Summary

  • Palworld's upcoming Sakurajima update introduces a large oil rig stronghold, but its realistic appearance clashes with the game's fantasy setting.
  • The design inconsistency in Palworld's world raises concerns about aesthetic stability and the direction of the game's unique identity.
  • To address the game's aesthetic issues, future updates could introduce new islands with different themes to justify the inclusion of out-of-place structures.

Palworld is looking to implement a good amount of content with its next major update. But while the additions aim to improve the game's player experience by giving them more to do and enjoy, they also bring a few issues. One, in particular, involves a structure bound for the massive Palworld update as it highlights one of the biggest problems concerning world design.

The Sakurajima update is coming to Palworld on June 27 and aims to improve and expand the game with new content. However, the oil rig stronghold involved in the update, as big and welcome as it is, raises concerns about the game's world design inconsistency. Although the new structure is an additional area for players to explore, its appearance makes it feel like it doesn't belong in Palworld's setting. Such a concern calls attention to the game's overall aesthetic problem, making it more prominent.

Why the Oil Rig Stronghold’s Appearance Is a Problem

If Palworld players can create a base that looks like an oil right, then Pocket Pair takes it a step further by making it an actual structure in the game. While the stronghold's addition provides a new layer of gameplay and intrigue with its unknown mechanics and features, its appearance can lead to the following issues:

  • Its realistic and standoffish look makes the structure feel like a huge disconnect from the game's fantasy-like setting
  • The structure's design highlights the game's strange choice of having highly advanced technology in a primitive/modern hybrid world
  • Its inclusion potentially signals that the developer could include even more out-of-place tools and structures in future updates

Implementing an oil rig may help feel as if the game's world is expanding, but it comes at the cost of aesthetic stability. There is already the issue of Palworld having creatures looking too close to those of Pokemon, negatively affecting the perception of the monster-capturing title. Having another issue involving the game's world design aspect may further that.

Reasons Why Palworld Should Stop Its Design Inconsistency and How It Could Be Solved

Even if such additions can help emphasize Palworld's unique identity, they also make it look as if there is no clear direction in what the world should be.

Establishing the setting is important as it helps with player immersion and sets expectations on what content to look forward to in future updates. Palworld has many beautiful locations, and adding structures that look as if they belong in them can make the game more appealing and inviting. If the developers were to add whatever buildings or tools they wanted, regardless of whether it matches the world's theme, it could lead to confusion caused by clashing aesthetics.

One way it could potentially mitigate the game's current aesthetic problem is if a future major update involves other islands with their own unique plot and settings. They can be set in the industrial and futuristic age, explaining why Palworld has structures that need to be unlocked with technology points or how there is equipment that feels as if it doesn't belong in the current timeline. It may not be easy to implement, but it could be a step towards helping the game explain why it has such seemingly random content, much less strongholds.

Palworld shouldn't rest on its early access laurels as there are still so many ways for the game to improve and issues to fix. The Sakurajima update is a step in that direction, but it also brings its own problems. While adding an oil rig stronghold highlights the overall design inconsistency, it can also be used as a lesson on what content Pocket Pair should consider in the future.

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Palworld
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Released
January 19, 2024
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
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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!

ESRB
T For Teen Due To Violence
Developer(s)
Pocket Pair, Inc.
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Publisher(s)
Pocket Pair, Inc.
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Engine
Unreal Engine 5
Number of Players
1-4 (Co-Op); 32 Players Server Limit
Genre(s)
Open-World, Shooter, Survival
How Long To Beat
36 Hours
File Size Xbox Series
6 GB (February 2024)