Palfarm Proves The Palworld Franchise Was Never Just 'Pokémon With Weapons'

Palworld has long attracted criticism Pokemon similarities to many players, both in jest and seriousness, dubs it “Pokemon with guns.” The perennially litigious Nintendo even launched a lawsuit Palworld of Pocketpair developers in Fall 2024, which is still ongoing. This didn't exactly help Palworld escape Pokemon clone accusations, especially from those who don't know.

But many of those who actually played Palworld stands for its originality: it is not only “Pokemon with guns”, but rather a sprawling survival game with multi-faceted base building and resource management systems. I'm not saying it's some marvel of game design or even that it's totally original, but it really has very little to do with it Pokemon when you actually break down its gameplay loop. Like Palworld the brand expands through projects like Palworld: Palfarmit's becoming even clearer that Pocketpair isn't trying to rip off Nintendo's style. love it or hate it Palworld it does its own thing and Pocketpair is much more risk tolerant than many give it credit for.

Palworld: Palfarm is indicative of Palworld's rapid growth and expansion

Palworld: Palfarm is basically a “cozy game” spin-off of the original Palworld experience where human avatars work alongside various friends to cultivate a thriving farm and community. It definitely has shades Animal Crossingwhich is a potential extra punch against Pocketpair, but it's also clearly inspired by the likes Disney Dreamlight Valley and Stardew Valley. If Palfarm is unoriginal, then almost any upcoming farming or life-sim game can be considered unoriginal.

Arrange the covers in the correct US release order.

Easy (5) Medium (7) Hard (10)

This category happens to include Pokemon: PokopiaNintendo owns the upcoming cozy, Animal Crossing– a Pokemon inspired game. If Palfarm is tearing Animal Crossing, Minecraftand Stardew Valleyso it is Popopia. The difference is that Palfarm published less than three years later Palworld entered early access (the game still hasn't released its 1.0 patch) while Popopia comes after decades Pokemon games, the vast majority of which were incredibly similar spins on the same formula from the 90s.

I don't mean to say Palfarm will be better than Popopiabut this suggests that Pocketpair is much more aggressive and experimental with Palworld concept than Nintendo Pokemon. It almost feels like Pocketpair is trying to tackle as many spin-offs and franchise-building efforts as possible, rather than resting on its laurels and simply giving the audience more of the same. If a developer really wanted to copy Nintendo's homework, it would be run Palworld already and work started Palworld 2without branching out and testing new ideas.

It is important to point out the high level of experimentation within the original Palworld game. As a game that is still in early access, it has received a lot of new and unexpected content, including crossovers with franchises such as Terrariums and ULTRAKILL.

Palworld Trading Card Game and Palworld: More than Friends continue to demonstrate the evolution of Pocketpair

In another apparent parallel to The Pokemon Company, Pocketpair announced in January 2026 that it would develop Palworld collectible card game. We don't know much about what this TCG will actually look like or how it will work, but it's definitely a big swing nonetheless. And again just because Pokemon just because he did something doesn't mean he can claim it. The Pokemon Company certainly did not create the concept of a trading card game.

A spin far, far away from TCGs, survival games, and cozy life sims is Palworld: More than just friendsa dating sim that seems heavily inspired Doki Doki Literature Club. Originally thought to be an April Fool's joke (More than just friends was announced on April 1, 2025), Pocketpair has finally confirmed that this is a real project in development. I have no idea what to make of this bizarre mix of dating sim, psychological horror, and monster collecting, but it's nothing Pokemon it would work, that's for sure.

Palworld's Fire was shining brightly; Here's hoping it doesn't burn

It's hard to believe Palworld just over two years ago in January 2024. The disproportionate number of spin-offs from this original title demonstrate Pocketpair's dedication Palworld IP, but that's also a little worrying. Palworld it's popular, but it doesn't quite have a foothold yet. It may still turn out to be a fad. If even one of these upcoming spin-offs was a big enough failure, it could halt further development of the IP for years to come.

Pocketpair has clearly landed on a satisfying gaming loop with the original Palworldthough I hope he will continue to develop this flagship with due zeal and effort. Spin-offs can help a brand grow and attract new demographics, but it will matter little if the brand's predecessor is neglected. I guess what I'm trying to say is this PalworldThe eager pursuit of spin-offs isn't necessarily good or bad, but it does symbolize some ambition and, dare I say it, courage on Pocketpair's part. These properties, unfortunately, set Palworld besides Pokemon.