Kairosoft games are weird, and weirdly addictive. It’s hard to categorise them as they tend to be hybrids of different games – sim, RPG, monster collection – in various amounts. Strategy adventure sims with RPG elements perhaps covers it.

In Dungeon Village you recruit adventurers to fight monsters trying to destroy the town.

In Ninja Village you build up a town that’s Japan/Ninja-themed, and fight warlords

In Epic Astro Story you explore and develop planets section by section, selecting residents and sending them off on missions.

In Kairobotica you’ll also be spacefaring, but with robots

In High Sea Saga you sail from island to island, fighting pirates and hatching and evolving monsters

In Quest Town Saga you build up a town, earning gold by doing quests for residents

In Beastie Bay you grow your resort while capturing and collecting different monsters

The good about Kairosoft games:

they’re very long

they’re content rich

there’s an amazing Wiki

it’s hard to lose

On that last point, there is usually a timer, which prevents your high score increasing after a certain number of game-years. But the game still keeps going.

There are all sorts of special recurring events, such as award ceremonies through which you can earn in-game money and prizes.

Kairosoft games also tend to have recurring Special NPCs: such as Sally Prin, Chimpan Z and Bearington, which you have to unlock through various feats. These are usually super high powered.

Definitely worth a try if you’re looking for something absorbing that’s a bit different.