The Nintendo behemoth of a franchise,Pokemon, has inspired legions of fans across the globe who delight in catching and taming creatures both fearsome and adorable while battling otherPokemontrainers, especially with the recent release ofPokemon Scarlet and Violet. To the dismay of many PC-only fans,Pokemonhas long since been exclusive to Nintendo.
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Luckily, many indie developers have worked toproduce Pokemon-inspired games for fans to enjoyon PC. Thanks to Steam, there are many hidden indie gems that deserve more recognition. These are some of themost underratedyet entertainingcreature-collecting games on Steam. To meet the criteria, they are all rated positively and have less than 5,000 user reviews.
7A Building Full Of Cats
Players can live out their fantasy lives of being crazy cat owners inA Building Full Of Cats! It’s aninnovative and entertaining hidden object gamewhere players must find and snuggle every cat in the apartment complex to complete the game.
Seems simple? Wrong, there are even secret cats! Some fiendishly stealthy cats can hide in plain sight or inside drawers. Players can click every environmental object to see if a cat is hiding inside. Though not a traditional creature collecting game likePokemon,A Building Full Of Catsis still ashort and sweet puzzle gamewith an important message for pet owners: “Adopt, don’t shop.”
6Pupperazzi
Enjoy a world entirely populated by dogs inPupperazzi!In thisrelaxing first-person photography simulator, players get to snap pictures of all different breeds of dogs, from pugs to terriers, and post them to their social media to gain a following. After all, who doesn’t love dog pictures?
There are hours of fun to be had withPupperazzias each dog is brimming with individuality and can wear all sorts of quirky outfits. Living in this beautifully unique world, these pups can be captured in hilarious situations, like riding bicycles or enjoying a drink in a café. Hound these dog celebrities for collectible photos on the way to online stardom!
5Nexomon
Nexomonis a 2D RPG reminiscent of the old-schoolPokémongames. Although less polished, itgives long-timePokemonplayers a nostalgia tripdown memory lane. There are over 300 Nexomon to catch and collect and seven unique starters so players can begin their journey!
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Nexomonis the perfect monster-catching game for those that want to experience the delight of a Pokemon-inspired game from their desktop computer for a low price tag. For those that want more thrill and adventure, there is a sequel titledNexomon: Extinction.
4Penko Park
Full of delightful and whimsical character designs,Penko Parkis a first-person creature-collecting photography gameperfect for children. The player can explore an abandoned wildlife park armed with their trusty camera.
Inspired by games likePokemon Snapwith a spooky twist, there are plenty of ghostly creatures to snap pictures of. Some are harder to spot than others, but that adds to Penko Park’s challenge. There are slight puzzle elements as some creatures have prerequisites before they can appear.
3Bugsnax
Bugsnaxis a bright and colorful exploration game filled with mysteries and adorable creatures to capture. Players take on the role of an investigative journalist as they try tounravel the mysteries behind Snaktook Island. There are over 100 species ofBugsnaxto find, each resembling a delicious treat, like a burger beetle!
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As players journey and explore Snaktook Island, they will discover a variety of traps and baits to ensnare the Bugsnax with, experimenting with different ways to catch the critters. In this universe, these creatures aren’t the players' friends but are, instead, their food!
2Coromon
An expansive world of adventure awaits inCoromon! Players take control of a freshly graduated Lux Scrolls Battle Researcher in the land of Velua. Their research facility is attacked, and the player must tame a squad of their own Coromon to track these invaders and take them out.
In the idyllic world ofCoromonwith charming 2D pixel art, playersget to explore and tame over 100 species of Coromon,characterized by their elements and other traits. Through turn-based combat and tactical planning, each action in battle costs stamina, so players need to plot their strategy carefully.
1Monster Sanctuary
Monster Sanctuaryis a joyful experience where the worlds of the monster-catching andMetroidvania genres collide in this delightful creation. Joined by a legendary spectral spirit, players embark on a journey across the Sanctuary with over 100 creatures to capture, each with different abilities and a skill tree to master.
With adorable pixel art, enchanting character designs, and RPG elements, players can use their familiars to traverse the expansive lands and tackle environmental puzzles along the way.Monster Sanctuary’s fascinating combat mechanics, team synergies, and combinations pack a punch. It is sure to keep Pokémon fans entertained for hours!
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