Pokemon GOwas an enormous success when it first launched in 2016, and has continued to take the world by storm. However, whilePokemonenthusiasts have been enjoying its augmented reality gameplay for quite some time, there’s a clear demand for similar games in the market. Fortunately, there are plenty of similar games toPokemon GOthat both hardcore fans and those who just find the gameplay enjoyable can hop onboard with.
Some ofthe best mobile games currently availablefit into thePokemon GOmold of offering AR gameplay that gets players out of the houseand into the outdoors. While they don’t all feature monster collecting, they do put their own unique spin on the concept, offering innovative gameplay for those who want it. Players will need to free up some space on their phones for some of the best games that are just likePokemon GO.
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10Pikmin Bloom (Niantic, Inc.)
Available On Android & IOS
Pikmin Bloomis developed by Niantic Inc., the same team behindPokemon GO, and it offers similar gameplay. Players will need to explore their surroundings to discover new Pikmin, of which there are lots of unique types, and then battle against mushrooms with their friends. As players explore, their map will become filled with flowers.
Pikmin Bloomhas a lot of different Pikmin for players to collect, each with their own quirky decorations and outfits.It’s a laidback version ofPokemon GO, one that’s less about battling and more about populating the world with delightful Pikmin. For those who want something very similar toPokemon GO, and a game that’s also based on a Nintendo franchise, thenPikmin Bloomis the perfect choice.
9Monster Hunter Now (Niantic, Inc.)
Monster Hunter Nowis another game by Niantic Inc., except, unlikePokemon GO, it has a greater focus on combat. As is befitting of aMonster Huntertitle,players will need to go and explore the outdoors in search of monsters to hunt, accompanied by their trusty Palico and other players if they choose to play together. As players explore, they’ll encounter monsters depending on what type of climate they’re in and must defeat them quickly.
Monster Hunter Nowcan be played solo or with a group of friends. Those that play alone may have a tougher experience overall, but definitely still a very enjoyable one.
What makesMonster Hunter Nowstand apart fromPokemon GOis its gorgeous battles, which see the player’s character battle the enormous monster using simplified controls. Players will need to craft new armor to withstand the tougher monsters and pick a weapon that suits their playstyle.Monster Hunter Nowhas all the trappings to becomeone of the best multiplayer mobile gamesand perfectly encapsulates what makes theMonster Hunterfranchise so great in mobile form.
8Jurassic World Alive (Jam City, Inc.)
Available on Android & IOS
Jurassic World Aliveis the perfectPokemon GOclone,taking the best elements of that game and adapting it for theJurassic Worldfranchise. Instead of catching Pokemon, players will be tasked with hunting down and capturing dinosaurs. Players will also be able to battle other dinosaurs and even other players in the PvP mode.
What makesJurassic World Alivestand out is the ability to create hybrid dinosaurs, which is very much in keeping with theJurassic Worldfilms. It’s a novel addition, and one that makes it a worthwhile experience that is different enough from its inspirations. For those who love bothPokemon GO’sgameplay and theJurassic Worldfilms,Jurassic World Aliveis the perfect game.
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7ZRX: Zombies Run + Marvel Move (Six To Start)
ZRX: Zombies Run + Marvel Moveis a little different fromPokemon GO, but still combines exploring the outside world and storytelling. InZRX,players can choose between theZombies, Runstoryline or theMarvel Movestory and then complete missions while out walking, jogging, or running. It is, first and foremost, a fitness app, that integrates storytelling as players exercise outside.
ZRXoffers free trials for both itsZombies, Runstoryline, andMarvel Move, but players will have to pay for the subscription to access all of the missions available.
These stories are immersive, bringing the player into the heart of each of them, whether that’s fighting side by side with the X-Men or fending off a horde of zombies. TheZombies, Runstoryline was penned by award-winning novelist Naomi Alderman, and theMarvel Movestories were written by a host of acclaimed comic book writers. While it’s not quite the same asPokemon GO,ZRXkeeps players outdoors while still immersed in a gaming-like experience.
6Orna: A Fantasy RPG & GPS MMO (Northern Forge)
Orna: A fantasy RPG & GPS MMOtakes the open-world concept of traditional MMOs and sets it in the real world, literally.Players can engage in turn-based battles, join guilds, take down other players in PvP, and so much more. This is a truly unique spin on the GPS-style game, that still maintains much of what makes the genre great with step and calorie counters.
Ornais evena great MMO for solo players, as it is filled with PvE content and explorable dungeons. Additionally,players will establish their Origin Town, a location that they must build andnurture, ensuring the upgrading of its buildings and taking care of its citizens. It’s a fun twist on the genre and a great way of making players' actual hometowns feel integrated into the MMO experience.
5Ingress Prime (Niantic, Inc.)
Ingress Primeis yet another game from Niantic, Inc., which seems to dominate the augmented reality GPS-based mobile gaming world. It seesplayers join one of two factions, The Enlightened or The Resistance, as they attempt to gather a rare resource called Exotic Matter or XM. Players can do this by exploring the world and interacting with things of cultural significance, which include works of public art, historic landmarks, and monuments.
Ingress Primeis also more focused on working together, with players encouraged to work together with their fellow faction members to beat the opposing side. To do this, players can create Control Fields, which will help them dominate their local area for their faction. It’s certainly not quite the same asPokemon GO, but that’s what makesIngress Primeso special, as it has the same level of quality fans can expect from Niantic, Inc. while offering entirely new gameplay mechanics.
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4Geocaching (Groundspeak Inc.)
Geocachingtakes the GPS-side ofPokemon GOand runs with it, developing the entire app around the idea of exploring the outdoors. Instead of collecting monsters or battling opponents, players inGeocachingneed to head to a location and try to find hidden caches. The premise of the game is that players go out and look for caches hidden by other players, then log them in their logbook and move on to find the next one.
Geocachingis all about the community, with local events held regularly with players from across the world. The game encourages players to search for hidden caches while with friends, or jogging, or simply looking to head out and explore. It’s a lot less gamified thanPokemon GO, butit still offers that same feeling of exploration and discovery.
3Draconius GO: Catch a Dragon! (Elyland)
Draconius GO: Catch a Dragon!is very similar toPokemon GO, but it still has a lot of redeeming qualities that make it stand out from the rest. It’s focus, unsurprisingly, is dragons, withplayers able to find dragon eggs while exploring the outdoors, hatch the egg, and then raise their dragon, teaching it new moves and eventually bringing it into combat. There’s a PvP element toDraconius GOas well, that allows players to battle each other’s dragons in tense fights.
Players can also find unique treasures while out and about, create new dragons, and climb the leaderboards. There’s a lot to do inDraconius GO, withplenty for both the buddingPokemon GOfan and newcomers to the genre to enjoy. For players looking for aPokemon GO-like with a dragon twist, this is the perfect game.
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2Pokemon Sleep (The Pokemon Company)
Pokemon Sleepisn’t quite likePokemon GOas it lacks the AR and GPS elements. However, players who enjoyPokemon GOare likely to get a lot of enjoyment fromPokemon Sleep, as it takes another activity everyone does and gamifies it: sleeping.Pokemon Sleepis a great way to make sleeping a little more engaging, and can actually help people sleep better.
The app tracks how well players sleep and what kind of sleep they get, and it can even record audio in the night for players to listen back on.There isPokemon-themed music to help players sleep better, and a whole host of game-like elements to engage with when players aren’t sleeping. For those who enjoy thePokemonside ofPokemon GO, this is a great experience.
1Pokemon Masters EX (DeNA Co., Ltd.)
Pokemon Masters EX, much likePokemon Sleep, is a bit different fromPokemon GO, but it retains not just thePokemonbranding but alsoPokemon GO’sunique twist on the franchise.Pokemon Masters EXsees players collecting not just Pokemon but trainers, too, and creating Sync Pairs out of them. These Sync pairs consist of one trainer and one Pokemon, which players then take into battle against other trainers.
It’s an exciting and novel spin on the franchise and one that lets players finally control their favorite trainers. While it doesn’t have the AR and GPS elements ofPokemon GO,Pokemon Masters EXstill allows players to playPokemonin a completely unique way. It is definitely a must-try for fans ofPokemon GOand mobile gaming in general.
