If we didn’t already have enough reason to get lost in the world of new media, the Pokémon Go craze is the new global phenomenon that has everyone searching far and wide to “catch ‘em all”. If you were born in the 90s or you’re a lover of cartoons, then you are more than familiar with the Pokémon series. For everyone else, Pokémon was the 90s phenomenon that featured a young boy, Ash, and his Pokémon named Pikachu. The two travelled the world to discover and train new Pokémons, while battling other trainers to gain badges and status as the world’s greatest Pokémon Trainer. Pokémon, like many other cartoons in that era, was a huge part of many youngsters’ childhood. Fast forward over a decade later and the pandemonium of the classic series has been reborn in app form.
Pokémon Go infuses the virtual mysticism of the series with the realm of reality. Free for download from the App Store and Google Play applications for both IPhone and Android devices, the Pokémon Go app includes several features: utilising real life locations to discover new Pokémons, battling real life trainers, joining and battling teams, complimented by music similar to and inspired by the actual series. You may even customise the appearance of your trainer to your liking.
Unlike most apps, this game requires that you get up and go; exploring the environment in which you live in order to discover and capture more than a hundred species of wild Pokémons. The more areas you explore in the real world, the more Pokémon you are able to capture. As you move around, your device vibrates to indicate that a Pokémon is nearby. Once you discover it, you aim your device’s touch screen to throw a Poké Ball and catch your target before it runs away.
Like the series and video games, certain Pokémon will only be found in particular areas. Water-based Pokémons for example, are more likely to be found near bodies of water.
You may even evolve your Pokémon, if you catch enough of the same species. The more you explore and the more Pokémons you capture, the higher your level as a trainer becomes. Higher levels allow you to capture more powerful Pokémons and accessories.
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