For many, Pokémon served as a gateway drug into anime and video video games. We all bear in mind the occasions we tuned in to Cartoon Network at 5 PM to catch the most recent episode or downloaded a kind of GBA emulators to play the pixelated adventures of our “custom character” — who, oddly sufficient, appeared manner too just like Ash Ketchum. Since then, the franchise has come a great distance, sprawling into motion pictures, plushies, card video games for avid collectors, and even an augmented actuality recreation – Pokémon GO.
Through their journey, the worldwide sensation impressed many builders to create or adapt a few of their gameplay mechanics into their very own titles. So, in case you are in search of a change of tempo or a method to relive your childhood gaming reminiscences in a novel manner, right here’s a listing of titles which are just like the Pokémon video games.
Temtem
If you don’t personal a Nintendo console, Temtem is the closest factor you might get to Pokémon, and actually, it would even be higher. The title, which is at present in early entry, serves as a quote-unquote clone of the enduring franchise and incorporates a massively on-line multiplayer system. Same because the “original,” gamers create their very own customized characters and discover the six islands of the Airborne Archipelago, discovering and catching new species or combating monsters and tamers in matches.
Temtem is presumably the closest factor you might get to Pokémon. (Screenshot – Temtem)
A fitness center battle system is included as effectively, the place it’s important to defeat eight Dojo Leaders to turn into the last word Temtem tamer. Using the prize cash, you’ll be able to then purchase your personal home and adorn it with new furnishings and equipment. The similarities are fairly blatant, but not one of the monsters instantly infringe on Pokémon’s mental property, stopping Nintendo from ever suing them.
South Park: The Stick of Truth
A far cry from the family-friendly nature of Pokémon, South Park: The Stick of Truth follows the adventures of Cartman and pals by means of the eyes of a customized character. It incorporates a playful, RPG-like medieval theme the place you combat towards different youngsters of the city in a turn-based fight system. Each character has totally different powers and movesets starting from fart assaults, poking within the eye, scratching with soiled nails, and extra, that can be utilized separately.
The turn-based fight system in South Park: The Stick of Truth. (Screenshot)
Some of those even have poison or buff mechanics, the place peeing in your opponent could cause them to really feel disgusted and puke on-site, main them to skip a flip – just like the “confused” mechanic in Pokémon. As an added bonus, it incorporates a Pokémon-based facet quest the place that you must hunt ‘Chinpokomon’ plushies from around the globe.
Monster Hunter: World
This might be a grittier tackle the monster looking meta however has all of the necessities. Capcom’s newest instalment within the sequence, Monster Hunter: World pits the participant within the huge “New World” brimming with bloodthirsty monsters. Adopting the usual formulation of the franchise, the plot duties you, the hunter, to seize or slay these beasts and collect data or supplies for weapon upgrades.
Monster Hunter: World (Screenshot)
Similar to Pokémon, there aren’t any character attributes or expertise right here, and your skills are solely depending on what weapon the participant is supplied with. The gameplay right here is extraordinarily addictive, the place you’ll be able to accumulate a various arsenal, combat new monsters in epic-scale battles, and collect tonnes of loot for upgrades or buying and selling. It additionally options Palicoes, that are nothing however cute comrades/pets that keep by your facet always. Think of it like Pikachu using in your shoulder.
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth
The rivalry between Digimon and Pokémon within the 90s was an iconic one to see. And although, the latter got here out on prime, the digital monster franchise by no means really suffered what anybody would think about a “defeat”. Cyber Sleuth takes place over an array of partaking storylines, the place the participant assumes the function of a detective or a hacker to unravel diabolical digi-mysteries.
Combat in Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth. (Screenshot)
Similar to Pokémon, it allows you to decide a beginning accomplice initially of the sport – between Palmon, Terriermon, or Hagurumon. Making your manner into new areas, you’ll encounter different Digimon from an unlimited ocean of 249, which could be collected, raised, and developed to supply higher leads to traditional turn-based battles. It additionally incorporates a new recreation plus mode the place you’ll be able to replay your entire story along with your loot and picked up Digimon intact, giving a recent perspective.
Slime Rancher
Set within the vibrant world of the ‘Far, Far Range,’ Slime Rancher options the mixed themes of Pokémon and Animal Crossing. As Beatrix LeBeau, our job is to discover the lands with our belief vacpack (vacuum) and suck up all the lovable slimes blobs bouncing round on this planet.
Tossing the slime blobs into ranches for incomes sources. (Screenshot – Slime Rancher)
You can then plop these critters into your ranch and feed and lift them to effectively… poop out “plorts,” which is an in-game foreign money used to buy upgrades on your gear. Raising the slimes proper will lead to them evolving, main to higher droppings or they might go rogue and assault you.
Nexomon: Extinction
The solely factor retaining Nexomon from being a blatant ripoff of Pokémon is its stamina system, which in all honesty, makes the gameplay fairly partaking. The mechanic forces gamers to rotate between their builds, as an alternative of specializing in that one-party-beats-all playstyle. Every ingredient on this title is just like Pokémon, together with the usage of Pokéballs to lure and tame the 381 Nexomon from 9 elemental sorts.
World exploration and participant problem system in Nexomon: Extinction. (Screenshot)
But right here, as an alternative of a ball, you could have a prism that funnily sufficient follows the identical pink and white color scheme. Also, most monsters on this recreation are drawn like 2D finances furry artwork that you’d discover on web sites like DeviantArt, which I feel is humorous. The recreation is supposed to be a parody, and it succeeds in that facet.
Monster Sanctuary
This 2D side-scrolling Metroidvania began its life as a Kickstarter marketing campaign and has certain come a great distance. Monster Sanctuary is actually a pixelated platformer the place you’re taking management of a Monster Keeper and discover the huge lands starting from snowy forests, hidden caverns, lava-laden tunnels, and even the underside of the ocean.
Unique assault choice menu on your monster(s) in Monster Sanctuary. (Screenshot)
Players can hatch eggs, accumulate, and prepare monsters on their journey to customize their staff and participate in battles. It additionally incorporates a levelling system, the place every beast in your roster has a distinct talent tree, leading to distinctive assaults that may be upgraded over time. Online PvP matchups can be found as effectively, the place you’ll be able to go face to face towards pals or different on-line gamers. Think of this recreation like The Witcher 3 meets Pokémon.
