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 other Pokemon trainers, especially with the recent release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. To the dismay of many PC-only fans, Pokemon has long since been exclusive to Nintendo.
Luckily, many indie developers have worked to produce Pokemon-inspired games for fans to enjoy on PC. Thanks to Steam, there are many hidden indie gems that deserve more recognition. These are some of the most underrated yet entertaining creature-collecting games on Steam. To meet the criteria, they are all rated positively and have less than 5,000 user reviews.
7 A Building Full Of Cats
- Platforms: PC and Nintendo Switch.
Players can live out their fantasy lives of being crazy cat owners in A Building Full Of Cats! It's an innovative and entertaining hidden object game where 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 like Pokemon, A Building Full Of Cats is still a short and sweet puzzle game with an important message for pet owners: "Adopt, don't shop."
6 Pupperazzi
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
Enjoy a world entirely populated by dogs in Pupperazzi! In this relaxing 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 with Pupperazzi as 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!
5 Nexomon
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Nexomon is a 2D RPG reminiscent of the old-school Pokémon games. Although less polished, it gives long-time Pokemon players a nostalgia trip down memory lane. There are over 300 Nexomon to catch and collect and seven unique starters so players can begin their journey!
Nexomon is 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 titled Nexomon: Extinction.
4 Penko Park
- Platforms: PC and Nintendo Switch.
Full of delightful and whimsical character designs, Penko Park is a first-person creature-collecting photography game perfect for children. The player can explore an abandoned wildlife park armed with their trusty camera.
Inspired by games like Pokemon Snap with 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.
3 Bugsnax
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Bugsnax is 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 to unravel the mysteries behind Snaktook Island. There are over 100 species of Bugsnax to find, each resembling a delicious treat, like a burger beetle!
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!
2 Coromon
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android devices.
An expansive world of adventure awaits in Coromon! 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 of Coromon with charming 2D pixel art, players get 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.
1 Monster Sanctuary
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Monster Sanctuary is a joyful experience where the worlds of the monster-catching and Metroidvania 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!