Beasties – Monster Trainer Puzzle RPG

Puzzle Quest, but with store brand Pokemons (and short... and basic... also poorly optimized)
ts;wm
If you're a fan of not so crowded sub-genre of match-3 RPG battlers, you might extract some joy out of 4-5 hours, required to finish this game, but it's very barebones in content, and the player avatar (I'm struggling to even call it a character - you just control a player card on a plastic stand) is hopping around very slowly - not an insignificant issue that can be partially ameliorated by using diagonal movement.
Good news is that the game is also woefully imbalanced, so you can easily overlevel one of your not-pokemons to one-shot everything on your way until the end credits.
It's not worth anything more than a dollar.

After seeing some comments and reviews suggesting how this game seems to abruptly end, I thought I would go rummaging through the game's files. There is a Chapter 1 folder, which I could only speculate that additional chapters would've been included in the game at some point... probably as DLC. Then there is mention of a "shovel" that, for some reason, was never implemented. Because of these things and nothing new has been added or mentioned by the developers in more than 3 years, I am left wondering if this game has been abandoned. And if so, why?? Despite its slow pacing, it had much potential to be something really special.
Aside from getting into frequent wild Beastie fights every couple of steps or after checking my map, the game isn't all that bad. I even started a new game four times to make sure I didn't miss anything (which I have). Truthfully, it is not worth the full price because of how short it is. Even at a 90% discount is pushing it as it plays like an incomplete game. Despite these things, I am giving it a positive review in hopes that rokaplay will revisit this game and finish what they started.

Beasties – Monster Trainer Puzzle RPG, developed and published by rokaplay, is a colorful indie title that merges creature collecting with turn-based puzzle mechanics in a way that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly distinct. At first glance, it evokes the familiar structure of classic monster trainer games: you travel across a vibrant world, encounter fantastical creatures, build a team, and challenge other trainers. However, rather than replicating traditional turn-based combat systems, Beasties introduces a puzzle-oriented battle framework that reshapes the flow of encounters and gives the game its own identity within the genre.
The premise centers on your role as a Beastiemaster investigating the mysterious disappearance of another master while exploring a world where humans and Beasties coexist. The narrative is straightforward but serviceable, providing a light sense of purpose without overwhelming the player with dense exposition. It frames the adventure as both a personal journey and a broader mission to restore balance, allowing exploration and creature collection to take center stage. While the story does not aim for epic twists or deeply branching arcs, it maintains a consistent tone that complements the game’s relaxed pacing and whimsical atmosphere.
Combat is where Beasties truly distinguishes itself. Instead of issuing standard attack commands, battles are driven by a turn-based puzzle system that emphasizes positioning, planning, and resource management. Each move requires thought, as players must consider both immediate gains and long-term consequences. The puzzle element adds a layer of strategy that feels engaging without becoming overly complex. It creates moments where careful sequencing and foresight matter more than raw power. This approach makes combat accessible to newcomers while still offering tactical depth for players who enjoy optimizing their turns. Winning battles rewards you with materials that can be used to strengthen your Beasties, improving stats such as health, attack, and defense, and unlocking new abilities that expand your strategic options.
Creature collection remains a central pillar of the experience. As you travel through forests, fields, and towns, you encounter a variety of Beasties with distinct designs and abilities. While the roster is not as extensive as genre giants, each creature feels thoughtfully crafted within the game’s artistic style. Upgrading and customizing your team encourages experimentation, though the overall progression system leans toward simplicity rather than deep specialization or complex evolution chains. Players seeking intricate breeding systems or competitive endgame mechanics may find the scope somewhat limited, but those looking for a more streamlined and approachable system will likely appreciate its clarity.
Exploration contributes significantly to the game’s charm. The world is presented through hand-drawn 2D visuals that resemble a storybook brought to life. Bright colors and soft outlines give each area a welcoming feel, reinforcing the game’s cozy atmosphere. Hidden items, optional encounters, and environmental interactions reward curiosity without punishing those who prefer a more direct path. The pacing is gentle, encouraging players to wander rather than rush. This slower rhythm complements the puzzle-based combat, creating a cohesive experience that feels intentionally relaxed rather than adrenaline-driven.
Despite its strengths, Beasties does have limitations. The narrative, while pleasant, does not push boundaries or deliver major emotional highs. The creature roster, though charming, may feel modest compared to larger franchises, and the absence of multiplayer or competitive features reduces long-term replayability for some players. Additionally, once the main storyline concludes, there is limited post-game content to extend engagement. These constraints reflect its indie scale, but they also shape the overall experience into something more intimate than expansive.
Ultimately, Beasties – Monster Trainer Puzzle RPG stands as a thoughtful indie interpretation of the monster-collecting formula. By integrating puzzle mechanics into combat and maintaining a calm, colorful world to explore, it offers an experience that feels distinct from traditional trainer RPGs. It may not satisfy players searching for deep competitive systems or massive creature libraries, but it provides a charming, strategic, and accessible adventure that emphasizes creativity and atmosphere. For those who appreciate puzzle-infused gameplay wrapped in a whimsical presentation, Beasties delivers a satisfying journey that balances strategy and serenity in equal measure.
Rating: 5/10

Clever games curator review: 8/10 Short and fairly casual Match-3 RPG with strong Pokemon vibes. The majority of the game is spent in battles, where your matches decide whether or not you collect mana or attack using physical skills. Unless you can do a 4-in-a-row match you only get one turn and then the AI opponent makes a match on the same board. Thus, it’s important that your matches don’t set up your opponent for an even better turn after yours. This does however mean that you can’t set yourself up for future turns either, making most of the gameplay feel fairly short-sighted, and somewhat less strategic for it.
The other aspect of the game is deciding which creatures to capture, and yes you should definitely capture the Pikachu knockoff when you see him. Indeed, it is that much of a Pokemon rip-off /homage. The different creatures do have fairly different skills, and it’s fun to find the combinations that are well suited to each other.
The game is only moderately difficult, especially if you spend any time grinding to upgrade your creatures. I would advise not doing that so that there is at least some strategic choices to be made during the match-3 gameplay. You do spend some time exploring a large map, finding secrets and other little Easter eggs that make the game even easier, further reducing the need for grinding.
It seems like most of the negative reviews here stem from how short it is, about 5 hours. However I think that it would probably wear thin if it went a lot longer. As long as you feel like the price is appropriate for the amount of entertainment I think it’s a pretty good game.
It’s very laptop-friendly, with mouse and keyboard required to play. Touchscreen support is slightly broken in that taps are ignored, but drags work fine. Thus, the match-3 battles work just fine with touchscreens.