Team Rocket Now Menaces Pokemon Go

It’s been a while since we posted anything about Pokémon Go, largely because it’s been a while since they’ve done anything noteworthy. With the phenomenon having largely cooled down, new Pokémon adding the roster, new mechanics, and new tie-ins simply becomes less exciting to the gaming world at large. At least, from what I can tell.

But this announcement is different: not only is it dramatically changing Niantic’s now-iconic mobile game, it’s tying it even closer to the actual games that act as its inspiration. Pokemon trainers in Go will now be tasked with tackling the villainous Team Rocket.

Here’s how it works: Team Rocket grunts will start taking over Pokestops around the world, which will be marked with their signal. The first time you give it a tap, your team leader will warn you that these ‘new trainers’ are up to no good. Once you confirm you’re ready to confront these foes you’ll enter a battle with the Team Rocket trainer themselves. It’s just like any normal trainer battle, with two major changes: for one, their Pokémon will have a dark aura around them and evil-looking red eyes, and for two, once you win, they’ll abandon one of their Pokemon, giving you a chance to capture it for yourself.

Pokemon captured in such a way retain their evil aura and red eyes, which is a nice astatic if you’re keen on that kind of thing, but it’s also possible to “purify” it with dust and candy. It’s worth your time to do, because once they’re purified they’ll learn the attack “Return”, which gives them a slight edge over their non-corrupt counterparts.

Anyway, I think that’s all very cool. I think we’re still a far ways away from Pokemon Go having anything like a story, if it ever will, but a villain is a cool step in that direction at least. Fingers crossed for Giovanni.