5 great Pokemon style games to play that aren’t Palworld

04 February 2024 , 10:00

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Monster Hunter Stories 2 lets you ride your creature companions as well as battle them. (Image: Capcom)

As Pocketpair’s ‘Pokemon with guns’ sandbox survival game continues to take over the world, we thought it worth highlighting some more wholesome creature-collecting alternatives.

Palworld is unequivocally one of the biggest early success stories we’ve seen yet this year, racking up millions of sales within days, and capturing everyone’s interest due to how well it blends the ‘Pokemon with guns’ concept with creature collecting and sandbox survival. That said, the emphasis in this distinct genre mix is still very much on the latter, with learning how to craft, unlocking a flying mount, and building the best base playing a more crucial role than creature vs creature battles as is the case with Pokemon.

It's with this in mind that we thought it handy to put together our brief list of recommendations for games like Pokemon that aren’t Palworld, because Palworld really isn’t all that similar at all. If what you want is a true alternative to the iconic series that is more about creature collecting and battling, alongside a raft of in-depth RPG mechanics, we’ve got you covered with five great Pokemon-style games to play that aren’t Palworld.

Cassette Beasts

Cassette Beasts merges 2D and 3D elements to make the Pokemon formula feel more unique. (Bytten Studio)

If you’re seeking a Pokemon-style game that stays true to Red and Blue’s pixelated origins, look no further than Cassette Beasts. It features its own set of collectable critters rendered in the retro style, all of which can be combined to gain more powerful skills and abilities. This core merging mechanic replaces the conventional system of evolutions, letting you mix and match your team of fighters in a way not seen in the genre elsewhere.

Cassette Beasts might look like a retro Pokemon game for the most part, but its HD-2D presentation gives it a modern feel. As does the millennial sense of humour found as you fight landlords (yes, really) and other willing trainers while trying to solve the mystery of how you came to wash upon this unknown island. When it comes to a Pokemon-style game that feels like it's grown up with its audience, Cassette Beasts is the best choice by far.

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Bugsnax

You don't battle creatures in Bugsnax and instead must use gadgets to catch them. (Young Horses)

From the makers of Octodad: Dadliest Catch comes this appropriately bonkers take on Pokemon. It’s called Bugsnax and casts you in the role of a journalist visiting Snaktooth Island to learn more about the titular creatures. From BBQ Bungers and Bug Bobsicles to Cappucceetles and Snaxquatches, the developers have a lot of fun thinking up cool combinations of bugs and snacks to catch – resulting in a far sillier brand of Pokemon-like game.

Another major way Bugsnax sets itself apart from Pokemon is in its presentation. Rather than let you see your character from a third-person or top-down perspective, Bugsnax collecting is performed entirely from a first-person view, setting you on an off-kilter twist on the genre that is extremely easy to immerse yourself in. Plus, it won’t take you too long to complete.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Monster Hunter Stories 2 is a huge graphical step up compared to the most recent Pokemon games. (Capcom)

When it comes to AAA-quality Pokemon games that aren’t Pokemon, there’s not a lot of choice. Indie games have done a lot of heavy lifting on this front, it’s true, but few can match the high production values found in Capcom’s second turn-based Monster Hunter spin-off. And while the first is still stranded on Nintendo 3DS, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a great expansion of this concept that looks and plays fantastically on Nintendo Switch.

Monster Hunter Stories 2 takes the core monster-hunting concept and spins it on its head, casting you as an original character who must ride out and visit various villages in the hopes of protecting a precious Rathalos egg. Hatching creature eggs is one of the main ways this sequel riffs on the Pokemon concept, pairing it up with a rock, paper, scissors style turn-based combat system that is high on charm and spectacle.

Temtem

Every battle in Temtem takes place amongst four different creatures rather than the typical two. (Crema)

One of the most notorious twists on the Pokemon formula is the indie title Temtem, but is notable for blending the idea of creature collecting within the realm of an MMORPG. Its beautifully pastel art style gives it a distinct sense of identity when compared to a lot of other Pokemon knock-offs, making for some charming Temtem designs all begging for you to seek out and find.

All battles play out in a 2 vs 2 system, similar to how double battles work in the main Pokemon series. This forced you to consider each bout more strategically than you otherwise would, learning the various Temtem types and choosing which of your opponents to target to gain the advantage. By the time you reach the endgame, you’ll unlock and uncover even more reasons to catch Temtem, including co-operatively playing with a friend.

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth

Just as in the TV show, battles in Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth takes place within the digital realm. (Bandai Namco)

The rivalry between Pokemon and Digimon is one that’s been going on almost since the very first console wars. The latter has attempted to compete with the uncontested king of the concept with plenty of video game entries throughout the years, but none come close to the quality of Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth. Though a little rough graphically, this is an original story set within the Digimon universe that takes plenty of cues from the persona series too.

The result is a surprisingly fully fledged turn-based RPG set within the digital realm, where you can level up familiar creatures from the show such as Aguman, Tentamon, and others as you battle endless hordes of rival critters. Picking up the complete edition of Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth means having a total of 341 Digimon to collect, giving you plenty of cause to stay stuck in.

Aaron Potter