Here's some monster-catching RPGs that are better than Pokemon.
Jan. 31, 2018Tired of catching them all? Here’s some monster-catching RPGs that are better than Pokemon.
In this article, I will be taking a look at some monster-catching RPGs that are – at least in some ways – each better thanPokemon. I’ll explain what they do better than and suggest whatPokemoncould do to improve its stale formula.
“If I want your opinion, I’LL ASK FOR IT!!!” – Misty, Pokemon.
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Oh no! Team (insert random word here) are up to no good! They have awakened/summoned/created the Legendary (insert random word here)Pokemon– a creature so legendary, that it was never mentioned in any previousPokemongames! Only you can save the world but why rush? With (insert random number here) newPokemonto collect, you’ll need more than two big Pokeballs to master this game. First you can capture every singlePokemonin this game, then purchase the companion title,Pokemon(insert random colour/object here) to transfer across the ones we made unavailable in this game. Six months later, you can d0 it all over again with the shiny slightly upgraded version,Pokemon(insert mildly more impressive word here), with (insert random number here) extraPokemonto collect and additions so minuscule, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without them before!
Along your way to become the ultimatePokemonMaster and save the world (although not necessarily in that order), you’ll meet such forgettable characters as Professor Something-or-Other, Nurse Thing-ummy-bob and the Not-So-Elite-as-the-Last-Elite-Foursome!
I don’t hatePokemon. It would be easier if I did. I still like it…kind of…and I’ve hope that someday they may release a greatPokemongame. Hope is a dangerous thing though and my hope has grown smaller with each iteration that is released. In terms of creating interesting characters and plots or even just making a game which pushes consoles to their limits,Game Freakhave never really needed to even try to do any of that. Until not so long ago, diagonal movement wasn’t even a thing inPokemon. The games each look like they’d be right at home on whatever the previous handheld console was.
Each new generation ofPokemondoesn’t seem any better than those which preceded it. In Generation V, they’d already resorted to slapping a face on a bag of rubbish and calling it Trubbish. We’re now on Generation VII and things aren’t looking much better. There are a few okay additions but more often than not, I’m left disappointed with the little creatures I catch and left thinking that they’re worse than the original Generation I lineup. They’ve added in new features such as Mega Evolutions but it’s still not really enough to keep it all from feeling a bit stale.
I’ve come to accept now that my idealPokemongame will never be made. It would be a game with an interesting plot and characters that you’d actually want to meet. A game where the story is at least as important – if not more so – than the Pokemon themselves. Think an epic earlyFinal Fantasy-like plot (VI – X era) but withPokemonto catch and train instead of Summons. I’d also like it if you could attack alongside yourPokemon. In an ideal world, it would also be made with home consoles in mind (or at least the hybridSwitchconsole) and it would push the console to its full potential.
We’ll probably never get a Pokemon game that’s close to my ideal.Game Freakdon’t need to push themselves too hard, as eachPokemontitle still sells well. It’s also asGame Freakaren’t really targeting older Pokemon fans who grew up with the originals with their games. After all, there’s a whole new crop of kids to sell their games and toys too now.
If like me you have a long wishlist of features you’d like to see but a general awareness that they’ll never be included, it may be time to accept that it’s time to leave Pokemon behind. Thankfully, there are other games to scratch your monster-hunting itch. Here’s some fun old and newer titles that you may want to check out.
Looking for something a bit more recent to sink your teeth into? It’s an obvious comparison but you could do a lot worse thanDigimon Story: Cyber Sleuth, which was developed by Media Vision. Set in the not-too-distant future, the line between the real and digital worlds has been blurred. With decent graphics and an engaging and entertaining narrative, it’s worth playing. A sequel was also recently released;Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory.
TheShin Megami Tenseigames featured monster catching back in 1992. Unlike thePokemongames, these games are much darker. The monsters you enlist to aid you in battle aren’t cute. They’re demons, gods and heroes gathered from many different mythologies. The plot is both more mature and cooler than anything that you will ever find in aPokemongame. Beyond the excellent plots, one of the best features of these games is fusing together demons to create more powerful beings. It has also been confirmed byAtlusthatShin Megami Vis coming toNintendo Switch. I can’t wait!
Having sunk around one hundred and fifty hours into this bad boy on my first playthrough, it’s safe to say that I’m a fan. Persona is a spin-off from Atlus’ Megami Tensei franchise and the original entry was based on the high school setting ofShin Megami Tensei. Since then, thePersonagames have gone on to become more popular than the series that spawned them. It features a huge plot, well-written characters with backstories you’ll go out of your way to discover and a similar Fusion mechanic to the one outlined inShin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse. In short,Persona Vis one of the best JRPGs ever made. You owe it to yourself to also playPersona 4: Goldenfor the PS Vita.
So, onto one of my favourite PlayStation 3 games. Featuring a beautiful world and an emotionally engaging story line, it was simply a joy to play. With development duties handled byStudio GhibliandLevel-5collaboratively, it’s simply wonderful. Oh – and it also features over three-hundred Familiars. A sequel –Ni no KuniII: Revenant Kingdom– will be coming toPlayStation 4andPCin March. I’m a little concerned thatStudio Ghibliaren’t named as the developer for the sequel but a number of people working on it did work onStudio Ghiblifilms, so hopefully it’ll still turn out great.
Developed byNippon Ichi Software, this turn-based SRPG game has honed the combat mechanics that made the others in the series so great to play. For example, you can now transform monsters into weapons that can be used by your heroes. ThinkFinal Fantasy Tacticsonly funny and you won’t be too far wrong.
Nights of Azureisn’t perfect but it is fun. It features Dynasty Warriors-like combat, a funny and emotional lesbian romance storyline and monsters that fight alongside you in battle. The sequel –Nights of Azure II: Bride of the New Moon– is available for theSwitchas well as thePlayStation 4.
World of Final Fantasycombines the monster catching element of a Pokemon game with many of your favourite characters from Final Fantasy game. The storyline is simple and the Chibi art style is incredibly cute – both points which will deter as many people as they attract. I have a soft spot for this title though, as it helped me to introduce my daughter to the Final Fantasy series. Each dungeon is themed around a different element, which gives you a reason to alternate whichPokemon– I mean, monsters – you use in battle.Square Enix‘sKingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distancealso featured a monster catching mechanic.
As it’s technically not a monster catching game, it couldn’t really make the list. Also, as a blatant parody/rip-off ofPokemon, it’s hard to argue that it’s better thanPokemon. But damn, it is funny. If your’e a fan of the Rick and Morty show, this smartphone game is for you. How many different Mortys can you collect?
Oh – and another honourable mention goes toArk: Survival Evolved. Technically it’s not an RPG and technically dinosaurs may not be monsters but it’s still good fun. What are your favourite monster-catching games?
You may want to read thePersona 5 ULTIMATE Edition & Other Bundles Now Availablearticle next. Alternatively, you could check out theDigimon Story: Cyber Sleuth Hacker’s Memory New Trailerarticle.
Caradox
I love gaming, creative writing, the theatre, anime, watching football & spending time with friends & family. I’m also a bit obsessed with superheroes.
I almost feel like putting Shin Megami Tensei and Persona on the same list is a bit redundant. Just a little bit.
Meh, at least Pokemon changes up its formula every generation. If nothing else, there’s always something new to try, or some new aspect to change how you approach what would otherwise be the same tired old gameplay.
The new Digimon games really surprised me too Rakuyo. I resisted them for ages then a friend of mine said “No, you really should try it,” so I did and enjoyed it a lot. Have you played it or are you just going off your memories of the cartoon?
i heard some digimon :eyes: the better version of pokemon. In each game every digimon is collectible, better story and more “adult” storyline and themes. Hacker’s memory is amazing and cyber sleuth was just as good (unless you played on hard mode which made things omfg f me hard, which i liked) the hard difficulty was balanced in hackers memory and still provides a great challenge.If players want a more raising pet/digimon feel theres Digimon World: Next Order the sequel to the original Digimon World on psx.
My main gripe with pokemon is back in the game you could have collected them all with little effort; 2 siblings can get them by trading. Then they added the 3rd game when it was 2 game (red+blue, gold+silver) and as more and more iternations came out its absurdly difficult without having pokebank, various installments of the game and some friends in japan. I still hope for a complete catch them all version on switch, but it doesnt fit in gamefreak strategy
Break out the calculus and prepare to bang your head against the odds of cultivating your perfect stat digital pet… or pray to RNGesus.
I do love me some Disgaea, but the post-game grinding is so degenerate.
God forbid mentioning anything gacha based.
Man Catches Lapras, Dies Of Heart Attack!
Also… Digimon… really? I can agree with most of those other submissions.
