I choose you

TECHLIFE’S TEAM REVIEWS THE LATEST GAMES FOR MOBILE DEVICES, STARTING WITH THE MONSTER-COLLECTING PHENOMENON.

Pokémon GO HERE ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE EEVEENING. Free with IAP | www.pokemongo.com

On launch, the Pokémon Company’s latest game quickly had more daily active users than Tinder, Twitter and Facebook. is means more people catching monsters than acting like them on social media. But here’s the key question — is Pokémon GO actually any good? e answer is a resounding ‘yes’, and it can only get better.

If you’ve been unfortunate enough to have your head stuck in a Poké Ball since release, Pokémon GO uses your iPhone or Android device to hunt down Pikachu and pals across the real world. Using Google-powered technology pioneered by developer Niantic’s previous game, Ingress, our analogue surroundings are translated into a tantalising mass of PokéStops, gyms and, of course, 151 Pokémon. On paper, it’s exciting, but when you’re outside looking at an open game world that mirrors your own, it’s elevated to something exhilarating.

e free app isn’t currently without its problems — as at the time of review, Niantic’s servers were overwhelmed and causing frustrating crashes — but there’s so much to love here and no need to spend cash. Catching ‘em all is a simple joy. A well-aimed ick of a Poké Ball is all it takes once you have your quarry in front of you and, if you’re lucky enough to trap them rst time, the icker of three stars never gets any less satisfying. PokéStops too make walking to work a collector’s paradise as churches, monuments and parks become caches of loot. Spin the Pokémon logo and Poké Balls and — hey presto! — revives will spill out in happy-making poppable bubbles.

You can’t compete directly with other trainers yet (apparently one of many updates players can expect further down the line) but gym ownership is a erce battle that lets you install your Pokémon in a location alongside fellow team members. Its interface may be simple for now and it’s painfully lacking a tutorial, but the community aspect of Pokémon GO is its killer draw. Real-world trainers wander the streets with you in the hunt for more monsters.

ere’s a reason this has taken over the world and it might not be the best there ever was just yet, but like Ash Ketchum, it’s on the way.