Creature Collectors to Consider:
Monster Hunter Stories 1 and 2
Personally, MHS 2 is my favorite non-Pokémon creature collector and perhaps, my favorite creature collector of all time. The gameplay is easy to pick up and downright beautiful. While I don’t think you need to play the original Monster Hunter Stories to get into its sequel, just know that there are a few familiar faces from the original game that return so if you want to know of them first, look into playing them in order!
In a world where Hunters lay their lives on the line to protect the peace from great and powerful monsters, Riders take on a more daunting task elsewhere: stealing Monstie eggs, bonding with Monsties and charging into battle with them!
Set in the world of Monster Hunter, these lovely creature collectors have you taking on the role of a promising young Rider bonded to a Rathalos of untold destiny. Assemble Monsties of all classes and prevent the world around you from falling in disarray as you journey into Monster Hunter Stories!
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth Complete Edition
Part JRPG, part visual novel, all creature collector goodness.
I absolutely adore Digimon and will never understand why so many people opted out of giving it a chance, simply because of stupid jokes about it ripping off Pokémon when neither are alike. I will say the complexities of the evolutionary system in Digimon may be a turn off to some, but I guarantee you won’t want to miss out on what is arguably the best places to start if you want to check out their games.
Take on the role of a cyber detective in the original Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth or a cyber hacker in Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth— Hacker’s Memory as you explore the Digital World. Uncover mysteries that blur the line between two worlds and encounter hundreds of Digimon in each of these epic sci-fi adventures!
Speaking objectively as a fan of this genre, Yo-Kai Watch seriously has some of the most creative gameplay I have seen come out of the creature collector genre (in addition to two other games listed right after this). I firmly believe this franchise was given way too much of a bad rap when it first hit the shelves, and deserves all the love for both its creative gameplay and its diverse creature design factor!
You wanna talk a game that has been REALLY killing it in the gameplay department? Cassette Beasts. Use your tape to record monsters, play it back and transform to dominate the competition; you can even fuse forms to create a totally new Cassette Beast for more power!
The creativity I have seen come out of this game is something serious. If you’re looking for a real refresher, I highly recommend you give it a shot.
Now, I will preface this by saying: if you’re not the type for cozy creature collectors, then this may not be for you. It’s more akin to games such as Paleo Pines. Ooblets is a lighthearted farming sim and creature collector in which you use seeds to grow your little friends, the Ooblets!
That being said, the game does have a combat system— just not the kind you would expect! Enter your little plant friends into funky dance battles to settle differences; each Ooblet has their own set of moves worth unlocking, so don’t be afraid to get your groove on!
If you want an experience that is relatively closer to Pokémon in terms of execution, then your best bet is with these last few recommendations. Simple, sweet and satisfying to boot, Coromon is a passion project jam-packed with content that is sure to capture the heart of many a fan seeking refuge from Pokémon, its fandom and its flaws.
With a variety of difficulty options, a Randomizer mode, a Nuzlocke mode and a completely customizable experience, Coromon is the place to be for a truly enriching adventure!
Much like Coromon, Nexomon is a creature collector that is not shy when it comes to showing off its inspirations but absolutely excels at forging its own identity.
Through its smooth animation, lovingly detailed environments and hundreds of charming Nexomon to choose from and battle, Nexomon and its sequel, Nexomon: Extinction, are worthwhile options for longtime fans of Pokémon and creature collectors in general who are looking to stretch their legs with something that feels equally new and familiar!
Itching for something with a classic feel? Give these games a try!
These indie games scratch that specific itch with their likeness to classic Pokémon games, but that only scratches the surface of their quality.
Consider Disc Creatures for its place as a love letter to old school JRPGs, such as Pokémon Red and Blue as well as Dragon Quest Monsters.
Check out Monster Sanctuary for its metroidvania mechanics, sure to enthrall all who love to explore their games.
Look into Monster Crown for its unique breeding system and mature storytelling.
Each of the games I’ve recommended are wonderful additions to the creature collector genre. Please spend your money wisely, preferably on projects that had real work put into them.
We need to show our support for games with real passion and ingenuity behind them, not games that steal and cut corners especially when those behind it do not care about artistry.
We can’t hope for a better future for our games if we put that hope in the hands of people who will only taint it going forward.