PPG Game Of The Year 2024 - 24 - The Best Creature Collectors

A style of RPG that's all about finding a party of other creatures or beings to fight for you, rather than building up your own stats and abilities as the character in world. Pokemon's hold on this RPG style has been slipping for a long time, with many excellent indie games breaking traditions in the best ways to create awesome experiences.

Ova Magica (EA)
Wholesome JRPG Farming
Hatch your own collection of blob creatures from eggs each with their own special abilities, grow food to feed them, explore worlds where you get into battles with wild blobs, get to know the townsfolk and maybe even get married one day.

Yarimono
Dark Subject Matter
With Pokemon being the obvious inspiration, this creature catcher has a more interesting premise - you start with the weakest 'mon that knows the ultimate OP move. The story allegedly has some pretty dark overtones that challenge Pokemon in interesting ways. Note this does list as NSFW as it has an 18+ patch, but the base game does not include this content.

Necro Story
Undead Creature Collector
A charming, light hearted RPG where you are a necromancer collecting souls to add to your repertoire of minions to summon in battle.

Botworld Odyssey
Exploration Auto Battler
Head out into an isometric-ish open world to find parts, build robots and get into real time strategic battles.

And The Best Creator Collector / Pokemon Style Game Of 2024 Is…

Yaoling: Mythical Journey (EA)
Gorgeous Eastern Fantasy Adventure
Collect over 300 Yaoling creatures to help defeat evil and build a home in equal measure. Combat is auto-battler style. An eastern inspired mystical land with a gorgeous art style sets the stage for a grand adventure.