Palworld took the world by storm following its early access launch on January 19. It peaked at over 2.1 million concurrent players on Steam, selling over 12 million copies on that platform alone and amassing at least 7 million more purchases via Xbox Game Pass. Chances are, you’ve already tried it, even if you aren’t playing many other video games right now. Thankfully, the inclusive nature of Palworld makes it a great starting point for exploring other incredible titles.
From captivating survival crafting games to titles in other genres that have influenced Palworld, there’s a lot to explore if you’re looking to expand your gaming horizons. Here are five titles to try out to gain a better understanding of Palworld’s inspiration and potential future.
Minecraft
If Palworld has sparked your interest in survival crafting games and you haven’t tried Minecraft yet, now is the time to play the genre’s cornerstone. Although not the first survival crafting game, Minecraft was the title that brought the genre to the mainstream and established its foundational elements. With years of updates, Minecraft remains intuitive to play while offering hidden depth within its mechanics. Sometimes, it’s essential to appreciate the classics alongside the latest trends.
Minecraft is available across a wide range of gaming systems and devices.
Ark: Survival Ascended
If you’re seeking a survival crafting game that closely resembles Palworld in mechanics and design, then Ark: Survival Ascended is worth exploring. Palworld replicates many of its systems for progression and taming creatures, but with dinosaurs instead of cute Pals. Ark offers a more intense gaming experience, making it easier to transition to after spending time with Palworld. Its next-gen Unreal Engine 5 refresh, Survival Ascended, enhances the game’s visuals even more than Palworld.
Ark: Survival Ascended is available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.
Pokémon Legends Arceus
While Palworld may be known as “Pokémon with guns,” its gameplay differs significantly from existing Pokémon titles. However, if you’re looking for a Pokémon game that closely aligns with Palworld’s style, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a suitable choice. Released in 2022, Pokémon Legends: Arceus offers a unique focus on an open world where players survey and capture Pokémon without separate battle sequences. If you enjoy Palworld and haven’t delved into Pokémon games yet, Legends: Arceus is likely to resonate with you the most. You can then form your own opinion on the inspiration drawn by Palworld from this established RPG series.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is exclusively available on the Nintendo Switch.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
The open-world structure of Palworld, along with its stamina bar and glider mechanic, derives from Nintendo’s recent Zelda games. If you seek a streamlined yet liberating open-world adventure, the latest Zelda titles are worth exploring. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom particularly appeals to players who enjoy the crafting aspects of Palworld. It offers features like Fuse and Ultrahand for creating weapons and crafting various vehicles, enabling players to solve puzzles and navigate the world. If you enjoy interacting with Pals in Palworld, wait till you start engaging with Koroks in Tears of the Kingdom.
Like Pokémon Legends Arceus, it’s available exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
Enshrouded
Turning back to survival crafting games, there are various other options for Palworld players, including Lego Fortnite, Grounded, and upcoming titles like Nightingale. However, another survival crafting game demands attention and offers a better experience compared to Palworld. Enshrouded, though launched shortly after Palworld, differentiates itself with its fantasy world, questlines, and intricate building system.
An early access title, players of Palworld should consider giving Enshrouded a chance and witness the growth and evolution of both games together. It is currently available for PC.
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