Palworld is similar in many ways to Pokemon, but it goes deeper than being a ‘copycat’. The game’s first trailer was revealed in 2023 and will be released in January 2024. Palworld’s reveal prompted much confusion and surprise, giving the game an audience. Many similarities to Pokemon were called out, including the strange ‘Pals’, who looked and felt like Pokemon. Palworld resembles a Pokemon game, but what pushes it further is its focus on satire.

Pals, Pokemon, & Combat

Palworld’s gameplay introduces the Pals, who you use to battle other monsters. The Pals inhabit the Palpagos Islands, where you, the customizable main character, are stationed. Using ‘Pal Spheres’ you can capture these pals and add them to your collection. Pals are categorized by different ‘types’, which means that some will naturally have an affinity to a different element. There are over 126 Pals for you to engage with, and you have plenty of incentive to catch them.

On the surface, this is a very similar take on Pokemon, as all of these elements are commonly associated with that franchise. The true difference comes from the use of weapons, which you can arm your pal and yourself with. These weapons from numerous types, such as grenades, spears, axes, guns, and rocket launchers. You can use these weapons to mow down other Pals, which makes them easier to capture.

Evil Organizations

Pokemon is notorious for it’s gallery of iconic and well-remembered rogues. The anime featured Jessie, James, and Meowth, a memorable trio of comedically unfortunate villains. Each episode has them use a kooky scheme to capture Pikachu, only to be foiled and sent ‘blasting off’ again. The games feature other threats, such as the monstrous Ghetsis from Generation 5, or the emotionless Cyrus from Generation 4. Even when Pokemon subverts the usual expectations for villains, like Chairman Rose in Generation 9, they still have a presence.

Palworld takes a different approach with villains, which focuses more on the moral gray area. For example, the PAL Genetic Research Unit, or ‘PGRU’, is an amoral organization. They use selective breeding in an attempt to engineer the most powerful Pal in existence. The Rayne Syndicate is a criminal organization that poaches Pals and exploits them. They are the closest equivalent that Palworld has to a ‘Team Rocket’. These two organizations paint a good picture of how widespread Palpagos’ villains can be, and how effective they are.

Legendary Pals Vs. Legendary Pokemon

We have already brought up Palworld’s elemental critters functioning similarly to Pokemon. Palworld goes further than that, bringing in extremely powerful and rare ‘legendary’ Pals. Catching a legendary pal is easier said than done because fighting them is already hard. These creatures have more health and damage reduction to make them harder to fight. They are aggressive and remain scattered all over the island for the players. The ability to fight them head-on changes things.

The Legendary Pals function as a similar equivalent to the iconic Legendary Pokemon. Ever since Generation 1 started with Mewtwo, Pokemon has always found a way to include them in their series. They remain a facet of Pokemon’s deep tradition for every new generation. There is always going to be a legendary Pokemon for players to catch. This marks another intended subversion from Palworld.

What Palword does differently than Pokemon

Palworld and Pokemon are similar at first glance, but the games function differently. Pokemon is a straight RPG game that makes use of it’s intuitive system for players. Palworld has RPG-like elements, but it is an open-world adventure title that lets you use firearms. The two share similar themes, and Palworld is modeled on Pokemon. However, the game has just enough that sets it apart from its predecessor.

Palworld focuses on a different fantasy than what Pokemon. Pokemon’s focus is on battling through the gym leader challenge and collecting all of the Pokemon. Palworld is instead an environmental sandbox game that lets you do whatever you want. Overall, Palworld and Pokemon have enough that keeps them separate, but also enough that aligns them. The two games tackle different takes on the same fantasy, and it works well for both of them. If you fashion yourself a monster collector, you should check Palworld out yourself.

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