Pokémon Legends: Arceus was a fascinating new spin on the Pokémon series, trading out a linear journey across the world to do battle for an open world exploration more focused on capture and research. There’s a lot to love about the game from the rich story, to the vast region, or just the Pokémon we know and love.
Yet, with this being the only game like it in the series, where are fans supposed to go for more? Well, it may not be exactly the same, but these games should have some of the same appeals Arceus had, whether it be in creative creature catching, a wondrous open world, or simply a new spin on Pokémon.
10/10 Monster Hunter
Although a much more violent take on the concept, the Monster Hunter series has always had its similarities to Pokémon, now much more so with Arceus. Each game in this series sees you as a titular monster hunter, tracking down large beasts in order to collect rewards.
The similarities come in that you have to learn not only the creature’s behaviors but also your open-world environments to figure out the best way to catch and defeat each beast. Combine that with deeper strategy when it comes to gear and items, and you’ve got a fine game. Those who enjoyed taking care of research tasks, give this series a shot!
9/10 Omori
For those who love Pokémon as a simple break from more traditional RPGs, Omori could serve as a gateway into a wonderful world of emotion. While it lacks creature catching, Omori is quite easy to learn with all characters only having four special attacks just like Pokémon along with the game’s special emotion system acting as a mix between Pokémon typing and status effects which makes for dynamic ever-changing battles!
Beyond the fun and innovative combat, you’ll find yourself exploring a strange dream world to go on adventures and solve the mysteries in the real world. The game may be bright and cheery at first, but it hides an emotional story underneath. Give it a chance, and you won’t be disappointed.
8/10 Subnautica
In Subnautica, you find yourself crash-landed and forced to explore an underwater planet full of strange creatures. But unlike Pokémon, these creatures aren’t going to be your friends, instead, they’re massive nightmares ready to tear you apart. This game is far scarier than anything else on the list, so word of warning before you play.
While you can’t catch the creatures, Subnautica still builds a fascinating underwater ecosystem that fans of the Hisui region should fall in love with. The game will make you very intimate with the planet as you explore it to gather resources, create vehicles, and eventually make a new home. Whether you want to sightsee or create a vast ocean empire, Subnautica is a wonderful survival experience.
7/10 A Short Hike
For those who like to explore open worlds but find their pure size to be overwhelming, take some time to relax in the small open world of A Short Hike. Where most game worlds try to be as massive as possible, A Short Hike only lets you explore one island park as you try to reach the summit to get some cell phone data.
While the world is smaller than most bigger games, the game is not lacking in content as the island is jam-packed with secrets, people to talk to, things to collect, and so much more behind every corner. You’ll never find yourself running around without something to find here! If you enjoyed the feeling of exploring the Hisui region, give this a shot!
6/10 Bug Fables
If you want an RPG world full of adorable creatures and characters, Bug Fables is just the game for you! Bug Fables follows in the footsteps of the Paper Mario series and it serves as quite the spiritual successor. The game follows three bugs as they form an adventuring group only to find themselves at the center of a conflict for all of Bugaria!
The game’s combat is quite easy to understand but offers quite a bit of challenge and depth through bosses that require you to synergize your party and badges that offer more play styles. And not only that, the game offers a memorable cast of insects and plenty of witty writing that’s hard to not fall in love with! If you want a one-of-a-kind RPG, give Bug Fables a shot!
5/10 Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
If you want a different twist on the Pokémon world, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon is just that! This series sees you instead taking control of a Pokémon in a world devoid of humans. You’ll find yourself becoming a part of a team for various reasons and delve into the dungeons known as “Mystery Dungeons” to save Pokémon and do battle!
The game offers a unique spin on the RPG gameplay with the same turn-based combat, types, and moves. But the top-down battlefields with multiple opponents add a new element to spice up battles! Combine that with surprisingly beautiful and in-depth stories, and you have a fantastic series any Pokémon fan should try.
4/10 Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
When it comes to open-world experiences, Breath of the Wild is second to none. The reinvention of the Legend of Zelda has become a gold standard of the open world genre and one that Pokémon Legends took quite a bit of influence from.
If you enjoyed carving your own path through the Hisui region, Breath of the Wild offers that freedom and even more as you can truly go wherever you wish. And while it may have no Pokémon, the world has so many things to find and collect. If you were one to “catch ‘em all”, you’ll be happy to get lost in Breath of the Wild.
3/10 New Pokémon Snap
If you enjoyed the focus on Pokémon in their natural environment, New Pokémon Snap is that and even more! Rather than capturing the Pokémon themselves, Snap sees you capturing their likeness as you go through several nature trails trying to get the best photos and solve puzzles with your gear.
The game has plenty of Pokémon cuteness to enjoy and is absolutely gorgeous with the new graphics. Not to mention that the gameplay of photography has quite a bit of depth if you dive into it! This is a nice relaxing time any Pokémon fan should love.
2/10 Slime Rancher
Slime Rancher offers a new flavor of cute creatures that Pokémon fans are sure to love. Slime Rancher sees you settling down on a new planet inhabited entirely by strange bouncy slimes of all kinds. You’ll trek across the world to capture slimes and find new areas before returning home to your ranch to make the perfect enclosures to take care of them and harvest their plorts.
The game offers a lovely world to explore that is beautiful in its colorful art style, not to mention how creative and adorable the slimes themselves are. The art of ranching your slimes is surprisingly fun as well as you have to account for all their quirks such as flight, spikes, or literally exploding! If you want a new cute take on a farming game, give this game a shot! Or maybe the sequel?
1/10 Bugsnax
While Pokémon is the original creature-catching game, Bugsnax may have perfected that aspect! Bugsnax sees you brought to the isle of Snaktooth, an island inhabited by Bugsnax, creatures that are half bug, half snack! You’ll find yourself in search of the explorer who came before you and trying to bring people back to town by catching Bugsnax!
The creature catching here is more complex than Pokémon, as you can’t just toss a ball at all of them, instead you have a toolkit of traps, launchpads, and lures to use. You’ll have to learn each Bugsnax’s behaviors and quirks and make a plan to catch them, offering up unique puzzles for each one! Combine that with a surprisingly lovable cast and interesting mystery, and you have a game that manages to rival Pokémon in its own game!
