[GAMES] We finally get a "First Look" at Pokemon GO

Since its announcement, Pokemon GO is definitely one of the most anticipated smartphone games right now, and the Pokemon Company and Niantic have both talked about the upcoming game in their respective official websites.

The game will boast a  “Real World Gaming” platform, which fans can use to explore the real world and look for Pokemon. Here are a few screenshots of what the game’s screen might look like, though Niantic has advised that “features, available languages, design and overall appearance are not final.”

Players get to explore their neighborhood to find Pokemon, and some species are limited to certain locations, such as water Pokemon only being found near lakes, rivers, and beaches. The game will also feature “PokeStops,” which are located at interesting places such as public art installations, historical markers, museums and monuments. According to Niantic, “Eggs and other special items such as Poké Balls can be acquired at PokéStops.”

As for the PvP battles, Niantic has confirmed that players can battle one another. Here is how the Pokemon official website describes these PVP battles:

At a certain point in the game, you’ll be asked to join one of three teams. Once you join a team, you’ll gain the ability to assign Pokémon you’ve caught to empty Gym locations or to a location where a team member has placed one of his or her Pokémon. Like PokéStops, Gyms can be found at real locations in the world. Each player can place only one Pokémon at a particular Gym, so you’re encouraged to work with others on the team to build up a strong defense.

If a Gym is already claimed by another team, you can challenge that Gym using your own Pokémon. Using the Pokémon you’ve caught, engage in battle with the defending Pokémon at the Gym to claim control.

In the original games, only Pokemon get to level up, but in Pokemon GO, trainers gain levels as well, and high-level trainers can catch more powerful Pokemon. More experienced trainers can also gain access to better items, such as Great Balls to have better chances at catching these stronger Pokemon. There will also be Pokemon eggs, which trainers can get at PokeStops. To get an egg to hatch, trainers must walk a certain number of steps… just like in the games! Other features include challenges, which will get players the chance to earn medals.

They also revealed the new Pokemon GO Plus Device, which is “A portable device which will enable Pokémon GO players to enjoy the game even while they’re not looking at their smartphones. The device connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth and notifies the player about events in the game—such as the appearance of a Pokémon nearby—using an LED and vibration. In addition, players can catch Pokémon or perform other simple actions by pressing the button on the device. Pokémon GO Plus will be available soon.”

Field tests for the games are about to begin in Japan, but remember, Pokemon GO is still in development, so these features might change as the tests go on.