Monster Catching Games That Are Better Than Pokemon
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Monster Catching Games That Are Better Than Pokemon
Pokemon might be the most popular monster catching game, but is it really the best one where you can collect and tame wild creatures? twitter.com / kingdomhearts.wikia.com When you think about monster-catching games, there's a pretty good chance that the phenomenon known as will come to mind. It wasn't the first and it certainly won't be the last, but it popularized the genre on a global level. This has naturally invoked a slew of similar titles from developers looking to put their own spin on this successful and appealing formula. Of course, there's quite a bit more to Pokemon than nabbing monsters, as is the case with most software that has sought to emulate this RPG-monster-collectathon. There are various titles that follow the standard formula more closely, while others tend to venture off into their own territory while still capturing its essence on a subtler level. But while few have matched its explosive success or timeless charm, there does exist a range of efforts-both quite similar and somewhat unique-that Pokemon fans should love. Updated August 16, 2021 by Stephen LaGioia: Thanks to hits like Pokemon Sword and Shield boldly carrying the torch of the mainline franchise, and Pokemon Snap, Nintendo and Niantic's monster-catching romp is going stronger than ever. With this renewed and refreshed popularity comes an increased appetite in similar RPGs and adventure games, and various studios have answered the call with even more monster-catching titles. As such, it seemed appropriate to refresh and beef up this list with more great titles in the same vein as Pokemon. THEGAMER VIDEO OF THE DAY Spectrobes
This Disney property, originally crafted for the Nintendo DS, tapped into the exploration and collecting elements of Pokemon while sprinkling in their own flavors in various avenues. The game takes a card-baesd approach more akin to Yu-Gi-Oh than Niantic's hit series. At the same time, the game stands out for its awesome monster designs, and its clever use of the distinct functionality of the DS. The two screens allow for intuitive battles, while other neat mechanics are sprinkled in that utilize touch-screen controls and even the microphone. The biggest example here involves using the touch screen to unearth and chisel fossils; which manifest monsters. While its a bit rough around the edges, this colorful sci-fi RPG explores some interesting terrain that warrants a look. Pocket Mortys
While it may not technically be a "monster-catching" game, this cartoonish Pokemon parody was too hard to resist discussing. Pocket Mortys is based on the insanely funny sci-fi animation on Adult Swim, Ricky and Morty. In this game, an evil organization of Ricks are gathering Mortys from other dimensions in order to take over the world or something like that. It looks and pretty much plays like Pokemon, but with a slew of bizarre and peculiar Morty types taking the place of bizarre and peculiar monsters. Much like the Poke-critters in question, each version of Morty looks and battles slightly differently. There's a scrappy-looking Morty, a Morty with a mustache, and so forth. Yes it's a fairly blatant knock-off of Pokemon, and it's hard to say that it's actually better, but it's an amusing little spoof that warrants a shout-out. Dragon Quest Monsters Joker 2
This can not unreasonably be viewed as Square Enix's version of Pokemon sporting a Dragon Quest overlay, yet this dynamic monster-hunting series has quietly become one of the more appealing alternatives to Pokemon and boasts a long, rich history itself. Like Niantic's franchise, this lesser-known series has taken some large evolutionary steps since its humble beginnings on Game Boy Color-which was actually pretty groundbreaking for its time aside perhaps from the visuals. One of the most robust RPGs on the DS, this game builds on the foundation of its sleeper-hit predecessor, featuring more expansive, lush locales as well as added abilities and amusing new monsters. Players can also take to the online arena and, for the first time, square off against up to seven other players in epic battles of endurance. Fossil Fighters
Fuse Pokemon and Jurassic Park-and this obscure romp for DS might be the result. In the aptly named Fossil Fighters, players are tasked with scouring dig sites to collect Fossil Rocks, which are cleared away via touch screen, and cobbled together to craft elementally charged "Vivosaurs." Campy as it may seem, this RPG has a respectable amount of depth lurking beneath its cartoony exterior, featuring a fun, in-depth battle system, and loads of content to dig one's teeth into. Monster Hunter Stories 2 Wings Of Ruin
Starting as a more colorful, child-friendly spin on the Capcom series, this Poke-fied take on has carved a legacy of its own with this deep, enchanting sequel. With a wholesome narrative, charming visuals, and ample depth, this game succeeds even more in drawing the younger Pokemon crowd while appeasing fans of the more epic mainline Monster Hunter. Riding across the various lush landscapes while seeking out unique "Monsties" proves as delightful as ever here. Thanks to the various creatures and customizations, along with some fun, intuitive combat that balances action with tactics, this journey rarely gets old despite a campaign of almost 40 hours. Nights Of Azure
This proves an entertaining-though some may say fairly repetitive-hack and slash from Koei Tecmo. The protagonist, Arnice, is a monster slayer trying to save the life of her friend, Lilysse, from being sacrificed to the Nightlord. It's a rather basic action RPG on the surface, but with the neat ability to summon creatures unlocked through cursed items by way of blood infusions. Arnice can have four monsters equipped to her at once, with each acting on their own unless the satisfying special skills are triggered via one of the mapped buttons. With its tepid visuals, ample backtracking, and brutal difficulty at times, this one certainly isn't perfect. However, those who fancy frantic action and Dynasty Warriors-esque gameplay to go with their monster hunting should find a good time with this one. Dragon Warrior Monsters
This , crafted by the then Square-less Enix and Tose, had the misfortune of being overshadowed by the explosive phenom that was Pokemon, which had released around the same time. But those who did manage to notice this one found a hidden gem that proved both unique and familiar. The delightful retro adventure taps into that same Pokemon charm by way of ample dungeon-crawling, monster catching, and level grinding. At the same time, it offers some interesting twists and unique appeals. The game brings randomized dungeon layouts and item placements, as well as day night transitions; a fairly new concept for its time. Players can collect various monsters from mainline Dragon Quest games-even beastly bosses-who follow the player on the map a la Pikachu in Pokemon Yellow. Not only this, but the game also introduces a rewarding breeding feature, which produces stronger, new variants from existing monsters. Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth
This is widely considered the obvious comparison of Digimon vs. Pokemon. Both began airing nearly around the same time-1998-99, in the U.S-and many kids at the time couldn't get enough of the monster battling action. Still, while the cartoon proved popular enough, many tended to overlook the franchise in the gaming realm, as reviews always seemed fairly poor compared to the similar Pokemon, which appeared to be the gold standard. Ample buzz was swarming around Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth getting localized, and the hype was largely realized with this sleeper hit. Somewhat tepid dungeons aside, there's much to appreciate about this surprisingly great alternative to Pokemon Sword & Shield; from its fun detective plot to its deep progression and unique, exciting combat. Ni No Kuni Wrath Of The White Witch
There are few flaws that can be found in this charmingly cute-yet-epic adventure; its unappealing title aside. This game is gorgeous thanks in part to , who produced the cutscenes and influenced the game's gorgeous design. It stars a young boy, Oliver, who is transported into a fantasy realm where he believes his mother has been taken. Battles take place in a 3D battle arena after touching an enemy onscreen. Oliver and his two human companions can summon familiars, who can then be swapped out for other monsters, or the humans can take part in the action as well. It draws comparisons to Bandai Namco'sTales Of series, while simultaneously going off the beaten path with its whimsical feel and unique combat. The blend of action and strategy embedded in the combat proves a terrific fit for a monster-catching RPG. And it's a treat for the eyes to boot. Yo-kai Watch
The easiest way to categorize this series would be to call it a Pokemon game wrought with ghostly apparitions. These creatures are based heavily on Japanese folklore, hence the name. Instead of using balls to catch Yo-kai-our hero, Nate, can befriend Yo-kai and gain their special medals. These trinkets, when placed in his special watch, will summon them into battle. Players can have six Yo-kai equipped at a time, but three can only be on the screen at once. A simple turn of the dial below will swap out Yo-kai on the fly. Monsters then auto-battle, but a special gauge will fill up wherein players can execute a special move via a quick minigame. This unique mechanical twist and a lighthearted story with plenty of puns makes Yo-kai Watch very li-kai-ble. Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance
It's rather surprising this franchise took so long to adopt some form of monster-catching given . In this adventure, Sora and Riku dive into dream worlds in order to awaken them back to reality by activating their sleeping keyholes. Instead of facing off against hordes of Heartless, players instead battle Nightmares-but they're not alone thanks to the assistance of Dream Eaters. These cute little critters can be equipped to aid in battle along with granting both Sora and Riku abilities such as boosting attack power or HP via a skill tree. If that wasn't enough, you can play with your Dream Eaters by petting them, giving them treats, or even participating in a variety of minigames, which will strengthen bonds. This may not be as neat a novelty as teaming up to fight with Goofy, Donald, or other Disney characters, but they sure are adorable. Shin Megami Tensei 4 Apocalypse
By all accounts, the Shin Megami Tensei games seem to be one of the first implementations of acquiring monsters to aid you in battle. The first of which was Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei on the Famicom in 1987. Flash-forward thirty years and the latest game, Shin Megami Tensei 4 Apocalypse, is its finest iteration of the formula yet. It's a straight-up sequel to its 3DS predecessor, Shin Megami Tensei IV, and while combat is virtually the same, there's one key difference. Heroes from the first entry used demons to enhance their skills, but were not active in battle. This time around there's a single human party member with the other three slots dominated by said demons. Perhaps the most satisfying part out of these games and spinoffs is the ability to fuse monsters together in order to create more powerful ones. Disgaea 5 Alliance Of Vengeance
For most of its dedicated fanbase, the Disgaea series just seems to keep getting stronger and stronger in terms of mechanics. The first game, Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, will likely always be a fan favorite in terms of a well-rounded experience due in part to the story; but the monster functionality in Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance just may be the best yet. The bulk of your team will primarily consist of class-based demons such as fighters or various forms of mages. This group was typically the popular choice at least, as normal monsters possessed fewer abilities in battle, including the lack of an ability to carry anyone. The popular Magichange mechanic, which transforms monsters into weapons during battle, was introduced in Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice. This enjoyable new feature-which Pokemon has dabbled in via their sword-like creature-helps contribute to the end product of a fun and more dynamic battle system. Kartia The Word Of Fate
While it's tempting to include the fan-favorite : Tactics, this strategy RPG from Atlus will get the nod for the sake of variety; and it's quite similar in both style, game design, and quality to boot. That's namely because the art was drawn by longtime Final Fantasy vet, Yoshitaka Amano. Unlike Disgaea, where every team member is important in combat, allied characters can summon hordes of monsters via magical cards, "Kartia," to aid in battle. These monsters, or "phantoms," can die endlessly, but if a hero dies, then the match concludes. It's relatively unknown today as Kartia: The Word of Fate remains fairly obscure and has only been re-released on Japanese PSN stores, though it's certainly worth seeking out. Dragon Quest 5 Hand Of The Heavenly Bride
The series has incorporated some form of monster-catching since Dragon Quest 5: Hand of the Heavenly Bride debuted on the Super Famicom in 1992. The aforementioned Dragon Warrior Monsters went a significant step further with these mechanics back in 1998. Dragon Quest 5 was ambitious past monster taming, as it takes place over thirty years of the protagonist's life, and, as the title suggests, allows the player to get married. Unlike the games before it, your party will mainly consist of monsters. If a monster admired your performance during combat, it will ask to join afterward, though this is a random occurrence so there's no way of improving your odds other than grinding. That said, your party will fill up relatively fast, swiftly setting the stage for plenty of fun battles throughout this epic journey. Suikoden 2
Each game in the Suikoden series is its own, isolated tale that takes place in a different part of their world's timeline. The one universal aspect is that every protagonist must collect the 108 Stars of Destiny: fated warriors on the side of good. These heroes can be either party members or used to stock your castle in order to aid in various other ways such as cooks, shopkeepers, and so forth. Gathering all 108 Stars of Destiny proves a tricky task, but they're more meaningful acquisitions than a random assortment of monsters that are caught just for the sake of collecting or bragging rights. Suikoden 2 is widely considered the best in the series and, to the delight of fans, it's now available on PSN after a long plea to Konami. Castlevania Dawn Of Sorrow
: Symphony of the Night was the first in the franchise to adapt the Super Metroid formula while remaining its own entity by infusing RPG elements, thus creating the Metroidvania genre. It's still fantastic, but one might argue Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow is a better version, mechanically, of that formula. The game in question is a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow. In it, Soma Cruz continues his struggles against the forces of evil that want him to become the next form of Dracula. Cruz is armed with a vast array of weapons and the ability to learn new skills via absorbing monster souls. Every creature in the game can be copied except for the final boss and human enemies, and there are three types of monster souls that can be equipped: Bullet, Guardian, and Enchant. Bullet works like a magic spell, Guardian summons a player-enhancing creature, and Enchant passively boosts stats. Seeking out and working with these many unique souls can be tough, but it's a trial worth pursuing in order to get the most of what Dawn of Sorrow has to offer. Dark Cloud 2
Like Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow's soul absorption mechanics-Monica, one of Dark Cloud 2's two protagonists, can amusingly transform into monsters. Monster badges can be obtained via buying them in shops or simply unlocking them via the story. Only twelve exist in the game, with each monster representing a type of class pattern, but the sequel cleverly adds depth and expansion in a resourceful way by focusing on two party members with various abilities. Monica can turn into monsters, while Max possesses a robot companion he can pilot. It's still gorgeous on PS2 , but it's also available as a PS2 classic on PS4 with upgraded visuals and trophies. This is not an easy journey, but it's a memorable one to be sure. Skylanders Imaginators
This is technically -taking place in the real world while swapping out virtual monsters for physical store-bought toys that translate into the game. Skylanders Imaginators is often considered among the best "Toys to Life" games and a standout in the franchise, largely thanks to the amusing inclusion of Crash Bandicoot. Many can respect what Toys for Bob and Activision started-and there's a certain appeal in buying new toys to unlock new areas of the game corresponding to fighting and elemental types. It can be a pricey endeavor to be sure, but an enjoyable one. World Of Final Fantasy
One of the most recent games to ape the Pokemon series is also currently a fan-favorite for a myriad of reasons. The problem some have with most Pokemon games is that there are too many monsters and not enough reasons to swap them out. This whimsical Final Fantasy spinoff partly alleviates this. Firstly, it doesn't overwhelm the player with nearly as many creatures; and because each dungeon is themed around a certain element, it's wise to switch around monsters frequently. Most monsters in the game bring their own unique incentive to play around with them, and each is laced with an ability board that will strengthen our heroes Lann and Reynn. The story may be a little convoluted to many, but it proves uniquely delightful regardless. For fans of both Pokemon and Final Fantasy, this merger is theone to get.