Summary
- Insectum combines bug-collection and strategy similar to Plant vs Zombies in an entertaining battle game.
- Temtem offers a fresh experience with Pokemon and Digimon elements in a new monster collector game.
- Moonstone Island is a relaxing blend of farming simulators and monster battling with unique mechanics.
The Monster Collector genre, also known as Creature Collector, is filled with games that are quite similar to Pokemon. So, it is understandable that fans of this three-decade-long (almost) franchise feel drawn to titles where raising and battling monsters is the main gimmick.
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To spice things up with some Monster Collector Games to play if you love Pokemon, here's a list of titles that are making the genre look much more diverse, establishing their own identities and particular mechanics that make them shine.
1 Temtem
The Game That Broke A Decade-Long Standoff
Temtem
- Released
- September 6, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Language, Mild Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
After decades of a genre dominated by two big franchises, the appearance of Temtem shed a ray of hope among fans of Monster Collectors. A game that has the best of Pokemon and Digimon, combined with some of the greatest mechanics of the long-forgotten Monster Rancher games , but complemented with its unique lore and a different approach to creature management.
Temtem offers a new perspective and a refreshing experience to all of those who love capturing monsters, training, and battling with them, but it doesn't fall too far from the tree: It is still a very similar title to those of the Pokemon mainline games.
2 Digimon World: Next Order
A Worthy Heir Of The Original Digimon World
Digimon World: Next Order
- Released
- January 27, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
A direct successor of the acclaimed Digimon World (1999, PS1), Next Order takes players back to the Digital World to meet Jijimon and his wayward bunch of Digital Monsters who have, once more, spread to the four winds and left the Village of Beginnings (Also known as Digi-Town) in shambles.
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Players will need to raise two different Digimon this time, and for a very good reason: Jogress Digi-Evolution is the main Battle Gimmick, which allows the fusion of two Ultimate/Mega Digimon into one powerful form that can blast away any enemy monster. The game preserves most of the mechanics from the original games intact, even the training room, the need to feed, care for, and even scold our partners. The battle system was considerably overhauled, and so were the graphics: The Digital World looks brighter than ever.
3 Palworld
It Is All Monster Collector Fans Wished For, And More
Palworld
- Released
- January 19, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Violence
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Shooter, Survival
Palworld has become the rage among fans of Monster Collector games ever since its release, and despite all the controversy surrounding its creature-catching gimmick, it still maintains a steady number of players and an extremely positive review score. And needless to say, this is due to its colorful world, and unique combination of survival battler and creature collector.
Players are given a considerable amount of freedom to explore, raise their Pals, breed them, and even use them as meat. Sure, giving a Grass-type Mon an AK-47 might not be a good idea, but it will be one of the most exhilarating experiences a fan of Monster Collector games will have.
4 Nexomon: Extinction
A Return To The Prime Of Monster Collectors
Nexomon: Extinction
- Released
- August 28, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Nexomon is everything that Pokemon could have been if it remained true to its 2D/2.5D origins. Colorful, brimming with interesting creatures to befriend and train, with quirky characters, and an even quirkier story to tell. Fans of Monster Collector games will find in Nexomon the promised wonderland, a place of respite among all the generic titles of similar categories.
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The best part is its satirical sense of humor, which makes some spicy references to the popular Japanese franchise (and might make a couple of lawyers raise an eyebrow in response), but still adds to its particular charm and makes it a shiny game to catch.
5 Moonstone Island
Stardew Valley Meets Pokemon
Moonstone Island
- Released
- September 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Mild Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Digital Card Game, Life Simulation, Farming
Moonstone Island is on equal parts a cozy homesteading game, and a monster breeder/collector game that has refurbished some of the best mechanics of the already extinct Monster Rancher, to create something thoroughly solid, with dozens of things to do, and a pretty complex combat system based on cards.
So, in terms of Monster Collector games, it's a pretty relaxing experience, with lovely visuals and tons of cute creatures to befriend. On the other hand, it has the right amount of buildcrafting to satisfy those hardcore Pokemon fans that want to experience a challenging monster battler combined with a life simulator.
6 Insectum
An Entertaining Battle Game With Bugs
- Developer: DevilishGames
- Year Released: October 2024
- Available Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PS
Insectum is the ideal game for readers who love to catch Bug-type Pokemon, and play Plants vs Zombies. A combination that, at first glance, might look weird, but once players get into it, they'll get hooked immediately. A well-designed, easy-to-understand interface adds to the already pleasing experience of this game.
This game, which could very well be the dream of every entomologist, was developed by DevilishGames (creators of the magnificent Path to Mnemosyne) and offers tons of hours of fun and intense bug battles, as well as dozens of different 'cards' to play and create the best strategies to overcome the toughest battles.
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