Pokémon really has resurrected through Niantic's recently launched Pokémon Go app, with the colourful creatures conquering the world for a second time in the space of 20 years. But this time, it's a waste of time.
First of all, this is not coming from a Pokémon hater (or whatever), I've spent some days playing the new game as well, and currently made it to level 16. The problem, however, is where to go from here.
No progress
Back in the day, the original Red/Blue/Yellow games included a more or less specific narrative. You'd get your starter Pokémon at level 5, level up and evolve it as you battled through the likes of Cerulean City, Lavender Town and Cinnabar Island, before you and your Pokémon hopefully were fit to take on the so-called Elite Four in the Pokémon League. As things stand in terms of Pokémon Go, such things don't exist.
Lack of fighting
Additionally, evolving your Pokémon is done in a strange manner. Instead of fighting with your Pokémon for it to gain experience points, you can only catch Pokémon and trade them for a candy - e. g. a Pidgey candy - and use this like what was know as a Rare Candy to level up or evolve your Pokémon. Unless you take on a Gym, you never use your Pokémon for fighting against others.
Gym problems
As well, the Gyms isn't what they used to be. Back in the day, you'd take on a few trainers and their leader, and eventually pick up a badge for winning. As an example, you'd get the Cascade Badge for beating Misty (you know, the ginger girl from the TV series) in Cerulean City. This badge would yield some advantages. Winning a gym these days effectively yields next to nothing. Not to mention that the battles just are click orgies, instead of tactically choosing whether to use an powerful (but inaccurate) Hydro Pump or go for the less damaging and more accurate Bubblebeam.
These flaws are only possible to look beyond for so long, in my opinion. And I've reached that point now. It's a shame, because Pokémon Go really includes so many great aspects, like getting out, socialising, not to mention the nostalgia among other things that makes it worth playing (for a while).
I reckon Pokémon Go players will realise these things within some time. Hopefully the guys at Niantic have developed and improved the game by then.
PS: One tip for Nintendo, Niantic or whoever owns the rights: Launch the Red/Blue/Yellow games to play on iPhone/Android. Now. It would generate a vast amount of money and even more playing people. Promise.