The longevity of Pokémon as a sequence may be very fascinating to me. It is one of many few franchises to outlive from the early days of gaming as we all know it, and it stays an absolute powerhouse to at the present time. For each underwhelming launch, GameFreak responds with a recreation that can blow everybody away in a number of years. Pokémon ZA is the most recent installment on the time of writing, and it is nothing in need of superb.
Nevertheless, resulting from Pokémon’s dominance within the creature accumulating style, it could be troublesome for different builders to launch video games in that area. Each time they achieve this, they’re met with accusations that they copy Pokémon or do little to justify making one other creature collector recreation.
As somebody who loves the style, I’ve performed my justifiable share of creature collectors, so I would prefer to shine a highlight on some nice titles that did not have the identical success as Pokemon.
9
Yo-Kai Watch
“I wish to be” a Pokemon killer
Yo-kai Watch might be the sport on this listing that comes closest to being a real “Pokémon killer.” First launched in Japan in 2013, Yo-kai Watch acquired a little bit of a sluggish response at first, however upon its launch the anime grew to become a runaway success, rivaling the viewership of Pokemon’s personal animated sequence. Then, in 2015, a Western was launched between Pokemon titles, additional cementing its success.
If you happen to’ve ever performed a Pokemon recreation, you already know the attraction of Yo-Kai Watch. You play a younger baby who travels by way of the native city accumulating spirits often known as Yokai, fixing city issues, and confronting evil Yokai. What made this recreation distinctive was that it felt distinctly completely different from Pokémon, which was maybe all too accustomed to its success. Clean animation, cute and artistic creature designs, and an incredible story – it sounds easy, however it’s what made Yo-kai Watch really feel new and thrilling.
Sadly, Yokai Watch’s success was not sustained. Though it was launched in Europe and America, it didn’t promote in addition to it did in Japan, and the variety of gross sales step by step decreased. Along with this, regardless of a resurgence of curiosity in Pokémon because of the Pokémon Go buzz in 2016, Yo-kai Watch has by no means actually been capable of achieve a foothold outdoors of Japan. Nonetheless, it is enjoyable to play, so it is price testing this potential Pokemon killer.
8
monster hunter tales
enormous spinoff
Monster Hunter Tales represents a serious change within the Monster Hunter franchise. Distinctly completely different from the mainline monster hunter video games that target searching and preparation, Tales is a slow-paced, turn-based creature collector. Regardless of its reasonable success and sequels, Monster Hunter Tales remains to be hardly ever talked about in the identical breath as Pokémon.
What makes Monster Hunter Tales shine in my thoughts is how the sport fosters a bond between gamers and their monsters (cute names for monster associates). Pokémon video games love to speak concerning the bonds between trainers and their “accomplice Pokémon,” however the story removes the catching mechanic and replaces it with hatching and elevating, making it really feel as for those who’re elevating a pal to accomplice with (a pleasant change for taking Pokémon away from house and storing them in your PC indefinitely).
From what I’ve gathered by way of analysis and speaking to associates who’re Monster Hunter followers, the rationale why Monster Hunter Tales is not as well-known could stem from who it is marketed to. Monster Hunter followers are in search of a Monster Hunter recreation, however Tales would not have it (Tales is a separate beast). Conversely, these unfamiliar with the Monster Hunter sequence could draw back from the story resulting from its affiliation with Monster Hunter. This can be a troublesome state of affairs to reconcile, and it is a disgrace as a result of there’s a lot to like about Monster Hunter Tales.
7
bugsnax
Everybody’s speaking about Bugsnax
Bugsnax is a really fascinating and unusual recreation. All the things from the idea to the presentation works in a really quirky and funky approach. When this recreation was introduced on the PlayStation 5 launch occasion in 2020, I used to be intrigued by its colourful and quirky environment, paired with a fully good theme music. It is protected to say that everybody is absolutely “speaking about Bugsnax,” as this music suggests.
You play as a wierd Muppet-looking journalist despatched to a spot referred to as Snacktooth Island to hunt uncommon insect creatures fused with meals. Like Pokemon, your job is to roam the island and catch as many as you possibly can, however what’s completely different from Pokemon is the way you do it. As an alternative of preventing, every Bugsnak (Bugsnak? What’s a singular Bugsnak referred to as, anyway?) comes with some sort of puzzle that the participant should clear up with a view to seize the tiny creature. It is a enjoyable shake-up and undoubtedly retains gamers on their toes.
Sadly for Bugsnax, I believe they tried just a little too exhausting with their advertising and marketing marketing campaign. The sport seemed so good and unusual that actuality couldn’t match it. The sport oozes creativity and surprise, however that does not assist a lot when the precise gameplay is fairly monotonous and repetitive. This can be a good puzzle recreation, however it may be just a little disorienting at instances and will be troublesome to get into for the typical gamer.
6
orblets
cute little dance battle
Ooblets is a recreation I watched very intently as a result of it ticked each field a recreation might do to carry my curiosity. Creature collectors, test it out. Farming simulator, test it out. Take a look at the cute little creatures doing cute issues. Presence of Clickyclaws with eternally offended expressions and Constructed-in shiny mechanics? This recreation drives me loopy.
Apart from the fundamental idea, Ooblets are no extra completely different from Pokemon, however they’re nonetheless clearly impressed by Pokemon. In Ooblets, as a substitute of catching and battling Pokémon, you actually increase them and recruit new associates by way of dance battles. These dance battles play out extra like card video games than conventional Pokemon battles, and among the strikes and animations are extremely cute. It is nice to see that they are not simply beating themselves up in one-on-one brawls.
Though Ooblets can now be performed on virtually each platform (besides PlayStation for some purpose), the sport was not with out its controversy, which can have affected its success. Ooblets was one of many video games that was rolled right into a myriad of Epic Video games exclusives as the corporate needed to turn out to be a good larger power within the gaming area. This choice disillusioned many individuals concerned within the recreation resulting from Epic’s repute on the time. That is a disgrace, as a result of Ooblets is such a enjoyable little recreation and at all times places a smile on my face.
5
digimon world
outdated rival
Digimon is a sequence that is been round virtually so long as Pokémon itself, and but it nonetheless appears like Pokémon’s little brother that hasn’t but reached its full potential. Certainly, the sequence has fared properly to at the present time, however regardless of taking a tougher, edgier method to attraction to an older viewers, it by no means fairly reaches the heights of Pokémon.
Digimon World was Digimon’s first entry into the world of video video games, and it is protected to say it did not make an enormous splash. The Digimon sequence is commonly in comparison with Pokemon, however Digimon World targeted on the digital pet facet of the sequence and added battles on high of that. A lot of his time in Digimon World was spent elevating, caring for, and coaching his fellow Digimon, somewhat than simply continually preventing.
Digimon World’s fight was extensively criticized on the time of its launch for being largely random, with no clear course and little attraction. The visuals have been good, however nothing particular in comparison with its rivals.
4
moonstone island
Stardew + Animal Crossing + Pokemon
We’re now absolutely in indie territory, and with it comes the distinctive mixture of Stardew Valley, Pokémon, and TCG Collector. Moonstone Island manages to do all three admirably, whereas additionally going additional and establishing its personal distinctive id.
In Moonstone Island, your total purpose is to turn out to be a world-renowned alchemist, somebody who can bridge the hole between people and spirits (assume Avatar, however with fewer factor adjustments). Subsequently, you might be chargeable for studying and connecting with the world round you thru exploration, farming, and most significantly fight. Not like different creature collectors, Moonstone Island’s turn-based battles are card-based, permitting you to edit and enhance your deck by capturing new and completely different creatures. This can be a distinctive modification of the method, making a seemingly deep fight system.
It isn’t all about accumulating creatures. As talked about earlier, Moonstone Island can also be a part of Stardew Valley. This implies there are romance choices, NPC relationships, mining, and farming to think about when enjoying, which enhance the creature accumulating facet very properly.
Moonstone Island is nice, however they’re having some points with onboarding. There are pacing points, particularly within the early recreation, and the tutorial will be fairly limiting. For instance, early on you are inspired to exit and discover by yourself, however you possibly can’t absolutely do that till you’ve got constructed the Spirit Barn and its accompanying tutorial. Moonstone Island feels prefer it’s getting in the way in which of gamers exploring and experiencing the sport for themselves.
3
Temtem
Pokemon as an MMO
The concept of a Pokemon MMO is one thing the web cannot let go of. Fan initiatives rose to the event, and a few have been fairly profitable. However underneath Nintendo’s watch, they have been by no means destined to turn out to be blockbusters. Now, Temtem has arrived. Temtem sought to nook the market with a contemporary IP and a brand new perspective on what a creature accumulating MMO could possibly be.
Taking heavy inspiration from Pokémon, Temtem is as near a Pokémon MMO as you possibly can think about, with the one caveat being that battles are solely double battles, like within the basic Pokémon Colosseum video games. After I performed, I selected Crystle, a cute inexperienced turtle encrusted with jewels, as my starter and had enjoyable studying concerning the distinctive kind dynamics of Temtem. The world itself can also be extremely fascinating and properly designed. Happening on floating islands, this world is the right setting on your creativeness.
Temtem had some success and was undoubtedly a power within the indie area. Sadly, the sport stopped receiving new content material as of June 2024, however fortuitously the servers stay on-line. That is nice as a result of Temtem is enjoyable to play. It is also unlikely we’ll see one other Pokemon-style MMO whereas Nintendo nonetheless dominates the style.
2
Nexomon
A transparent ardour undertaking
Nexomon, which narrowly missed out on the primary spot on this listing, might be as near authorized Pokemon as some other recreation on this listing. It has the texture of a fan-made ROM hack, and I do not imply to criticize it. There’s clearly a variety of ardour and love for the style, and it is very Pokemon-y and enjoyable to dive into.
Describing what Nexomon is like is much like describing how Pokemon Emerald feels to play. Simply have a look at the Steam screenshots and you may know if this recreation is for you. However I believe it is the presentation that is price speaking about. Each inch of this recreation feels easy and well-made. The creatures look cute and distinctive, the fight animations are partaking and properly animated, and the world itself is enjoyable to discover with many dynamic occasions occurring all through the sport’s story.
Maybe it is due to how related Nexomon is to Pokémon, or perhaps it is its common cell game-like really feel (from the UI to the stability selections), however regardless of being liked by those that have performed it, Nexomon has but to interrupt into the mainstream.
Nexomon carried out properly sufficient to obtain a sequel with Nexomon: Extinction, which introduced in much more Pokemon classics, together with Cosmic Nexomon (the shiny Pokemon equal) and the addition of a variety of high quality of life. If you happen to’re in search of well-polished Pokemon clones, this sequence is price testing.
1
Coromon
trendy view
Primary on this listing is Coromon, one in all my favourite non-Pokémon creature collectors and somebody who deserves extra love. The builders at Coromon have taken the golden age of Pokemon video games (we’re speaking concerning the Emerald to Black 2 period) and someway made it trendy and new.
All the things about Coromon, from the way it appears to the way it performs, appears like somebody who’s been enjoying Pokémon all their lives and in search of methods to enhance the expertise. The customization choices when loading a brand new save are huge, with choices like randomizers, nazlocks, and issue settings constructed into the sport itself. Every Coromon has a “highly effective degree”, and the “shiny” Coromon is now extra than simply an aesthetic change. It mainly combines Pokémon’s Shiny and EV/IV mechanics into one, making workforce constructing extra dynamic.
As an alternative of getting a finite variety of strikes, Coromon makes use of a stamina system in fight. Because of this so long as Coromon has stamina, he can transfer as many instances as he can. This implies you possibly can relaxation throughout battle to revive well being and stamina, and importantly, your opponent could have to relaxation as properly, including a brand new layer to Koromon’s complexity and technique.
Coromon is a superb recreation, however it did not do a lot to market itself outdoors of the present Pokémon neighborhood. Certain, it appears nice for Pokemon followers like me, however it simply wasn’t sufficient to draw a wider viewers. There additionally wasn’t a lot post-game help. Meaning there have been no DLCs or main updates. It wasn’t obligatory, however it undoubtedly might have helped Koromon preserve its personal momentum for just a little longer.
If you have not figured it out but, Coromon is a really well-made and enjoyable recreation to play, and I might go on and on about it for hours. Coromon: Rogue Planet is a sequel that has been teased for some time and appears to take a barely completely different method than the unique, however we will not wait to listen to extra and take a look at it out for ourselves.