The recent buzz around Palworld has highlighted a definite desire for more creature-catching and collecting titles in the gaming world.
Being able to catch and train creatures in games is always good fun - it’s partly why classes like Hunters and Beast Masters are so popular in MMORPGs, after all - but it can be hard to find titles like this in the MMO world. Creature-based classes are quite common, but there aren’t always dedicated Pokémon-style mechanics to explore within the games themselves.
There are some MMO games that offer Pokémon-esque experiences out there right now, each with their own spin on creature collecting and battling. We’ve picked out a handful of solid options for your perusal, including mostly titles that veer towards the RPG side of things.
It’s important to note that some of these titles are unofficial fan games. Make sure to read into these further if you’re concerned about any issues associated with playing fan titles and the download process that typically goes along with them.
PokéOne
PokéOne is a fan-made Pokémon MMORPG that aims to replicate the experience of being a Pokémon Trainer as closely as possible. It’s one of the most popular Pokémon fan games out there at the time of writing and has a lively community.
PokéOne lets you catch and level Pokémon, take part in Gyms and PVP battles, complete daily quests and Bounties, and explore the wider world. There are 3 regions in the game at the time of writing and over 700 Pokémon that can be caught, too. There’s a lot of content to play through and an active Discord where you can meet other players.
If you want a gaming experience that lets you live out an actual Trainer experience, PokéOne is one of the best options out there. The content that it offers has a good mix between competitive and casual elements, and the overall aesthetic is lovely as well. It can be grindy in places, but with the right companions, it’s a fun experience.
World of Warcraft
Out of all the current MMORPGs on the market, World of Warcraft offers the most detailed Pokemon-style content for players. The Battle Pet system is somewhat divisive in the community - with some players loving it and others hating it - but it’s the closest thing to a Pokemon experience that still feels unique and engaging.
Battle Pets are small, cosmetic creatures that can be picked up from a variety of different sources like raids, dungeons, achievements, and vendors. They can also be found out in the world, with some unique Safari achievements that can be picked up by catching every single Battle Pet in a specific location.
Some Battle Pets are exceptionally rare and hard to get hold of. They may be obtained from seasonal events or even in-person events, or they may require you to grind out a large amount of a specific in-game currency. The example shown above is an exclusive Battle Pet that was associated with a charity drive.
Once you’ve caught Battle Pets, they can be leveled from 1 to 25 and enhanced in terms of rarity/quality, too. You can battle against other players in a competitive environment and take place in a wide variety of quests, daily quests, and tournaments.
It’s possible to make some serious in-game gold by farming rare Battle Pets, caging them, and selling them on the Auction House. This does depend on your server and if there are any current trends with competitive play, of course, but it’s a viable gold-making method if you find a farming spot that you don’t mind grinding.
If you’re a fan of creature-collecting and completionist content then it’s worth having a look at the Battle Pet system in World of Warcraft. It’s a very niche area of the game but there’s a bustling community, with exceptional sites like Warcraft Pets to help track your collection. Some folk even like to match their class pets and transmogs to their Battle Pets.
Temtem
Temtem is a creature-catching RPG with solid turn-based mechanics and a charming art style. In this game, you play as a Temtem Tamer and explore the world around you, catching and customizing Temtems, battling other Tamers, and teaming up with friends.
It’s a visually striking game with some truly adorable creature designs. If the creature-catching aspect of Pokemon is the most important element for you, you’re sure to fall in love with this game. The combat in Temtem is a lot of fun, too, offering an almost extended version of standard Pokemon-esque mechanics.
There are both PVP and PVE battles to take part in, alongside a story campaign and plenty of exploration content, too. It is important to note that the end-game content in Temtem can be divisive, as it is somewhat grindy and repetitive in places, but this shouldn’t present much of an issue for classic Pokemon fans.
Rappelz
Rappelz is an older MMORPG that has a small but dedicated following. It’s a solid option for folk who enjoy pet-based content with Pokemon-ish themes, alongside classic fantasy RPG tropes and dungeon siege content.
The pet content in Rappelz isn’t as similar to Pokemon as, say, the Battle Pet system in World of Warcraft, but it does offer something unique that creature-collecting fans are sure to enjoy.
Pets are obtained with pet cards and have multiple evolutions, and they fall into a wide variety of categories like gnoll, wolf, and abomination. There are various rarity levels, too, making it an enjoyable task for players who like to 100% their collections and fill out tabs. The sheer variety of pets is impressive and some of the designs are truly unique.
Rappelz isn’t the most polished game out there and it does suffer from some performance issues in places, but it’s a unique pick for Pokemon fans who want to try something new. There’s a huge class system and the dungeon siege mechanic is enjoyable. If you’re an experienced MMORPG fan, you may enjoy this title a lot.
It’s important to note that the Steam download page for Rappelz appears to only offer the Russian version of the game at the time of writing. You’ll need to head to the main website if you’re looking to get your hands on an English version of the game and client.
PokeMMO
Following the theme of the previously mentioned PokeOne, PokeMMO is a fan-made Pokemon MMORPG that boasts 5 different regions, an active community, and a whole host of content to keep Pocket Monster fans occupied.
One of the best things about PokeMMO is the wide variety of content styles that it offers. There are multiple kinds of competitive PVP formats - along with heaps of Pokemon to catch and train, 8 gyms per region, and further end game content like Elite Four and Champion fights. There’s a lot to play through and enjoy with this game.
The community for PokeMMO is very competitive. As you’ll see from the official Subreddit, there is a lot of talk about team-building, strategies, and theorycrafting. If you’re a fan of competitive formats like Nuzlockes in traditional Pokemon games and want something with the same level of challenge, PokeMMO may be the best option for you in this list.
Final Thoughts
All in all, there is certainly still a gap in the market for more Pokemon-style MMORPG experiences. Palworld’s success in the last few months alone has shown how many people crave a creature-catching game, and the continued popularity of Pokémon (despite flaws with modern titles) shows that this trend will likely continue.
It’ll be interesting to see where creature-catching and trading go in future MMO titles - if they go anywhere at all. Could we see a cybergoth title where you build your creatures from pieces of scrap metal and wires? A creepy, horror-themed MMO where you can catch and evolve different kinds of spirits? A fantasy-themed title where the monsters come from storybooks?
There are plenty of possible avenues to go down that aren’t direct Pokémon rips, as proven by the success of single-player games with creature-catching and collecting elements. A truly unique MMORPG with monster-catching mechanics and a solid progression system would be sure to pick up a dedicated community in no time at all.
