Discover Games
GAMES Pokemon Go!
Pokemon Go! Review
Posted: 2 years ago, last updated 14 months ago.
Author: @GeekDadGamer and Jo Robertson.
Overview
Pokémon Go is a game you play by walking outside. You play on a smartphone so it can use the GPS to locate, capture, battle, and train virtual creatures, called Pokémon, which appear as if they are in the player's real-world location.
Although this technology and game-play had existed previously in the developers games (like Ingress) Pokémon Go had huge success with families and people of all ages. By early 2019, the game had over a billion global downloads, grossing over $3 billion in revenue. The game also had over 147 million monthly active users as of May 2018.
Its unique collecting game-play combined with needing to explore your local area to find creatures was a big hit. The game converted local sites of interest, like Churches, Castles and rivers into elements in the game.
It has been followed up by Harry Potter: Wizards Unite which offers a similar experienced, themed around the popular wizard rather than Pokemon creatures.
Although this technology and game-play had existed previously in the developers games (like Ingress) Pokémon Go had huge success with families and people of all ages. By early 2019, the game had over a billion global downloads, grossing over $3 billion in revenue. The game also had over 147 million monthly active users as of May 2018.
Its unique collecting game-play combined with needing to explore your local area to find creatures was a big hit. The game converted local sites of interest, like Churches, Castles and rivers into elements in the game.
- Ingres (2013)
- Pokemon Go (2016) on iOS and Android
- Ingres Prime (2017) on iOS and Android, updated with a superhero aesthetic and story.
- Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (2019) on iOS and Android, with a Harry Potter theme.
It has been followed up by Harry Potter: Wizards Unite which offers a similar experienced, themed around the popular wizard rather than Pokemon creatures.
Game Details
Release Date: 06/07/2016
Price: Free
Platforms: Android and iOS
Content Rating: PEGI 7
Players: 1-2 (20 online)
Genres: Collecting, Fighting (Action, Adventure, Open World and Physically Active)
Accessibility: 16 features
Developer: Niantic Labs (@NianticLabs)
Lists
View our choice of games like Pokemon Go!. This game is good if you want to:
Duration
Play Time: This game will take between 70 hours and 140 hours to complete. Because of the game's collect them all nature, it will take a very long time to complete. However, you can play as little or as often as you like in relatively short sessions.
Play Style
You can play with 1 to 2 players in the same room or as a 20-player online game. You can battle one on one when in the same place as other people. You can also compete in “raid” battles with up to 19 other people in the same battle.
Cross-Platform: Play with people across iOS and Android.
Cross-Platform: Play with people across iOS and Android.
You can play this game in the following styles:
Age Ratings
Content Rating
Users Interact: The game enables players to interact and communicate with each other, so may expose players to language usually associated with older rated games.
The game contains in-app purchases and users can add friends and send gifts. You also need to take care when playing outside for dangers like traffic.
Account Rating
Account required for online play that has 13 years old as minimum age. You need to be 13, to have an account to play the game the game. Parents can setup a Niantic Kids account and connect it with Pokémon Go. This also enables them to manage what personal information their child can share, friend requests and screen time.
Costs
Pokemon Go!
This game is free to play, but there are other costs associated with this game:
- In-Game Purchases: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience.
You can purchase Pokecoins in the game to speed up progress.
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Accessibility
Our Pokemon Go! Accessibility Report documents 16 accessibility features:
Moving the device's camera around is required to get the full function of AR features, like feeding your Pokémon or catching Pokémon. But, this is not necessarily required to enjoy the game. AR can be turned off in the game settings; after doing so, players can complete tasks without the need to aim the camera. When catching Pokémon, for example, the AR can be turned off and players can catch Pokémon using just finger taps to select items and gestures, like swipes, to use them.
With a separate purchase of a Pokémon GO Plus or a Poke Ball Plus accessory, a player can catch Pokémon and spin PokeStops with a single button press on that device. Players cannot fully play the game using either of these devices, however.
For the most part, Pokémon GO can be played with single finger taps and swipes. But, two fingers are needed to zoom in and out on the map.
Moving the device's camera around is required to get the full function of AR features, like feeding your Pokémon or catching Pokémon. But, this is not necessarily required to enjoy the game. AR can be turned off in the game settings; after doing so, players can complete tasks without the need to aim the camera. When catching Pokémon, for example, the AR can be turned off and players can catch Pokémon using just finger taps to select items and gestures, like swipes, to use them.
With a separate purchase of a Pokémon GO Plus or a Poke Ball Plus accessory, a player can catch Pokémon and spin PokeStops with a single button press on that device. Players cannot fully play the game using either of these devices, however.
For the most part, Pokémon GO can be played with single finger taps and swipes. But, two fingers are needed to zoom in and out on the map.
Diversity and Inclusion
We haven't documented diversity and inclusion information for this game yet.
Hand-Picked Games Like Pokemon Go!
Our experts have hand-picked the following similar games. These are similar to Pokemon Go! in how they play or their theme. These are good alternative games to Pokemon Go!.
