Although I am excited aboutPokémon Legends: Z-A, I recently learned about a newPokémon-inspired game coming to the Switch that I am even more hyped for. Usually, I don’t take a lot of interest inPokémonimitators, as they rarely hold any unique appeal that would sell me on them over an official title. Even something buzzy likePalworldnever really caught my attention, because it seemed to rely more on the grabby gimmick of Pokémon with guns than delivering an engaging gameplay experience.
I had basically started to assume that nobody would do a Pokémon-like as good or better than the original, but that changed when I learned about an upcoming indie game funded on Kickstarter, and I’m not the only one.Monsterpatchis an upcoming game whose Kickstarter has already pulled in over four times as much asHollow Knight: Silksong’s campaign, and still has nine days to go. Looking at the game, it’s easy to see why there’s so much excitement around it, andI am honestly more excited to try it out than I am forPokémon Legends: Z-A.
Monsterpatch Is A Love Letter To Classic Pokémon
Monsterpatch Looks And Sounds Like Old Pokémon Games, But With Some Big Twists
Monsterpatchis a monster-collecting RPG likePokémonwith some cozy game elementslike farming and customizing your hometown. A quick glance at the game’sKickstarterpage shows that the Pokémon inspiration extends beyond just the game’s monster-collecting mechanics, and to the game’s aesthetics. AlthoughMonsterpatchis visually distinct enough from oldPokémongames that it has its own identity, it clearly emulates the style of games likePokémon RedandBlue.
The game allows you to customize your character, and from the preview materialMonsterpatchhas shown off so far,your character can look similar toPokémonprotagonists like Red or Brendan. The game also has two “versions,” similar toPokémongames, but done in a way I much prefer. Instead of having to purchase two copies of the game, you will decide which version you want to play when starting a save file. Each version promises a different story, giving you more of a reason to play both than just collecting version-specific Pokémon.
While it’s clear from these aspects ofMonsterpatch - and from snippets of its soundtrack in the preview - that the game is paying homage to oldPokémongames, it is also distinct in some meaningful ways. Aside from how versions work,there are also some interesting mechanical changes that not only differentiateMonsterpatchfromPokémon, but also add new appeal to the game. One major innovation is howMonsterpatchhandles combat.
Monsterpatch’s Gameplay Changes Pokémon’s Combat In A Unique Way
Monsterpatch Battles Involve Your Entire Team
One aspect ofMonsterpatchthat immediately caught my eye was its battle mechanics. UnlikePokémon, where you typically battle with one Pokémon at a time (sometimes two),Monsterpatchhas you battle with your entire team at once. This is more similar to the style of combat seen in JRPGs like theFinal Fantasyseries orDragon Quest. This creates an entirely new strategy, not only to how you engage in battle, but how you build your team.
At one point in the trailer forMonsterpatch, we see a MoN (the game’s name for its collectible monsters) using a move called “Leaf Beam,” which hits all the opponents' MoNs. You’ll have to be careful about running multiple MoNs with the same weaknesses, lest multiple of them are wiped out by one attack.It also opens up the opportunity for more synergy between your MoNs, like one could spec heavily into debuffing the enemy, knowing you can use another MoN to do damage at the same time.
Now, it would be unfair to say thatPokémon Legends: Z-Aisn’t alsoinnovating onPokémon’s classic combat, and I am still excited to try out the new fast-paced style of Pokémon battles it’s introducing. However, as a big fan of turn-based combat,I find myself more interested inMonsterpatch’s style of battling. It will still make battles quicker, since all MoNs are fighting at once, but it will still let me stop and think about what move I should make next without being punished for it.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Doesn’t Have The Same Nostalgic Appeal
Monsterpatch Appeals To Fans Of Old-School Games
I would be lying if I said my nostalgia forPokémon RedandBluedidn’t play a big role in my excitement forMonsterpatch. Pixel art games with lo-fi music remind me of the type of games I first started playing, and like any child of the ’90s and early ’00s, earlyPokémongames were some of my favorites. The fact thatMonsterpatchis coming to the Switch is an extra bonus, since I’ll be able to play it on a handheld, just like I did with my firstPokémongames.
WhilePokémon Legends: Z-Acan also be played handheld, I’m guessing I’d prefer to play it on my TV given its style of combat. And, although I have a lot of love for the Pokémon included inPokémon Legends: Z-A,getting a game with an entirely fresh batch of collectible monsters will really tap into the feeling of exploringPokémonfor the first time.Monsterpatchalso has an additional nostalgia trick up its sleeve.
By including cozy game elements like farming,Monsterpatchisn’t just appealing to my nostalgia forPokémonbut also my fondness forHarvest MoonandStardew Valley. WhileStardew Valleyhas basically monopolized my interest in farming sims at this point, a game likeMonsterpatchwhere farming isn’t the main focus, but includes it as a side activity does sound very appealing to me. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, but when it comes to my tastes,Monsterpatchticks more boxes thanPokémon Legends: Z-A.
That isn’t to say I’m not looking forward toPokémon Legends: Z-A.I expect to play and enjoy both games, but if I had a choice as to which I could play right now, it would beMonsterpatch. It’s worth noting that, like with any Kickstarter project,Monsterpatchdoesn’t have the same support as an officialPokémongame does when it comes to meeting deadlines or addressing issues with the game. Though I will stay optimistic about its chances until given a reason to think otherwise, I can’t make any guarantees thatMonsterpatchwill be as awesome as it looks.
