Top Open-World Games Featuring Monster Summoning Mechanics

Summary

Open-world monster-summoning games are rare but a few standout titles deliver the mechanic well.
Palworld and Pokemon Legends: Arceus are top modern picks for open-world monster collection and combat.
Oblivion, Elden Ring, and Digimon World show diverse summoning: conjuration, spirit ashes, and Digimon training.

It’s surprisingly rare to find open-world games where you can summon monsters. While games like *Pokemon* are well-known, the combination of open-world exploration and monster summoning isn’t common. But if you’re looking for titles that let you call upon creatures to help in battle, there are still a few good choices available.

Many of the games on this list have been tested and shown promise, while others are well-known titles. What they all have in common is the ability to summon creatures and large, expansive worlds that players can enjoy exploring at their own pace.

Palworld

A Contender For The Title Of Best Monster Collector Game

Since its release in 2024, *Palworld* has been consistently successful, demonstrating PocketPair’s ability to create a high-quality game. It offers a vast open world to explore, along with base building and crafting features, making it stand out in the monster-collecting genre.

Okay, so Palworld definitely had a rocky start with all the talk about it being *too* similar to Pokémon and the legal stuff with Nintendo. But honestly, it’s carved out its own space and people are really into it. The recent update with a *Terraria* collab was a total surprise, but everyone’s loving it! If you’re a fan of collecting and battling creatures – like Pokémon or Temtem – Palworld is seriously one of the best games out there right now. There are just *so* many Pals to catch and fight!

Pokemon Legends: Arceus

One Of The Finest Pokémon Games Ever Made

Pokemon Legends: Arceus has gained a dedicated following among Pokemon fans, and for good reason. Beyond its stunning environments, the game dramatically changed how Pokemon games are played, offering a fresh take on exploration and battles. Players worldwide appreciated this new direction, and Game Freak discovered important insights into what their audience desires.

For anyone looking for a fantastic monster-collecting and battling game, *Legends Arceus* is a top contender. However, *Pokemon Legends: Z-A* is also gaining a lot of attention. Still, when it comes to open-world games where you summon creatures, *Legends Arceus* remains a great option for fans of the series.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

The Best Medieval Action RPG To Play As A Summoner

The saying goes that ‘fight fire with fire,’ and that’s especially true for the Hero of Kvatch in *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered*. Summoning powerful Daedra to battle the invading forces from Oblivion is one of the most enjoyable and satisfying things players can do in the game.

The Conjuration school of magic lets you summon creatures to fight for you, from the small Scamp to the powerful Flame Atronach, allowing you to overwhelm your enemies with a horde of allies. Alternatively, you can become a Necromancer, raising the dead as zombies, skeletons, and other dangerous undead minions.

Elden Ring

Summoner Builds In This Game Are Broken

Elden Ring features a diverse range of summonable allies – called Spirit Ashes – some of which, like the powerful Tishe and the debated Mimic Tear, can significantly simplify the game for players, especially considering its challenging soulslike nature.

In Elden Ring, players approach summoning in many different ways. Some enjoy tackling tough bosses with a lot of help, while others focus on using summons to avoid difficult fights altogether. Still others see summons as just one part of their overall strategy. Ultimately, there’s no single ‘correct’ way to play as a summoner, so players are free to experiment and use whatever summons suit their style without worrying about what others think.

Digimon World: Next Order

One Of The Best Digimon Games Ever Made

It’s incredibly difficult to capture the sheer scope of the Digital World in an open-world game, and most *Digimon* titles haven’t quite managed it. However, *Digimon World: Next Order* consistently ranks as a favorite among players who enjoy collecting and battling monsters.

This game revisits the iconic Digimon Village from the original 1999 Digimon World, but with a grown-up protagonist. Players must work with their Digimon partner to rebuild the village. A key new feature is the ability to train two Digimon simultaneously, and the ultimate goal is to achieve Jogress Digivolution for dedicated players.

2025-10-18 21:05