Palworld review: "Seems completely oblivious to how odd it is"

Early VerdictPalworld is a strange and obliviously cruel game that nonetheless shows effort and some real thought running through its core design. Consequently, the end result (so far) is an arguably-functional hybrid of several proven formulas that still can’t help feeling like a tonal car crash.TODAY’S BEST DEALS$35.59at CDKeysCheck Amazon Early Verdict Early Verdict Palworld is a strange and obliviously cruel game that nonetheless shows effort and some real thought running through its core design. Consequently, the end result (so far) is an arguably-functional hybrid of several proven formulas that still can’t help feeling like a tonal car crash.TODAY’S BEST DEALS$35.59at CDKeysCheck Amazon Palworld is a strange and obliviously cruel game that nonetheless shows effort and some real thought running through its core design. Consequently, the end result (so far) is an arguably-functional hybrid of several proven formulas that still can’t help feeling like a tonal car crash. TODAY’S BEST DEALS$35.59at CDKeysCheck Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALS$35.59at CDKeysCheck Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALS$35.59at CDKeysCheck Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALS $35.59at CDKeysCheck Amazon $35.59at CDKeys $35.59at CDKeys Check Amazon Check Amazon Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. I’m still not entirely sure of what to make ofPalworldbecoming so monstrously big – as in, “setting records on Steam” big. A survival-crafting open world game blowing up on Steam is no new thing, but Palworld is massive right now, and no small part of that can be its notable similarity to…that game.You know which one I mean. Of course, Palworld is an Early Access release that is hugely, thought-provokingly similar to the popular monster-catching game… Ark: Survival Evolved. FAST FACTSRelease date:January 19, 2024Platform(s):PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox OneDeveloper:In-housePublisher:Pocketpair, Inc. FAST FACTS Release date:January 19, 2024Platform(s):PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox OneDeveloper:In-housePublisher:Pocketpair, Inc. Release date:January 19, 2024Platform(s):PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox OneDeveloper:In-housePublisher:Pocketpair, Inc. Team Rocket (Propelled Grenade) (Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) I created a character to call my own and, having been dropped into the weirdly familiar setting of “forested island with ancient glowing towers every four miles”, I immediately looked about to see where my promised machine gun was hiding. After all, Palworld has been pretty explicitly marketed with firepower at the forefront. In retrospect, this element seems pretty overemphasized: you’re dropped into the wild with nothing but your underpants and told to punch trees and rocks for the materials to make (say it with me) a base, a miner’s pick, woodcutter’s axe, campfire, and a crafting bench. Well, I’ve definitely heard this tune before, but found myself still impatient to trade out my knobbly stick for something with an extended mag and laser sights. (Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) So what we have here is a very recognisable survival/crafting system with the whole real-time Pokemon element merged through it, all to varying degrees of success. On an average excursion, you set out with a pocket full of Pal Spheres, some basic supplies and weaponry left over from Hitman, planning to go and unfog the map, and along the way use a combination of ammunition and strategically-applied dogfighting to catch new Pals and massacre hostile humans. There’s powerful trainers and settlements and boss Pals along the way, though actual context for your adventure is pretty thin on the ground. Overall, it’s a setup that’s not particularly distinct from any of the other survival crafters you can find out there, at least with the exception of the Pokemon factor. That element in particular is often fully automated, and not always to the game or player’s benefit. Once out of their Sphere, Pals are basically free to do their own thing (beyond your ability to give them broad, sweeping instructions), meaning they frequently make stupid choices or mindlessly sabotage you, often killing something that you’re trying to catch or stumbling into peril. (Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) As a result, there’s not much space for tactical thought in the average fight – you sling out a Pal and retreat to a safe distance to watch the fracas,mayberunning in to land a few hits if you’re feeling brave. If you are willing to get stuck into the fray, the gun and melee combat isn’t exactly deep: swinging a stick or opening fire interspersed with the occasional stamina-chewing roly-poly is ultimately the sum total of your options in most encounters. Happy Tree Friends (Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) “The mishmash of brutal, amoral survivalism and innocent saturday morning cartoons is something that never stops being ghoulishly fascinating” “The mishmash of brutal, amoral survivalism and innocent saturday morning cartoons is something that never stops being ghoulishly fascinating” But that brings me to the thing I really wanted to talk about in Palworld: the aforementioned tonal whiplash. It’s a game that is, all at once, somehow so much weirder and yet so much less weird than I can easily explain. Palworld is formed of fairly generic components that nonetheless manage to rub against each other in surreal ways, the chipper tone and aesthetics of child-friendly monster-catching games palpably grinding gears against the ruthless, blood-flecked pragmatism you would expect to see in something like The Forest. Frankly, the anime mascots dripping with visually-mismatched military hardware are barely the start of it. Don’t get the wrong idea, Palworld doesn’t contain the self-aware absurdity of a game like Bugsnax or Lollipop Chainsaw. Instead, it comes across as completely oblivious to how disconcertingly weird it is, which is somehow so much creepier. On a technical level there’s not much wrong with the way it’s designed, but the mishmash of brutal, amoral survivalism and innocent saturday morning cartoons is something that never stops being ghoulishly fascinating, for better or worse. P-p-p-pickaxe a penguin! Image1of2(Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.)(Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) Image1of2(Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.)(Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) Image1of2 (Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.)(Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) (Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.)(Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) (Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) (Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) (Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) (Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) (Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) (Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) (Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) (Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) (Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) (Image credit: Pocketpair, Inc.) But while Palworld’s weirdness is arguably a flaw, it’s still probably the best thing about the experience. Sure, I’m laughingatPalworld and not with it, but laughter is still laughter, right? Of course, these may all be things that get corrected as Palworld goes through the adolescence of Early Access, and I can’t deny that it feels like a fairly robust package. However, what’s there right now is a firm bedrock of (mildly sociopathic) mechanics that don’t seem to be going anywhere yet. Mind you, with the explosive success of its cutthroat little world, I can’t expect players will be waiting long. Disclaimer Palworld: Price Comparison $35.59ViewNo price informationCheck Amazon $35.59View $35.59View $35.59View $35.59 $35.59 No price informationCheck Amazon No price informationCheck Amazon No price informationCheck Amazon No price information No price information We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices More info More More about palworldPalworld drops a massive update that further distances the survival game from Pokemon following the Nintendo lawsuit, and fans couldn’t be more proud: “Justice for Palworld"Palworld’s Feybreak update adds a built-in Nuzlocke mode to the open-world survival game - and a taste of next year’s Terraria crossoverLatest"This is incredibly rare”: How Mouthwashing quietly became 2024’s breakout horror hitSee more latest► More about palworldPalworld drops a massive update that further distances the survival game from Pokemon following the Nintendo lawsuit, and fans couldn’t be more proud: “Justice for Palworld"Palworld’s Feybreak update adds a built-in Nuzlocke mode to the open-world survival game - and a taste of next year’s Terraria crossoverLatest"This is incredibly rare”: How Mouthwashing quietly became 2024’s breakout horror hitSee more latest► More about palworldPalworld drops a massive update that further distances the survival game from Pokemon following the Nintendo lawsuit, and fans couldn’t be more proud: “Justice for Palworld"Palworld’s Feybreak update adds a built-in Nuzlocke mode to the open-world survival game - and a taste of next year’s Terraria crossover More about palworld Palworld drops a massive update that further distances the survival game from Pokemon following the Nintendo lawsuit, and fans couldn’t be more proud: “Justice for Palworld"Palworld’s Feybreak update adds a built-in Nuzlocke mode to the open-world survival game - and a taste of next year’s Terraria crossover Palworld drops a massive update that further distances the survival game from Pokemon following the Nintendo lawsuit, and fans couldn’t be more proud: “Justice for Palworld” Palworld drops a massive update that further distances the survival game from Pokemon following the Nintendo lawsuit, and fans couldn’t be more proud: “Justice for Palworld” Palworld’s Feybreak update adds a built-in Nuzlocke mode to the open-world survival game - and a taste of next year’s Terraria crossover Palworld’s Feybreak update adds a built-in Nuzlocke mode to the open-world survival game - and a taste of next year’s Terraria crossover Latest"This is incredibly rare”: How Mouthwashing quietly became 2024’s breakout horror hitSee more latest► Latest “This is incredibly rare”: How Mouthwashing quietly became 2024’s breakout horror hit “This is incredibly rare”: How Mouthwashing quietly became 2024’s breakout horror hit “This is incredibly rare”: How Mouthwashing quietly became 2024’s breakout horror hit See more latest► Most PopularAnbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket”Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up"Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created”Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships”Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became"Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used”Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids”Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” Most PopularAnbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket”Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up"Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created”Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships”Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became"Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used”Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids”Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” Most PopularAnbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket”Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up"Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created”Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships”Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became"Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used”Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids”Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” Most Popular Anbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket” Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up” Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created” Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships” Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became” Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used” Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids” Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”