Pocketpair's Palworld stands out as a successful game of 2024, blending elements from renowned franchises such as Pokemon and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, along with survival mechanics akin to games like ARK: Survival Evolved and Rust. While Palworld has received acclaim for its inspirations, it still grapples with certain shortcomings.

Despite its popularity, Palworld faces challenges typical of early access games. One notable issue mirrors a common critique of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, raising concerns about the game's balance that necessitate attention during its development.

A Reflection of Zelda's Controversial Durability System

The durability mechanics in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its sequel have sparked debate due to the fragility of weapons. While designed to encourage weapon exploration, the system has faced criticism for the permanent loss of items. Similarly, Palworld's durability design echoes this contentious feature.

Nintendo attempted to address this in Tears of the Kingdom with repair options, but the core issue persisted. Now, Palworld finds itself grappling with a comparable system.

Evaluating Palworld's Fragile Equipment

In Palworld, items like weapons and armor require frequent repairs, reminiscent of Breath of the Wild. This demand for constant maintenance contrasts with other survival games, affecting gameplay balance. The fragility of armor, in particular, poses challenges when facing stronger opponents.

Leveraging Early Access for Enhancements

Despite current concerns, Palworld can leverage its early access phase for improvements. Player feedback offers valuable insights for refining the game's mechanics, including addressing durability issues. While these challenges exist, they present opportunities for Palworld to evolve and deliver a more balanced gameplay experience.