Bytten Studio's upcoming open-world monster collector Cassette Beasts is shaping up to be a record-scratcher when it eventually comes out. Today, publisher Raw Fury has shared a brand new trailer that showcases the cosy, comfortable world of New Wirral.

This turn-based RPG has the look and feel of Pokémon, but with the ability to fuse the rhythm and music-inspired monsters is a lot closer to Digimon. Clearly capturing the "vibes" of the '90s from its inspirations, instead of sending monsters out to do battle, your character transforms into them at the click of a cassette player.

The trailer itself shows lots of traversal options, such as gliding, jumping over large gaps, and even solving puzzles. We're sure this is only scratching the surface of what Cassette Beasts' New Wirral has in store for us, but for now, here's everything we currently know, courtesy of the game's website:

Adventure. Battle. Transform.
Collect awesome monsters to use during turn-based battles in this open-world RPG. Combine any two monster forms using Cassette Beasts’ Fusion System to create unique and powerful new ones!
Welcome to New Wirral, a remote island inhabited by strange creatures you’ve only dreamed of, nightmares you hopefully haven’t, and a cast of brave folks who use cassette tapes to transform for battle. To find a way home you’ll need to explore every inch of the island, and record monsters to your trusty cassette tapes to gain their abilities!

Features
- Transform into monsters...using retro cassette tapes?! - Faced with the constant threat of monster attacks, the residents of Harbourtown, New Wirral choose to fight fire with fire. Record a monster to tape, then play it back to take on its form for battle!
- Fuse monster forms! - Getting close to your companion has benefits–while transformed you can combine your strengths to gain the upper hand in battle! Any two monster forms can be fused to produce unique, fully-animated new fusion forms.
-Explore a rich open world - Certain monster abilities can be used in human form. You’ll need these to help you get around, solve puzzles, and locate dungeons. Glide, fly, swim, climb, dash, or turn magnetic!
- Travel alongside a diverse cast of human companions - Never fight alone! Form bonds, spend time together, and help your selected partner complete personal goals to become a better team. The strength of your relationship determines how well you’re able to fuse!
-Master a deep battle system - Take advantage of elemental chemistry to apply extra buffs or debuffs alongside your attack, or even alter your opponent’s elemental type!

We don't know when we'll be able to wind the tape in on Cassette Beasts yet, as the game doesn't have a release date, but it's shaping up to be a bopping pixel-art tribute to monster collecting games, by the looks of things!

Are you interested in Cassette Beasts? Let us know in the comments!

[source youtube.com, via nintendowire.com]