Do you remember the summer of 2016 when Pokémon Go was released and took the world by storm? Never before could you interact with these fun little critters in the real world, but that all changed on July 6th of that year. However, as fast as the phenomenon started, it seemingly was forgotten…or was it?
Pokémon Go is still very much alive, and kicking and some might even say it’s currently the best it has ever been. Many new features and creatures have been added that allow this game to continue being enjoyed by people across the world, and YOU should be playing alongside them.
The most appealing aspect of the game currently are all the new Pokémon that have been added to the game throughout its years of operation. In the beginning the only Pokémon you could catch were from Generation one. However now there are Pokémon found from every single Generation waiting to be found.
Another really great thing that will keep you playing this game are the shinies! A shiny Pokémon is essentially a normal Pokémon except it has a different color scheme than it usually would. A shiny Pokémon is quite rare, and the hunt to add as many to your collection as possible is something that will absolutely keep you coming back to the game.
Pokémon Go has also done a fantastic job at making this a game that you want to play with your friends. Of course, before, it was still fun to get together with your friends and walk and talk about the things you were finding. But in 2023 a party system was added that not only allows you to see your friends’ characters on the map, but also grants you bonuses that your party of friends can benefit from.
Another absolutely incredible reason to play this game are all the interactions, and friendships you form through it. Personally, I have met so many new people and made some great new friends just from being out in the community and playing. This game has also allowed some of my currently existing friendships to grow as well, just by getting us out and walking. Setting goals and keeping each other accountable for achieving those goals is something i never would’ve thought this game would help us do.
You also may be surprised to find out just how many people still play this game. Even on the SUNY Cortland Campus. Open the game on the campus now and you’ll find gyms and Poke’ stops all over the place! It’s one of my favorite places to play the game!
So, despite the common misconceptions that this game is now something lost to time, that could not be further from the truth. You might not see waves of people flock down to the local park for a wild Gyarados spawn, but the community of players is still very much there, and I hope all these great additions to the game encourage you to redownload it and see what cool Pokémon you can find!