This year’s Go Fest, Pokémon Go’s annual summer weekend extravangaza, has shaken up the game with the introduction of a new Mythical creature, the arrival of the franchise’s extra-dimensional Ultra Beasts, and the apparent (albeit likely temporary) loss of everyone’s favourite hunky professor, Willow.
The disappearance of Willow, a surprise twist for the game’s second day, means the game has been left without its usual friendly face guiding players through the game’s story. A mysterious stranger named Rhi, who looks to be a new ally, has instead taken Willow’s place while players investigate the emergence of the first Ultra Beasts.
These creatures are likely the cause of Willow’s absence, and will hopefully be a continued focus over the game’s new Season of Go. For now at least, Willow’s absence appears to be a story development that will stick for some time, with standard in-game text changed throughout the app to remove references to the professor. (For those overly concerned, a Go Fest finale event for existing ticket holders, coming in August, seems likely to revolve around his revival.)
As with previous years, Go Fest’s first day was filled with a cute new Mythical Pokémon to catch. This year it was Shaymin, a cheerful sort of hedgehog which blooms flowers wherever it goes. I particularly enjoyed its entrance – ambling through a beautiful flower-filled landscape – to dutifully allow itself to be caught.