I started playing in late 2012, didn't really get into the game as a whole until a year later when I started getting more into the community and teamspeak and just enjoyed the game more as an mmo and not just as a pokemon game. That has what has kept me coming back from time to time, is community and friends. New friends I make wanting to play pokemon as a group or old friends wanting to check out "that old pokemon game we used to play". It's definitely a cool experience to see how a game you grows and expands throughout the years. While I haven't always agreed with some of the changes, the game has never stopped holding my interest and that to me is one of the more important parts that an mmo needs. (Speaking as someone that plays a lot of mmo's, none have kept me coming back just to "check in" as much as this game)
I really do have nothing but good vibes and wishes for this game. I only read the OP's post so who knows what the general feel is in this thread now, but as many up's and down's the game has been through, the many many changes and even wipes, the changes in staff; in top teams; in notable players, etc, the one thing that has really survived in my mind is the spirit of pokemon. And as long as the dev's keep that, I'll keep stopping by and thinking "great job".