GoTools is a free app for Pokemon Go players that makes it easier to access a wide variety of information about the game. Formally titled "GoTools - Tool for Pokemon Go", it actually provides a variety of smaller tools. Some are essential, such as checking whether the Pokemon Go servers are actually up or down, while others are just helpful, such as checking how much experience you gain with Lucky Eggs.

A lot of little items

There's a lot of functionality to be had in GoTools. And due to the nature of Pokemon Go, it's likely that a successful player will use all of it. Although it's easy enough to tell when the game isn't working, it can be harder to tell whether Niantic's servers are down or not, or if you're just having trouble with your device. GoTools lets you check the server status easily, and see where the problem lies. Most of its functions, however, pertain to playing the game itself. GoTools can tell you how much CP a Pokemon will gain from evolving, which makes it easy to plan out which of your Pokemon to strengthen for an effective team. By the same token, it lets you check the maximum health and power of each Pokemon, so you know what's best (assuming you don't have a favourite!). For those who haven't been playing Pokemon nonstop before Go was released, it provides a strength and weakness table, the usefulness of which is obvious. And of course, it serves up a Pokedex of its own!

The business of catching Pokemon

GoTools doesn't look quite like it's part of Pokemon Go itself, but it uses a similar colour scheme, and it's just as easy to pick up. Ease of use is the name of the game with an app like this that's supposed to be used as a complement to a larger app or game, and GoTools does not disappoint in this regard. The app's landing page lists each of the tools included, with a short description, and provides a button to open them. It's a quick tap here, a quick tap there to get one bit of information you need and move on to the next. The app is fast and responsive, although it may delay on some older phones that also run Pokemon Go slowly or erratically. The only real problem to be had is that for the size of its install base, it may be hard to find the app among similarly-named competitors.

It's no Lure Module, but it helps

GoTools - Tool for Pokemon Go doesn't give you any advantages that you couldn't otherwise get in the game through careful observation, experience, and studying the game's mechanics. But many players don't have time for that, and those that do might still benefit from having an easy reference on how best to leverage their hard earned PokeCoins. It's free and complies with Niantic's policies, so go on, and give GoTools - Tool for Pokemon Go a try.