Palworld has a variety of gameplay aspects: exploring the world, building bases and capturing the Pals. But you can also become an industrial overlord and really exploit the world. MeinMMO editor Sophia Weiß actually wanted to play Palworld in a pacifist manner. But then she met NPCs…
I actually only became aware of Palworld shortly before the early access release. Pokémon with a Gnarl, as everyone affectionately called it, just couldn’t convince me:
Pokémon has been with me since my early childhood, but after Emerald it was over. And creaks? I aim in shooters as well as an Oktoberfest visitor after three pints of beer. I should take my colleague Dariusz as an example – he put 100 hours into an aim trainer.
But when I looked into the game in more detail on January 18th, it appealed to me: an open world that I can explore? Very nice. Cute creatures that accompany me on my journey? Even better! Custom base building and I can stick ivy to walls? Ok I’m in!
But unfortunately things turned out completely differently.
Palworld shows the little monsters in massive action in the early access trailer
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How my pacifist cozy game became a battleground
My approach to Palworld was actually to just go with the flow. The following points were on the agenda:
My adventures started very relaxed when I arrived at the beach. I met my first Pals and worked my way through the tutorial. The whole thing had real Minecraft vibes: I can’t remember the last time I was so enthusiastic about cutting trees. Or stones. Or pals.
For the first time since Pokémon, I was eager to capture and get to know all of the lovable, cuddly creatures. It was so cute how they tended the berry fields and harvested wood in my base.
I almost didn’t notice the first raid because my hard-working team beat down the invading Flegel-Pals in a matter of seconds.
In the shadow of my first tower, however, my game began to change: There I found a settlement made of sheet metal, inhabited by NPCs dressed in black. NPCs shooting at Pals?
The knockout of my favorite pal was the beginning of my personal vendetta à la John Wick.
Into battle with the Kalashnikov: How I became John Wick in Palworld
I wanted to build a cozy base and live with cute pals. Now I was on a crusade against all NPCs who hurt Pals. Specifically: NPCs who hurt MY Pals.
At the top of the list were the poachers. Still armed with a bow and arrow, I cleared out the first camp. My Dinossom proved to be the star of my team: With his Dragon Wave attack, he knocks lumbering opponents off their feet and kills them with his flora whip. I hardly have to do anything.
This is how I smoke out one poacher camp after another. I keep my bow, even though I could have a crossbow – it just doesn’t shoot fast enough for my needs. I help out here and there, but Dinossom and later Arsoks are the MVPs of my raid.
I actually wanted to avoid it, but unfortunately Lifmunk has to resort to the big guns. Armed with some kind of submachine gun, it sits on my shoulder and cleans up what its teammates didn’t manage. It’s a true team effort.
Later I also equip my Tanzee with a kind of Kalashnikov – the ranks of opponents are thinning out more and more quickly. Even if one or two attacker types surprise me: the grenadier caught me a few times before I could deal with him. Doesn’t matter.
In addition to the Syndicat, the Free Pal Alliance is now also on my list. Because they want to save Pals, they treat them and me very roughly.
And my base? It’s still a bit rudimentary, but stable. My priorities lay elsewhere. Maybe I’ll soon build a second one at a strategically good point and build a real fortress there.
But first I have to explore the map further. The open world definitely has a few poacher camps that need to be smoked out. Everything for my sweet, cuddly worker bees. I just unlocked the recipe for muskets. So from now on I will be at the front myself. Wish me good luck.
While I’m happily playing Palworld, I keep coming up with new quality-of-life adjustments that I would like: I would like to be able to hide the UI for screenshots or I would like a photo mode. What are things you want for the game? Take a look at our survey: What features do you want for the game?