7 Copycat Games That Are Better Than They Have Any Right to Be

Playing video games is essentially drawing from creative inspirations. Some games make it clear where they draw their inspiration from by openly displaying it, whereas others directly mimic a successful formula.

Occasionally, a game that’s often labeled as an imitator will pick out the strongest elements from its predecessor, polish them to perfection, and in some cases, even outshine the original.

Here are seven games that made copying look good:

Palworld (Pokémon)

If anyone had suggested a game involving the capture of creatures and their employment in factories could disrupt the market, I would have found it amusing.

But Palworld did just that. Few games in recent memory have generated as much debate as Palworld.

The game rapidly gained popularity, breaking sales records by selling numerous units in its initial release week. Upon release, it was often referred to as “Pokémon with firearms,” primarily because its designs closely resembled those found in the Pokémon series, causing considerable discussions.

In a broader context, Palworld demonstrates the potential for the monster-collecting genre to progress beyond the established path laid by Pokémon over many years.

In contrast to Pokémon, where there have been challenges adapting to contemporary gaming styles, Palworld presents a unique blend of an open-world survival setting, monster gathering, resource collection, crafting, and battle mechanics in a fresh and innovative manner.

For all the discourse, Palworld delivered an experience that players didn’t know they wanted.

The old formula was due for an overhaul; I transformed it into something fresh, exciting, and impossible to resist enjoying.

Resident Evil (Alone in the Dark)

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but acknowledge that the chilling genre of survival horror has deeply rooted origins. While Resident Evil is undeniably a game that shaped and defined this category, it’s essential to give credit where it’s due – Alone in the Dark was instrumental in its development.

1992 saw the introduction of chilling stationary camera angles, brain-teasing puzzles, and a spooky mansion backdrop in Infogrames’ horror adventure game.

Although AITD has earned its historical significance, it’s only right to acknowledge that Resident Evil significantly improved the genre by making it more user-friendly and captivating. Enhanced controls, a streamlined storyline, and a rhythm that kept players on tenterhooks made it the quintessential horror game during its era.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reflect on Alone in the Dark, which indeed paved the way for survival horror classics. However, as time has passed, some aspects of its gameplay have shown their age, becoming somewhat cumbersome to navigate today. Despite introducing numerous tropes that Resident Evil would subsequently polish, its combat system felt more like a daring experiment than a finely-tuned experience.

To put it simply, while Resident Evil wasn’t perfect in terms of combat, it certainly didn’t hit the mark. The melee mechanics in early Resident Evil games were quite awkward and the knife often felt nearly worthless. If you ran out of ammo, you’d find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, swinging at zombies with the hope that they’d fall before managing to get a hold of you. In this aspect, AITD had a clear advantage.

As a gamer, I found that the game delivered an exhilarating experience even without heavy melee combat. The precision targeting on zombie heads, the strategic resource management of my limited ammunition, and the escalating diversity of enemies kept me hooked. Every encounter felt like a heart-pounding challenge.

As a game enthusiast, I found myself hooked on titles that relied heavily on puzzle-solving boss fights and pre-determined showdowns – that was until I stumbled upon Resident Evil. Unlike other games where I knew what to expect, Resident Evil kept me on my toes with fresh threats lurking around every corner.

Instead of claiming that one game outshines the other, it would be more accurate to say that Resident Evil drew from the strengths of AITD, enhanced those elements, and added depth to them.

Lies of P (Bloodborne)

Initially, the game Lies of P appears to have been inspired directly from the genetics of Bloodborne, as it shares similarities in its Victorian aesthetic, swift fighting, chilling ambiance, and a universe teeming with nightmarish mechanical monstrosities.

Rather than coming across as a lifeless imitation, Lies of P refines the formula to establish itself as a strong contender. Notably, Lies of P operates at a fluid 60FPS, a feature that Bloodborne enthusiasts have long requested.

The fighting style undeniably bears resemblance to that found in games developed by FromSoftware. However, it also boasts its unique touch through an exceptional parry mechanic that offers a satisfying sense of accomplishment and diverse weapon customization options that enhance gameplay enjoyment.

In the narrative department, Lies of P sets itself apart from Bloodborne’s enigmatic lore with its clearer and more organized storyline, while maintaining an element of intrigue.

Instead of simply mimicking FromSoftware’s storytelling approach, Lies of P reimagines it for a new audience. However, Lies of P isn’t perfect; some boss battles can feel awkward, and the level design doesn’t have the sophisticated shortcuts or layered structure that Bloodborne was known for.

But for a game that’s so clearly a copycat, it’s impressive how much it gets right.

BattleBit Remastered (Battlefield)

Being a dedicated Battlefield enthusiast for years, I wasn’t anticipating BattleBit Remastered to offer anything beyond an offbeat independent spin-off of the series.

Somehow, despite being a low-poly FPS game, it succeeded in providing what Battlefield 2042 failed to: a genuinely massive, squad-oriented shooting game that boasted robust mechanics, significant team collaboration, and a gaming experience reminiscent of the classic Battlefield series.

At first glance, BattleBit might seem absurd – an apparently simple Roblox-style game crafted by only three creators aiming to emulate the pandemonium of a Battlefield experience. However, surprisingly, it manages to pull it off effectively.

1. The shooting sequences are well-executed, the damage feels significant, and the gameplay design promotes teamwork rather than imposing a specialist system like 2042. Features such as proximity communication, effective squad management, and a server search option give it a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic Battlefield games, rather than any recent release from EA.

It’s important to note that BattleBit isn’t without its flaws. The sound quality is a bit rough, and the visuals might not appeal to everyone right away. Some aspects like armor distribution and spawn points could be improved for smoother gameplay. However, considering it’s only $15, it managed to deliver a Battlefield-like experience that surpassed Electronic Arts’ $70 blockbuster in some areas.

Is it better than Battlefield at its peak? No.

But it sure as hell was better than 2042 at launch, and that alone is a wild achievement.

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun (Commandos & Desperados)

Shadow Tactics shares similarities with games like Commandos and Desperados, but it sets itself apart by providing a distinctive take on stealth strategies.

Unlike Desperados 3, this game provides more compact, finely-tuned stages with smaller teams, making each mission feel more intimate and personal. While Desperados 3 offers larger maps and a wider array of characters, sometimes the variety can be a bit overpowering.

In the game Shadow Tactics, each character’s abilities stand out uniquely. For instance, Hayato loses his shurikens once used, requiring retrieval later on. Aiko employs risky but efficient disguises, and her tactics often introduce a puzzle-like element, as seen with Yuki’s trap-setting skills.

In the game Desperados 3, there are several captivating characters, but it’s worth noting that Isabelle’s psychic powers, specifically her mind control ability, are remarkably inventive. On the other hand, some characters like Hector appear to be refined versions of characters from Shadow Tactics.

In the rugged, untamed backdrop of the Old West, Desperados 3 really stands out, offering a refreshing change from the frequently encountered ninja motif. Moreover, it refines gameplay by enhancing enemy movements for quicker patrols and streamlining disguise management.

For those preferring a measured, meticulous approach over intricate detail, Shadow Tactics stands out as the superior option.

Pizza Tower (Wario Land)

If Wario Land ever had a long-lost, hyperactive cousin, it’d be Pizza Tower.

The game appears to be heavily influenced by Wario Land 4. Unlike the self-assured Wario who saunters through levels, Peppino Spaghetti is a frantic mess, wildly dodging adversaries as if his very existence was at stake – and in truth, it truly is.

At first glance, it seems they have many common features. Peppino performs a move similar to Wario’s shoulder bash, although he picks up enemies and hurls them instead, resulting in the same forceful impact. Moreover, the layout of the levels, particularly the high-speed escape sequences, appears to be directly taken from Wario Land 4.

However, this scoring mechanism motivates gamers to chain combos and maintain fast-paced action, offering rewards for bold, swift gameplay – something that Wario Land did not emphasize as much.

For enthusiasts of Wario Land, playing Pizza Tower is a mix of joy and melancholy. On one hand, it’s thrilling to witness a game that so faithfully continues the essence of Wario Land 4. Yet, on the other, it serves as a poignant reminder that Nintendo has largely stepped away from this particular genre.

If Nintendo won’t bring back Wario Land, at least indie devs will step up to the plate.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk (Jet Set Radio)

When a game takes inspiration from a well-loved classic, it’s not uncommon to expect it to either miss the mark or simply serve as a sentimental homage.

Unlike some might think, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk isn’t simply a replica of Jet Set Radio. Instead, it enhances and innovates upon the original concept, offering a contemporary twist to the series. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk builds upon the strengths of Jet Set Radio and Jet Set Radio Future, such as graffiti art, swift gameplay, and its distinctive visual style, but refines these elements for a smoother experience.

The smooth gameplay enables players to seamlessly combine tricks and keep their speed going. Unlike some games that can feel stiff and unresponsive, BRC strikes the perfect harmony between control and style. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is just how you’d want a sequel to feel in spirit.

As a dedicated JSR fan, I’ve got to confess that Battle Royale Contender (BRC) exceeded my expectations in a way it shouldn’t have. It’s not the original, but its gameplay is so smooth and engaging that even hardcore JSR fans like me can’t deny it’s better than it has any right to be.

These games demonstrate that imitation is not necessarily a negative move, and remember, the saying goes, it’s not just about who came up with something first – it’s about who executed it most effectively.

2025-03-13 10:13