Mechanics wise, it's also just fun to see what discs get converted into what monster's. There is a ton of variety with monsters, allowing you to create hundreds of potential breeds! One major drawback I have is the combination system. It is extremely complex and the game won't forgive you if you make one little mistake during the breeding process. You have to do everything perfect if you want a champion to be born, instead of just another one to raise. There's also the very cryptic unlocking methods for certain monster breeds but I don't want this review to be 7 more paragraphs.

Besides all that, I think there's a much more important part of the game. Personally, I've never found a single Pokémon game to be very interesting. The series promotes the connection between you and your Pokémon, but ultimately this ideal turns out to be superficial when all you do is use them as fodder for your battles. Monster Rancher on the other hand, has you develop an actual connection between you and your monster. You have to pay close attention to your monster's strengths, weaknesses, diet, age, and especially their physical and emotional states. You are raising and training a living creature with it's own thoughts and feelings to become a powerful warrior. I don't think a game has ever left me so heartbroken and empty when my first monster died. Death is important in this game, it makes the time you have with your monster much more special. I think this game is far more powerful than any Pokémon game.