You Missed One of the Best Games This Year 

I do want to clarify one thing: I played this game on PC and never ran into a single technical issue, HOWEVER I did hear that the switch version had a rough launch. There has since been a patch that addresses these issues so it should be fine now. Regardless I just wanted to point that out for those who are extra cautious!

I launched my indie game in early access a week before tears too. It's called Sea of Choices and it's on Steam. I spent 5 years programming a 3D game by myself and I'm just happy people played it amidst all the great titles coming out

if you want another top-class hidden gem indie game to feature I would HIGHLY recommend Crystal Project. It's an extremely polished amalgamation of 30 years of JRPG mechanics with a huge focus on exploration and discovery.

I played their first project Lenna's Inception several years ago and decided then that I was going to play their next project (which turned out to be Cassette Beasts) the day it came out. Safe to say I wasn't disappointed.

I played this game a few weeks ago and it is absolutely phenomenal. I think it's my game of the year and I've played both XC3 and ToTK.

This game seems absolutely incredible. I'm always leery to add onto my already big to-play game (which I have to have written down or I'll never remember it), this video makes me want to immediately go out and play this one. On a meta level, this video is super well crafted. Structure and pacing and editing, and tonal-matching with the shown gameplay itself. All just perfect.

This is an amazing year for jrpgs, first chained echoes, now cassette beasts and sea of starts and moonstone island are yet to come...

I started playing Cassette Beasts a month or so after it released, and it quickly became one of my favorites of all time. This video has such passion, I hope your words reach more who will love this delightful game!

It's my first time being exposed to this game and it hurts me. My friends and I are developing a game where attacks do reactions like the one in this game. We even have a chemical engineer in our dev team. I thought we were going to be the first but it seems like they beat us to it. So sad. T-T

Your videos are refreshing. Instead of reviewing the game, you talk about it naturally and highlight what really makes it stand out from the crowd. I am now going to go and check out the soundtrack.

Alright bruv. We agreed on Crosscode. I trusted you on chained echoes and my faith was not tarnished. I'ma give this one a shot too but if it's less than amazing I'm taking away your cool card.

I love Cassette Beasts, have been following for quite some time and recently started playing it too. Gotta say, this is an amazing video on it, it was very well-constructed. Congrats!

Dude I’m going to have to try this game out at some point. As a side note, I love the way you redacted the names of those other bosses. It really builds intrigue for me!

I played this game on launch, my first time with a monster collector, and I was surprised of how good and fun it is. The characters, the music, the art (even more the bosses designs), the complexity of the battles, everything is so well done. It's great to see other people praising this wonderful indie gem.

I love this game so much I'm aiming to paint fanart of every single Beast in the game. I've already done four (Traffikrab, Sirenade, Springheel and Allseer). Thank you for spreading the word about this wonderful game

I had so much fun rushing through most of the beginning of the game that I had to take a break cause I don't want it to end yet lmao. This, chained echoes, & dave the diver have been amazing indies

I think one of the things that makes Cassette Beasts truly excellent is the way it handles combat. You can't just go in guns-blazing because your stronger moves require more points to spend, meaning you can either use free moves and save up for hard-hitters, or use medium-hitters on every turn. And because HP doesn't recover between fights and your healing items are limited, it makes even the most mundane fight meaningful. The music kicking in vocals when you're fused is mind-blowingly smart. Every song sounds good both with and without vocals, which is hard enough to do. But the lyrics are so perfect for the situations you find yourself in that I can't stop praising Joel Baylis' work. I'm just thankful the OST is -finally- on Spotify.

definitely have my eye on cassette beasts now, looking forward to playing it sometime soon

Props to you for not spoiling a certain someone in Chrono Trigger. I don't care how old a game is spoilers or spoilers.

Fuck me this game is top tier. I wanted something to play in the two weeks before BG3 and damn if this wasn't a masterpiece. I didn't quite get to 100% it but I will be returning to it. My biggest love towards finding a fantastic game is if I find myself humming music from it, and there is plenty here.

this is why im subbed. there's no telling when some gem could release in between triple a titles and get lost in the sea of indies we have now

I’ve been looking for a game that I can pick up when I have free time, and doesn’t need constant attention. One day I saw Cassette Beasts appear on Steam and bought it. That soon turned into one of the best purchases I made this year, I genuinely enjoyed every second of this game.

Thanks so much for talking about this game! I love pokemon and saw this when it came out. I didnt like the monster design that much on first look so I didnt get the game. Hearing that it has so much strategy in the combat and great characters really flips it 180 for me. I will be getting this game.

I started playing this game thanks to this video and I fell in love with it. The combat, the team building, the characters and story, the puzzles and exploration, everything. I have been playing pokémon for many years and this game encapsulates what I liked most about it, built on it and expanded it. Might also be my GOTY.

Me and my friend played this with steams remote play and it was honestly very good fun. It was honestly challenging throughout(on slightly above normal, better ai) and the difficulty settings allow for a VERY hard to very easy run as well. The music alone was almost enough to make me want to continue playing at times. The mechanics were very refreshing and the insanely fun combos you can make with certain stickers was enjoyable throughout. I hope they continue making games because I certainly know I'll be picking up whatever they release next. Thank you for a great video and reminding me of why I enjoyed this game so much, lol.

I tip my hat to you good sir, this has been one of the most beautifully presented game reviews I have ever heard in my gamer life. It's like hearing a poem or a heartwarming speech for a momentous day. You sir are one splendid content creator.

You just mentioned the one problem I have with Pokemon's single battles. Limited options in terms of strategy.

Oh the exploration reminds me a lot of a game called Crystal Project! Cool jrpg/3d platformer hybrid. You explore an open world in that game and instead of catching monsters pokemon style, you find gear and exp to build the perfect classes, similar to jobs from ff. It's just a neat game that lets you do some cool exploring and lots of fun menu fiddling to get the most optimized team you can. Plus, lots of incentive to swap classes and upgrade as many different ones as you can. I recommend giving it a look!

Bought this on steam last sale, but still busy with other games. Having been played monster sanctuary and enjoyed the game with the same concept as you said, exploring team building and boss fighting but cassette beasts have a much more complex battle mechanics. Looking forward to playing this game. Thanks for the review. You can also try the said game monster sanctuary, indie metroidvania and monster taming.

This was genuinely the only game that I have ever played that made me nearly cry- i absolutely fell in love with this game

If you enjoyed Xenoblade Chronicles games I would HIGHLY recommend 13 sentinels: aegis rim. Snoozed on it for 3 years, turns out it's my favourite game of the year! If anyone in the comments has given it a shot lmk!

I was so excited for this game from the moment I learned about it. It just really seemed special. Played it all the way through. Most fun that I've had with a monster catching rpg in years now.

Was gonna get this during the summer sale but ended up getting something else. Def gotta try this at some point

When I first heard about this game from some youtube video, I was like "Ok, the guy said there are good combat. It looks simple, but I give it a try". Fast forward several hours, and I find myself genuinely enjoying this game, sitting in the caffe and listening to that simple, yet beautiful song. The exploration, the combat, the music, the characters, the vibes It's all fitting together. I just didn't expected I would like it that much. And I still relatively at the start, maybe covering 10% - 15% of the game. Thanks for this video, you good random sir from the internet. I genuinely thinks this game deserves more love and attention.

Great review, much more in depth than others I've seen for this game. The game has my interest but I haven't played it yet.

This game is amazing and I hope it ends up doing well enough to make a series, I love it so much.

Cassette beasts is my GOTY 2023 and I just so happy wherever I see people talk about it!

Literally just bought and started it. It’s pretty good one quest in.

You mentioned 'Furi' in the video once, I would love to see a video on the game as it's also super good and certainly a hidden gem

This does sound pretty great, thanks for the video! :)

Cassette Beasts is the digimon game I always dreamed of as a child that never got made.

This game took up so much of my time this year. I love it so much and wish I could play it for the first time again. Finding secret puzzles on the map is just chef kiss

Cassette beasts is a reminder that no matter how small the team or budget anyone can create absolutely incredible experiences! Honestly, it still amazes me how games as great as cassette beasts and chained echoes can be made by a team of 5 people or less.

Bless you for bringing this to my attention

I've been obsessed with this game since I found out about it and bought it a couple weeks ago

After watching oine of your videos and playing Chained Echoes, i'm really interested in your recommendations from now on, i'll give this one a go too

...ok yeah that looks really good. I never had pokemon as a kid, tried to get into temtem but found it grindy and kind of unintuitive. This seems like it's actually iterating on the monster collecting/battling formula, not to mention how strong every other factor of design looks. Definitely seems worth a shot, thanks for bringing this to our attention mhswoocer!

Genuinely love this game, I haven’t beaten it yet but I agree that it’s so under-appreciated

I dont know if anyone else has mentioned that this 10/10 game is on GAMEPASS

I’m so glad I saw this video now bc the game is on sale on the eshop! I’m gonna have to try it out

I mean, at least in SMT tank/glass cannon aren't the only archetypes. You've got important healers and stat change casters, also there's no real tanks outside of demons who are resistant to a lot of elements. You can be more durable but that's just giving you like 1-2 more attacks you can survive in endgame. Instead you'll usually have physical DPSs and magical DPSs

I was looking at Video Games to steal OST's from, cause I'm a video editor for a friend's YT channel. I usually take stuff from my childhood, or really popular indie games. I have NEVER heard of this game before, not until I saw this video and it's thumbnail, I really liked the artstyle and vibe it gave off. Your video was very convincing and enjoyable for me to at least check this game out. Cue a day later, and I impulse bought the HECK out of this game with absolutely no regrets. The OST is absolutely stunning, I love the artstyles between the many archangels, pixelated characters and monsters, and character portraits. I'm having a lovely time, and I don't think I've ever felt something like this since PKMN Black, and I've played every Pokemon thereafter. Maybe the story isn't phenomenal, but the characters certainly carry it for me. Keighley is just an absolute bundle of joy and I adore her. I look forward to seeing the rest of the leaders of the island, archangels, and settling into a team that I like and seeing more cassette beasts I'm fond of. Thank you for this video, I wouldn't have learned of this game otherwise.

1. Layers on layers: Bears have thick, layered coats Bears are certainly big and fluffy, but there’s a lot more than meets the eye! A polar bear’s coat is made up of two unique layers: The shorter coat provides insulation from weather, while the longer coat prevents water from reaching the short coat layer and skin. Each layer serves a unique purpose and allows bears to thrive in frigid conditions. 2. Bears are big, strong, and fast! Grizzly bears possess a biting force of over 1200 PSI, which is enough to crush a bowling ball or an iron skillet. Adult grizzly bears can run up to an incredible 40mph - the same pace as a greyhound - and would break the speed limit on many roads in the US! Polar bears, the largest of all bear species, can weigh between 900-1500 pounds and grow approximately 6-10 feet long! With all of these incredible physical traits, it’s no wonder that bears have proven themselves to be dominant predators in the wild. 3. There are eight bear species in the world There are eight different species of bear: North American black bears, brown bears, polar bears, Asiatic black bears (also known as moon bears due to the white, crescent-moon-shaped marking on their chests), Andean bears, panda bears, sloth bears, and sun bears. Each species is recognizable by its distinct size, markings, and characteristics. For example, sloth bears have adorable rounded ears, a cream-colored snout, and a unique "V" or "Y" shaped white mark on their chests. 4. One small step: Bears can walk on their hind legs Bears can walk a short distance on their hind legs. Bears typically stand on their hind legs to get a better view or scent of what’s in front of them. This ability is cruelly exploited in bear dancing, as bears are able to shuffle in a way that makes it seem like they are “dancing.” 5. Bears have a high IQ Perhaps one of the lesser-known facts about bears is that they are among the most intelligent land animals in North America. They have the largest and most complex brains compared to other land mammals their size, and they rely on this brain for a number of behaviors. For example, grizzly bears can remember hotspots for food even after ten years, and some have even been observed covering their tracks or hiding behind rocks and trees to avoid detection by hunters. Grizzly bears have also learned to camouflage their scent by rolling around in rotting flesh to sneak up on prey. Bonus Fact: Bears need your help Around the world, bears have become subject to an array of exploitation. This includes bear circuses, bear baiting, bear bile, and bear dancing. While this is our least favorite fact about bears, it’s also one of the most important - bears and other wild animals need our help to escape captivity, cruelty, and abuse. Speak up for animals that are treated with cruelty by humans, they need your voice, and they need you to keep your fingers off your wallet whenever you're offered a product of cruelty (for example a visit to the zoo, aquarium or circus).

Bro even though your super late to The Messenger your on the right track. Same thing for cassette beasts I’m glad these games are getting more attention.

"everything is double battles" SOLD. I have needed that double battle fix since Pokemon Colosseum and XD Gale of Darkness but the pokemon company has only dabbled with it until the S&V DLC. Thanks for the video, this is exactly what I was looking for, I'll be back for more content once I download CB!

The only "problem" that I saw in this game is that its brutally easy to break even in Harder, not as dumb as Pokemon but still pretty easy, to the point that mid-game you can have a not so specific nor difficult strategy to steamroll everything, including ALMOST, quote on almost, every boss.

Yo, this seams sick! It's a shame it flew under the radar, but Imma try to check it out

Going to have to check this one out

Thanks for the great video. I'd discounted the game as I thought it was too similar to Monster Sanctuary. I was wrong, and me and my 9 year old are really enjoying playing Cassette Beasts. Love the theme too.

I thankfully didn’t miss it. I finished the main storyline about two weeks ago and have been chipping away at the post game on my Steam Deck. Can’t wait for the „Pier Of The Unknown“ DLC!

That sub sneak in was gold 😂

You sold me at "monster collection." I never played pokemon as a kid (parents bought into the whole "pokemon is satanic!" thing), but I _did_ play Fossil Fighters Champions and fall absolutely in love with monster collectors as an RPG subgenre. I've always craved more and this sounds exactly like what I've been looking for.

Subbing to you was such a good call. Not only great content, but you recommand banger after banger. I got to know you when Asmongold watched your review for Chained Echoes, Subbed ever since. Keep up the Indie love!

This Game is pure gold!!! Take a TON of notes Gamefreak and Pokemon Comp. The only Miss, for me, is the sense of misguided the game have. Is a overwhelmed sense of freedom at point you cannot fell the progretion. BTW this in my top 5 of the year so far!!

I got the PC Games Pass a few days ago and I've tried a few different games that I've had my eye on for a long time, and none of them were hitting right. None of them until I started Cassette Beasts last night, that is. One boss in and I am already hooked, I already know I'll be thinking about it until I can sit down to play it some more. Might be my GotY too! (although it's tough to top Hi-Fi Rush)

STOP!!! You had me at pixel animation

wow that sounds neat. I definitely wont play this game but thanks for letting me know about it

Cassette Beasts feels like Link's Awakening with Pokemon combat mechanics

great review, thank you!

It was already on my wishlist and i was hesitant to buy it over something else but you helped me with my choice :)

yess this game sounds like a dream to me, the 2.5D, the double battles, exploring!!! defenitebly gonna give it a try!

It's good to see this game slowly getting more attention, it's one of the best indie games I played this year, one of the best monster collecting rpgs I played in the last few years, and I see it get almost no recognition compared to other games that are a lot less unique or interesting in the same genre.

The way I found out about this game is just that I heard the name of it once randomly, thought it sounded somewhat interesting, so I looked it up on steam, and I don’t regret buying it, gonna buy the soundtrack soon.

Hey...this was a fantastic video. Great work, I subscribed...this was such a good video review, I dug everything about it. Compliments to the chef!

Watched the video Lockstin & Gnoggin made on it recently and I was immediately hooked. Bought the game and the DLC and I cannot believe I missed out on this game.

That soundtrack in the main town 😍

Ok im convinced to try this

My biggest issues are the invisible walls when new areas are loading. And that clementine from the coffee shop and qwen from the dlc aren't avaliable as partner characters

This game remembers me of summon night story, the gameplay is different but there os something that gives me the same feeling

on the list now, get it once i've finished everything else

great video on Cassette Peaks

Thank you so much. I picked up this game on steam and it’s been a blast.

Just started playing this on the Steam Deck. Works great. Really liking it so far but I'm not very far in. Already better combat system than other games in its genre. What's immediately apparent is how much love the developers put into this game.

What this video doesn´t mention is that it has both local co-op and online multiplayer, I have been playing it with my brother all day and I really want to get it for myself. The funny part is we both chose Bansheep as our starter, we used the same remaster tree and they have both have names with a similar theme mine is Azrael and his is Raphael.

any raccomendation for games similar to this? I loved it and now that I'm dine with it I really want something similarr

Yeah I just had to subscribe, this video is a masterpiece!

I love Cassette Beast. Its it's own game. Very unique and entertaining. Does so much things better than Pokemon. For instance, the sticker feature and how any monster can be a different type if you go after the bootleg, which is their version of shiny monsters. Unlike Pokemon you don't capture the monsters, you record them and is able transform into them. I have it on PC and Switch. Clocked in over 100 hours on both.

Ok, this is a bit random but it is annoying me so much, but there is a sound effect used in this video that I have heard before, but I can’t remember where!! It’s first at 2.05, does anyone know what it’s from?!?

Between water moves increases ice type's def and fire turns them into water i was fully convinced

This beastieballs demo and temtem being in humble choice got me into creature collectors more than Pokémon ever could

Considering I Just finisher chained echoes and that After gris and Sea of stars this was the One on the list, I really can't wait to see what Will i get out of it

Been wanting to get to this game, but this year is just nuts.

So many things in this game just oozes charm, hard work and that feeling of going on an adventure. What an awesome, epic time ive had with it

You're right, I never even heard of this game before. I remember hearing something about some blatant indie Pokemon clone coming out for PC, but I'm pretty sure this isn't it. Glad you mentioned it to me. Unfortunately the only thing I can do with it is put it my wishlist, with the other 300 games that are waiting there for me to buy them after I've beaten the 1000+ games in my Steam library.

I just started this a few days ago because it hit Gamepass and immediately fell in love. I'm going to take my time with it.

I played this game on release date, as I had been following the development of this game for a while, and I loved it so much. Definitely my favorite indie game of the year, probably top 5 indie games ever imo

Can't believe you didn't mention bootlegs! Giving shines actual utility by making them change the monsters type is an amazing addition

Downloaded the game because of this review. The game is exactly just a you said. Thanks for introducing this

I decided to collect all the achievements in the game with already over 80 hours into game so far just need to get Cassette Beast Master.

It's like that one season of digimons where kids fused with digimon artifacts.