Fresh Creature Battler on Steam Takes Risks Pokémon Won’t

As much as gamers love to critique Pokémon, it’s impressive that no other franchise has managed to dethrone the original monster-collecting experience. Realistically, the newly unveiled Steam creature battler, Olympus Rangers, likely won’t change that either. So, what’s causing this indie spin on Game Freak’s classic concept to capture so much attention?

The trailer for Olympus Rangers is racking up millions of views on social media for several reasons. While the graphics may be even more rudimentary than those in Pokémon, with designs that straddle the line between DeviantArt and budget-friendly platforms, the community seems willing to overlook these flaws. Why? Because Olympus Rangers offers features that you’d never find in a traditional Pokémon game.

Designed from the ground up for multiplayer, Olympus Rangers goes far beyond simple player-versus-player battles. It includes modes where teams or moves are randomized, as well as a unique mode focused on entertaining viewers. There’s an endless mode, which is just as it sounds, and another where you permanently lose monsters that faint.

The standout feature of Olympus Rangers is its extensive customization options. Certain lobbies allow you to tweak nearly every aspect, from the damage of super-effective moves to the number of monsters you can bring into battle. You can ban specific moves and monsters, and even let creatures learn more than four moves.

You also have control over the game’s presentation. Olympus Rangers comes with 60 original monsters, but players can import their own creature designs and movesets. With mod support, you can add custom items and stages, and the visuals can be 3D or 2D. Basic elements like avatars and banners are fully customizable as well.

One of the coolest features is the built-in database, which lets you see the effects of every move and calculate damage for any combination.

Interestingly, another reason for the buzz around Olympus Rangers is Pokémon itself. There’s nothing stopping players from importing every single Pokémon from Game Freak’s roster, making Olympus Rangers a potential platform for crafting a personalized Pokémon battle experience.

While Olympus Rangers doesn’t have a release date yet, fans are hopeful that the developers won’t wait until Pokémon Winds and Waves drops to give us a glimpse of what they’re calling the “ultimate battle simulator.”