When Pokémon Go first dropped back in 2016, it revolutionized mobile gaming by blending the real world with the beloved Pokémon universe. Fast forward to today, and we’ve seen dozens of updates, new generations of Pokémon added, the introduction of PvP, Team Rocket, raids, and much more. The latest release continues to build on that legacy, adding a host of new features and improvements.
However, like any major update, there’s always room for critique. While many changes are exciting and welcome, some have left me—and a lot of my community—feeling a bit frustrated. Let’s break it down in detail.
1 – Regional Pokémon and Exclusive Events: A Fresh Global Adventure
One of the most exciting aspects of Pokémon Go has always been the idea of hunting for Pokémon around the world. The latest update takes that concept to the next level with the introduction of new regional exclusives and special events tied to different countries. Now, it’s not just about catching rare Pokémon—it’s about traveling to specific locations to find them. This creates a true sense of adventure and excitement, especially when you’re planning a trip or engaging in global trades with fellow trainers.
For example, I recently had a live stream session where we hunted for Kangaskhan in Australia, which was only available during a limited-time event. The community absolutely loved it—my viewers from all over the world tuned in, shared tips, and even helped with local spawns. It was a global effort, and it felt like we were all working together to complete our Pokédexes.
The events themselves have gotten better too. I’ve participated in several timed research events where the rewards felt worth the grind. Niantic has really upped the ante with things like Ultra Beasts appearing in raids and giving us exclusive moves during certain events. The excitement of potentially encountering one of these rare creatures in the wild has given me and the community a renewed sense of purpose in the game.
2 – Revamped Raid System: Accessibility for All Players
One of the standout features of the new update is the improved raid system. Raids have always been a core part of Pokémon Go’s endgame, especially for catching rare and legendary Pokémon. However, there’s been a shift toward making raids more accessible to a wider range of players. Niantic has streamlined remote raids, making matchmaking faster and more efficient. As someone who hosts live streams, this has been a game-changer for me.
In the past, I’d spend what felt like forever trying to gather enough players for a raid. Now, the process is much smoother. When I hop into a raid live, I can get into the action within minutes. I’ve seen a lot of positive feedback from my viewers, too—especially those who don’t live in areas with high player density. For those who rely on remote raids to participate, this update is a godsend.
What’s even better is that they’ve adjusted the raid difficulty to make it more inclusive for mid-level trainers. In the past, many players felt discouraged from joining certain raids because they didn’t have high-level teams or the right Pokémon. With these changes, even casual players can jump in, contribute meaningfully, and feel like they’re part of the community without needing a maxed-out roster.
3. Augmented Reality (AR) Enhancements: Bringing Pokémon to Life
I’ve always been a fan of Pokémon Go’s AR features, but I’ll be honest—up until this release, they felt more like a novelty than a true gameplay feature. That’s changed with the latest update. The new AR+ mode has completely redefined how Pokémon interact with the environment. Instead of just floating in front of you, they now seem to belong in the space.
I’ve had a blast taking my AR hunts to the next level. Picture this: during one of my live streams, I was out in the park when I spotted a Charmander hiding behind a tree. Instead of just tapping on it, I had to physically move around to get the right angle to catch it. The immersion factor is off the charts. I’ve noticed more realistic Pokémon behavior too—they’ll hide in bushes, peek out from behind objects, and even run away if you get too close too fast.
This AR+ mode has also opened up some really fun opportunities for content creation. My followers have been sharing their AR photos with me on social media, and some of them are just incredible. From Pikachu hiding in the grocery store aisles to Bulbasaur lounging in someone’s garden, it’s brought a whole new layer of interaction to the game. It’s safe to say AR+ has been a major win in this update.
4. Increased PokéStop and Gym Interaction Range: Convenience at Its Best
This is a quality-of-life improvement that I think a lot of us didn’t know we needed until we had it. The increased range for interacting with PokéStops and gyms is one of the most welcome changes in the update. During live streams, I don’t always have the luxury of moving around a lot, especially when I’m setting up for raids or battles. Being able to spin PokéStops or battle in gyms from further away has saved me countless times.
It’s also been great for accessibility. Players who may not be able to physically reach certain stops or gyms due to mobility issues or obstacles now have a better shot at participating in the game fully. I’ve received several comments from viewers thanking Niantic for this change because it makes the game more inclusive. And let’s be honest—sometimes it’s just nice to not have to cross a busy street just to spin a stop!
What Needs Improvement: The Frustrating Side of Things
1. Inconsistent Spawn Rates: The Eternal Grind
While the regional exclusives and new events are exciting, one thing that’s been bothering me—and a lot of players—is the inconsistent spawn rates for rare Pokémon. In theory, rare Pokémon should be, well, rare. But the balance feels off in the latest update. You’ll spend hours walking around and only encounter the same common Pokémon over and over. Where’s the thrill in that?
During one of my recent streams, I was out on a hunt for Gible, which had a boosted spawn rate during an event. I spent nearly an hour walking, and out of the dozens of Pokémon I encountered, only two were Gible. Meanwhile, my viewers were telling me they had caught several in a much shorter span of time. It was frustrating to say the least. The algorithm that controls spawn rates seems to be all over the place, and I’m not the only one who has noticed this.
I get that randomness is part of the game, but there needs to be a better balance. If I’m participating in a special event with boosted spawns, I should be seeing more than just the same few common Pokémon. It feels like they’ve made some of the rarer spawns too rare, which can turn an exciting event into a grind fest.
2. Overreliance on Microtransactions: Paywalls Are Creeping In
Now, this is a point that I know a lot of you feel strongly about: the game’s increasing reliance on microtransactions. Pokémon Go has always had in-app purchases, and I’ve never had a problem throwing a few bucks here and there to support the game. But lately, it feels like more and more content is being locked behind paywalls.
Remote Raid Passes, event tickets, incubators—it’s all starting to add up. And while you can still play the game without spending money, the free-to-play experience is starting to feel more restrictive. I’ve had viewers express frustration during live streams because they couldn’t participate in certain events or raids without buying passes. Niantic needs to strike a better balance between offering premium content and keeping the game accessible for players who don’t want to spend money.
It’s understandable that Niantic needs to monetize the game, but it’s starting to feel like too much. There should be more ways to earn premium items through gameplay, or at least more affordable options for casual players. Right now, if you want to fully enjoy everything the game has to offer, it’s becoming increasingly difficult without opening your wallet.
3. PvP Lag and Bugs: Fix the Glitches, Please
Another major issue that’s been driving me and a lot of competitive players crazy is the ongoing PvP lag. PvP battles have been a core part of Pokémon Go for a while now, but the performance issues during battles can be downright infuriating. I’ve lost count of how many battles I’ve lost because of a freeze or lag spike at a critical moment.
This is especially problematic during live streams when I’m trying to showcase battles for my viewers. Nothing kills the excitement faster than a battle freezing right as I’m about to land a charged attack. The new mechanics they’ve added to PvP, like updated charge moves and faster-paced gameplay, are great in theory, but they’re being overshadowed by technical issues. Niantic really needs to address this in an upcoming patch. It’s hard to take PvP seriously as an esport if the performance is so unreliable.
4. Battery Drain: AR+ Mode is a Power Hog
While I’ve praised the new AR+ mode for its immersion, there’s no getting around the fact that it’s a battery hog. Even with my phone set to low power mode, I’ve had to cut streams short or stop playing because my battery drained faster than expected. This is especially problematic for players who want to enjoy long play sessions or participate in events that require a lot of walking.
I understand that AR+ is a more resource-intensive mode, but Niantic should look into optimizing it better. I’ve seen other games with AR features that don’t cause nearly as much battery drain. Right now, it feels like you have to choose between enjoying the full AR experience and keeping your phone alive for more than an hour.
The Verdict: A Game That Keeps Evolving, But Needs Fine-Tuning
At its core, Pokémon Go’s latest release continues to build on what has made the game so beloved by millions of players worldwide. The addition of regional exclusives, improved raids, and enhanced AR features all show that Niantic is committed to evolving the game and keeping it fresh. For the most part, they’ve succeeded. There’s still something magical about walking around, phone in hand, and seeing Pokémon come to life in the real world.
However, as with any game, there are growing pains. The inconsistent spawns, paywalls, PvP lag, and battery drain all point to areas that could use some improvement. As someone who plays and streams Pokémon Go regularly, I’m hopeful that Niantic will listen to player feedback and make adjustments. After all, the game has come a long way since 2016, and there’s no reason it can’t continue to evolve for the better.
What’s your take on the new update? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s keep the conversation going. And as always, if you’re enjoying the content, hit that like button and subscribe! Until next time, Trainers—keep catching ‘em all!
