Palworld has reached a point of success where it has allowed itself to be available on multiple platforms. Being on the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X has helped it reach out to a wider audience and generate more sales, but the game making its way to everyone's phones will no doubt do even more for it. The mobile version of Palworld will be an interesting entry as it will have a particular advantage over its competition on the same platform, perhaps allowing it to be the more preferential option compared to others.
Krafton's partnership with Pocketpair has ensured that the Palworld IP will make its way to people's mobile devices. Though there's no telling when exactly it will be released, fans are speculating on what new things the version of the game will bring. Palworld mobile needs to be able to do something that will help it stand out from the competition, and the one thing it has going for it is that it isn't a live service title. This means it doesn't force people to play for fear of missing out on content, ensuring anyone can pick it up whenever and wherever.
Why Not Being a Live-Service Title Is a Good Thing for the Mobile Version of Palworld
One could argue that Pocketpair would have seen more success if it had chosen the same live service route that most of its competitors in the mobile space have taken. While it's easy to see why not opting for it means a door of opportunity has closed for Palworld and its mobile version, doing so actually gives the game a few advantages:
- Not having any timed exclusives means Palworld can be played by anyone at any given point in time, which means it's more inviting when compared to most other mobile titles
- No microtransactions show that Palworld doesn't require people to pay with real-world currency to enjoy themselves, making it a fun title that people can pick up on their phones without spending
- Assuming it doesn't go the free-to-play route, the one-time purchase of Palworld mobile means everyone gets to enjoy everything immediately while looking forward to future free updates, easily attracting potential players
The fate of Palworld's mobile port is still unclear, as many factors could make it a success or a failure. Still, not going the live service route may benefit it more than if it did, as it can help make it stand out against the other phone games it has to go against.
What Palworld Mobile Can Do as a Non-live Service to Ensure Success
While Palworld mobile puts the game's early access under a lens, especially since it won't be a live service title, it does provide Pocketpair with an incentive for continuous improvement. The developer can instead focus on quality, regularly providing minor and major updates on things that will keep people playing, such as cooperative multiplayer or PvP. The mobile port can even be modified to have features or mechanics that its other versions do not, potentially enticing current fans to purchase it on their phones and making the game more successful. If not, Pocketpair and Krafton could even consider introducing microtransactions. Non-live service games can still have them, but it would be in the fans' and Palworld mobile's best interest if they were non-pay-to-win cosmetics such as skins for Pals, armor, and weapons.
Palworld's mobile version could be a godsend for the game, but it has to have qualities that will allow it to overcome its competitors. It not being a live service title can be seen as an advantage, but Pocketpair and Krafton will need to give it more than what it already has to work with if they want it to see success.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 71 /100 Critics Rec: 58%
- Released
- January 19, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Violence
- Developer(s)
- Pocket Pair, Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Pocket Pair, Inc.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- Xbox Series X|S, pc
WHERE TO PLAY
In this game, you can peacefully live alongside mysterious creatures known as Pals or risk your life to drive off a ruthless poaching syndicate. Pals can be used to fight and breed, or they can be made to work on farms or factories. You can even sell them or eat them.
Survival: In a harsh environment where food is scarce and vicious poachers roam, danger waits around every corner. To survive, you must tread carefully and make difficult choices...even if that means eating your own Pals when the time comes.
Mounts & Exploration: Pals can be mounted to traverse the land, sea and sky—allowing you to traverse all kinds of environment as you explore the world.
Collect all kinds of exciting Pals to fight, farm, build, and work for you in this completely new multiplayer, open world survival and crafting game!
- Cross Save
- yes
- Number of Players
- 1-4 (Co-Op); 32 Players Server Limit
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Shooter, Survival
- How Long To Beat
- 36 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 6 GB (February 2024)
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
