Pawprint Studio unveiledAniimoat the recent Xbox Games Showcase, and it’s looking like a decidedly familiar concept. Indeed, the game shares more than a little DNA withPokémonand its myriad spiritual successors, with executive producer Jovi Zhang even describing it as “a game that exists that makes all our dreams come true”—an ostensible reference to the drought of more experimental and ambitious creature-collecting games on the market.
But that thinking is a little faulty. The reality is, while Game Freak itself may have settled into a regular and comfortable pattern with itsPokémonseries, the so-calledPokémon-like genre has actually been exploding in recent years. The indie space has a particular penchant for the creature-collecting gameplay loop, with the likes ofPalworldeven attracting the attention of Nintendo’s ever-litigious legal team. The landscape ofPokémon-inspired games has thus been growing exponentially, despite Nintendo’s enthusiasm for enforcing its perceived copyright claims, which could spell trouble forAniimoand its ilk: they are emerging into a remarkably crowded market.
Aniimo Is Facing Off Against Some Stiff Genre Competition
There Are a Lot of Pokemon-Influenced Games Vying for Gamers' Time and Money
Aniimois clearly targeting a desirable genre space, joining countless other monster-collecting-and-battling titles, the most prominent of which include:
It doesn’t look like there’s going to be a lull in this space anytime soon, either.Palworldis still in early access, constantly evolving and expanding with new content, and Nintendo itself is pushing full-steam ahead withPokémon Legends: Z-A, which is slated for an October 2025 release. Fans of these games might also be keeping an eye out for the likes ofSkyclimbers,Kindred Fates, andAethermancer, which are releasing in 2026 and beyond.
Of course, some of these games stretch the definition of “Pokemon-like” quite a bit, mixing in unique gameplay, visual, and narrative elements to feel distinct despite the similarities in their broad-strokes premises. But some, likeNexomon: Extinctionand the upcomingSkyclimbers, look an awful lot likePokémon, playing in the same gray areas asPalworld, which often has an uncanny likeness to its Nintendo inspirations.Aniimois splashing around in these same waters, boasting an art style that could easily invitePalworld-esque lawsuits. But aside from potential legal risks,Aniimocould struggle by virtue of its sheer similarity to its competition, at least in terms of aesthetics. Hopefully, this won’t turn out to be the case.
Why Aniimo Still Has a Chance in a Packed Market
As an open-world monster-collecting RPG,Aniimohas a lot in commonwith the aforementioned games, but some of its more unique gameplay elements promise to keep it engaging and refreshing throughout. Specifically,Aniimoboasts a “Twining” mechanic, which allows players to merge with their collected monsters for novel combat and traversal abilities, like a supercharged roll into an enemy, or a gust of wind that creates ice platforms atop bodies of water. If these special abilities feel good to use, and are implemented in an engaging way, thenAmiinocould certainly rise above the noise to be something truly special.
But that’s a big if: ultimately, it’s impossible to know how the Twining mechanic will work in practice without actually playing the game.Aniimo’s brief reveal trailer has also drawn some skepticism from audiences wary offree-to-play open-world games, which tend to favor gacha features and other problematic monetization methods that can cannibalize their fun factor.Aniimo’s closed PC beta is planned to drop later this summer, so that may give players a clearer picture of how the final product will shake out.
WHERE TO PLAY
Step into the world of Aniimo, a vibrant free-to-play Action RPG where adventure meets discovery. Developed by Pawprint Studio and published by Kingsglory, Aniimo brings creature collection to life with rich gameplay and evolving bonds.
Explore stunning landscapes, collect unique Aniimo, and unlock their true potential through care, training, and evolution. With the innovative Twine feature, you can merge with your Aniimo to gain new abilities and strengthen your connection.
