Pokémon GO players now have a good reason to go outside and physically hang out with other Trainers thanks to the newly-released co-op feature Party Play.
Playing Pokémon GO was always meant to be a shared experience. Game developer Niantic pitched as much ever since the mobile app was released, but players were somewhat disappointed when they saw an in-game interface that only showed their trainers alone on the screen. They immediately got creative and arranged Community Days so that players could compare Pokédexes and share Pokémon-catching tips. Nevertheless, many hoped the Pokémon GO app would eventually have an in-game multiplayer component — something that is now resolved with the Party Play feature released on Oct. 17.
Pokémon GO‘s Party Play allows up to four Trainers to team up for shared adventures. Players will remain tethered to their team even if everyone spreads out during campaigns, as every trainer in the group is tracked in-game on the party members’ screens. However, the Party Play feature currently comes with a couple of caveats. Only Trainers level 15 and above are qualified to band together, while newbies must grind their way to earn party membership. Party Play also requires everyone to play in proximity, close enough so that anyone in the group can spin a gym or PokéStop. The feature does not currently have a remote play option.
Battle Raids More Fun With Party Play
With Party Play, Trainers can now roam together or team up for battle raids. Players don’t have to be in-game friends to form a party, so it’s possible to mix and match between groups during events like the annual Pokémon GO Fest. Raiding as a party rewards the entire team with Party Power, which is a cumulative damage multiplier that’s super useful against raid bosses. Damage dealt by Charged Attacks is doubled with Party Power, which also builds whenever a party player performs a Fast Attack. With this mechanic, parties with more members have an advantage during raids.
Players can access Party Play through the Trainer profile page, where the new Party tab is located. Any player can create a party and then share the generated numerical or QR code with up to three Trainers. After creating the party, the team will be offered multiple challenges via a new in-game menu, with options to battle in raids, catch Pokémon or spin PokéStops.
Pokémon GO also offers Party Play Trainers a special treat: Eevee-themed avatar shirts printed with variant evolutions of the Normal-type Pokémon.
Source: Pokémon GO
