As manyPalworldplayers on PS5 are painfully aware, the game is currently suffering from some severe auto-saving issues. This criticalPalworldauto-save bughas been causing players to lose hours of in-game progress, and is no doubt prompting many to put their copy ofPalworldon ice until it’s resolved. Luckily, there’s a slew of similar titles on PS5 that are worth checking out in the meantime.
There are a number of factors that contribute toPalworldbeing a special game: its survival-crafting gameplay loop is familiar, but well-tuned, making it both approachable and compelling in the long-term, while its legally questionablePokemon-esque premise provides a strong X-factor. As such, those seeking similar experiences would be best served by exploring other survival-focused games with a strong core gameplay loop, which also aren’t lacking in the X-factor department. ConsideringPalworld’s clever blending of the creature-collecting and survival sim genres, adopting a bifurcated view of potential replacements may be for the best.
The Best Games Like Palworld On PS5 Right Now
For Those Who Love the Colony-Management and Survival Elements of Palworld
For better or worse, the survival-sim genre has been flooded with ambitious projects both big and small over the past several years. The high stakes of the genre, coupled with the possibility for nearly endless gameplay scenarios and forward growth, makes it a naturally appealing space for many, and there’s a good deal of diversity among such titles, for what it’s worth. But the question is, whichsurvival games are best forPalworldfans?
Well, for those who enjoyPalworld’s cooperative multiplayer elements, the likes ofEnshrouded,Valheim,Conan Exiles,The Forest,Grounded, andV: Risingare well worth checking out. These games follow a formula that is quite similar toPalworld’s, with players actively controlling their avatar and collecting resources through repetitive tasks, rather than assuming a birds-eye perspective and god-like omniscience. For fans ofPalworld’s combat emphasis, games likeV: RisingandValheimmay be particularly suitable alternatives.
Then there are the more strategic or community-focused survival games, likeMedieval Dynasty,Frostpunk,andPalia. These titles might be a good fit for the home-makers ofthePalworldcommunity—those who like nothing better than cultivating a thriving, comfortable, and efficient base of operations.Paliadefinitely falls into the more “cozy” side of the genre space, whileFrostpunkandMedieval Dynastyare more complex and stressful. Either experience could serve a fan ofPalworld, depending on their preference.
For Fans of Palworld’s Quasi-Pokemon Formula
A seemingly ever-relevant subject of discussion isPalworld’s similarity toPokemon. Once referenced as a common joke (the game was dubbed “Pokemonwith guns” long before its early access release),Palworld’s parallels with Nintendo’sseminal series have led to real-world litigation. Indeed,Palworldis similar enough toPokemonto provoke a lawsuit from Nintendo, so it’s safe to say that fans of the former will find a lot to love in otherPokemon-adjacent games.
Games likeTemTemandMonster Sanctuaryare perhaps the closest that one can come to aPokemongaming experience outside the titular franchise itself, centering on collecting various monsters for the purposes of battle, traversal, and puzzle-solving. However, they both have enough mechanical, stylistic, and narrative distinctions to avoid feeling stale or derivative. Meanwhile,BugsnaxandSlime Rancheroffer more low-key, meditative gameplay, while still centering on the act of creature-collecting. Then there’sPersona 5 Royal, a story-driven RPG that nevertheless features compelling monster-collecting and upgrading systems. It, along with several of Atlus' othermodern Megaten games, might appeal to fans ofPalworld’s creature-management loop.
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!
