Palworld: A New Twist on the Pokemon Genre

Palworld is an exciting independent game developed by Pocketpair that brings together the beloved mechanics of Pokemon with intricate crafting, a vast open world, and a touch of delightful chaos. While it may draw some comparisons to Pokemon in terms of creature design and naming conventions, Palworld offers a unique experience that sets it apart from traditional Pokemon games.

When I first heard about Palworld, I had my reservations. “Pokemon with guns?” I thought to myself. “That’s not something I would enjoy.” However, as the game gained popularity and the player count grew, my curiosity got the better of me. I decided to give it a try, and ever since I started playing on January 21st, I have been hooked. Despite my previous disinterest in games like Minecraft and Valheim, I found myself captivated by this Pokemon-inspired survival game. It was the Pokemon game I had been longing for.

As a child, Pokemon was a central part of my life. I played Silver, Gold, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum – you name it, I had it. Then, during my college years, Pokemon Go was released, coinciding with a difficult time when I found myself in the hospital due to a severe kidney infection. Not only did it provide me with fantastic entertainment during this trying period, but it also became a means of making new friends and embarking on adventures with old ones. Pokemon Go changed the way we perceive Pokemon, and the stunning 3D graphics of Sun and Moon rekindled my love for the series.

However, in recent years, my interest in the franchise has considerably waned. I spent countless hours playing Sun and Moon, but Sword and Shield, followed by Scarlet and Violet, left me somewhat disappointed. The annual release of Pokemon games seemed to lose its groundbreaking appeal. Yes, there were new Pokemon and a few shiny additions, but the age-old formula lacked the freshness and innovation I craved. You start as a young Trainer on a journey, battling gym leaders, assisting legendary creatures, taking down the Elite Four, and facing off against the new incarnation of Team Rocket.

It became a repetitive cycle, and while it delighted some fans, I couldn’t help but feel a significant lack of novelty. That is where Palworld steps in.

Palworld appeared to be the Pokemon game I had been patiently waiting for. In this game, Pokemon roam a vast and immersive world where both Pokemon and humans have yet to establish harmonious cooperation. Here, you craft your own pokeballs instead of simply purchasing them, adding an exciting new dimension to the gameplay.

However, once again, I was met with disappointment. To me, Palworld felt lackluster and lacked the excitement that kept me coming back for more. The crafting system felt underdeveloped, and the storyline followed the same predictable formula. Regrettably, Arceus didn’t deliver the captivating experience I had hoped for.

Nevertheless, it is in the realm of survival and crafting that Palworld truly shines. Although the gameplay may have some rough edges, its core mechanics revolve around these crafting elements. Like any good survival game, you establish and upgrade your base. Every exploration has a purpose – whether it’s searching for resources, gathering materials, or making purchases from the somewhat dubious trader in Little Town. In Palworld, your explorations truly matter, unlike in Arceus, where it often feels like running back and forth between two points.

However, constructing a base for survival does not overshadow the importance of the Pals themselves – they are the heart and soul of the game. By combining creature capture with base building, capturing Pals serves a practical purpose. You need fire Pals to cook food and create molds while water Pals help irrigate your berry plantations. Every action in Palworld makes logical sense. In contrast, Pokemon often revolves around the pursuit of the strongest creatures, but in Palworld, every creature has its purpose. Naturally, when you encounter more powerful creatures, you may choose to swap out your original team, but the world of Palworld is in constant evolution – quite literally.

The game’s story and lore may be rather basic in comparison to other titles, but the world itself feels alive. Random raids occur, with Pals engaging in battles, and most importantly – the presence of other players. One aspect that has always been lacking in Pokemon is the sense of a real in-game community. It usually boils down to battling, trading, or nothing at all.

While the multiplayer system in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet attempts to address this issue to some extent, the MMO-style ability to stumble upon random bases and encounter other players is absent. On my Palworld server, for example, my partner’s base is just over the horizon, and I can witness them leisurely interacting with their Tanzees. Meanwhile, one of our friends has created an incredibly elaborate base beneath mine, complete with equipment and Palworld Pals that I have yet to discover.

This multiplayer aspect adds a vibrant touch to Palworld. Although we may not have formed a group to conquer dungeons or traverse the world together, the knowledge that other people are out there makes this world feel authentic, lively, and exciting – far more convincing than the interactions with various non-playable characters encountered in Pokemon. I even assisted my partner in capturing an Eikthyrdeer, and our laughter through the microphone was genuinely contagious – especially when he was in the next room. I have never had such an experience in a Pokemon game, and it’s a moment that will forever remain etched in my memory.

While modern Pokemon worlds often feel stagnant and lifeless, the world of Palworld exudes spirit. Of course, there are bugs, and yes, the Pals now have guns. However, it is undeniably the most enjoyable gaming experience I have had in a long time.