Attempting to replicate the success of Pokémon is a dangerous game. Despite the fact there are more and more fans growing disillusioned with the iconic franchise with each new release, few have ever really been able to come for Pokémon’s crown.
Palworld has certainly given it a damn good go, but the “Pokémon with guns” is a little too heavy on the survival crafting mechanics for my taste. If a properly classic Pokémon flavour is what you crave, Home Of The Yokai is the game for you.
Developed by indie team Rayka Studio, Home Of The Yokai manages to capture the essence of classic 2D Pokémon games. This is far from a straight ripoff, however. There are touches of Stardew Valley and The Legend Of Zelda, as well as plenty of original ideas to keep the experience feeling fresh.
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During my brief hands-on with Home Of The Yokai at GDC I was walked through the first 30 minutes or so of the monster collecting RPG. It kicks off in a similar vein to a classic Pokémon adventure. You choose your partner Yokai and set off to run an innocuous errand that inevitably evolves into something more epic.
What immediately struck me about Home Of The Yokai is that it offers up an evolution of the 2.5D artstyle that I so adored from the Nintendo DS Pokémon titles. Your character ambles through gorgeous hand-drawn environments as if you’re wandering around an interactive pop-up book.
It’s an absolute joy to look at, and the Yokai themselves (of which there are over 300) are beautifully realised. I didn’t get to see them all, of course, but critters range from adorable to silly to downright terrifying. And just like the best Pokémon games, you can have your favourite friend follow you around.
The battle system is probably where the Home Of The Yokai differs the most from Pokémon, in that it’s been designed to be as in line with the rest of the game’s cosy vibe as possible. The game features an auto-battle combat system in which you choose the Yokai you want to fight and then sit back as they duke it out.
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You can get involved by using various charms to buff your allies or hinder your enemies, and there’s definitely an element of strategy and skill involved. During a fight with the game’s first boss I was told I could use a certain charm to cancel my foe’s powerful charge attack if I timed it just right. For the most part, however, combat is designed to be as stress-free as the rest of the game.
In addition to pursuing the main story, you can battle other Yokai trainers to become the very best, and explore the world’s various biomes as you attempt to catch ‘em all. I was treated to a quick look at some of the later areas in the game’s world, and there’s an impressive level of variety on display.
As far as catching new monsters is concerned, Home Of The Yokai borrows heavily from Pokémon Legends: Arceus, in that it’s entirely possible for you to relax and catch Yokai without ever having to go into battle. There are also no random encounters, and very little need to grind to victory.
I was impressed enough by what I saw of the creature-collecting and battling action, but the icing on the cake was when Rayka Studio showed me the game’s settlement and building feature. By catching more and more Yokai, you can build and upgrade your small village, adding things like new shops and places to improve your gear and skills. Reader, I am a sucker for this exact kind of thing, and seeing the Yokai you’ve caught wander freely around your homestead is a real treat.
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There’s no release date set for Home Of The Yokai yet, but if you’re craving a classic Pokémon experience with a few genuine twists, I’d urge you to keep your eye on this one.
Featured Image Credit: Rayka StudioTopics: Indie Games, Steam, Pokemon, Stardew Valley