Following its release in January 2024, Palworld players were quick to draw similarities between the new game and Game Freak’s Pokémon franchise. Here was this game that played unlike any other game in its genre. With a massive open world, a large roster of monsters, and impressive estimated playtimes during early access, Palworld quickly generated a reputation for challenging Pokémon as a concept.
Players were able to fly their pals, battle with them, and ultimately enslave them to gather essential resources for a survival-like progression. The similarities to Pokémon were clear, and what ensued in the following months were lawsuits, moving court dates, and several updates. While, of course, creative rights are no joke, Palworld and Pokémon seem to be firmly lodged as rivals in the monster-based RPG industry. Legality aside, there is plenty that they are able to learn from each other to better the experience for fans of the genre. Without further ado, this is what Palworld and Pokémon can learn from each other as franchises.
Palworld – Let the monsters evolve!
As of right now in Palworld‘s early access, there is no evolution feature. While this likely could be due to the need to avoid copyright infringement, it is nevertheless a feature that would benefit Palworld. Pals like Sparkit should be able to evolve into their obvious variants, and in Sparkit’s case, this would be Grizzbolt. If pals were able to evolve, players would be able to raise weaker pals into usable companions. For now, I am forced to watch as my Cattiva stash ages in the box.
Pokémon – Expand the horizons… literally!
Even during early access, Palworld’s map feels far larger than any Pokémon region to date. Within each region in Palworld, there is a wide variety of monsters to fight and catch, as well as human bosses who often have their own unique monsters. In Pokémon, more often than not, players are connected to towns from routes, and this tends to be the extent of the open world, at least until Pokémon Scarlet and Violet made their debut. With a new urban feel in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the future certainly looks promising for an expansive open world. Given what is capable in modern technology, developers would benefit from expanding their regions as they are starting to with Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Palworld – Create storylines for the factions!
In Palworld’s current state, there is much to be desired in terms of factions. At the moment, there is hardly anything in terms of storylines for the factions of humans within Palworld. There is the Free Pall Alliance, who still keep captive pals in cages. The PIDF is a terrifying force of nature that somehow can track the player back to their home if crimes are committed, yet they lack any narrative whatsoever outside of brief NPC dialogue. Many, including myself, could see these organizations rivaling Team Rocket or Team Galactic. There are also leaders to each of these factions who serve as bosses, yet there is nothing in terms of build-up or any sense of identity to them. Palworld would certainly benefit from creating some degree of narrative to serve as a story for these organizations.
Pokémon – Allow most Pokémon to interact with the player!
Ever since I started playing the masterpiece of Pokémon Emerald, I knew that eventually in the future, I would be able to hop on my Pidgeot’s back and fly across the region. In the recent games, this is certainly a possibility. Palworld takes monster interaction to the next level. They allow players to ride on top of their pal, use them for passive buffs, and even boost morale back at camp. This exists in Pokémon, but not at the same scale. Players should have the capability to have a Chansey outside of its ball with a capability to heal statuses from the overworld – not a menu. Some Pals in Palworld even passively gather resources, and this would be easily achievable in Pokémon beyond simply stashing a single item into the Pokémon’s inventory. Imagine if your Diglet was able to whip up a random heart scale on occasion. This is a mechanic that players love, and Game Freak would only benefit by including them more frequently.
While these franchises have clearly been at odds since Palworld’s conception, there is a future that is bright with both of them in it. If the studios are able to put their differences aside and learn from each other they would be able to better the already thin monster-based RPG genre. Like it or not, both franchises excel in creating enjoyable games, but both also have their limitations. While the future of the lawsuit is unclear and Palworld still chugs onward through early development, one thing is certain. At a time where gaming becomes increasingly prevalent as a form of culture, it is better to put down the pitchforks and work as an industry to make it a better place.
