Palworld has taken the whole gaming community by storm and for very good reasons. This new monster-taming game AKA “Pokemon with Guns” has gained massive attention from Pokemon fans all around the world. Some are calling it a clone while others say it’s a much better version of Pokemon.
I am here to try and settle this debate by giving you 17 reasons why Palworld is different from Pokemon. And I will leave it up to you to decide which one is better.
1. The Genre
One of the first and probably the most major differences between the games is the genre. Unlike Pokemon which is a turn-based RPG game, with its core gameplay loop revolving around catching and training Pokemon, Palworld is an open-world survival sandbox with third-person shooter elements.
2. More Activities
Being an open-world sandbox survival game, Palworld lets you do a ton of fun stuff, where you gather resources, build structures, and tame creatures called “Pals” to survive in a hostile wilderness. Pals can be used for combat, resource gathering, and even crafting your safe havens and whatnot.
3. Moral Dilemmas
Palworld challenges traditional gaming narratives by introducing complex moral decisions. Unlike Pokemon’s clear-cut divide between good and evil, Palworld thrusts players into a world where choices extend beyond the conventional, allowing them to tame, befriend, and even eat their Pals. This leaves the game in a grey area when it comes to making important decisions.
4. Freedom
The other thing that I love about Palworld is that it gives you much more freedom than Pokemon. The game invites players to build intricate bases, forge weapons and armor, and even capture and breed Pals for specific traits. You are not rushed into fights – you can explore the vast world, create your own little space and have your Pals work for you. You can choose your own path, build your own world, and just do your own stuff that is different from other players in the game.
5. Customization
Palworld also offers more in terms of customization. It’s definteily inspired by Pokemon but it’s still quite different – you can breed different Pals to create a unique one with traits that serve a specific purpose. You can use them for labor, battles, or just hang out with them as your monster buddies.
6. True Sandbox Gameplay
In contrast to Pokemon’s linear progression, Palworld places players in an expansive open world with the freedom to forge their own path. Whether you choose the life of a peaceful farmer, a ruthless poacher, or something in between. Palworld lets you shape your own narrative, offering a true sandbox experience that is different from the guided storyline found in traditional monster-taming games.
7. Survival Mechanics
Palworld introduces survival mechanics, infusing the gameplay with resource gathering, hunger, and environmental danger. This makes Palworld’s gameplay more strategic and tense, as you have so much to worry about besides catching monsters and fighting battles.
8. Combat Depth
While both games feature creature battles, Palworld stands out with its dynamic and action-oriented combat system. It gives you the ability to directly control your character and Pals in real-time battles, utilizing cover, terrain, and unique weapon skills. This is very different from the turn-based battles of Pokemon.
9. THERE ARE GUNS!
“Pokemon with guns” – that’s what fans have been calling Palworld and for obvious reasons. Palworld introduces weapons to this monster-taming world. You can have a ton of different weapons from ARs to rockets that help you fight against wild monsters. This certainly makes the Palworld more fun for people who crave action and are Pokemon fans.
10. Pals as Companions
Now, Pokemon surely lets you catch wild monsters and while you can call them friends, they are mostly just your soldiers. However, Palworld introduces a more multifaceted role for the monsters you catch. Beyond serving as combat companions, Pals can also be your friends or pets who can also help you in resource gathering, crafting, and even operating machinery.
Looking for more Indie games like Palworld? Check out my list of all upcoming Indie games in 2024 on Game Pass.
11. Dynamic Environment
In Palworld, the environment serves more than just a gorgeous backdrop in the gameplay. The inclusion of survival mechanics pushes you to adapt to a dynamic and ever-changing wilderness. You have to contend with hunger, resource scarcity, and environmental hazards, creating a more immersive and challenging gaming experience that we don’t see in Pokemon.
12. Eating Pals
One of the most shocking and dark features of Palworld is that it allows players to consume Pals as a gameplay mechanic. This shocking feature adds an element of realism and survival, forcing players to make tough decisions about the utilization of their Pals. This shows just how dark this game could be compared to Pokemon’s more lighthearted and conventional treatment of monsters.
13. Weather Challenges
Making the already challenging gameplay more difficult, Palworld adds weather challenges to the mix. Players have to contend with varying weather conditions, affecting both the environment and the behavior of Pals. From rain impacting resource availability to storms posing threats to your survival, weather also plays a significant role in Palworld’s gameplay.
14. Tools and Weapon Crafting
Crafting is also a significant part of Palworld’s gameplay and another feature that we don’t see in Pokemon. It lets you forge a variety of weapons to defend yourself, adding a layer of combat strategy beyond the traditional creature battles. And it’s not limited to weapons only, players can also craft a variety of tools, enhancing their ability to navigate and thrive in the challenging environment.
15. Black Market System
We have already established how Palworld is more dark compared to Pokemon. But it’s not limited to weapons and pal-eating – the game also has a black market system in place that allows you to trade valuable items, including people themselves. There are actually five different shady marketplaces in the game where you can trade rare items and more.
16. Better Multiplayer Experience
One of the things that I really love about Palworld is that it offers a much better multiplayer experience than Pokemon. Sure, Pokemon does have decent multiplayer mechanics, but it’s taken the franchise years to introduce basic features whereas, Palworld leans heavily on collaborative gameplay by hosting co-op sessions or dedicated servers for a shared gaming experience. Even if you crave some friendly competition, Palworld’s multiplayer has got you covered.
17. Better Visuals
With Unreal Engine 5’ immense capabilities, Palworld takes the crown when it comes to visuals. They are much more defined and visually appealing compared to most Pokemon games in the franchise. This is something that PC gamers would really appreciate.
Conclusion
Now, in light of all the above reasons, I think it’s not fair to call Palworld “Pokemon with guns”. It’s a totally different game with just a few similarities to Pokemon. There even are many Pals in the game that the devs seem to have ripped off from Pokemon, but there are more than enough differences between the two games that it doesn’t seem fair at all to put these games head-to-head.
