Gotta Catch'em all, those monster collection games.
2025 backlog challenge: week #3
Let’s try having just one theme this week, and playing all the unplayed games I have within that genre. Since I’ve been so invested in Palworld lately, since playing it two weeks ago, I figured I might be in the mood to play some other creature collecting monster battling games.
Game #1: Monster Crown
It’s hard not to think of Pokémon when you see Monster Crown.
I don’t like to use the word “knock-off” as much as I prefer calling games like this homages inspired by the classics we all know and love.
I wanted to give this game a fair chance but unfortunately, it gets a little too authentic in recreating the nostalgic clunky aspects of retro gaming. The game struggles with optimisation from the start - getting stuck on a 90% loading screen for a good minute multiple times was frustrating. Trying to enter my name was inexplicably difficult, with the A button submitting an incomplete entry and no option to go back or fix it. Having copy-pasted my name from somewhere else, I got stuck on the following gender selection screen. Could select but not enter in any way.
After restarting and being hit with the 90% loading bar a few more times, things weren’t looking good and I called it quits. Between the clunky interface and game-breaking bugs, I wasn’t able to get into the actual gameplay at all.
👎 This isn’t it, chief. The promise of nostalgic monster-taming is overshadowed by technical issues that make the game unplayable. A disappointing experience.
Game #2: Cassette Beasts
Holy nostalgia Batman!
Right from the start, Cassette Beasts touches on all the nostalgia: cosy music, old-school graphics, a whole UI based around cassette tapes, and that good feeling you had when you played Pokémon for the first time. The game seems to be aiming for that retro-modern vibe, and it’s nailing it at every turn.
The art style is striking too - 2D sprites beautifully integrated into a 3D world. I didn’t think I’d be a fan of the 2.5D style at first, but it grew on my super, super quickly. It feels both familiar and fresh, blending the pixel art aesthetic with the depth of 3D environments. The result is a world that looks alive while still evoking the charm of classic retro games.
And here’s the twist: in this game, you don’t just collect monsters - you ARE the monster. Or more specifically, you record wild beasts’ forms onto blank cassettes, instantly triggering that warm, fuzzy memory of taping songs off the radio back in the day. Then, when you pop them into your walkman, you turn into them. It’s such a creative spin on the monster-collecting formula and feels like a fresh take on the genre. And if that wasn’t a big enough trip down memory lane, the moves your monsters have are determined by stickers that you can stick onto or peel off your cassettes. It’s such a tactile, satisfying mechanic that ties the game’s theme together beautifully.
It really blows me away is how fantastic this game is overall. I can’t believe I haven’t tried it before! The storytelling is a perfect blend of informative, funny, and downright mind-blowing. I am defintely revisiting this one, I need to know more and collect more of these adorkable cassette tapes.
👍 If you enjoy monster-collecting games with a clever twist, charming visuals, and brilliant storytelling, I highly recommend giving Cassette Beasts a try!
Game #3: Weyrdlets: Idle Desktop Pets
Weyrdlets isn’t a monster collection game in the strict sense of the word. I completely misinterpreted the description / tags, and was pleasantly surprised by what it turned out to be instead.
It’s a virtual pet. That’s it. But in a very cute and clever way.
You get to feed your pet, pet it, play with it, scoop up its poop, buy little toys and decorations for it, hang out in the playground, digs up treasure for you, goes fishing, and…
Wait. First things first. Does anyone remember Bonzi Buddy?
Let’s just forget for a second that this little purple monkey was chock full of malware and focus on the essence of it: a desktop companion that told you jokes, did little somersaults to entertain you, and, well, wasn’t much more than a visual upgrade from Clippy, but still a lot of fun nonetheless.
Weyrdlets has a desktop mode that does what Bonzi Buddy does, but safely!
You take your Weyrdlet pet, take it to your desktop, let it roam free or tell it to stay in one place, and then it goes along with you on your exciting and not so exciting daily adventures.
Included in this game are a couple productivity tools that are a nice extra: a to do list, a note keeping tool, something to track your time… I daresay my fellow ADHDer might enjoy this, too!
There isn’t much more to say about Weyrdlets, to be honest - but that’s fine. It’s not really a game, there isn’t any storyline, it’s just a cute and adorable virtual pet and desktop companion, with productivity tools included, and thats fantastic.
👍 Definitely recommend it for what it is: a cute little widget to keep you company.
Game #4: Nexomon
Nexomon is, unapologetically, a Pokémon clone. It wears its inspiration on its sleeve, from the concept of taming creatures (here called Nexomon) to capturing them with Pokéball-esque Nexotraps. However, while the game doesn't strive to be innovative, it struggles to stand out as something truly enjoyable in its own right.
The Nexomon designs are the game's saving grace. Some are genuinely cute, and a few designs even managed to get a chuckle out of me. Berawn, in particular, deserves a shoutout—not just for its design but for its expression, which feels like it’s equally bored with the game's repetitive pacing.
Unfortunately, the gameplay itself felt like a chore. Progression involves moving from screen to screen, occasionally engaging with uninteresting dialogue or stumbling into events that have no real interaction or stakes, like a house on fire that you can't help with. Movement is clunky and not particularly keyboard-friendly, and there’s noticeable loading every few steps, which grates over time.
One standout feature, though, is the casual inclusivity of Ellie, one of the first characters you meet. She’s in a wheelchair, and the game doesn’t treat it as a plot point or a spectacle—it’s simply part of who she is. That level of natural representation deserves a nod.
Overall, Nexomon is fine if you’re craving a Pokémon experience and don’t have access to the real thing. But it lacks the charm, polish, and excitement to make it a worthwhile alternative. II don't necessarily want to not recommend this, but I can't in good faith recommend it, either. It’s just… meh.
👎 I think it could scratch that Pokémon itch if you didn't have the real thing at your disposal. It's "Pokémon at home". I would give it a neutral "meh" score if Steam had that option.
Game #5: Coromon
Coromon immediately sets itself apart with its approach to tutorials. Instead of bogging you down with excessive explanations, the game tosses you into a dream sequence where you fight a level 40ish battle. It’s an intuitive and refreshing introduction that provides a glimpse of the game’s higher-level content without overwhelming new players.
The game offers a wealth of character customisation options, allowing you to truly personalise your protagonist. Sprint is unlocked by default, without needing the equivalent of running shoes. These two things always make me happy when starting a new game!
Coromon clearly takes inspiration from Pokémon but doesn’t settle for being a clone. It breaks away from the familiar formula in meaningful ways. For instance, instead of the usual coming-of-age journey, your character becomes an assistant to a researcher, bringing a more grounded and purpose-driven narrative to the table. The RPG elements are noticeably emphasised, such as taking the train to meet the professor rather than starting in a quaint, four-house hometown. It feels more fleshed out and immersive, which is a refreshing change for the genre.
While Coromon feels like a game that shines when you’re in the mood for a robust, RPG-driven monster-battling adventure, it’s also one that requires the right mindset to truly enjoy. That said, its thoughtful design and clear effort to step beyond being "just another Pokémon-like" make it worth recommending for fans of the genre.
👍 Coromon carves out its own niche in the monster-battling world, offering a refreshing and engaging experience that rewards players looking for something familiar yet distinct. Recommended for everyone in the mood for Pokémon-but-not-Pokémon type game.
This week, I dove into a one-theme challenge, focusing on creature-collecting and monster-battling games, which felt like a natural follow-up to my recent Palworld obsession. It was a fun journey, exploring different takes on the genre—from clever and innovative twists like Cassette Beasts and Coromon to a few less exciting entries. While Monster Crown earned the unfortunate distinction of being one of the rare “not recommend” reviews in this backlog challenge, it’s all part of the process. I’m excited to see where the next theme takes me!
All three awards this week go to Cassette Beasts! It’s rare for one game to dominate, but this gem stood out in every category.
I am eager to really lose myself in it later on, it definitely deserves 🔥 Most Addictive 🔥.
I was considering Coromon for 🌍 Most Immersive 🌍 but eventually decided against it because it felt very slow in the uptake, whereas the nostalgic vibe and storyline mystery of Cassette Beasts had me from the first second.
And it most definitely takes hom ⚙️ Best Mechanics ⚙️, wow!
Turning into monsters recorded on blank cassettes is genius. Layer on the ability to customise moves with stickers, and you’ve got an incredibly tactile, satisfying system that’s as creative as it is fun. It’s a mechanic that ties the whole nostalgic theme together perfectly.
If you haven’t played Cassette Beasts yet, I can’t recommend it enough!
Want to tackle your backlog as well? Or just want to chat about mine?
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Not sure yet and want to see how I keep it up first? That’s fair, too.