Is Aniimo a gacha game?
Aniimo is a creature-catching adventure from developer Pawprint Studio that blends Pokemon-style creature collection with open-world exploration and design elements reminiscent of Genshin Impact and Infinity Nikki. Despite its visual style and feature set appearing similar to traditional gacha games, Aniimo explicitly avoids the gacha mechanics that define titles like Genshin Impact and Infinity Nikki.
While the game includes many staples associated with gacha monetization—including numerous in-game currencies and complex menu systems—Aniimo does not feature the randomized banner pull systems that characterize gacha gameplay. This distinction means players won’t encounter the typical gacha mechanics of chasing specific characters or equipment through randomized draws with real-money spending incentives.
The design choice positions Aniimo as an alternative for players interested in the genre’s exploration and creature-collection gameplay but who want to avoid the engagement patterns and monetization structures typically associated with gacha games. By removing banner systems while retaining other trappings of the gacha aesthetic, Pawprint Studio appears to be targeting a middle ground in the live-service gaming space.