Summary
Pokemonfans looking to try something new after playing The Teal Mask DLC forPokemon Scarlet and Violetmay be interested in checking out Pocketpair’s upcoming titlePalworld. Described as “Pokemonwith guns” by fans,Palworldseems to be blending a variety of genres including open-world survival, monster collecting, and third-person shooter gameplay. Previously, the game only had a January 2024 release window, but developer Pocketpair recently confirmed thatPalworldwill enter its early access period on June 06, 2025, so players will be able to check out this strange title for themselves very soon.
Although some interested players are skeptical of how wellPalworldwill be able to blend several seemingly unrelated genres, others are cautiously optimistic that the game could be the next bigPokemon-like title. The game clearly draws heavy inspiration fromPokemon, with many of itsPals looking remarkably similar to certainPokemon, but the multitude of other features absent from thePokemonseries makesPalworldlook like its own unique take on the genre. WhilePalworldmight not be feature-complete when it launches in early access, players should still be able to get a feel about whether the game is right for them.
Palworld Could Be the Next Big Pokemon-like Game in 2024
All Confirmed Gameplay Mechanics in Palworld
There are obviously a lot of elements that make upPalworld’s gameplay, which could make the game seem overwhelming to players at first glance. Players will be able to participate in typical survival gameplay mechanics such as building structures and farming resources, butPalworldalso promises to take these mechanics a step further and allow players to command Pals to work in factories to automate resource production. Pocketpair even states that players can eat their own Pals in order to survive some of the game’s harsh environments.
One of the most interesting mechanicsPalworldclaims to offer players is the game’s poaching and crime features, which imply that the game could have a morality system as well. Players will be able to snag rare Pals from wildlife preserves as long as they don’t get caught, potentially opening the door for different role-playing options within the game. The use of weapons forhunting Pals is another aspect ofPalworldthat demonstrates how dark this game will seemingly be for aPokemon-like monster-collecting title.
Many ofPalworld’s features feel lifted right out of a game likePokemon Legends: Arceusand the latest trailer for the game supports this idea, as players are shown catching Pals in real time using Poke Ball-like items while sneaking up on their targets. The trailer goes on to show characters that look similar toPokemon’s Gym Leaders posing and holding these Poke Ball-like items, implying players will battle them at some point in the game. Players will also be able to traverse the world on the backs of Pals, which sounds similar to howPokemon Scarlet and Violetallows players to do so on the back of Koraidon or Miraidon.
Palworld Could Be a Dream for Co-Op
Palworld’s multiplayer features sound like the type of experience manyPokemonfans have hoped the series would implement for a long time. The game will allow up to four players to join together for co-op play, which includes exploration, PvP battles, and trading Pals, with the potential of 32 players all being able to play together on a dedicated server. Although some of these features won’t be added until a later update,Palworldis confirmed to belaunching day one on Xbox Game Pass, meaning it will be very accessible for groups of players looking to dive into the game together.
Palworldlaunches in early access for PC and Xbox consoles on July 15, 2025.
