In Pokémon GO, new trainers can currently test both an improved Pokédex and a new weather feature. While the former provides more organization, the latter primarily makes the game more visually appealing.
This is how the new Pokédex works: The developers of Pokémon GO have initiated a test in which randomly selected trainers can use an improved Pokédex. This now displays significantly more categories than before, allowing you to take a simpler look at specific types of your Pokémon.
This looks something like this:
The new categories allow you to quickly access different types of monsters, enabling you to see which ones you are still missing. This gives you the opportunity to specifically search for certain Pokémon that are still missing in your Pokédex.
Among other things, you can filter for Shinys, Cryptos, or Event-Pokémon. Currently, trainers in the Pokémon GO subreddit also report categories like “Perfect Pokémon” (i.e., four stars) or Lucky Pokémon.
At the moment, the available categories during the test phase apparently differ from trainer to trainer – and for some players, it is not yet available at all. However, it is expected that there will be a wider distribution in the future.
However, the improved Pokédex is not the only feature currently being tested.
First players show pictures of a prettier Pokémon GO
What is changing: Niantic has launched a test in which players can test a new feature that aims to depict the sky in more detail and in real-time. Currently, the feature is available to players in Australia, Singapore, the UK, and Mexico.
In the Pokémon GO subreddit, some players are already sharing pictures of the new feature and showing how Pokémon GO could soon look for players worldwide.
The image shows how the “real” sunset also reflects on the ocean – a level of detail that the game has not had before. But bad weather is now also represented in more detail in the game:
On Reddit, the visuals of the new feature are well received. However, some trainers express concerns about whether the new feature might affect the game’s performance – especially on somewhat older smartphones (via reddit). But whether and how strongly the gaming experience will be affected will likely be shown by the first tests in the coming days.
When will the features come to us? Both features were announced quite some time ago. While the Pokédex is already available to some players here, it appears that the weather feature will take a bit longer to arrive. A global release has not yet been specifically announced. Only the timeframe “late summer” has been mentioned for a general release. So it shouldn’t be too long before the feature is available everywhere.
In the meantime, the Bidoof event in Pokémon GO continues. And that is a really good opportunity to level up. Here you will find tips on how to gather a lot of XP in Pokémon GO.
