The creature-collector genre has long been dominated by the juggernaut that is Pokemon, with many games inspired by its formula. However, a new title, Beastieball, from the team behind the heartfelt indie darlings Chicory: A Colorful Tale and Wandersong, is poised to challenge the genre's traditional tropes and offer a refreshing, animal-friendly take on the concept.

Challenging the Status Quo in Creature Collecting

Rethinking the Mechanics of Creature Collecting

Beastieball takes a bold step in recontextualizing the genre's core mechanic of turn-based combat, which has often been likened to dogfighting. Instead, the game reimagines this as a friendly game of volleyball, where the Beasties actively seek out trainers to join them in the sport they adore. This simple yet profound change not only eliminates the cognitive dissonance of believing you love your creatures while sending them into battle but also promotes a more harmonious and ethical relationship between the player and their Beasties.

Celebrating the Individuality of Beasties

Beastieball goes beyond just the gameplay mechanics to challenge the traditional tropes of the creature collector genre. The game's world is designed to celebrate the Beasties as unique individuals, with each one having their own distinct personalities, traits, and recruitment conditions. Players are encouraged to form genuine bonds with their Beasties, as they can unlock additional moves and abilities through their shared experiences playing volleyball together. The game's lore and character descriptions further reinforce the idea of the Beasties as sentient beings, rather than mere tools or resources to be exploited.

Shifting the Narrative Focus

While the story structure and gameplay mechanics of Beastieball may be similar to Pokemon, the game's narrative focus is a stark departure. Instead of a tale of conquest and individual triumph, Beastieball's story is centered around the player's efforts to save a Beastie habitat from closure, highlighting the importance of community and the well-being of the creatures themselves. This shift in perspective not only aligns with the game's animal-friendly approach but also provides a more meaningful and emotionally resonant experience for players.

Embracing Emotional Sincerity

Beastieball's commitment to emotional sincerity and attentive kindness sets it apart from many other creature collector games. The game's world is filled with NPCs who speak of their Beasties with genuine affection, using personal pronouns and highlighting the unique qualities of each individual. This attention to detail and the celebration of the Beasties as sentient beings, rather than mere commodities, is a refreshing departure from the genre's more detached and exploitative portrayals of animals.

Forging a New Path for Creature Collectors

By consciously addressing and rejecting the uncomfortable implications often associated with the creature collector genre, Beastieball proves that it is possible to create a game that captures the essence of the genre while promoting more ethical and compassionate representations of animals. This game serves as a shining example of how the industry can evolve and challenge the status quo, paving the way for a future where creature collector games can be enjoyed without the need for cognitive dissonance or the normalization of animal exploitation.