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Over the course of its 25 year-long history, the Pokémon games have delighted millions of fans, from those who were introduced to it through the original games in 1996 to those who started with the most recent main-series titles, Pokemon Sword and Shield. While the series has evolved over the years, its core gameplay loop and charms have remained intact: players start out as new trainers and work alongside their partners to get stronger, eventually becoming the very best, like no one ever was.
Poké Fans can always go back to the old games or spin-offs to get their fix, but those looking for something new can also turn to the many games that have been influenced by Pokémon. Some add new twists to the formula, while others take a more story-focused approach, but all of these games offer monster taming adventures that Pokémon fans may come to love.
Note: This article was updated on October 31, 2021 by Noelle Corbett to add the Shin Megami Tensei franchise as a recommendation for grown-up Pokémon fans.
Temtem Is a Pokémon-Influenced MMO
Many gamers have heard about this game thanks to its similarities to Pokémon. In this game, you’ll become a Temtem trainer by catching and taming Temtems to battle and eventually challenge eight Dojo Leaders to become the best, a quest that’ll sound familiar to Pokémon fans.
TemTem is essentially a Pokémon-like MMO. It has all the features of Pokémon, such as catching, battling and trading monsters, while adding its own new ones. TemTem‘s character customization is more fleshed out, and players can choose things like face shape and body shape, options you don’t get in Pokémon. The game includes player housing for you and your TemTems to live in, more challenging battle systems and, of course, the ability to play online with friends or train competitively.
Plus, because it’s online, the game is ever-growing and updating. TemTem has enough to set it apart that you’ll still need to learn how to play, but becoming accustomed to it will give you the experience of playing your first Pokémon game. TemTem will certainly fill your Pokémon cravings.
The Yo-kai Watch Series Let Players Befriend Spirits
In Japanese folklore, Yokai are spirits, demons or supernatural monsters, often with animal traits, which can cause mischief and are believed to have their own personalities. All of this is reflected throughout the Yo-kai Watch games in their mechanics and story. The series’ core gameplay revolves around befriending Yokai in the character’s hometown.
Yokai are found along the story’s route or by encountering strange events around town where they effect everyday life and people. They can even battle, but it’s a different system than traditional RPGs. Battles are less controlled with befriended Yokai acting on their own based on their personality, and only three can be used. In battle, the player can help by using items or dictating when to use special moves. There are also “tribes” which can cause your Yokai to unite for bonuses.
Yo-kai Watch has a level system, evolution and fusion like in the Persona series. While the series’ gameplay might be quite different from what Pokémon fans are used to, these games provide a different experience while also being centered around the monster taming elements fans love.
Monster Hunter Stories Games Let Players Fight Alongside Their Friends
These games are a significant shift from the traditional Monster Hunter games. Instead of fighting Rathalos in a life or death battle using skills as a hunter, you can befriend it in turn-based combat and have him fight alongside you. Monster Hunter Stories and its sequel, Wings of Ruin, are RPGs where players take on the role of a Rider (instead of a Hunter) who befriends monsters to fight alongside them and uncover the source of a Blight plaguing the world.
Like Pokémon Sword and Shield‘s Wild Area, the Rider encounters monsters wandering around outside of towns as they navigate the world. Mini-dungeons called Monster Dens also appear, and these can be explored to find items, monsters and (at the end) an egg to make off with and hatch later. Some monsters also have special overworld abilities like climbing and riding. Because players fight too, there are smiths and merchants in towns that sell and make armor and weapons for your character, similar to traditional Monster Hunter games. This means you can customize your character to match your favorite monster. Put Monster Hunter and Pokémon together and you get Monster Hunter Stories, an incredible hybrid.
Ni No Kuni Games Combine Familiar Battles With Ghibli-Style Charm
Though only two games in this Studio Ghibli-inspired RPG series have been released outside of Japan, they’ve done well. The games’ main focus is on story, but it contains a combat system that revolves around the taming of familiars to use in battle. They can be captured after being defeated in battle, leveled up and even evolve to become stronger.
There are some differences between games in how the monster mechanics operate, however. In Wrath of the White Witch, players can choose to command a human or familiar to attack with, while the monsters in Revenant Kingdom operate more like a special attack or summon through the human characters. Revenant Kingdom‘s monsters also have elements much like Pokemon.
In both games, the familiars have their own strengths and weaknesses which can be used strategically in an open battlefield. The main characters are similar to trainers in this way. Ni No Kuni‘s story doesn’t focus on taming like Pokemon does, making it more of a traditional RPG.
Slime Rancher Is Great for Fans of Pokémon Breeding and Farming Sims
For something a little different, try Slime Rancher, a game which combines aspects of farming sims, exploration and monster raising. In this game, the player is a rancher who moves to a distant planet to raise slimes. You will need to build things like corrals to pen slimes, gardens to grow food, and ponds for water and a source of relaxation. There is also crafting to upgrade slime tech and create items that can help with ranching.
Slimes are the main source of income and focus throughout the game. Everything you do, you do for them. They’re not all the same though. Slimes come in various colors and have traits like ears or tails. They can be found around the world or bred to create hybrid slimes. Failing to combine slimes can result in aggressive slimes that will eat others though, so it’s not always easy. Slime Rancher combines Pokémon breeding with light farming-sim mechanics to make a cute and entertaining game.
The Shin Megami Tensei Franchise Offers Darker Options for Grown-Up Poké Fans
The Shin Megami Tensei series predates Pokémon by nearly a decade, but there are clear similarities when it comes to the two franchise’s basic mechanics. Like Pokémon, SMT games are JRPGs featuring turn-based battles where players can try to recruit those they fight to instead fight alongside them — only instead of being cute, tough or typically friendly Pokémon, these games feature demons from various world mythologies.
Unlike Pokémon‘s lighthearted and family-friendly tone, Shin Megami Tensei games are intended for adults. In addition to generally being more challenging, SMT games tell dark, complex stories that explore philosophical and religious themes. Player choices matter, shaping how the games end and what happens to the world they live in. Plus, while there are some SMT demons that could rival Pokémon in terms of cuteness, there are others that are definitely NSFW.
Still, those gamers who grew up playing Pokémon and now seek a more challenging and thought-provoking experience should look no further. The various Shin Megami Tensei games combine the familiar monster capturing and growth elements with a grittier story-heavy approach.
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