Pokemon GO has changed quite a lot since it's debut in 2016. Back then, the game was little more than an augmented reality novelty with little actual gameplay and missing features that made the mainline Pokemon titles so enjoyable, like PvP combat.
After going through so many changes, Pokemon GO is definitely a much better game today, with constant new events like Community Day keeping the game alive. And now Niantic is revamping the buddy system to make the game even better.
As revealed in a very heartwarming and nostalgia-fueled trailer released today, Pokemon GO is improving the buddy system by adding an all-new "Buddy Adventure" feature. Like the old buddy system, players will pick their favorite Pokemon to walk alongside their character and grow stronger over time. The new system will now have buddy Pokemon walking alongside players in the real world (through the augmented reality camera, of course). It looks very cute in the trailer, but it also looks like players could easily mistaken their buddy for a wild Pokemon if they're not paying attention. The new update will also add tiers to the buddy system which will allow players to interact with their favorite Pokemon in different adorable ways.
Battling, taking pictures of and feeding buddy Pokemon will earn Affection Points. Different tiers of friendship will also unlock more advantages for players. The first rank, Good Buddy, allows the Pokemon to join the player on the map view. Players can also see how the Pokemon feels on the buddy profile page. The next rank, Great Buddy, has the buddy Pokemon assist during encounters with wild Pokemon, almost like the mainline Pokemon games. The buddy Pokemon will also periodically bring players a helpful item.
With the Ultra Buddy rank, the Pokemon will point out places of interest that are nearby and will also bring players Souvenirs, which can be kept track of on the buddy profile page. With the final rank, Best Buddy, the chosen Pokemon will start wearing a Best Buddy Ribbon to make it official. Best Buddies will also get a CP boost during combat as long as they're still assigned as the player's buddy Pokemon, which will really help when fighting any new Legendary Battle Raid bosses.
Along with now being able to see buddy Pokemon walk around in the real world, Niantic claims that the new update will have different species of Pokemon expressing their affection in distinctly different ways, which will make each buddy feel unique and special.
Pokemon GO is available on iOS and Android devices. The "Buddy Adventure" update will go live by 2020.
Source: Pokémon GO/YouTube