The Palworld Controversies Are Fascinating

Is Palworld just Pokémon with guns? Is Palworld gameplay good? Should Nintendo sue Palworld because of it's similarites to Pokémon? Should you play Palworld early access? Well, this video is a Palworld Review and Discussion video that tries to answer those questions. Since Palworld's release, it has been viewed as a divisive game, with some calling it a scam, while others calling it the game of their dreams. Palworld has broken steam records, sold millions of copies, and angered the gamers on X. Saying Palworld shook up the gaming landscape would be an understatement. Make sure to leave a comment with your thoughts and tell me how you feel about the game.
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[@AlexAdrift]

Do you Love or Hate Palworld? Let me know...

[@JohnDoe-bo5yk]

Loving it

[@Srab23]

I considered Palworld disgustingly low until I realized that Gamefreak had stopped making good pokémon games for me, and that I should be happy that another company is doing it instead

[@AlexAdrift]

@@Srab23 Yeah, I think Palworld and the growing fandom is a massive inditement of Gamefreak.

[@xephthetamagochi4046]

biggest issue with the "copied" mechanics is no mater WHAT you do you will copy some game out there because we have reached a place where we can't do anything 100% original

[@AlexAdrift]

While nothing can be 100% original, you can still do things your own way. Look at skill trees. Plenty of games have them. However, whenever you copy the mechanics, unlocks, and UI, then it blurs the line between emulation and imitation. Everyone knows most designs are "yank and twist" yet some forget the "twist" part.

[@lovellofwar]

Palworld: you’re over 18 and stranded on an island where you have to survive. Every Pokémon game: you’re a 13-year-old with a single mother, who makes bad decisions such as kicking you out the house to be friend creatures that should be able to murder you in seconds… yeah guys, it’s a copy😂😂😂

[@AlexAdrift]

The subject matter, tone, and age range is clearly different. They are both on polar opposite extremes compared to one another. Pokémon is still being designed for 10 year old's and has never aged with its audience which some feel is stale and tiresome.

[@aldrane7484]

As a heads up 'gaol' as in 'evergaol' is pronounced the exact same as the word jail. It's just an outdated way of spelling jail.

[@AlexAdrift]

Thanks. I no good with words.

[@Loromir17]

It just hit me. An open world game with a frankenstein kitchen sink of fan-favorite mechanics and aesthetics copied from other popular games, and ported assets... Palworld is a Skyrim mod compilation.

[@AlexAdrift]

Interesting comparison

[@matthewdoesntlikeit]

Glad to have found this channel. Very well spoken and comically sly.

[@AlexAdrift]

Thanks!

[@Jlin0012]

If gamefreak doesn't make the game and someone came alone and made it. Game freak need to STFU

[@AlexAdrift]

I think a lot of people share your feelings. They feel that Gamefreak has let them down and Palworld finally delivered the gameplay they've been wanting for years.

[@Opahyagenn]

These accusations are easy to make, hard to dispute, but at the end of the day, it is a fun game to play. In a day where originality is pretty much nonexistant, I personally think the most imporant thing about any game these days, is if its fun to play. And has no actual abuse of people involved.

[@AlexAdrift]

Yeah, originality and gameplay are important. The sad truth of gaming is that plenty of fun games are made under terrible conditions, made worse by terrible people or money hungry publishers. When a game does come along that does things the right way and is fun, I think people should support the hell out of them and pray they don't turn to the dark side like so many others.

[@graylandlowry8763]

I think it's so funny to complain about free assets. Sounds like gatekeeping. Writers used to complain about typewriters. Saxophone players complained about synthesizers. I'm guessing you would rather have a "real" mailbox full of junk than an email account Lol

[@AlexAdrift]

We've personally used free assets for most of the games that I've worked on. It is a literal money and time saver. Was not my intention to judge unfairly or gate keep. However, some games are shameless asset flips and some people are naive or ignorant to the sheer amount in the gaming scene, especially when it comes to those peddling poor environmental art. However, despite the flooded market of asset flips, I think Palworld has proven it isn't that despite the lackluster world design. It's a game with massive limitations in some areas, but overcomes these faults triumphantly. I just think some additional steps could have been taken to hide some things "under the rug."

[@JohnDoe-bo5yk]

Similar != stolen, its called inspiration and im glad they made this game

[@AlexAdrift]

Glad you are enjoying it

[@jedstanaland2897]

This is a great game and it's not even fully released yet or fully functional yet. The game is less glitchy than the newer Pokemon games from what I have seen and it has a more stable version of the type matching system and the game itself is more stable than any of the switch Pokemon games. Even the idle movements of NPCs are more functional than anything Pokemon has produced recently.

[@AlexAdrift]

Plus to be fair, it looks better. I keep seeing screenshots from Scarlet/Violet and they aren't flattering. Also, Gamefreak wants to sale you two copies of the same game, then make you buy two different versions of the DLC. Hopefully this game serves as a wakeup call cause I doubt some fans are going back.

[@jedstanaland2897]

@AlexAdrift I understand the purpose of multiple but different copies of the same game it was done with lots of games not only monster collection games. The key difference is that most of those games were a situation where they couldn't fit the entire game in one cartridge. Mega man, Digimon, legend of zelda, and many other great games all had the same thing at one point in time. The key difference is like I said before they couldn't fit the entire game into one cartridge because of one reason or another. For example with orical of ages and seasons they couldn't do both mechanics in the same game. With Pokemon until the 3DS erra they didn't have enough room to properly produce the RNG so it caused them major problems when they attempted to program.

[@AlexAdrift]

​@@jedstanaland2897 While that may be the case for previous titles, there is no reason to continue the practice other than money. In the past, it was also used as a way to incentivize trading, which, can still be done with a singular console now. ( Trade Evolutions ) Other games have tried to copy the Pokémon model but none has been as successful with it as Pokémon. Despite this, I personally feel it is outdated and done for money.

[@jedstanaland2897]

@AlexAdrift I have only minor statements about the catching odds and two separate versions. Yes they are more than capable of adding new all of them now and they obviously have the ability to produce only a single complete title with decent random chance for all the pokemon in to appear in the title there are one last reason to produce multiple versions and that is to encourage people to work together to complete their personal pokedex. This, however, this typically only typically results in one person purchasing multiple copies of any particular game. This said it has also caused other major problems like errors where if through zero falt of the player one or more Pokemon either have completely broken catch odds or appears in the wrong version(s) causing it to seam hacked.

[@AlexAdrift]

@@jedstanaland2897 Yeah, despite our complaints and hesitations, I don't think Pokémon is going to change. They've pumped out multiple copies for two decades now. Hopefully, Palworld opened their eyes but it is doubtful. I truly feel for the fans who've been let down for years now.

[@nickjones1540]

I think pocket pear built alot of the foundations of this game using craftopia as its testing environment. So many things are pulled directly from that game.

[@AlexAdrift]

Yeah, I've heard it is very similar. Craftopia seems like the "Demon Souls" to Palworld's "Dark Souls"

[@xephthetamagochi4046]

@@AlexAdrift it really is, it even has the capture sphears and what not lol but palworld is muuuuuch smoother running.

[@N0UG37]

They're made by the same people 🤷‍♂️

[@JustinMohney]

Is Palworld a Pokémon parody?

[@AlexAdrift]

I don't think the game takes itself serious. Hence, why you can capture and eat anything, including bosses and NPCs. The game leans into the absurd, sometimes unintentionally.

[@XiLock_Alotx]

I don’t dislike or like. I’m just window shopping with this title. To see what happens over the next 3 months and make sure it’s not a title that will “disappear” in a year. The studio behind this title has another early access game called Craftopia that has been in said early access for years. And rarely gets updates and fixes. So will just see how it goes over the coming months.

[@AlexAdrift]

Yeah, they can easily take the money and run at this point, having already generated close to 100 million. Hopefully they don't though.

[@davidanderson3388]

I knew it reminded me of Craftopia! Didn't know it was the same studio.

[@TheNeoGenea]

Now let's hope that the devs keep improving the games instead of making off with the massive cash load they got.

[@AlexAdrift]

Yeah, lets see if they follow their roadmap or just take the money and run.

[@itzdcx7991]

copycat are definitely coming and there's 3 on my rader that I have been waiting for

[@AlexAdrift]

Oh yeah, I would say some clones are incoming. Watch out for "Friendworld" and "Best Pals"

[@DanielJaud]

I'm very excited for the game, not gonna buy it as of now, 'cause I don't really like this 'Early Access' flood of games lately (and some just don't get finished at all) Love your take on the topic, it never feels like you want to push someone in a specific direction, way to go!

[@AlexAdrift]

Thanks! And great point about early access. I don't think the trend will stop though personally. I think devs will push out games faster than ever moving forward because of the money. Some devs need capital fast or will have to cut their losses. I've seen this first hand on some indie projects. This will of course lead to companies that hoodwink players and charge for unfinished, rushed, or asset flipped games. Unfortunate and I don't blame you for disliking it.

[@N0UG37]

"Lately"? Early access has been a thing for so many years

[@DanielJaud]

@@N0UG37 Surely, but right now it feels like there are only AAA or Early Access games

[@Vollification]

Not my kind of game, I'm just here to see the fight :)

[@AlexAdrift]

Get your popcorn. This game has ruined friendships lol

[@Vollification]

@@AlexAdrift Devs right now: "What have we unleashed... O_O "

[@AlexAdrift]

@@Vollification Imagine unleashing hell across the internet all while raking in 200 million dollars. I tip my cap.

[@dylansund3479]

I’m not loving the slavery accusations. And, coming from destiny 2, I think this game has been the smoothest and least buggy experience I have had in years. The early access pains of todays standard are not present in Palworld

[@AlexAdrift]

It's a videogame. I only make jokes. People can hate on what they want I guess. And Xbox admittedly has some weird jank I've noticed. I've had numerous crashes, get stuck in t-poses when first loading, and can't look up. There are plenty of games that have launched in worse condition though for much greater prices. Overall, not a major issue for me.

[@Vollification]

Me: *commiting actual genocide in Stellaris* "That's what's troubling you?"

[@AlexAdrift]

@@Vollification I love how this game has an "evil team" yet we make them look like saints compared to us. It is more a turf war between an evil syndicate and a disturbed serial killer.

[@leecoffill8425]

Well for starters, the claims that the game uses AI is completely unsubstantiated. The lead dev has mentioned AI a few times, and made a game that utilizes AI... called "Art Imitator." Think about that name for a moment, and tell me that the point is to approve of AI Art. It's stupid. Bit just say AI and the frothing crowed comes running with their torches and pitchforks.

[@AlexAdrift]

I think some people are just wanting a reason to hate the game. As for the AI, I think people need to realize that AI is common place when it comes to indie development. Regardless if they did it or not, AI is necessary on some accounts so that some indie titles can even get made or promoted. That is a truth that some are ignorant to. And this is coming from someone who has personally been replaced by AI.

[@cmonman5757]

this is a great video

[@AlexAdrift]

Thanks!

[@jeziscrust5793]

It's cute you kids still believe this game isn't being propped up by the controversy. The hype will die, and the devs will abandon the game like they've done with mqny of their projects.

[@AlexAdrift]

Even so, the game has generated over 200 million which is a massive sucess for any game, let alone an indie title. If the devs do take the money the run, the impact will still be felt for years to come. Every indie monster tamer for the next decade will be trying to emulate its success.