Among the many crazes that arose this summer, “Pokemon GO” was probably the biggest and most widespread. Though it started out pretty buggy, the core of “Pokemon GO” was amazing, and it is no surprise that it took off in popularity. Unfortunately after the new update, it is harder to catch, and find, pokemon, especially in rural areas. The game still has its perks, but it has honestly lost some of its previous attractiveness.

The graphics are the usual for a mobile game; not to over-the-top, and just right for the low processing power of a mobile phone. Pokemon models are ripped straight from “Pokemon X/Y” and are the best looking models in game, besides the character models. Another bonus is that unlike most games, “Pokemon Go” gives players a chance to make the character look however they want. The game runs off of a GPS system, and is very reliable even when not using Wi-fi. But as of the current update, these features are the only ones worth praising.

The last big update in July took away footsteps, which helped players locate how close by they were to pokemon, and made any pokemon, no matter how weak, much harder to catch. Even weak pokemon will take as many as five pokeballs to catch, and higher CP pokemon have become extremely laborious to catch. In rural areas, airports, and even some malls, pokemon have become very scarce. The game is still entertaining, but has lost the initial charm that hooked so many players.

Although the game is still a blast with friends in a well populated area, it’s a bore in rural areas where there was once a semblance of where a player could head to find pokemon. Hopefully developer Niantic will realize the error of its ways and change the game back, or at least stop taking out useful mechanics of a great game.  

Final Rating: B-

Platforms: Android, IOS (iPhone)