Reviewed on PC

Monster-catching games of the early-mid 2000s have a unique kind of magic to them. Beyond just winning battles and collecting critters, players were able to step into a world of pixel-based adventures and set foot on an adventure that truly felt brimming with personality and liveliness.

From discovering new characters, strange and interesting new monsters, and having the freedom to build a team that is unique to you, these same magical feelings feel as if they have become increasingly rare in more recent years, with the genre’s biggest titles and franchises shifting towards different approaches and larger scopes.

EvoCreo immediately stood out because, from a first glance, it appeared to capture that very same magic. From the moment I first booted up the game, it was clear; this wasn’t just another monster-taming game that borrows these key familiar ideas and concepts, but one that genuinely embraces the heart of what made those games so special. With beautiful pixel art, nostalgic mechanics, and memorable creature designs, EvoCreo feels like a refreshing return to the old monster-catching structure – and one made with a lot of heart.

Graphics & Visuals – Timeless Pixel Perfection

There’s no way to dance around it, between the top-down style and the absolutely gorgeous quality of the pixel art, EvoCreo utilizes a style that feels directly inspired by Pokemon titles on the GBA and Nintendo DS era. However, there is a clear amount of modern polish added in here – in no way does it feel dated. Environments are detailed, yet not cluttered, and the colors are vibrant and eye-catching, making it exciting to step foot into a new area of the map.

Monster design is another huge highlight. Each Creo has a charming, animal-like, or monster-inspired aesthetic that really does feel like the approach taken by early gen Pokemon. There’s a mix of them that feel creative, expressive, cute, and cool. There’s something that everyone will love, and the Creo really do manage to strike that balance of feeling familiar in some aspects, which plays on nostalgia, while also feeling unique.

So often, monster-catching games gain criticism for having designs too similar to Pokemon. I feel EvoCreo avoids this almost entirely – even designs that are inspired by the same species or animal still manage to feel totally unique to the Pokemon counterpart. This also made discovering new species an absolute joy – I felt genuine excitement for each encounter!

Music & Sound Design – Full of Adventure

The soundtrack for EvoCreo plays a crucial part in reinforcing the magical tone of the game. Music feels charming and inviting, complementing the sense of adventure and curiosity that drives the player forward.

Battle music, in particular, feels reminiscent of classic Pokemon encounters yet again, capturing that same sense of excitement. For longtime fans of the genre, these audio cues will feel familiar and satisfying, enhancing your experience and strengthening that connection between EvoCreo and the material that has so clearly inspired it.

Gameplay & Battles – Faithful, Familiar, and Full of Nostalgic Charm

What is a good monster-collector without battles, of course? EvoCreo’s battle system uses the traditional turn-based structure that has defined the genre for decades. And in EvoCreo, it works brilliantly.

This familiar formula makes the game easy to jump into and learn, and ensures the system remains engaging. It’s clear EvoCreo understands why this formula worked in the first place. The game doesn’t try to reinvent it or do anything too crazy, thus making progression feel natural and satisfying.

Battle animations elevate these moments even further. Monsters have a certain sense of liveliness to them through their idle and battle animations, and could be compared to the likes of the sprites found in Pokemon Black and White. These little details make combat feel so much more visually engaging, rather than static. In a sense, it feels like the Creo are living critters, real parts of the world rather than simple collectables to pick up along the way.

Deeper Mechanics – Building on the Monster-Collector Genre

Beyond the classic monster-collector elements, EvoCreo also enhances key mechanics and builds on the structure with new ideas. For example, you can prestige your Creo, and the game has handy objective markers. There are also options to consider beyond the classic battle moves, such as unique traits to manipulate stats in battle, and abilities that can be used for exploration across various terrains and locations.

The game has a pretty fun difficulty/grind aspect to it where you’ll want to ensure you save pretty frequently – not due to bugs and crashes (though they have been an issue for many players in previous builds before the devs fixed this), as you never know what kind of powerful creatures are lurking just around the corner from a fairly breezy, ‘safe’ zone.

Performance & Stability – Early Control Issues, Now Resolved

When I first began diving into EvoCreo, I decided I’d like to try it (and if it works, primarily play) on my ROG Ally. After all, the game evoked that same nostalgia of GBA and NDS Pokemon games, so what better way to enjoy it than on a handheld PC?

Unfortunately, EvoCreo proved itself to have a few technical hiccups and difficulties along the way. The most significant problem was some sort of error with controllers/the controls themselves that meant they didn’t work properly, and some sections of the game were unplayable, or didn’t work as intended due to response issues.

This significantly hindered my experience, but thankfully, in a later update, these issues were ironed out. Since then, I have continued to have a much smoother experience and found absolute joy working my way through EvoCreo.

EvoCreo on PC – Final Thoughts

EvoCreo is a great contender when it comes to monster collectors on PC, genuinely capturing the magic of earlier NDS and GBA error pixel graphics – yet still continues to enhance and modernize these aspects, achieving a very visually satisfying appeal.

It pays clear homage to notable monster-catching titles of those eras, but to me, it never felt like a cheap ripoff or imitation. Rather, EvoCreo created this amazing balance that felt both nostalgic and fresh. If players have been seeking out a title that captures the energy of classic monster-collector/taming games, EvoCreo is a strong contender that succeeds in many ways.

Most importantly, EvoCreo reinforced my strong love for the genre that I found throughout my childhood. I remember EvoCreo appearing on mobile years ago, but I’m a pretty limited mobile gamer, so I never picked it up.

Now that it’s on PC, I have been able to experience the joy that the game offers. And for a price tag of approximately just under $10 USD, the game is an absolute indie steal, jam-packed with content to enjoy.