Palworld is an action-adventure survival game set in a vast open world that players can explore either solo or in multiplayer groups of up to 32 members. The game world is inhabited by humans and creatures resembling animals, known as Pals. Announced in 2021 and released in early access on January 19th, 2024, Palworld has quickly garnered attention for its unique blend of gameplay elements.
Developed and published by the Japanese studio PocketPair, known for titles like OverDungeon and Craftopia, Palworld has gained popularity for its innovative approach to survival and adventure gaming. Curious to learn more about this record-breaking game? Read on!
Gameplay and Mechanics
Palworld offers a rich combination of survival, adventure, and action mechanics within a sandbox environment. Players can explore a large open world on foot or with the aid of various mounts.
The game features Pals, creatures that serve multiple roles, including mounts, companions, pets, or even workers. Many players have drawn comparisons between Pals and Pokémon, acknowledging the developers’ inspiration from the nearly 30-year-old franchise. PocketPair has openly stated that they drew inspiration from games like Dragon Quest, Rust, Ark: Survival Evolved, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, particularly in terms of visual aesthetics, as well as from their previous title, Craftopia.
Palworld boasts an extensive crafting system, enabling players to create various items, build shelters, and develop settlements. Most tasks can be performed independently or with the help of Pals. The game also emphasizes action, with a world full of dangers, ranging from large, wild, and formidable Pals to hostile player encounters. Combat, particularly involving firearms, has sparked some controversy, which we’ll explore shortly.
Story
Palworld does not follow a linear narrative, instead offering a basic outline that serves as a pretext for gameplay. Players create their own story by choosing their path and guiding their adventure according to their preferences.
The game offers significant freedom, allowing players to explore the world, hunt wild Pals, or capture them in the picturesque landscape, transport them home, and engage in breeding, even mixing different types of creatures. Pals can assist in establishing and maintaining farms, building homes, and keeping them clean.
Some Pals excel as factory workers or miners, extracting valuable resources, while others can serve as bodyguards or soldiers. How players choose to treat and utilize their Pals depends entirely on individual decisions, offering a wide range of gameplay possibilities.
Fun Facts
Palworld has shattered records, selling 2 million copies within the first 24 hours of its release. Within four days, sales reached 6 million copies. The game has also rivaled previous favorites in terms of active players.
On the first day, 1.3 million players were active, with 1.5 million playing simultaneously within 24 hours, causing a slight server overload on Steam. The current peak is 1.8 million players, surpassing the previous favorite, Counter-Strike 2, which had the same number of active players.
However, the game has not been without controversy. The combat mechanics, particularly the use of firearms, have been criticized for their level of brutality, which some players feel clashes with the game’s otherwise picturesque and charming world filled with friendly creatures.
Key Features
- A blend of survival, action, and adventure gameplay
- Vast open world in a sandbox environment
- Significant gameplay freedom and variety of activities
- Capture of Pokémon-like monsters for use as mounts, companions, workers, or soldiers
- Cross-platform gameplay
Reviews
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