As a 90s kid raised on Pokémon, Cassette Beasts instantly captured my attention. Despite initially gathering dust in my collection, I finally gave it a try and was instantly hooked. With its retro aesthetic, Metroidvania-style open world, and unique approach to monster-battling, Cassette Beasts offers an engaging and heartwarming adventure that surpasses newer Pokémon titles. If you’re a fan of retro Pokémon games, this is a must-play.
Not Just Another Pokémon Clone
Cassette Beasts revolves around collecting and battling monsters, but it goes beyond the surface. Using a cassette player and headphones, you transform into one of 140 quirky Cassette Beasts to battle wild creatures, other characters, and the formidable Archangels inspired by the VHS era. While it may resemble an old-school Pokémon game, Cassette Beasts offers a fresh experience. You can move in all directions, jump, and glide with power-ups, making exploration modern and enjoyable.
The island of New Wirral serves as the game’s setting, featuring a small yet intricate map. Harbourtown, the main settlement, acts as your base for adventures. Higher-level areas are gated behind natural barriers that require new abilities to overcome, encouraging revisiting previous areas as you grow stronger, reminiscent of a true Metroidvania game.
Combat in Cassette Beasts is a blast, with hundreds of moves to unlock. Unlike Pokémon, it’s you who levels up rather than your beasts, making every creature you collect instantly viable. The game addresses common issues with Pokémon, such as tedious grinding, by offering a more engaging and rewarding experience.
Satisfying RPG Systems and Engaging Combat
Cassette Beasts takes combat to a whole new level, surpassing the simplicity of Pokémon battles. With a companion by your side, you’re free to experiment with synergies from the start. Discovering and executing combos feels worthwhile, as you have up to 16 ability slots instead of just four. Monster types interact cleverly with each other, creating a depth that Pokémon lacks.
For example, hitting an Earth-type enemy with a Lightning ability changes its type to Glass. Following up with an Air ability inflicts Resonance, and doing this three times shatters the glass, instantly knocking out your target. There are many more fun interactions like this, such as Fire melting Plastic-types into Poison-types, or hitting a Poison-type with a Metal-type, which turns the Metal-type into Poison-tipped, dealing contact damage.
The game’s Fusion system is another standout feature. After filling up your Fusion Meter, you can fuse with your partner to create a unique and powerful beast, combining your moves and stats. Fusion feels like an ultimate ability, complete with epic animations and a sense of awe. These moments were missing from retro Pokémon games, but Cassette Beasts brings them to the forefront.
A Grown-Up Take on a Childhood Favorite
Despite its lively and upbeat appearance, Cassette Beasts tackles mature themes and offers a more adult-oriented story compared to Pokémon. Characters can die, mild profanity can be found in the soundtrack, and the game’s cast consists entirely of adults dealing with adult issues. The relatable dialogue and heartwarming moments from your companions add depth and realism to the game.
The Landkeepers, Cassette Beasts’ equivalent of Team Rocket, exemplify the game’s mature themes. These smug estate agents, who also happen to be vampires, are obsessed with monopolizing New Wirral’s housing market to charge exorbitant rent prices. Their storyline is delightfully cynical, showcasing the game’s target audience.
While Pokémon’s fresh-faced protagonists are iconic, Cassette Beasts’ down-to-earth undertones resonate with millennial gamers like myself, injecting a dose of realism into the nostalgic experience.
A Blast from the Past That Remains Relevant
Cassette Beasts is a must-play for Pokémon fans, especially those nostalgic for the 90s and 2000s. Its rich retro vibe, accompanied by a refreshing evolution of the monster-battling formula, will transport you back in time. With its intriguing overworld, deep combat mechanics, relatable characters, and mature story, Cassette Beasts offers an excellent gaming experience from start to finish. Bytten Studio has expertly evolved the formula established by Pokémon, and I can only hope for more DLC or a sequel in the future. For now, I wholeheartedly recommend this game, as it is well worth the $20 price tag.
Source: DOTESPORTS
