What Is Pokémon Go? How to Play, Find and Catch Pokémon

2016-07-10T19:31:00.000Z

What is Pokemon Go and how to play — Gotcha! Pokemon Go/Tech Insider

I never grew up watching or playing Pokémon. I'm a casual gamer, but Pokémon never did it for me.

But this week, all anyone can seem to talk about is the new hot free app for iPhones and Androids, "Pokémon GO."

After 24 hours of hearing about it nonstop, I broke down and downloaded the game.

I've now clocked about 30 minutes of play time and captured three Pokémon, during which my iPhone battery dwindled from 90% to 66%.

The verdict?

It's kind of interesting, but ultimately "meh."

But if you, like me, want to see what all the fuss is about, read on.

At 9:19 AM this morning, after a full day of hearing about "Pokémon GO" nonstop from coworkers and Twitter, I caved and downloaded the game.

Go time.

Immediately, the game warns you to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Because to play the game, you have to have the app constantly open in case a Pokémon suddenly pops up that you need to capture — even if you're in the middle of the street.

Oh hey, it's some guy named Professor Willow.

Professor Willow tells us all about Pokémon, and what the mission is.

Professor Willow has been studying Pokémon, which are located all over the world. And he needs your help.

Absolutely, we will help!

Your first task is to choose an outfit.

Ooo, look at this. I can design her to look just like me!

I can even change her shoes.

And give her a nifty backpack. I'm ready to roll.

To play the game, you need to let "Pokémon GO" use your camera. Because really, that's the entire game, taking photos of Pokémon/throwing poké balls at them as they pop up.

Oh snap! I'm ready for my first Pokémon encounter.

Where you at, little guy?

He's right in front of me!

To see Pokémon in the real world around you, not an animated map screen, select the "camera on" option.

There's a charmander hanging out on my keyboard. I'ma get you.

To catch him, flick the ball with your finger toward the Pokémon.

Caught him! Sucker.

Professor Willow is proud.

And lets me choose a name.

"Alyson" was already taken, so I upgraded to "MasterAlyson."

Now I'm told about PokéStops.

The PokéStops are located out in the real world near you. They'll give you things like Pokéballs to capture the Pokémon and eggs, which grow into Pokémon.

Professor Willow is ready to ditch us. We're on our own and left to begin hunting Pokémon in the wild.

Unlike most games, you can't just sit at your desk and play it. You have to physically get up and walk around. I wasn't able to reach the first Pokéstop without going outside. So out I went.

This building in Flatiron is right near Tech Insider's headquarters, so I went outside and made it my first stop.

The blue things in the app are Pokéstops. So there are a lot of places you can walk to.

Here's a Pokéstop where I was able to collect some more Pokéballs. To get them, you spin the icon and then tap the Pokéballs to add them to your collection.

It turns out there are some Pokémons lurking nearby. Here's everyone I could encounter.

Ah! My first wild Pokémon! He's hanging out by the Pokéstop I was heading to.

There he is, jumping up and down, taunting me in the middle of the street. But my screen freezes, and I'm unable to capture him. Nooooooo. I have to reset my app, and the bird-like thing has disappeared by the time it reopens. Dammit.

At least I can still collect some goodies at this Pokéstop.

But as a turn a corner, I get another opportunity. Up pops this seahorse thing, and I'm determined not to fail again.

Huzzah! There is no escape for him.

Boom! I get a level up.

Unfortunately, I still can't do the coolest thing in the app — head to a gym where Pokémon battles go down. You need to be at level five for that. I guess I'll just keep capturing these guys until I get there.

The moment of truth: Am I really going to keep playing this game?

I think I'm done with it.

It is cute and all, but there's not much exciting that happens when you catch a Pokémon, and it's not particularly challenging to catch them either. But a lot of people seem to disagree, so if you're into it, here are a bunch of tips to help you catch them all.

Here's what it's like to play 'Pokémon GO' if you never really got into Pokémon before

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Here's what it's like to play 'Pokémon GO' if you never really got into Pokémon before

At 9:19 AM this morning, after a full day of hearing about "Pokémon GO" nonstop from coworkers and Twitter, I caved and downloaded the game.

Go time.

Immediately, the game warns you to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Because to play the game, you have to have the app constantly open in case a Pokémon suddenly pops up that you need to capture — even if you're in the middle of the street.

Oh hey, it's some guy named Professor Willow.

Professor Willow tells us all about Pokémon, and what the mission is.

Professor Willow has been studying Pokémon, which are located all over the world. And he needs your help.

Absolutely, we will help!

Your first task is to choose an outfit.

Ooo, look at this. I can design her to look just like me!

I can even change her shoes.

And give her a nifty backpack. I'm ready to roll.

To play the game, you need to let "Pokémon GO" use your camera. Because really, that's the entire game, taking photos of Pokémon/throwing poké balls at them as they pop up.

Oh snap! I'm ready for my first Pokémon encounter.

Where you at, little guy?

He's right in front of me!

To see Pokémon in the real world around you, not an animated map screen, select the "camera on" option.

There's a charmander hanging out on my keyboard. I'ma get you.

To catch him, flick the ball with your finger toward the Pokémon.

Caught him! Sucker.

Professor Willow is proud.

And lets me choose a name.

"Alyson" was already taken, so I upgraded to "MasterAlyson."

Now I'm told about PokéStops.

The PokéStops are located out in the real world near you. They'll give you things like Pokéballs to capture the Pokémon and eggs, which grow into Pokémon.

Professor Willow is ready to ditch us. We're on our own and left to begin hunting Pokémon in the wild.

Unlike most games, you can't just sit at your desk and play it. You have to physically get up and walk around. I wasn't able to reach the first Pokéstop without going outside. So out I went.

This building in Flatiron is right near Tech Insider's headquarters, so I went outside and made it my first stop.

The blue things in the app are Pokéstops. So there are a lot of places you can walk to.

Here's a Pokéstop where I was able to collect some more Pokéballs. To get them, you spin the icon and then tap the Pokéballs to add them to your collection.

It turns out there are some Pokémons lurking nearby. Here's everyone I could encounter.

Ah! My first wild Pokémon! He's hanging out by the Pokéstop I was heading to.

There he is, jumping up and down, taunting me in the middle of the street. But my screen freezes, and I'm unable to capture him. Nooooooo. I have to reset my app, and the bird-like thing has disappeared by the time it reopens. Dammit.

At least I can still collect some goodies at this Pokéstop.

But as a turn a corner, I get another opportunity. Up pops this seahorse thing, and I'm determined not to fail again.

Huzzah! There is no escape for him.

Boom! I get a level up.

Unfortunately, I still can't do the coolest thing in the app — head to a gym where Pokémon battles go down. You need to be at level five for that. I guess I'll just keep capturing these guys until I get there.

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

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Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

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