For many, Pokémon served as a gateway drug into anime and video games. We all remember the times we tuned in to Cartoon Network at 5 PM to catch the latest episode or downloaded one of those GBA emulators to play the pixelated adventures of our “custom character” — who, oddly enough, looked way too similar to Ash Ketchum. Since then, the franchise has come a long way, sprawling into movies, plushies, card games for avid collectors, and even an augmented reality game – Pokémon GO.
Through their journey, the global sensation inspired many developers to create or adapt some of their gameplay mechanics into their own titles. So, if you are looking for a change of pace or a way to relive your childhood gaming memories in a unique way, here’s a list of titles that are similar to the Pokémon games.
Temtem
If you don’t own a Nintendo console, Temtem is the closest thing you could get to Pokémon, and in fact, it might even be better. The title, which is currently in early access, serves as a quote-unquote clone of the iconic franchise and features a massively online multiplayer system. Same as the “original,” players create their own custom characters and explore the six islands of the Airborne Archipelago, discovering and catching new species or fighting monsters and tamers in matches.
A gym battle system is included as well, where you have to defeat eight Dojo Leaders to become the ultimate Temtem tamer. Using the prize money, you can then buy your own house and decorate it with new furniture and accessories. The similarities are quite blatant, yet none of the monsters directly infringe on Pokémon’s intellectual property, preventing Nintendo from ever suing them.
And some others:
Monster Hunter: World:
Similar to Pokémon, there are no character attributes or skills here, and your abilities are entirely dependent on what weapon the player is equipped with. The gameplay here is extremely addictive, where you can collect a diverse arsenal, fight new monsters in epic-scale battles, and gather tonnes of loot for upgrades or trading. It also features Palicoes, which are nothing but cute comrades/pets that stay by your side at all times. Think of it like Pikachu riding on your shoulder.
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth:
Similar to Pokémon, it lets you pick a starting partner at the beginning of the game – between Palmon, Terriermon, or Hagurumon. Making your way into new areas, you will encounter other Digimon from a vast ocean of 249, which can be collected, raised, and evolved to produce better results in classic turn-based battles. It also features a new game plus mode where you can replay the entire story with your loot and collected Digimon intact, giving a fresh perspective.
Slime Rancher:
You can then plop these critters into your ranch and feed and raise them to well… poop out “plorts,” which is an in-game currency used to purchase upgrades for your equipment. Raising the slimes right will result in them evolving, leading to better droppings or they could go rogue and attack you.
Nexomon: Extinction:
Here, instead of a ball, you have a prism that funnily enough follows the same red and white colour scheme. Also, most monsters in this game are drawn like 2D budget furry art that you would find on websites like DeviantArt, which I think is funny. The game is meant to be a parody, and it succeeds in that aspect.
Monster Sanctuary:
Players can hatch eggs, collect, and train monsters on their journey to customise their team and take part in battles. It also features a levelling system, where each beast in your roster has a different skill tree, resulting in unique attacks that can be upgraded over time. Online PvP matchups are available as well, where you can go head to head against friends or other online players. Think of this game like The Witcher 3 meets Pokémon.
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