Culture Club and The Death of Video Games
@ThatMikeOwen
The Editor in Chief of Foul Entertainment, Mike edits most of what you see on the site. He runs the production of our podcasts, and currently pens Pop Culture Club and The Death of Video Games