Twisted Monster-Taming Survival Game Achieves Record-Breaking Early Access Launch
Palworld, the unique blend of Pokémon-like creatures armed with guns, has achieved extraordinary success, surpassing one million units sold within its first 8 hours of early access release on PC and Xbox Series X|S.
Developer Pocketpair shared the remarkable news on social media, accompanied by an image of the game’s tamable critters expressing faux joy. The game’s concept, combining Pokémon elements with weaponry, coupled with positive fan feedback, has propelled Palworld into the realm of a highly popular launch.
Shortly after its release, the game garnered an impressive 200,000 concurrent players on Steam alone, swiftly rising to an estimated peak concurrent player count of 370,000 according to Steam Database. With inclusion in Game Pass, the exact player count remains unclear, but Palworld is making waves reminiscent of Valheim’s impactful debut.
To contextualize Palworld’s debut, the indie sensation Valheim reached a peak of over 350,000 players two weeks after its launch. Palworld’s next milestone to surpass is Sons of the Forest’s notable 414,000 concurrent players achieved in its debut weekend.
Beyond the sales figures, Palworld has received warm acclaim, boasting a “Very Positive” rating on Steam with over 2,400 user reviews. Players appreciate the game’s engaging loop involving battles, crafting, and survival with or against various Pals – oversized Pokémon-like creatures armed with guns.
Notably, Palworld’s success is not just attributed to its Pokémon inspiration; players are intrigued and somewhat disturbed by the game’s darker elements. In addition to capturing whimsical creatures, players can also capture human characters, establishing a supply chain to sell their parts in an in-game black market. The juxtaposition of cutesy critters and the darker undertones has added to the game’s appeal.