What happens if you took Call of Duty and set it in the Pokemon universe? We’re afraid of the legal ramifactions of even trying to imagine what the result would be. Luckily, we don’t have to risk going on an all-out legal brawl against Activision Blizzard’s and Nintendo’s lawyers, because Microsoft and Pocket Pair Inc., already did it.
Following earlier rumors that Xbox would pull off another Hi-Fi Rush this year, it revealed that it has chosen Palworld, making the upcoming game exclusive to the Xbox platform when it comes out on January 19 – shortly after the end of this year’s Developer Direct showcase.
This monster-collecting RPG combines elements of open-world survival and crafting gameplay, is set to offer a unique twist on the familiar monster-collecting genre.
Scheduled for release on January 19, Palworld will be available on PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store, as well as on Xbox Series X and S, and Xbox One in early access form. This release strategy indicates that the game is still in early development, with Pocketpair aiming to gather player feedback and refine the game over time.
The fact that Palworld will be available on Game Pass day-and-date across Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, and Windows PC is significant. It means that a broader range of players will have immediate access to the game, potentially increasing its initial player base and feedback – crucial for an in-development multiplayer title.
Palworld initially caught the attention of the video game industry two years ago in its initial reveal. Its blend of monster collecting with more mature themes, including the use of firearms, marks a distinct departure from traditional games in this genre. The game promises to offer over 100 “Pals” for players to capture, alongside various gameplay elements like boss fights, base building, and production line automation.
The game’s early access status means that players can expect ongoing updates and improvements. Pocketpair expects Palworld to remain in early access for at least a year as they continue adding content and making enhancements based on player input. This approach allows for a dynamic development process, where the game evolves in response to the community’s experiences and suggestions.
While Palworld draws obvious comparisons to the Pokemon franchise, it diverges significantly in its less-child-friendly approach. It’s not just a monster-collecting game; it’s also an open-world survival and crafting game where players can utilize their captured Pals in various ways. These Pals can fight alongside players, assist in building structures, gather resources, or manage farms. However, Palworld also ventures into darker themes. The game’s Steam page mentions the possibility of putting Pals to work in factories until their demise and even eating them for survival.
The game’s inclusion of multiplayer elements, supporting up to 32 players per server, adds another layer of interactivity and community to the gameplay experience. This feature, combined with the ability to explore, build, and survive in an open world with a variety of creatures, sets Palworld apart from other titles in the genre. The game’s early access release will not include PvP, but plans are in place to introduce this feature, as well as server size increases and additional content, as development progresses.
Ultimately, Palworld’s development team at Pocketpair seems committed to evolving the game based on the feedback during its early access period. This approach, coupled with its availability on Game Pass, positions Palworld to potentially become a significant title upon release.
