Pokémon has become a true cultural phenomenon and in Japan the culture is already mixing with the pocket monsters: cities have ambassador Pokémon and the creatures are even present at weddings. Nevertheless, there is comparatively little competition in the field of monster collecting games. But it does exist.
Pokémon for the PC is not officially available. But there are numerous alternatives! And that’s exactly what we’re presenting to you in this list. The most important aspect for this overview is: You have to be able to collect monsters. You can find out how many other similarities the individual titles have with Pokémon in the respective descriptions.
1st Temtem
(Release: 21. January 2020 (PC Early-Access), 2021 (consoles) – Platforms: PC (Windows), PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch – Price: 31 Euro (Steam, Humble Bundle) – Steam Deck Compatibility: Not supported. )
Temtem is the closest to the big model and you notice that from the first second. You control a trainer called Tamer, who gets his first temtem from a professor, has a morally ambitious rival, competes against a series of dojo leaders as he travels the world and, on the side, puts a stop to a criminal organisation. Sounds very familiar, doesn’t it?
But Temtem offers more: the developer Crema Games freshens up Nintendo’s tried and tested system with its own ideas. First of all, Temtem is not a single-player game, but an MMO. You will always meet other players on your journey and can even play and fight together in co-op. In addition, the battles do without any random mechanics. This makes them more like chess and less based on the risk-reward system of Pokémon. The team also plans to enable cross-save and even cross-play in the future.
Temtem was funded via Kickstarter and raised 573,939 US dollars during the campaign. A closed alpha for backers and pre-orderers followed. At the start of the Early Access phase on 21 January 2020, the progress of all players will be reset one last time. As of May 2022, all six areas have been integrated and the game’s story completed. Upcoming content will further expand the endgame.
2. slime rancher
(Release: 01. August 2017 – Platforms: PC (Windows, Linux, MacOS), Xbox One, PS4 –Price: 20 Euro (Steam, Humblebundle) 19 Euro (GOG) – Steam deck compatibility: Playable)
Slime Rancher is a sandbox game Here you catch the slime balls with your hoover and then keep them on your own farm. However, not all slime is the same and can take on different forms. Slime in the shape of a cat? No problem! They can also have their own properties and be radioactive or just spontaneously explode.
Pokémon meets Stardew Valley: Besides the catching aspect, the farm itself is also important. Not only do you have to catch the slimy creatures, but you also have to lock them up in enclosures and take care of them afterwards. If they are in a bad mood, they have little interest in staying on your farm. And depending on the species, they have different preferences that you have to take into account when keeping and caring for them.
Although the game was released back in 2017, it still receives content updates For example, in December 2019, there was an event with new musical instruments that you can unlock
3rd Monster Sanctuary
(Release: 28. August 2019 (Early-Access) –Platforms: PC (Windows, Linux, MacOS) – Price: 16 Euro (Steam, Humblebundle) – Steam deck compatibility: Verified)
What happens when you mix Pokémon with Metroid? That’s probably what German developer Moi Rai Games asked themselves and developed Monster Sanctuary. Your journey begins with the selection of one of four starter monsters. Then you move through a 2D pixel world in which many paths are initially closed. Only the special abilities of some monsters open up further paths.
The battles are similar to those of Pokémon and you take turns selecting attacks. Here, too, the typical elementary strengths and weaknesses of the monsters are important. There is also a combo counter that strengthens all your attacks. You don’t get new companions by catching them, but by scoring well in the fights. This is the only way to have a better chance of getting better loot, including the rare monster eggs.
Monster Sanctuary was previously only released in an Early Access version and received its third major content update in December 2019, which added online PvP to the title. The full release is still scheduled for 2020. Those who just want to try out the title briefly can download a demo.
4. Ni No Kuni
(Release: 20. September 2019 –Platforms: PC (Windows), PS3, PS4, Switch – Price: 50 Euro (Steam, Humblebundle) – Steam deck compatibility: Verified)
Ni No Kuni is a JRPG made in collaboration with Studio Ghibli. Here, young Oliver is transported to a parallel world in an attempt to save his mother. This is populated by a whole host of monsters that you can catch and then use in battle. The parallels to Pokémon, however, end with the collection of 444 creatures.
The battle system is a mixture of real-time and turn-based. There are cooldowns for your abilities and your monsters are subject to a stamina system. You can move around the battle arenas completely freely. Moreover, not only your creatures take part in the battle, but also you yourself with magic and melee weapons.
The Japanese role-playing game was originally released for the Nintendo DS and later received an expanded version for the PS3. It wasn’t until 2019 that it was released as a remaster for the PC and Nintendo Switch in addition to the PS4.
5.Nexomon
(Release: 29. November 2019 (Early-Access) –Platforms: PC (Windows, macOS), Android, iOS –Price: 9 Euro (Steam) – Steam deck compatibility: Verified)
Nexomon is another monster collecting game that is more Pokémon oriented The graphic style is somewhat reminiscent of the older parts of Nintendo’s series before they ventured into the third dimension. More than 300 creatures can be caught here.
You take on the role of a child of two scientists and are also accompanied by a robot named Atlas. Your goal is to stop the evil Nexolord. The gameplay could hardly be more similar to Pokémon. In the tall grass, you will randomly encounter monsters that you can fight or catch in turn-based battles. In addition, there are other trainers with whom you duel. The usual elementary strengths and weaknesses are also included. However, catching the monsters is completely random: if you defeat one, the game simply decides whether you get it or not.
Nexomon appeared originally for Android and iOS It only made the jump to PC with a graphics update at the end of 2019. In addition to Nexomon, there is also Nexomon: Extiction. In addition, the successor Nexomon 2 is also to be released on Steam.
6th World of Final Fantasy
(Release: 21. November 2017 – Platforms: PC (Windows),PS4, PSVita, Switch, Xbox One – Price: 25 Euro (Steam) – Steam Deck Compatibility: Playable)
Final Fantasy consists not only of the old familiar role-playing games, but also spawned several spin-offs. One of these is World of Final Fantasy, which is mainly about collecting monsters.
The creatures themselves are called Mirage and as a player you take on the role of a Mirage Keeper. You explore the land of Grymoire and can collect, customise and evolve a wide variety of creatures. This happens just like in Pokémon itself: if you have weakened the monsters enough in battle, you can make friends with them.
The battles use the active-time battle system familiar from the other Final Fantasy games, which is turn-based in its basic features, but also has a real-time component. Depending on which Mirage you have in the battle, you also receive different bonuses.
7. Persona 4 Golden
(Release: 13. June 2020 – Platforms: PC (Windows), PSVita – Price: 20 Euro (Steam) – Steam deck compatibility: Verified)
You also collect monsters in Persona 4 Golden. However, this works a little differently than in Pokémon. The creatures here are called Persona and you get them randomly after completing battles. You can always carry a limited number around with you and use their abilities in battle.
Although the Personas also level up and learn new abilities, they do not evolve as in Pokémon. Instead, you can fuse them with other demonic monsters to create new and stronger Personas. Away from the battles, you’ll also explore a rural Japanese town, attend school and expand your circle of friends, which will also make your Personas stronger.
The game was originally released in 2008 for the Playstation 2. However, an expanded version for the Vita followed in 2012, which then made it to the PC in 2020. Less than a year later, the spin-off Persona 5 Strikers was released.
8. Monster Crown
(Release: 30. July 2020 – Platforms: PC (Linux, MacOS, Windows) – Price: 20 Euro (Steam) – Steam deck compatibility: N/V)
Monster Crown draws heavily on the first generation of Pokémon for its presentation, but offers a much more serious setting The darker aspects of the story are correspondingly more prominent than in the original.
You don’t make friends with the monsters here. Instead, you make a pact with them. The creatures protect you and you help them grow stronger in return. Finally, like in the first Pokémon, the battles themselves are fought in a 1 vs. 1 format and are turn-based.
The breeding system is another special feature. You can crossbreed the 200 standard monsters at will and create completely new species! Thanks to an online exchange function, you can also enter the worlds of other players!
9th Digital Tamers Reborn
(Release: July 2, 2021 – Platforms: PC (Windows), Android – Price: Free (itch.io))
Digital Tamers Reborn is a completely free fan game to Digimon and combines Tamagotchi gameplay with monster battles. Finally, the challenge of the game comes through challenges like boss fights.
You must first take care of your Digimon’s needs here and train them. After that, you send them into fights against other monsters They will act almost entirely on their own. Only later in the game can you influence the fights with items or commands. The developments are also particularly exciting. Each Digimon has numerous different evolutions. Finding the prerequisites for each one is an important aspect of the game.
Finally, you catch new monsters in a kind of open world However, you do not travel through it directly. Instead, you see the monsters on a map, and then command your own to take them on. If it’s successful, you’ll get a new Digimon Egg.
10. Shin Megami Tensei 3 Nocturne HD Remaster
(Release: 20. May 2021 – Platforms: PC (Windows), PS4, Switch – Price: 50 Euro (Steam) – Steam deck compatibility: Not supported)
Actually, this list here should be called “The Best Megami Tensei Alternatives for PC”. Because the series had monster-collecting gameplay even before Pokémon And with that, they weren’t even the first. While the series, from which Persona also sprang, was long at home on consoles, it returned to the PC with the Shin Megami Tensei 3 Nocturne HD Remaster!
Here you are transported to a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, following the story of a Japanese high school student turned half-demon. A core element of the gameplay are the negotiations with enemy demons You can convince them to fight for you from now on. However, you don’t throw balls at them, but instead you have to bribe them or answer philosophical questions
The battles themselves finally take place in typical round-based JRPG battles in which you have to consider the various strengths and weaknesses of the opponents. Especially in the fights against stronger monsters, it is important to exploit their weaknesses.
11. bugsnax
(Release: 27. April 2022 – Platforms: PC (Windows, macOS), PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S – Price: 21 Euro (Steam) – Steam Deck Compatibility: Verified)
In Bugsnax you catch a total of 100 monster species mainly to eat them! The catching itself is the most important gameplay element. Because you don’t just throw a ball, you have to set up traps in the classic way.
Once caught, you can also take the Bugsnax into battle against larger enemies. Alternatively, you can give them to the various NPCs and see how they change depending on the snack! But the gameplay doesn’t stand alone. Because you still have to find out what happened to researcher Elizabert Megafig at the same time.
Once you’ve had your fill of hunting, it’s time for cosmetics! Not only can you decorate your own lair, but you can also put hats on the numerous snack animals!
12th Pokémon Reborn
(Release: April 2012 – Platforms: PC (Linux, MacOS, Windows) – Price: Free (Official Website)
Pokémon Reborn is a completely free Pokémon fan game developed in RPG Maker that combines Pokémon of all generations into one game, but also incorporates new ideas and features such as area effects. In addition, there is a fully functional online mode in which you can battle and swap.
Other than that, you can expect everything you’d expect from a Pokémon game Catch monsters, train them and finally let them compete against each other in battles. In addition, there are arena battles and a storyline of its own that will continue with regular updates
The world, however, is a completely separate one. So you won’t be wandering the same areas you know from the originals. The game also doesn’t shy away from getting a little dark.
13.Tuxemon
(Release: Sep 10, 2015 – Platforms: PC (Windows, Linux, macOS), Android – Price: Free (Official Website)
Tuxemon wants to become the big open-source Pokémon alternative, but is still in a very early development phase. The game principle and graphic design have been taken almost 1:1 from Pokémon, but an own world and the corresponding monsters have also been created.
Due to the currentpre-alpha status you cannot play it very far yet. This makes it most suitable for enthusiasts who want to follow the development of the project in the future, or possibly work on it themselves. However, as you can see from the release date, the development of such unpaid projects can be a bit slow.
At the moment, only the first city and a handful of battles have been integrated. Accordingly, you can get to know the premise of the story, as well as test the turn-based combat system A great journey through the world, on the other hand, is still waiting.
