I'm level 13 and have been playing like a mad man. Which is funny considering that, as a rabid fan of all Pokemon games since the games came stateside (other than a break for a few years), I had zero interest in this. Less than zero. I figured I'd try it out and next thing I know I'm pulling out my phone at work and walking around the strip to see what critters are hiding, watching other people of all walks of life and niches doing just the same.
It's truly a phenomenon in every sense of the word. People who not only don't play Pokemon or had extremely limited knowledge of it (as in, had only heard the name of the series) are addicted to this thing. Shit, people who
actively don't like Pokemon are playing it. I really...don't understand. It's fucking everywhere. Which is why I'm giggling at all the people bitching about server issues. There is
zero chance in hell that Niantic or TPC (by the bye, Ninty has almost nothing to do with this game) could have predicted this level of interest or that it would have blown to such massively popular proportions. Even the people who were actively keeping up with this and were addicted to the concept before it even came out were flabbergasted by the level of popularity in the US.
It's really amazing. Great, too. Awesome to see Pokemon getting nationwide attention and such a huge spike in social media popularity. I mean, the series has always been a hit worldwide. But this is another level. This is kind of the definition of "going viral"...and then taking a few lines of cocaine while working out on steroids. I don't know what's going on but it's pretty neat. Granted, I'm sure it'll die down almost just as quickly as it began but it's cool nonetheless. Honest to goodness I'm a bit tired of it already but it sure is a great little time killer and distraction. If they build on it down the line and add some things, it could be pretty fun. It'll never replace the main series and is a far cry from the true bliss and wonderfulness of Pokemon, but it's one hell of an altered reality game and pretty much shits all over the term "mobile game" and the massive stigma the term has carried since games have been available on phones. My hype for Sun/Moon overtakes the game entirely but it's a great way to kill some time while I'm waiting and playing the main games in between!