Palworld
In short: Palworld is an action game released in 2024 by Pocketpair, available on PC and Xbox. Our score: 7.8/10 (worth buying, especially on sale). Lowest price we found right now: $22.49.
Pokémon with guns in open world
Palworld, often dubbed 'Pokémon with guns,' exploded onto the scene in 2024 as an action-adventure, survival, and creature-collecting game. Developed by Pocketpair, it thrusts players into a vast open world teeming with mysterious creatures known as Pals. At its core, Palworld is about capturing these Pals, utilizing their unique abilities for various tasks, and surviving the harsh wilderness, all while building up a base and crafting increasingly powerful gear. Available on PC and Xbox, it quickly became a global phenomenon. The gameplay loop of Palworld is multifaceted. Players start by creating their character and are immediately tasked with gathering resources, crafting tools, and constructing a basic base. Capturing Pals is central to progression: you weaken them in combat, then throw a 'Pal Sphere' to try and catch them. Captured Pals aren't just combat companions; they can be assigned to work at your base, performing tasks like logging, mining, farming, generating electricity, and even manufacturing items, turning your base into an automated factory. Exploration is key, as different biomes house different Pals and resources, and challenging boss Pals offer rare rewards. Combat is a mix of third-person shooting with firearms and strategic use of Pal abilities, which range from elemental attacks to support skills. Palworld appeals to a broad audience, particularly those who enjoy monster-collecting games but crave more depth in survival, crafting, and base-building mech…
Game details
- Developer: Pocketpair
- Publisher: Pocketpair
- Release year: 2024
- Platforms: PC, Xbox
- Category: action
Our review
Palworld is a surprising and fun combination of Pokémon with survival and building mechanics. Catch Pals, put them to work in factories, and fight in an open world. Despite early access, there is plenty of content and fun.
Pros
- Unique and addictive combination
- Large open world to explore
- Fun multiplayer
- Impressive Pal variety
- Relatively low price
Cons
- Still in early access
- Bugs and unstable performance
- Limited endgame depth
- Pal AI sometimes problematic
FAQ
- Is Palworld just Pokemon with guns?
- While it features creature collecting, Palworld is a survival crafting game with base building, multiplayer, and open-world exploration.
- Can you play Palworld with friends?
- Yes, Palworld supports multiplayer for up to 32 players on dedicated servers, or 4 players in co-op mode.
- What platforms is Palworld available on?
- Currently, Palworld is available for PC through Steam and Xbox consoles (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S). It is also accessible via Xbox Game Pass for both PC and Xbox. There are no announced plans for releases on PlayStation or Nintendo Switch at this time.
- What are the minimum system requirements for Palworld on PC?
- To play Palworld on PC, you'll need at least Windows 10 (64-bit), an Intel Core i5-3570K or equivalent CPU, 16GB RAM, and a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 (2GB) or equivalent GPU. You'll also need 40GB of available storage. For the best experience, a more powerful system is recommended, especially for higher settings.
- How much does Palworld cost?
- Palworld's price can vary slightly depending on your region and the platform. On Steam, it's typically priced around $29.99 USD. Alternatively, Palworld is available as part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription, which offers a cost-effective way to play it on both PC and Xbox without an upfront purchase.
- Is Palworld suitable for kids?
- Palworld has a Teen rating (ESRB) due to fantasy violence, blood (optional setting), and crude humor. While the art style is cartoonish, it features combat where players use various weapons, including guns, against Pals and human enemies. Parents should consider this content when deciding if it's appropriate for younger children.
More about this game
For parents
Recommended age: 13+. Palworld is a 'creature-collecting' open-world survival game where players gather or buy Pals, which are unique creatures, to fight, build, and explore. Unlike more family-friendly creature games, Palworld includes combat with firearms and mature themes, making it unsuitable for younger children.
Similar games
- God of War Ragnarök
- Portal 2
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Outer Wilds
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Last updated: 10/10/2026