Orb is an Android app that has been around for a little while, which is basically Pokémon Go meets Street View. The basic premise is that you download the app, and while it’s not required, you will need an Android device to use it, because it uses the Google Maps Android API. Once you have the app, you can pick a location to start exploring. Once you navigate to a new area, you will see a series of coloured orbs that you can interact with. By tapping on the orbs, you will see short descriptions of what they are. The only downside to Orb is that the content is entirely driven by Pokémon Go, and it feels a little bit like playing the game on an extended loop. But for hardcore Pokémon fans, that may be a good thing.
The Basics Of Orb
As the name would suggest, Orb is a very basic Pokémon Go clone. If you’re looking for more options, you could always check out Pocket Monsters Go, which is essentially the same as Orb but adds a bit more to the formula. One of the biggest differences between the two is that while Orb is a free app, Pocket Monsters Go is a paid app. Like Pokémon Go, Orb is mostly aimed at mobile users, and since it’s based on Google Maps, you can expect the experience to be pretty good on the go. But if you’re looking for an even more immersive experience, you could try out Pokémon Go Plus, which is essentially the same as the standard version of the game but has a few additional features that make it a bit more demanding. Naturally, the immersion of using a real location for exploration in Orb is also intensified by the fact that you’re able to look around and interact with real life objects in a 3D environment. For example, if you run into a wall or a tree while exploring, you will see the reflection of what is behind you in the Google Maps screen. This makes the whole thing feel a bit more lifelike.
Where Can I Go?
As the name would suggest, this is where you make your way to through the app. Once you have installed it, you will see a blue dot on the map that represents your current location. You can either tap on this to return home, or you can use your device’s navigation function and move to another place. When you arrive at your destination, you will see a colourful array of dots representing places that you can visit. These locations are tagged as places of interest, so even if you have no interest in Pokémon or exploring the real world, you will still be able to find something of interest around you. In terms of the locations that the app currently supports, they include historical monuments, museums, art galleries, buildings, and more. The mapping component makes it easy enough to navigate to any of these places, and the fact that they are tagged as places of interest makes it easy enough to find something that suits your interests. If you have a specific monument or artwork that you want to see, you can use the search bar at the top to look for locations near you that include these locations. This can be a great way to find what you are looking for without having to spend too much time navigating.
What Do I Do?
The main screen of Orb shows you all the different types of things that you can do. While you will initially see a series of dots representing places that you can explore, once you start moving around the app will start loading in the locations that you have already visited. Once this is complete, you will see a tab at the top that allows you to select a type of content that you would like to see. This could be anything from a picture to an explanatory text about the place to a list of events that are happening there or at nearby places. You can also swipe to the left or right to see more or less content for each option.
Once you have selected an item to view, you will see a map of the area around you with a red dot over the item that you have chosen. If you want to go to one of the places nearby, simply tap on the dot or use your device’s navigation function to move there. This will take you to the Google Maps screen for that location, where you can then use the device’s camera to look around and see if there are any Pokémon nearby or whether or not there are any items to collect. As previously mentioned, if you do happen to find a Pokémon or an item, you can use your phone’s haptic feedback to let you know. This way, even if you’re playing on a handheld device, you will still be able to sense when you’ve collided with something in reality or when an interesting place or item comes into view. This is vital for an immersive Pokémon Go experience.
Overall, this is a simple but incredibly effective Pokémon Go clone. The key to its effectiveness is that while it takes some of the complexity out of the game, it still gives you the key bits that you need to play. Once you’ve downloaded and installed it, you will have a good sense of what is going on, and you will not need additional instructions to get started. Furthermore, even if you do decide that this is not for you, you will have a good idea of what to expect, and that will make the whole experience more bearable. This is important for any app that relies on Google Maps, as it means that even if you hate the app or the company, you will not have cause to feel so betrayed by the product that you simply can’t use it.
Is It Any Good?
As a basic Pokémon Go clone, it’s clear that this is going to be effective on a mobile device. While it has some of the more complex additions of Pokémon Go (like the 3D viewing and the search bar), this is definitely a simplified version that gets the basics right. If you want an immersive experience on the go, you could try out Pokémon Go Plus, which is effectively the same as the standard version of the game but has a few additional features that make it a bit more demanding. But if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to pop open a map and start exploring, you could try out Orb. For those who want to experience the thrill of looking for Pokémon in the real world, as opposed to just on a screen, hopefully, this article will help direct you to the right place.