I love creature collecting games. Ironically I love pretty much all the ones that *aren't* Pokémon, and you'd be surprised how many there are that aren't Pokémon when you look a little deeper. Some of my faves: - Shin Megami Tensei - Dragon Quest Monsters - Dragon Quest V - Cassette Beasts - World of Final Fantasy - Monster Hunter Stories 2 - Siralim Ultimate - Spectrobes[^1] - Monster Sanctuary I was building this little list out and thinking about what I like about each game, and barring an exception to the rule, it comes down to two important aspects. ## Collection They're called Creature Collectors for a reason! I grew up on a lot of 3D Platformers, which are the king of collecting things - stars, puzzle pieces, suns, vaults, etc. It's one of the few instances where I actually like [[Thoughts on Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth#4 Years for a Checklist|checking things off of a list]], because the collecting is the point. So too is it the same with regards to games like *Pokémon* and *Dragon Quest Monsters* - catching them all appeals to my brand of brain worms. When a Creature Collecting game is paced right, there's always a new critter around the corner to try and snag. Some are rarer than others, which builds that sense of anticipation. Slowly building out your stable of little guys is always delightful. In fact, I think I finished *Legends of Arceus* because it's a *Pokémon* game that put a lot more emphases on the catching part of the series, and made it super quick and seamless. ## Expression This is probably the biggest reason Creature Collectors are so fun to me. I love that I get to look at my vast menagerie of weirdos and choosing the ones that I like the most aesthetically so that I can carry them to victory. It's like picking a fighting game main six times over. I love doing themed *Pokémon* runs for example, like an all Eeveelutions team. In *Shin Megami Tensei* games I love fusing together the perfect magic skillset and giving it to this [[Mothman|silly little guy]]. I am the world's number one Pukei-Pukei fanboy, and *Monster Hunter Stories 2* let me show that off by keeping one from the beginning to the end of my adventure[^2]. It's a method of personal expression every time I pick up a new Creature Collector, and it's always fun. Finding some new little guys and getting attached to them is super appealing. ## The Exception That would be *Monster Sanctuary*. It's a fantastic game, but it is sort of the antithesis of what makes monster collecting RPGs fun, in my opinion. It's so hyper-focused on team-building and combo synergy and what-not that you're focused on developing a strategy to body the game's demonically good AI. That's a valid way to approach a game, but I always found it interesting how it doesn't seem very interested in that "hang with your friends" appeal that comes with Creature Collectors. It's a great exercise in mechanical depth, but I'd actually recommend it on Easy mode if you wanna make a silly team of little guys. --- That's all, just some quick thoughts I had stirring in my head. Any Creature Collector you're into? Who's your favorite little guy(s)? Hmu and let me know! [^1]: If you remember this game, how are your 30s going?? [^2]: his name was Dorito and he was perfect!!