Although I am excited about Pokémon Legends: Z-A, I recently learned about a new Pokémon-inspired game coming to the Switch that I am even more hyped for. Usually, I don't take a lot of interest in Pokémon imitators, as they rarely hold any unique appeal that would sell me on them over an official title. Even something buzzy like Palworld never 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 indie game funded on Kickstarter, and I'm not the only one. Monsterpatch is an game whose Kickstarter has already pulled in over four times as much as Hollow 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, and I am honestly more excited to try it out than I am for Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Monsterpatch Is A Love Letter To Classic Pokémon

Monsterpatch Looks And Sounds Like Old Pokémon Games, But With Some Big Twists

Monsterpatch is a monster-collecting RPG like Pokémon with some cozy game elements like farming and customizing your hometown. A quick glance at the game's Kickstarter page shows that the Pokémon inspiration extends beyond just the game's monster-collecting mechanics, and to the game's aesthetics. Although Monsterpatch is visually distinct enough from old Pokémon games that it has its own identity, it clearly emulates the style of games like Pokémon Red and Blue.

The game allows you to customize your character, and from the preview material Monsterpatch has shown off so far, your character can look similar to Pokémon protagonists like Red or Brendan. The game also has two "versions," similar to Pokémon games, 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 of Monsterpatch - and from snippets of its soundtrack in the preview - that the game is paying homage to old Pokémon games, it is also distinct in some meaningful ways. Aside from how versions work, there are also some interesting mechanical changes that not only differentiate Monsterpatch from Pokémon, but also add new appeal to the game. One major innovation is how Monsterpatch handles combat.

Monsterpatch's Gameplay Changes Pokémon's Combat In A Unique Way

Monsterpatch Battles Involve Your Entire Team

One aspect of Monsterpatch that immediately caught my eye was its battle mechanics. Unlike Pokémon, where you typically battle with one Pokémon at a time (sometimes two), Monsterpatch has you battle with your entire team at once. This is more similar to the style of combat seen in JRPGs like the Final Fantasy series or Dragon 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 for Monsterpatch, 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 that Pokémon Legends: Z-A isn't also innovating on Pokémon'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 in Monsterpatch'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 for Pokémon Red and Blue didn't play a big role in my excitement for Monsterpatch. 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, early Pokémon games were some of my favorites. The fact that Monsterpatch is 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 first Pokémon games.

While Pokémon Legends: Z-A can 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 in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, getting a game with an entirely fresh batch of collectible monsters will really tap into the feeling of exploring Pokémon for the first time. Monsterpatch also has an additional nostalgia trick up its sleeve.

By including cozy game elements like farming, Monsterpatch isn't just appealing to my nostalgia for Pokémon but also my fondness for Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley. While Stardew Valley has basically monopolized my interest in farming sims at this point, a game like Monsterpatch where 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, Monsterpatch ticks more boxes than Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

That isn't to say I'm not looking forward to Pokémon 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 be Monsterpatch. It's worth noting that, like with any Kickstarter project, Monsterpatch doesn't have the same as an official Pokémon game 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 that Monsterpatch will be as awesome as it looks.

Source: Monsterpatch/Kickstarter