Summary
Pocket Pair’sPalworldis known for several different features, but its narrative and lore depth are not any of them. After all, its satisfying creature collecting, base building, and open-world exploration all make for a worthwhile experience, and some may not even think twice about the story behind it all. One of its biggest competitors in 2024,Enshrouded, has a leg up onPalworldin this very way — as it almost immediately immerses players into a different world, rather than simply offering them gratifying gameplay to keep them occupied and never inquiring about the game’s story. Even so, asPalworldis in early access, it still has plenty of time to make up for that.
Palworld’s gameplay can certainly prove to be fulfilling, but it will need more than that to survive in the long run. In fact,Palworldhas already lost over 90% of its initial players, and this is arguably due to the absence of a world worth investing in. However, it’s not too late, asPalworldlikely still has plenty of time to develop before its full release. As such, thePokemon-like creature collector should take strides toward improving its worldbuilding by adding regular updates that contribute to the depth of its lore and story. In the end, this could turn out to be its secret weapon, increasing its longevity by drawing former players back in for a fresh experience and giving new players more stable ground to stand on.
How Palworld Could Increase Its Longevity Using Lore
Palworld Could Add a Story-Driven Campaign in Its 1.0 Update
AlthoughPalworldlacks narrative depth, it doesn’t lack a story by any means. Underneath the game’s often hilarious premise is a detailed world. The only problem is that this world is really only built through cryptic diary entries that are not only difficult to find but also don’t provide much context for what is going on in the world ofPalworld.
The hit survival game could still afford to delve deeper into the origin of Pals, why they exist, and how the world itself came into being. There are little bits and pieces of all this information scattered throughoutPalworld’s open world, but it’s not nearly enough to flesh out the narrative underneath it all.
With the launch ofPalworld’s 1.0 update(whenever that may be), the game could also receive a story-driven campaign. Rather than players relying on finding diary entries to discover the game’s world on a much deeper level, perhaps they would be better off having their hand held throughout a series of story quests where they meet compelling characters and their adventure is given more meaningful substance. Even eachPokemongame, whichPalworldis clearly inspired by, has a story-driven campaign, even if some players still value gameplay over narrative.
Palworld Could Borrow Destiny 2’s Episodic Release Format
While they are entirely different experiences,Palworldcould also benefit from a narrative approach that Bungie’sDestiny 2is taking in its upcoming Final Shape expansion. Whereas the story ofDestiny 2has been ongoing throughout its nearly seven-year lifespan, The Final Shape will see the story now unveiled through “episodes” released at regular intervals.
WithDestiny 2’s episodic format, the game can effectively get rid of its current seasonal model in exchange for story acts instead of quest lines.Palworldcould afford to do something similar, even throughout its early access period, and release story acts in an episodic format to continuously draw players back to the game.
It’s currently unclear whether Pocket Pair intends to makePalworld’s story a central focus at any point, but it would likely be a powerful secret weapon. Thegameplay ofPalworldwas enough to enrapture players during the first month of its release, but it has already proven that it will need more than satisfying gameplay to outlast its competition — and a deeper story could help with that.
Palworld
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!
