Given Palworld’s recent breakout success, there is evident enthusiasm for games in the monster-taming genre, extending beyond simple turn-based fighting mechanics from decades ago.
Whether you label it monster taming, creature capturing, beast catching, demon recruiting, or spirit handling, the genre offers diverse experiences. Palworld’s popularity has spurred interest in similar games, and below is a compilation of titles worth exploring if you enjoyed Palworld or Pokemon.
1. Cassette Beasts
- Platforms: Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Cassette Beasts, set on the remote island of New Wirral, offers a charming yet subtly horrifying experience
The game introduces a unique combat mechanic called fusion, allowing players to temporarily merge two monsters during battles. With local co-op multiplayer, collaborative exploration adds a constant joy to the gameplay. Cassette Beasts showcases creativity with imaginatively striking monster combinations.
2. Chocobo Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy
- Platforms: Switch, PS4
Although not immediately Pokemon-like, this cutesy, classically styled roguelike featuring the Final Fantasy mascot captures the essence of collecting and forming bonds with creatures. As Chocobo explores dungeons, players encounter familiar faces from the Final Fantasy universe, bringing them aboard as buddies in a charming way.
3. Coromon
- Platforms: Switch, PC, iOS
Coromon, with its pixel-based art style reminiscent of early Pokemon games, faithfully captures the essence of the genre. With over 100 creatures to collect, train, and battle, it introduces unique twists like a stamina system for combat actions and a flexible difficulty system catering to players’ preferences.
4. Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition
- Platforms: Switch, PC
Offering a different take on the digital monster series, Cyber Sleuth focuses on 3v3 turn-based combat, turning players into cyber detectives or hackers. The Complete Edition includes over 300 Digimon, all DLC, and quality-of-life changes, providing an excellent entry point into the Digimon franchise.
5. Digimon World: Next Order
- Platforms: Switch, PS4, PC
This sequel to the original Digimon World emphasizes training, breeding, and strategic battles. With an expansive overworld, players choose two Digimon companions, engage in battles, and shape their Digimon’s evolution through various lifestyle simulation aspects.
6. Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince
- Platforms: Switch
Revitalizing the Monsters spin-off, this game lets players play as the antagonist of Dragon Quest IV, offering a unique perspective. The season-shifting system introduces dynamic changes to the environment, impacting exploration and adding depth to the creature-capturing mechanics.
7. Monster Crown
- Platforms: Switch, Xbox One, PS4, PC
A darker take on the Pokemon-like genre, Monster Crown features over 200 creatures with a mature storyline. Despite the serious themes, it retains the traditional monster collecting hooks and allows online battles and trading.
8. Monster Hunter Stories/Stories 2
- MH Stories available on: 3DS, iOS, Android | MH Stories 2 available on: Switch, PC
Departing from the traditional Monster Hunter series, Stories focuses on raising and forming bonds with creatures in a turn-based RPG structure. While mechanically different from Pokemon, it satisfies the urge to collect and befriend creatures in a more family-friendly environment.
9. Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX
- Platforms: Switch, PC, iOS
Combining training, battling, and tournaments, Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX adds quality-of-life changes to the classic PlayStation 1 games. With improved visuals and online functionality, it appeals to both nostalgic players and those discovering the series for the first time.
10. Monster Sanctuary
- Platforms: Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
A departure from traditional Pokemon mechanics, Monster Sanctuary is a platforming action side-scroller. It emphasizes active engagement as players tame wild beasts to traverse the world, adding a unique twist to the creature-capturing fantasy.
11. Moonstone Island
- Platforms: PC (Switch TBA)
Combining farming simulation, creature capturing, lifestyle simulation, and turn-based card game mechanics, Moonstone Island offers a diverse gaming experience. With customizable cards for each spirit and seasonal DLC, players can immerse themselves in exploring, farming, crafting, and battling.
12. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
- Platforms: Switch, PS4, PC, Xbox Series X|S
Drawing inspiration from Pokemon, Ni no Kuni features a combat system centered around capturing and taming creatures called Familiars. With a Studio Ghibli-inspired art style and a captivating story, it provides a charming alternative to traditional Pokemon-like experiences.
13. Nexomon / Nexomon Extinction
- Platforms: Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Offering a traditional Pokemon-like experience, Nexomon introduces a colorful art style and a diverse roster of over 300 monsters. The sequel, Nexomon Extinction, builds on the formula, providing an accessible entry point with numerous starter options.
14. Ooblets
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
Ooblets, with its eccentric blend of genres, captures the essence of Pokemon through creature capture and non-violent dance battles. The smaller pool of creatures is differentiated well, offering a friendly and goofily infectious experience.
15. Shin Megami Tensei V
- Platforms: Switch
In contrast to Persona, Shin Megami Tensei V focuses on combat in a large apocalyptic wasteland. With a mix of Eastern and Western religious themes, the game offers a darkly surreal experience in the creature-capture genre, emphasizing strategic decision-making.
16. Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch
Upscaling a beloved SMT game from the PlayStation 2 era, Nocturne HD Remaster introduces the Demi-Fiend in a post-apocalyptic world. Featuring philosophical choices and iconic demon recruitment, the remaster adds a Merciful option for a more accessible experience.
17. Temtem
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
As a creature-capturing MMO, Temtem aims to be a pivotal experience in the genre. With ongoing updates and seasonal rewards, it provides a dynamic and evolving world for players to explore and engage in monster collecting.
18. World of Final Fantasy Maxima
- Platforms: Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PC
This cute chibi RPG introduces a unique monster-stacking mechanic, allowing characters to pile on top of each other during combat. While not directly resembling Pokemon, it leverages Square Enix’s iconic monster designs in a creative way, offering a fresh take on the creature collection.
