Monster seize video games have actually captured the eye of gamers for generations, with Pokemon being probably the most distinguished and beloved sequence throughout the style. Resulting from its reputation, it isn’t any shock that video games of an identical vein have popped as much as occupy the identical house. However that doesn’t imply all of those video games are the identical, regardless of sharing an identical basis, and even contemplating a number of video games that predate this wildly in style sequence. Both approach, there’s a large world of monster seize video games for all you Pokemon followers on the market.
Beneath are a listing of video games that reside throughout the huge monster seize style, or dabble within the mechanic in some significant approach.
Cassette Beasts
Whereas it was a really busy 12 months for main recreation releases, under-the-radar Cassette Beasts was among the finest video games to launch in 2023. A classy mix of 2D and 3D artwork, Cassette Beasts is visually much like among the finest Pokemon video games within the sequence, however with some gentle traversal parts and huge concentrate on the monster seize and fusion mechanics of the sport.
Like most video games that take heavy inspiration from Pokemon, Cassette Beasts stars a self-insert participant character as they make their approach by way of the island of New Wirral whereas they search for a solution to return house. Nevertheless, the sport is a bit more advanced in the way in which that you simply work together with varied main characters, as you may improve your affinity with them and even undertake their quests. What Cassette Beasts provides is a mix of Pokemon-esque monster seize mechanics, a personality pushed story, and a novel fusion mechanic that retains them on their toes. Total, it’s an impressed and contemporary tackle the style, and one you must take a look at.
Monster Sanctuary
Monster Sanctuary is a mixture of the monster seize style and your par for the course Metroidvania. Gamers catch monsters to have interaction in 3-vs-3 battles in addition to to open up exploration in attractive 2D pixel environments.
The sport extends past the usage of monster sorts as only a means to get a bonus on opponents, as assault sorts are simply as vital. However what actually stored me glued to Monster Sanctuary was its traversal mechanics and actually nailing these 2D platforming parts. Going again and uncovering new shortcuts and secrets and techniques made the sport totally addicting to me along with how battles had been structured. This can be a recreation I extremely suggest for individuals who like monster seize video games, 2D platformers, or each.
Digimon World: Subsequent Order
The Digimon sequence is successfully the progenitor of the monster seize style, even predating Pokemon — it simply by no means rose to the identical sort of success internationally. Digimon World: Subsequent Order takes all the enjoyable from the primary Digimon World recreation on the PlayStation (bar the scuffed localization) and makes it extra approachable. The Digimon World sequence have functioned as roughly “open world” exploration video games the place gamers can elevate a Digimon from start to its eventual demise, with how they’ve handled them taking part in into their evolutions, as they expertise distinctive tales set throughout the Digimon universe.
These video games have usually at all times been extra story targeted than Pokemon video games as gamers befriend Digimon to fill out their cities and uncover what plagues the digital world. Gamers can nonetheless practice their Digimon and unlock distinctive Digivolutions however in a extra story-focused expertise. That mentioned, you may nonetheless grind out and practice your Digimon to your coronary heart’s content material, however Digimon World: Subsequent Order undoubtedly has one of many meatier tales of the video games on this record due to its concentrate on its narrative and the wealth of assorted Digivolutions gamers can uncover.
Monster Rancher
An oldie however a goodie, Monster Rancher is one in every of a number of monster seize video games that was launched within the 1990’s alongside the Pokemon sequence. Like different monster seize video games, gamers will elevate monsters and practice them by way of a sequence of mini-games to compete in tournaments that can permit them to boost their ranks.
Nevertheless, you aren’t actually capturing monsters in Monster Rancher, as you roughly generate them by way of varied strategies relying on which variations of the sport you had been taking part in. Koei Tecmo re-released Monster Rancher 1 & 2 for the Nintendo Swap, making these video games out there to a completely new viewers. Sadly, these variations have achieved away with what made the monster seize mechanic so distinctive, and that was swapping out CDs in your Sony PlayStation to generate a random monster. What makes Monster Rancher so enjoyable although is that there’s an enormous emphasis on bonding and coaching your monster outdoors of battling them within the enviornment. Monster Rancher is a superb recreation for these trying to construct up their monsters and actually take a look at their mettle in 1-vs-1 fight.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Darkish Prince
You could be questioning why a Dragon Quest recreation has any enterprise being on this record. Effectively, the Dragon Quest Monsters sub-series, first launched in 1998 to capitalize on the Pokemania, are all about capturing monsters to make use of in turn-based fight in opposition to your foes. Sound acquainted? The Darkish Prince is the newest entry within the sequence, and regardless of launching with some main technical points which have since been patched on sure platforms, it carries this custom onwards. Nevertheless, capturing monsters is a bit more intensive than in Pokemon and success charges are determined by some variables that gamers can flip of their favor, which makes it slightly extra in-depth than Pokemon video games. However this recreation will certainly satiate any cravings you could have for capturing some monsters. Followers of Dragon Quest and monster seize video games, and even followers of each, will take pleasure in this entry within the sequence.
Monster Hunter Tales 2: Wings of Break
Ever needed to boost monsters as a substitute of searching them in Monster Hunter? Monster Hunter Tales gives that actual expertise. As a substitute of slaying monsters for worthwhile elements, gamers as a substitute acquire monsters by acquiring their eggs — which sounds dangerous in observe. However the narrative at all times makes it clear that these video games are roughly concerning the conservation of monsters and cultural practices, so it type of rubs off no matter reservations gamers may need.
You assume the function of a budding monster coach who has been paired with one of many sequence most iconic monsters, a Rathalos. Issues start to go awry as monsters start to rampage by way of areas surrounding your village. Fight is relegated to strategic turn-based battles that have in mind the varieties of monsters you resolve to make a part of your workforce. You can even use your monsters as means to traverse varied landscapes, much like what trendy Pokemon video games have applied. Monster Hunters Tales 2: Wings of Break gives a decently balanced expertise by way of narrative and gameplay, and can occupy an honest period of time for those who resolve to gather all the monsters within the recreation.
Palworld
Whereas Palworld’s similarities to Pokemon start and finish with its colourful monster design, a monster capturing mechanic does exist throughout the recreation that roughly mirrors what you get in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. In Palworld you may seize and use Friends in attention-grabbing methods, both to assist them automize building, present assets in your base, and even for traversal. You are able to do that in most Pokemon video games, with it way more tangible in Scarlet and Violet as you employ Koraidon or Miraidon to scale mountains, glide, and extra. That’s successfully the place the similarities finish, since Palworld is kind of about acquiring assets to construct up your base like most survival video games are.
Whereas there are nonetheless a plethora of different monster seize video games that exist, because the style has expanded significantly for the reason that launch and subsequent reputation of Pokemon within the 1990’s, those included on this record construct upon these foundations in some really distinctive methods. Whether or not or not it’s an engrossing story, a extra fleshed out battle system, and even the way you get hold of monsters, these video games are greater than value testing.
Kazuma Hashimoto is a contract author for IGN.