I think we can all remember watching or playing Pokemon as a little kid and and wishing it would become a reality. The idea of venturing out with your best friends to catch Pokemon and battle against each other was a wish for us all, and now it is finally a reality.
Pokemon Go is an augmented reality (AR) game that allows you to walk around in the real world and see Pokemon using your smartphone. The AR game genre allows people to interact in the real world and have an affect in the virtual world. This style of game was first seen in the Wii and has been expanding ever since, but Pokemon Go seems to be the first to attract the masses. Maybe it is its simplistic concept that attracts so many or maybe everyone just wants to become a Pokemon Master. Either way, Pokemon Go is a huge game and couldn't have come out at a better time.
In the past month we have witnessed the largest terrorist attack in America since 9/11, two fatal police shootings, an attack on police in Dallas, and much more. There has been nothing uplifting in the news and tension is extremely high. Pokemon Go seems to be the only thing in this world that is attempting to release that tension. People are making friends as they walk around looking for that rare Pikachu and people are fighting each other with Pokemon to control the local gym instead of fighting each other with their fists or weapons. Walk around any college campus or popular park and you are sure to find others walking around trying to catch Pokemon.
The game is not like the typical Pokemon show or video game, there are gyms everywhere and your team is trying to conquer them all. As you walk around and find Pokemon you will level up, giving you the ability to find stronger Pokemon and take over the local gym. There are also Poke Stops that you can stop at and earn extra Poke Balls and other special gear to help you fight.
Once you are level five you are given the option to join one of three different teams, Instinct (Yellow), Mystic (Blue), or Valor (Red). If your team controls a gym and has a high enough level you are able to add your strongest Pokemon to help defend the gym. The gym level raises as your team trains against the Pokemon that are already in the gym. To claim a gym from another team you have to fight each Pokemon at the gym and finally place your strongest Pokemon at the gym. As long as your Pokemon is the highest level you will be considered the gym leader. You can gain extra experience and equipment by helping protect a gym.
As you walk around and see others playing the game you can't help but notice how the outside world seems to be nonexistent to them. It doesn't matter your age, gender, or race, you'll be able to experience that same feeling when you play. There is no better feeling than seeing that Squirtle, Charmander, or Bulbasaur pop up in your living room as you try and catch your first Pokemon. Your childhood dreams are becoming a reality and from then on you'll be hooked. You won't understand why you need to check your phone every two seconds to see if any new Pokemon spawned in your house, but you will. In no time at all you'll be walking around battling and becoming the Pokemon Master your six year old self always knew you could be.
Not only will you get exercise by walking around but you'll be able to meet new people who are also trying to find Pokemon. With the world in such chaos, it is good to take a step back and make your childhood dream a reality. What are you waiting for? Grab your smartphone and download the game right now so you can become a Pokemon Master!
