As a typical 90’s nostalgic geek, I was thrilled to try out the new Pokemon GO app. I got it the very first day it was out, on the 6th July. Here are my feelings about this game, based on two weeks of playing in Paris.

Paris is full of rats, pigeons and bats

As in many big cities in the world, you will find a lot of Pidgeys, Rattatas and Zubats in Paris. I don’t know of it’s kind of a joke for the developers, but it really feels like it was done on purpose.

A gym in Paris will change team a couple of time per day

And even more on strategic places ! There’s one close to my work place that is taken over more than 3 times in average only during lunch time, each day. Things move really fast in the French capital !

You’ll never miss out of PokeBalls

PokeBalls can be found at Pokéstops. Good news, you’ll always have enough to go on playing for hours. Just don’t forget to farm now and then.

I discovered new places

The great thing about Pokemon Go is that you have to walk around the city to play. That way, I discovered loads of new places in Paris. I also started to pay attention to small details of the city. You know, those small things that make your day better once you realize they were always here.

It’s harder to find Pokéstops in small cities

I’ve been away from Paris a couple of days last weekend. Turns out there’s less PokéStops in small cities. For example, I was staying in a 4500 inhabitants city near the Atlantic coast. I could only find 3 PokéStops in the whole place. In Paris, I have two within reach of my flat, and two others within reach of my office.

But you should find a gym close enough

Speaking of this city I was staying at, there was a gym, located on a old church in the city center. In the end, even with few PokéStops around, you should be able to find and conquer a gym.

Playing Pokemon at work is possible

You just need a couple of tricks to maintain your device on all the time. Pokemons will come to you here and then. My coworkers think I’m a bit crazy, but it doesn’t affect my workflow so they are ok with it.

It gives me a reason to go out after work

Usually, I would just come home, eat, watch a movie and basically do nothing. Now, I (sometimes) take a walk at the end of the day to go catch Pokemons. I guess it’s healthier than staying on the couch right ?

It builds teamspirit between partners

My boyfriend and I help eachother in our Pokequest. I know it sounds a bit cheesy but it’s really fun to play the same game now and then.

Story Time 1: on our first week of playing, we were battling for a gym, located on some artwork. We were both leaning against a building, a couple past by and wished us a good match ! Those kind of situations are awkward at first, but get really funny with time.

Story Time 2: I found myself chasing Bulbasaur in the Jardin des Plantes with 100 other Pokemon trainers. People were shouting « Dratiniii!! » « Eeveeeeeee!! » all around the parc, and people would run in that direction. We were a bunch of geeks having fun in a parc, like 10 years old. The parc closes at 8pm. So security asked us to leave at 7:45pm. Players started to argue to stay longer in the parc and continue playing. I had never experienced a scene like this ! It was so much fun !

So here are my feelings after 2 weeks of Pokemon GO playing around Paris. What are yours ? Do you experience the same thing in your own cities around the world ?