Introducing Monster Breeders

tl;dr - Monster Breeders are RPGs where the main character raises at least one creature as a main part of the game. There’s a partial list below.

What is the Monster Breeder Blog?

Well, one of my favorite kinds of video games to play is the “Monster Breeder RPG.” These are games that, as a core concept, allow the player to raise a team of creatures, usually which grow over time, in order to do battle or perform in some way.

Many people have played one of the most popular (and one of the first) games in this subgenre, Pokémon (or Pocket Monsters), at least at one point in their lives. This is the kind of game I am talking about here: Creatures that grow and learn as the game goes on.

Unfortunately (and fortunately, for Game Freak), while there is a whole world of games in this very often overlooked genre, most of them forever live in the shadow of Pokémon, being regarded as “Clones,” “Ripoffs,” or “Ghetto Pokémon.”

As this is one of my favorite genres of games (and as I am always looking for new ways to interact with a relatively small and overlooked genre) I have decided to start a blog about them. This is that Blog.

What are some examples of Monster Breeder Games?

Here is a (very partial, off-the-top-of-my-head) list of some of the more memorable games which will fall into this site’s purview:

• Pokémon - Pocket Monsters, the game that all other Monster Breeders are compared to. Created by Satoshi Tajiri and Game Freak, published by Nintendo (and if You haven’t heard of Pokémon, I don’t know how You found Your way here…).

• Digimon - Digital Monsters, the (as I recall) second most popular Monster Breeding Franchise from the early days. Created by “Akiyoshi Hongo,” Wiz Inc., Bandai, and Toei Animation.

• Monster Rancher - Monster Farm, a series of games for Playstation where You could generate monsters by inserting different discs into the system. Created by Tecmo Koei.

• Jade Cocoon - The Legend of Tamamayu, just about my favorite console game of all time. Definitely in my top 5. Had one sequel, both playstation exclusives. Created by Genki and Katsuya KondН.

• Magic Pengel - The Quest for Color, A very much overlooked game for the ps2. Has one oddly named sequel. Created by Garakuda Studio and Taito Corporation, published in the US by Agetec.

What exactly do You plan on talking about on this Blog?

First off, I want to give each and every game I own in this genre a good-faith review. There is not enough of a murmur about some of these games on the net, so I would like to add my mumbling to the mix.

Secondly, I want to talk about news concerning both the genre and the series themselves, as well as anything else that may well impact it. (I am crossing my fingers indefinitely for a Jade Cocoon Movie or Anime).

Thirdly, I want to Overthink and Overanalyse as many parts of these games as I can. Part of the culture of these games is their immersive universes, which allow for a degree of subtlety only rivaled by other RPGs, and even then not all of them. I want to consider and talk about the little things.

Fourthly, I want to compare and contrast the gaming mechanics of each game I mention (eventually, very hard work). This is to give me and other game designers perhaps a clearer view of what has and has not worked in the past, and to reveal the seamy underside of the games to those who wish to view it.

Finally, I just want to create and gather more content around these games and their fanbases. I want to keep these games alive, well past their last printings.

Anything Else?

Well, I am going to try my best to keep this blog on topic as much as possible… but I make no promises in that regard. I am very good at relating things, and even tangental relationships are good enough for this blog, so yeah, expect a wide variety of content.

Any Questions, Comments, or Concerns are very much welcome in the Comments section below, or in my inbox. Thanks for reading all the way through!

• Christopher