I want to be the very best like no one ever was. Quarantine regulations are still in effect due to the coronavirus. You still see fewer people walking around outside, but strange creatures populate the streets - even if only virtually. Yes, Pokémon GO is making a return!
Those were rosy times back in 2016, and like most smartphone owners, many were drawn to the city streets every day. The goal: catching Pokémon. The Pokédex always wanted to be up to date. Kilometers had to be covered in order for eggs to hatch. Then the eternal battle between good and evil - or much more good, evil and irrelevant. Because every Pokemon Go user had to make a decision at the beginning: Team Red, Blue, or Yellow? And yellow was... shall we say underrepresented.
Yes, it's been a long time since we met at the next Poke Stop and started a lure module. In 2020, we're going back in time. Because what better way to get through the Corona Crisis and social distancing than to go out on your own to hunt Pokémon again?
Pokemon Go 2020: I'll be back
It's been four years since the mega-boom of the Pokémon App, and thanks to the global pandemic, the game seems to be making a comeback. Arenas are constantly changing color, Lock Modules have been activated at Poké Stops, and it only takes a few seconds to search for enemies in online battles.
A few seconds after starting many will realise that a lot has changed. New Pokémon as far as the eye can see, but Bulbasaur, Eevee and Co. are also included.
New Buddies in Pokémon 2020
In addition to the significant increase in the number of catchable Pokémon, there are also many new features in the App. For example, you can take one of the Pokémon as a buddy and go on an adventure with it. This basically means that it will be walking around in the app next to your avatar, finding sweets for itself. This unlocks rewards - of which there are several. Sure, the goodies for the different tasks are nice, but how cool is it when a giant Scyther flies after you?
The Pokémon have also become much needier in terms of their owners' attention, but in return, you can expect better performances in the arena...
Fights, Arena and Raid Fights
Of course, you don't just feel the need to collect Pokémon. There's also the main mission: making the neighbourhood glow your respective color. If you've joined a team four years ago when the app first launched, your choice will remain unchanged.
Arena
Some changes were introduced to the arena as well. Just fighting Pokémon in the arena one after the other isn't enough. Their health has to be brought down to zero over several rounds. Then they disappear and the arena can be retaken.
It seems like it works pretty well, as long as there's no defender from the Arena around to heal his Pokémon with Berries which seems rather broken if your opponent has all the time in the world.
Raid Fights
Raid battles take place regularly in different Arenas, where you can team up with other Trainers to fight against an overpowered Pokémon. The main problem here is finding other players to form a group with. At least with the Trainer ID in the app, you can connect with others, fight each other, send each other gifts, and much more.
Fighting
In addition to these friendly battles, there are also online battles, in which you fight with players of the same rank and three Pokémon of your choice. Wins unlock rewards. It's especially worthwhile to get Stardust, which is otherwise a rare commodity - because you can use it to level up and develop your Pokémon.
Conclusion
If you're looking for something to do and don't want to just sit at home during quarantine, you should download the free app again or for the first time. There are exciting new tasks and features. Team Rocket is trying to hack some Poké Stops and we can't let that happen!
If you're not that into Pokémon Go, you might find a suitable distraction from Corona boredom here:
