Is Palworld worth it?

What it is

Palworld is the survival-crafting sensation that pairs monster-catching with base-building, automation and, notoriously, firearms. It is far more than a novelty: the core loop of exploring, capturing Pals and putting them to work at your base is genuinely moreish, the automation systems run deeper than they first appear, and it plays brilliantly in co-op. There is an enormous amount to build, breed and unlock, the map keeps opening up as you progress, and for the price the sheer volume of content on offer is remarkable.

How it holds up

It remains in early access, and it shows in places. Expect the occasional bug, some rough edges in the UI and combat, and systems that are still being balanced and expanded through updates. The story and endgame are thin compared with the strong opening dozens of hours, boss and enemy variety could be broader, and the art-style similarities to a certain other creature franchise will not sit well with everyone. It is a game that is still growing rather than a finished, polished package, so a little patience helps.

The verdict

Mostly yes, especially if you have friends to play with. The moment-to-moment fun and value are hard to argue with, and updates keep adding to it. If you want a fully finished, story-complete experience you might wait, but at its asking price the risk is low. It rarely sits high for long, so it is worth grabbing when it dips near its all-time low, or checking whether it is on a subscription first. Check the current price on its page, and see our best survival games on sale and best PC Game Pass games, or browse the latest deals.