Cassette Beasts: Deluxe Edition

Cassette Beasts is classic Pokémon expertly remixed for those who feel they have aged out of the series' target audience.

At the end of the day, Cassette Beasts is a remix of a song you like. Just don’t expect a remaster.

A modern monster catcher RPG that brings lots of smart evolutions to almost every Poké-like system you can imagine.

We still have a lot of adventuring left to do in New Wirral, and we're in no way upset about it. More monsters to record and remaster, a few more mysteries to uncover, characters to grow fond of, and about 13,970 more fusions to see. Some (hopefully pre-launch-only) performance issues, wonky balance, and overly complex battle mechanics did little to affect how much we enjoyed Cassette Beasts. In fact, it's one of the better monster-battling games not starring a little electric rodent that you can enjoy on your Nintendo Switch.

A fun and charming monster collecting game with an eye-catching aesthetic and wonderful soundtrack that is dripping with style and personality.

Bytten Studio puts all of its creativity on display in Cassette Beasts. Not only does its sizeable roster of Monsters include some really fun and unique designs, but the thoughtful approach to combat and clever music element really set it apart from most Pokemon-likes. Although the characters weren’t as intriguing as I’d like in an RPG, just about everything else was enough to make up for it. Cassette Beasts is sure to be one of this year’s indie darlings.

Cassette Beasts does fall into some familiar pitfalls, making for a hit-and-miss adventure. Some might find its complexity appealing, but that comes at the expense of casual appeal and legibility. Still, I’m encouraged by how many of its original ideas land. Monster fusion is a truly impressive trick, exploration feels classic and modern in the same breath, and its cassette motif is a clever bit of theming that gives it a distinct style. Perhaps Game Freak should be the one taking notes this time.

Cassette Beasts is one of the best and most entertaining monster-collecting games outside of Pokémon.

Cassette Beasts isn't just an indie game that challenges a giant: it's proof that the collectible monster genre still has a lot to offer when you dare, both in gameplay and in its themes. Exploring emotional depths and existential anxieties, the game manages to connect with its players on levels that transcend superficial entertainment, inviting them to reflect on the sense of wonder and fear that the unknown can inspire.

If you enjoy games like Zelda and Digimon, you’ll feel right at home here. Bytten Studio put a lot of love into their passion project here and it shows. Cassette Beasts is an amazing game and well worth the price of admission, especially if you grab it on sale.