Within the past week, Niantic released Pokemon Go! for Android and iOS devices. Pokemon Go! simulates the timeless console game that Nintendo released in 1996 with the convenience of having it right on your phone. Players can catch, trade, battle and train right on the app with virtual Pokemon that appear in the real world.
Here are the reasons why people in their mid-20s have reverted back to their childhood selves with the new Pokemon Go!
First, Pokemon Go! puts you in the shoes of your adventurer. Literally.
One of the coolest features about Pokemon Go! is that it accesses your phone's location. With this, it feels like you are taking on your own adventure in the Kanto, Hoenn, Johto, Sinno, Unova, Kalos and Alola regions. The GPS accesses a basic map of your neighborhood and puts the character you've created right on it. The location finder uses your phone as a tracking device and will move your character in sync with your own movements.
You can also see Pokemon the way they would appear if you were frolicking through grassy areas.
Another feature of the app is that it has the ability to access your camera. When you encounter a wild Pokemon, (say a Raticate for the nth time), all you have to do is tap on it and the screen switches over to the view finder of your camera. Right then and there, it will feel like you were just tackled by a wild Pokemon in those patchy areas of grass while traveling between towns. There's nothing more exciting than looking at your map and finding an Eevee or a Clefairy. just hanging out two feet from your bed.
Third, Pokemon pop up in the most random places ever imaginable and that's what makes it A-W-E-S-O-M-E.
As my boyfriend and I were finishing up dinner, I opened my Pokemon Go! app to check for anything and a Weedle appeared just two feet away from our table. On a completely different occasion, I found a Pidgey just hanging out on the keyboard of my laptop. Much to my dismay, there aren't a whole lot of Pokemon to be found and caught while walking around in my neighborhood *cries hysterically*. But as far-fetched as it would be to find these Pokemon in these places (no pun intended), it's fun to open up your camera and find one in the oddest of places. Hot tip: if you EVER need a Magikarp, there's always a few of them around the perimeter of my job.
Furthermore, no matter how much you try to fight it, you'll be sucked into the hype. It's inevitable.
Pokemon Go! tugged on my childhood heart the way Pokemon Emerald did when it first came out. The thought of sliding the new cartridge into my GameBoy and playing for hours on end made me want to consider skipping out on homework every afternoon. When I first heard about the impending release of the app from a coworker of mine, I honestly thought nothing of it. I played Pokemon growing up, watched the TV episodes and learned the trading card game like any kid my age did, but it was never my video game of choice. Much to the influence of my older sister, I fell in love with the Legend of Zelda series and even continue to play through it to this very day. I had no intention of downloading it on my phone. When I saw the screenshots of the gameplay posted all over my Twitter timeline, I knew that it had to be done. The bandwagon was jumped and there is no way I was going to turn back.
Lastly, if there is one thing that will make you get up and spend time outdoors... aaand maybe run into a tree or two...
The open world concept that Pokemon Go! inspires MAKES you get up and walk around your neighborhood. I live for catching all the Pokemon I encounter and will do anything and everything to do so. I can't tell you the amount of times I had to take a second to make sure there was no incoming traffic before I ran out into the street to throw PokeBalls at creatures that weren't actually there. You don't realize just how much physical activity it requires to have your own Pokemon adventure. But, if you're as lazy as I am and the mere thought of heavy cardio makes you cringe a little, Pokemon Go! will help you burn those extra calories and help you find your long awaited legendary Pokemon.
But seriously, please pay attention to your surroundings when you're using this app.
