The newly released Nintendo app "Pokemon Go" is a modern take on the timeless classic. The app itself challenges players to get up and move around their city (and beyond) to catch different types of Pokemon. The app has taken Lubbock by storm, with an accurate map of the city and interactive play all around the Hub City.

Here's what you need to know about the new Nintendo game "Pokemon Go" and how to catch 'em all.

We'd like to preface this article by reminding players everywhere to stay safe while they're becoming a master trainer. There's a warning screen while the app loads telling players to stay aware of their surroundings. Be careful when you play during the day or at night and make sure to keep yourself safe so you can catch 'em all.

How to use the app

The premise behind the game is simple: to catch Pokemon around your area. However, the game has more to it than meets the eye.

When players first start, they're given a choice of a slightly personalized avatar that represents their trainer. The player is then given a chance to catch a starting Pokemon. But unlike the traditional games, this doesn't really affect the player's destiny.

After that, the player is left to their own devices to wander and catch Pokemon while checking out Poke Stops and Gyms around town.

Pokemon Go
Pokemon Go/Nintendo
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PokeStops and Gyms

PokeStops are landmarks placed all around that give you goodies, like more pokeballs or eggs that the player can incubate to hatch Pokemon while the player walks.

Gyms are places where players can get together and fight with their Pokemon or even join a team. To join a Gym, a player must be at least a level 5. There are different teams on the app that you can interact and battle with as you go.

Once the player has caught the Pokemon, he or she can rename them and even help them evolve with the right equipment. Each time the player catches a Pokemon, their experience goes up, allowing them to move through the levels.

It's important to remember that while the "Pokemon Go" app itself is free, players might have to pay for things like incense that draws Pokemon near or more Pokeballs. But it's silly to spend money on Pokeballs when you can get them from PokeStops for free.

Some of the most popular locations to catch Pokemon, get goodies from PokeStops and meet people in Lubbock are: Texas Tech, the Depot District and bigger parks in town like Maxey and Mackenzie.

How to tell if a Pokemon is nearby

There are several signals that there's a nearby Pokemon that players can try to catch.

The most obvious is the appearance of an animated Pokemon on the player's map. The player's device will vibrate to indicate a close Pokemon. If the player is close enough to select the Pokemon, he or she can then throw a Pokeball at the Pokemon in order to catch it.

Another way to tell if Pokemon are close is to look at the bottom right of the app's screen. There the player will find a pull up list of silhouettes of the Pokemon that are in the area. The more footprints under the Pokemon, the farther away it is. The fewer, the closer it is. If a player has already caught a Pokemon that is the same as one that is close, a full picture will show up to indicate the Pokemon's presence.

The third way to tell if a Pokemon is somewhere in the player's area is to look for a few leaves in the breeze on the virtual map. This is almost like the Pokemon rustling the bushes and, if approached, a Pokemon will more than likely appear to the user.

How to catch a Pokemon

When the Pokemon has appeared the player can use on of their Pokeballs to capture it. The trick is to wait for the inner circle to be as small as possible before throwing the ball to catch it. Different Pokemon will have different difficulty levels for catching, so make sure you're stocked up on Pokeballs.

Local 'Pokemon Go' posts



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