I'm currently trying to see which users here are interested in Monster Tamer Games (a subgenre of RPG games). Here are 3 questions that I am asking.
Do you enjoy playing monster tamer games?
Are you currently developing a monster tamer game?
Do you have any itch game recommendations that would fall in this category?
Have you heard of Cassette Beasts? It's a pretty cool game that is initially perceived as a Pokémon clone, but it does so much more to make itself unique and infinitely more fun. Lots of great reviews too: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1321440/Cassette_Beasts/
I wish there was something as good on itch... There might be and we just haven't found it yet. Sometimes I feel like my game will be seen as a Pokémon clone even though it plays literally nothing like it
Do you enjoy playing monster tamer games?
Not really, especially with randomness in taming/capturing monster. I played Pokemon only to understand what's so fun about the game.
Are you currently developing a monster tamer game?
No. It's too complex to make one.
Do you have any itch game recommendations that would fall in this category?
Just this one: JJ's Ubermon Journey.
Evowok Breeder is my favourite one and is available on itch.
I think some of its main characterstics compared to original Pokemon games include open events and quests, harder than average difficulty, a stat/skill system for the character (not only for the monsters), localized damage and wounds.
Skills of the monsters all come with % to hit, a same monster can come with different skills already learnt and the % to hit can vary a lot between two monsters when you find them. You gain experience points you're free to spend how you want. In case you like hunting, looking for the perfect monster, you'll certainly enjoy that aspect. If you don't it's fun anyway to sometimes get very weak ones and sometimes very strong ones.
The rock-paper-scissor does not work exactly the same, for example when a monster carries a shell then you don't want to directly physically attack them or you'll get hurt, that's where magic-kind attacks will prove useful. Managing to catch a new monster is extremely useful because having it identified will make you much more stronger against the same type. Fights use asynchronous turns, you get actions depending on your speed (like in a Final Fantasy ATB system). I would not say fight themselves are specially tactical but the preparation and choosing the right monsters is. Besides the status changes are interesting, you can poison the claw of one of your monsters before a fight, which is strong, and being burnt is always a headache, you takes twice the last damage each turn and can choose to lose a turn to reduce it to the previous damage.
The game uses a single auto-save and all you do is saved, and I think the game is very much structured around that aspect. Your monsters can definitely die, although it will not or very rarely happen if you're careful. Technically your character can die, but it's linked to events rather than monster battles, and you can unlock extra lives. It's a huge game, it states 17 years of development, I've spent 200 hours on my playthrough and some extra content was added since then. All you need to open the world is money to buy maps and there's a Renown system which is important to everything you do, you gain it by defeating champion trainers, which mostly due to the % to hit are much stronger than regular trainers. Higher renown allows higher antes during matches against regular trainers, which is very important, you're always craving for money, and will mean people around the world will be more willing to give you a quest. There are some funny free-for-all fights involving more than 2 teams (you get to use 1 or 2 monsters during a match).
Dungeons are not the high point of this game, the interaction with environment of original Pokemon games is not here, only the monster management and fights are. Narrative is, let's say, weird, it can be extremely grimdark sometimes but with plenty of absurd or stupid humour thrown into the mix too.
Overall I love the game.
