Games Like Pokemon That Fans Should Check Out
The products discussed here were independently chosen by our editors. GameSpot may get a share of the revenue if you buy anything featured on our site.
Pokemon. You’ve gotta catch “em” all, as the old slogan goes. But what do you do once you have caught them all? Explore other interests? Better yourself through learning? Don’t be ridiculous. What you should do is play other games that are sort of similar to Pokemon.
And boy do we have you covered on that front, with a wide array of games that hit the spot for Pokemon fans. Not all of these recommendations follow the Pokemon formula, but they all capture some piece of what makes Pokemon such an enduring sensation. Check out our list and shout “I choose you
Chocobo Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy
Available on: Switch, PS4
This cutesy classically styled roguelike starring the Final Fantasy mascot may not immediately seem Pokemon-like, and in many ways, it isn’t. But what it lacks in specific mechanics it makes up for with that same collecting spirit. As Chocobo explores dungeons, they’ll find tons of other notable Final Fantasy monsters and creatures and bring them aboard as buddies–hence the name, “Every Buddy.” Half the fun of Pokemon is finding a variety of creatures to recruit into your party, and Chocobo Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy scratches that same itch with the familiar faces of Final Fantasy.
Coromon
Available on: Switch, PC
Coromon is decidedly retro, with a pixel-based art style that looks to emulate the earliest days of the Pokemon series. It’s one of the most faithful Pokemon-likes around, letting you collect, train, and battle more than 100 creatures with elemental skills. Within that framework it does have some unique twists, like a stamina system that defines your combat actions and a flexible difficulty system that lets you customize the game to your own comfort level, including an easy mode that lets you just experience the story, and even a randomizer feature to mix up your experience. If you like the core ideas of Pokemon but want to see it riffed on, this is a good pick.
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Available on: Switch, PS4, PC
Ni no Kuni has become a franchise in its own right, but whereas the sequel and mobile game are more styled as action-RPGs, the first game released in the West is very clearly inspired by the Pokemon series. The combat system revolves around capturing and taming a host of creatures called “Familiars,” and then using them in battle with still other creatures.
While the monster designs are not quite as imaginative and varied as Pokemon, the Studio Ghibli-inspired art style and dreamlike story are a captivating change of pace. And while the languid pace may have been hard to play on its original PlayStation 3 release, it’s been ported to just about everything, including Nintendo Switch–just in case you prefer your Pokemon likes to be portable.
Source: gamespot
