A lot to love, a lot to hate - Update

The system for catching Pokemon and then leveling with candies (i.e., catching the same Pokemon over and over) is interesting and I have no problems with it. Its refreshingly different. The whole game really is fun.

When it works.

Which is not often.

Commonly has server issues, many times seemingly at random and in areas of good coverage. Also lacks several promised features, such as the ability to play with/trade with/battle friends. Thats not a comparison to old games thats simply a thing that was promised that was not delivered. At this point though the server issues are paramount. Nothing is more annoying than trying to find Pokemon with friends and then half of your phones disconnect and then thirty seconds later the rest of you disconnect as well.

EDIT: Now we have raids and a new gym system. Disconnects are not as frequent. HOWEVER, the game still frequently crashes if you tell it to do more than one thing within about 10-15 seconds.

Also the updated system for checking speed is awful. I have literally been walking down a sidewalk and it tells me Im moving too fast and subsequently will not allow me to get pokestops or catch anything (because it despawns all the Pokémon on the map). I understand the need for a system that doesnt allow people to play while driving, but I frequently played as a passenger in a car or on a bus. So thanks for punishing me and those like me when we did nothing wrong. Also, the speed-gauging system bugging out and thinking Im somehow running at 40mph seems to often precede crashes.

Basically, the game is fun and now mostly playable, but several features have been added (speed gating) that make it significantly more annoying, and it still crashes with startling regularity given how long its been out. 3/5 for that.

Also the game loses a star for its irregular content. Most games that are good and successful with so large a player base regularly run events to keep players invested. Weve had several events lately, but those were after long, LONGN stretches of nothing. So -1 to 2/5.

Repooc450 about Pokémon GO, v1.37.2