Summary
Pokemon GOplayers aren’t happy with the launch of the Routes feature after encountering various issues and bugs. Routes were recently introduced in a newPokemon GOupdate as a feature that lets players explore pre-defined paths and earn enticing rewards along the way.
Niantic and The Pokemon Company’sPokemon GOcontinues to receive major updates and new features seven years after the mobile game’s launch. Earlier this month, Niantic launchedPokemon GO’sPokeStop Showcase feature, which allows players to earn special rewards by showing off Pokemon that fall under certain criteria. The developers continued its 7th anniversary celebrations by increasing the appearance rate of different starter Pokemon and letting players earn Wartortle and Blastoise with party hats.Pokemon GO’s7th anniversary event was met with heavy criticism due to severely high escape rates for the starter Pokemon, and the newly launched Routes feature has caused more frustration in the community.
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Pokemon GOplayers are frustrated with the current implementation of Routes, citing several issues involving navigation and rewards. For example, Reddit user hokiewankenobi notes that the current Routes feature constantly takes the player character “off route” despite following the directions shown on the map. A simple 800-meter Route inPokemon GOtook hokiewankenobi roughly one hour to complete due to the navigation errors and bugs. OtherPokemon GOplayers are facing similar issues while attempting tocomplete Routes or create Routes to share online.
Legendary Pokemon Zygarde made itsPokemon GOdebut on July 20 alongside the new Routes feature, and players are also unhappy with the Pokemon being tied to Routes progression. Since Zygarde Special Research Tasks and the retrieval of Zygarde Cells require the completion of Routes, some players have been unable to progress the activity and earn rewards due to persistent bugs. One of these players, hjuvapena, created a mock-upPokemon GOnotice to relay the community’s frustrations about Routes and the Zygarde Special Research.
The problematic launch of Routes mounts on top ofrecentPokemon GOcontroversiessuch as the 7th anniversary event and the discrimination lawsuit filed earlier this month. Although Routes offer a rewarding gameplay loop forPokemon GOplayers, the feature’s bugs are keeping players from enjoying them.
Pokemon GO’sZygarde eventwill be active until July 24, so players only have a few days left to earn the Legendary Pokemon and obtain more Buddy Candy through Routes. Niantic might want to address the situation publicly and work toward releasing bug fixes to improve the feature and help players acquire Zygarde Cells.
Pokemon GOis available now for Android and iOS.
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