Whereas it is easy to assume that the creature-tamer style began with Pokémon, that is not strictly true. It has been round for some time, at the very least since Dragon Warrior Monsters got here to the Sport Boy Shade.
This goes to indicate that one thing is interesting about marshaling a military of critters to players.
As such, we determined to place collectively a listing that does a deep dive into the style. Not essentially video games you are conversant in, and maybe a number of you’ve got by no means even heard of.
From conventional creature-tamers to rogue-likes and extra, listed here are a number of video games which are a monstrously good time.
11
Abomi Nation
Abominable Rogue-like Enjoyable
Platform |
PC, Nintendo Change, PS4, Xbox One |
---|---|
Writer |
DANGEN Leisure |
Style |
Orange Pylon Video games |
Launch Date |
July 27, 2021 |
While you’ve been taking part in Pokémon video games for lengthy sufficient, you are inclined to search for numerous methods to extend the problem. One such methodology is named the Nuzlocke Problem, whereby you are not allowed to make use of a Pokémon after it faints.
Moreover, you must seize the primary wild creature you discover, as an alternative of ready for those you may favor.
There’s much more to it than this, however the level is that Abomi Nation is form of like if the Nuzlocke Problem was a built-in expertise. This rogue-like monster catcher journey by Orange Pylon Video games distinguishes itself from the pack with a unusual, simplistic visible type. Your objective is to achieve the massive dangerous and defeat it, however doing so will take a variety of work.
Battles are additionally 1v1, with two benched creatures on the sidelines. Mainly, although, it is Pokemon if it had been a rogue-like, which is definitely a novel approach to strategy the style, albeit one with blended success.
10
Nexomon: Extinction
Elevating the Stakes
Creature-tamers do not at all times have huge stakes, but it surely’s definitely thrilling after they do. So the truth that Nexomon: Extinction is about you and your workforce combating towards annihilation is a good begin.
While you consider fourth-wall-breaking humor and plush visible type, you discover a creature-tamer that holds up fairly effectively.
The one problem is that Nexomon: Extinction overstays its welcome within the late sport, however that does not detract from what it does earlier than all that bloat. The most effective issues is how one can face off towards trainers who’ve souped up their groups after you first encounter them.
Like many examples of the style, Nexomon: Extinction additionally makes use of a rock paper scissors-styled system the place it’s essential to concentrate on enemy weak spot to thrive. Throw in a reasonably affordable price ticket, and you’ve got a worthy addition to your library.
9
Coromon
Greetings From France!
Very similar to Abomi Nation, French workforce TRAGsoft took gamers’ expectations under consideration when crafting Coromon. It is a creature-tamer made for followers, and it does a beautiful job of streamlining issues.
One instance is how every Coromon has three variants – Commonplace, Potent, and Excellent. Not solely have they got totally different visible kinds, however they’ve a wider threshold for stat good points.
So, in case you’re a aggressive gamer, you do not have to spend hours and hours looking for Shiny creatures.
One other fantastic factor about Coromon was the boss battles towards the epic Titans. These are god-like Coromon creatures, who will put you thru your paces.
Higher but, the fight within the sport is sort of straightforward to select up and allows you to spend a flip to recharge, heal, and get well some vitality to make use of extra assaults.
Then, once you add the sport’s enticing SNES visible type, puzzles to resolve, and an attention-grabbing plot, you have got an ideal instance of the style.
8
Digimon Survive
Digital Monsters, Digital Champions
One title that brings creature-taming to thoughts for a lot of is Digimon. Whereas Pokémon had its hooks in gamers for the gameplay, Digimon arguably has a extra partaking story, advised successfully by means of numerous tv collection. However with Digimon Survive, now we have a sport that may stand as much as the enduring collection.
Digimon Survive distinguishes itself in a few methods. One is that it is a extra tactical journey with grid-based fight. Extra fascinating is that it is half visible novel and set in a mysterious and harmful world.
Maybe better of all, your decisions will have an effect on how the sport progresses, and the way shiny or grim the ending seems.
7
World of Ultimate Fantasy: Maxima
Time for Journey, Kupo!
Ultimate Fantasy is not essentially the primary collection you consider when contemplating the creature-tamer style. Certain, loads of nice monsters are within the collection, however you often combat towards them, not with them by your facet.
However on this turn-based, classically styled JRPG, you are in a position to collect and make the most of monsters known as Mirages.
World of Ultimate Fantasy: Maxima took the unique sport’s reputation and tweaked it to make issues even juicier. You will not solely use your Mirages for fight (each to spice up your stats and battle foes), however it’s also possible to use them on the world map to resolve puzzles.
There are lots of iconic creatures, together with Chocobo, Carbuncles, and Malboro, and even highly effective Summons like Ifrit and Shiva.
If all that wasn’t thrilling sufficient, this creature-tamer-focused JRPG additionally has new story segments and boss battles to enthuse returning followers.
6
Monster Sanctuary
Metroidvania Monsters
Usually, creature-tamers are top-down affairs. So when a sport has parts of the 2D platformer and Metroidvania genres, you must listen. One such title is named Monster Sanctuary.
Printed by Team17 and developed by Moi Rai Video games, it succeeded by making an attempt issues with distinctive panache. As a Monster Keeper, your objective in life is to reside in concord with these creatures.
So, when a number of begin rampaging, your solely recourse is to take a workforce of tamed monsters and determine what’s gone incorrect.
Regardless of the 2D focus, fight continues to be turn-based, and you will make use of a various ability tree to unleash highly effective assaults in your foes.
In the event you’re strategically environment friendly, you may get further rewards throughout battle. Mixed with uncommon eggs to hatch and an enormous world to find, you have got fairly a compelling case to attempt issues in a different way in Monster Sanctuary.
5
Monster Hunter Tales 2: Wings of Spoil
On Superb Wings
You would be forgiven for less than pondering of conventional examples once you hear the phrases Monster Hunter. Video games the place you workforce up with buddies and allies to slay huge beasts in primarily on-line affairs.
Fortunately, for these of us preferring having fun with tales and taking our time, there are video games like Monster Hunter Tales 2: Wings of Spoil.
Following the success of the primary Monster Hunter Tales, Wings of Spoil takes place in a world of intrigue and darkish fantasy. You are a Rider, who bonds with highly effective Monsties.
Not solely will they be a part of you in battles, however it’s also possible to trip them across the map. Accumulating eggs is a harmful enterprise, however it can will let you uncover some really epic monsters, like Rathalos and others.
You might have a excessive degree of management, from upgrading and empowering your Monsties, but additionally utilizing monster components to construct new weapons and armor for your self. Throw in a ton of non-compulsory content material and a prolonged story, and Monster Hunter Tales 2: Wings of Spoil is an journey for all followers.
4
Cassette Beasts
Play That Music One Extra Time
This may sound like hyperbole, however I actually really feel that Cassette Beasts was a greater creature-tamer than the newest Pokémon adventures. It took all the standard creature-tamer mechanics, added a lush coat of paint and superb music, and threw it collectively in a novel and memorable world.
As a substitute of capturing creatures in balls, you file them on cassettes after which use these cassettes to remodel your self into them. That by itself was fairly wild, however Cassette Beasts additionally went out of their approach to throw in mechanics like facet quests, bonding with different characters, and extra.
Additionally not like Pokémon, Cassette Beasts had a reasonably pleasant story and a hell of a villain. You are combating towards gods in a wierd world, after which one thing much more harmful weaponizes them into one thing even stronger.
Not solely was this a superb journey from Bytten Studio, but it surely wants a sequel desperately.
3
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered
Depraved Good
One studio that immediately captures your consideration is Studio Ghibli. So, you must listen after they workforce up with acclaimed developer LEVEL-5 to make a JRPG. Collectively, they created one thing really magical in Ni no Kuni Wrath of the White Witch Remastered.
This sport options beautiful storytelling and the studio’s legendary visible type. It additionally mixes turn-based and real-time fight parts. You possibly can swap between your familiars and your hero on the fly, making every part that rather more compelling.
Better of all, since that is the Remastered model of the sport, every part is souped up and further crisp, from the visuals to the gameplay. Throw in nice audio design and voice performing, and you’ve got a legendary journey.
2
Disc Creatures
Retro Type, Fashionable Aptitude
Platform |
PC |
---|---|
Writer |
DANGEN Leisure |
Style |
Creature-tamer |
Launch Date |
October 17, 2019 |
Whereas it wasn’t deliberate to function two video games on this record printed by DANGEN Leisure, it isn’t all that shocking. The prolific writer places out a variety of compelling indies, and Disc Creatures is well the most effective lately.
It’d seem like it belongs within the Sport Boy period, however that is wholly intentional. The sport itself embraces the creature-tamer style and expands on it in enjoyable methods. You play a Disc Ranger, whose job is to tame a wide range of highly effective creatures. There are 200 to gather and command in battle.
What’s fascinating is that your creatures do not evolve, however you possibly can fuse them collectively, not not like in Cassette Beasts. A extremely eclectic and surprisingly enjoyable retro-styled journey.
1
Persona 5 Royal
Cue the Lorde Music
It would not be a correct creature-tamer record with out one of many collection that helped popularize the style. Persona has been round for a really very long time, and in contrast to Pokémon, it retains discovering novel methods to adapt and refine its gameplay components. The newest instance of this phenomenon was Persona 5 Royal.
Persona 5 Royal is all about utilizing highly effective Personas to combat demons. And what’s a Persona, if not a robust creature, that you have tamed and introduced with you into battle?
To not point out, just about each creature-tamer sport on the market capitalizes on enemy weaknesses with type-based strategic decisions.
There are some really wild and wonderful creatures you possibly can convey into battle with you in Persona 5 Royal. These embrace the likes of Black Frost and Odin, in addition to heavy hitters like Metatron, Lucifer, and Satanel.
With angels, demons, freaks, and abominations in your facet, how will you probably lose?