In Pokémon GO, the new feature “Routes” was activated on July 21. Players can create their own hiking paths that other players can see and use as well. However, everything is not going smoothly with the new feature yet.
What are the Routes? The Routes are meant to support the community in finding beautiful paths that can be used for walks and hikes. This way, players can also share tips that are not their own PokéStops. The feature was officially introduced in June and is now active:
- Players can choose an arena or a PokéStop or can start a “Route” from there.
- This will then be captured and recorded by Pokémon GO. It is completely free and not tied to stops. However, it must end at a stop or an arena – but it can also be the starting point.
- Trainers can also add descriptions, tags, and similar elements.
If the Route is accepted by Niantic, other trainers can find and follow it in the game.
What does this bring? Players should be able to immortalize themselves and earn rewards at the same time.
While you walk on a Route, you get to your buddy candies faster, there is an XP bonus for the first Route of the day, and incense attracts more Pokémon when you explore a Route for the first time. If you are also out with your buddy, you get a buddy heart when you complete a Route.
You can also find Zygarde cells on the Routes. These are needed to change the forms of the Pokémon Zygarde, which was recently released in the game.
Bugs and Problems with the Routes
What are the players complaining about? A major issue right now is that there are no Routes in many places, regardless of whether it’s a small village or a big city. Some players report that they have already submitted Routes, but these have not yet been activated. Many, however, have no option to create a Route at all.
In addition, there are numerous GPS errors. Reddit user hokiewankenobi reports that he has repeatedly deviated from the Route, even though he followed the direct paths in the app. As a result, he took almost an hour for an 800-meter Route (via reddit).
Moreover, there are sometimes crashes when trainers try to record a Route. Niantic has already acknowledged this in the “Known Issues” (via Niantic).
Another point of criticism relates to finding Routes. Instead of making them visible on the world map, you have to tap the small button where you find Pokémon nearby. Then swipe twice to the left to see the Routes nearby.
Why is this such a problem right now? Many find it particularly frustrating that the Routes are linked to the new special research “From A to Zygarde”. There you are supposed to catch about 20 Pokémon while following Routes. This is only difficult to achieve when there are such problems with the Routes. As a result, many players will not get to the new Pokémon for the time being.
This, in turn, has led to frustration, which negatively impacts the event “New Paths”, which runs until today, Monday, July 24, at 8:00 PM. It reduces the distance for buddy candies and brings special Pokémon from eggs. However, many are not interested in this because the Routes do not work.
What do you think about the new feature? Are you able to use the Routes properly?
