10 Best Games to Play While Waiting for The Next Palworld Update

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The enduring appeal of the game, known as Palworld, stems from several factors. It features adorable creatures, a delightful sense of humor, and an expansive world to discover. Moreover, its frequent free updates offer additional content to engage with. However, during periods between updates, one may seek alternative games to play. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of excellent creature collecting and survival games that can temporarily satisfy your Palworld craving until new creatures are available to catch.

The games I’ve compiled share many similarities with Palworld, catering to a wide range of preferences for fans. You’ll find some games that focus on cuddly creature collecting and others that emphasize survival aspects. Regardless of your preference, you’re guaranteed a fun-filled experience.

10. RuneScape: Dragonwilds

The game titled “RuneScape: Dragonwilds” is relatively minimalistic since it debuted in Early Access back in April 2025. Yet, it manages to offer a contemporary twist on the traditional survival and crafting elements found in the original “RuneScape”. It showcases open-world survival gameplay alongside RPG-style dragon combat for an enjoyable mix of action.

Since RuneScape: Dragonwilds is currently in Early Access, it receives new content updates approximately every few months. This ongoing development means that the game, much like Palworld, will continue to improve over time. It’s also worth mentioning that Dragonwilds offers co-op play for 1-4 players, enabling you to construct and survive with friends. RuneScape: Dragonwilds can be accessed on PC via Steam in Early Access.

9. Core Keeper

If you’re a fan of the survival aspects in Palworld and are seeking a pause from creature collection, I’d suggest giving Core Keeper a try. Scheduled for release in 2024 by Pugstorm and Fireshine Games, this open-world sandbox game requires you to explore, create, and develop your base to ensure survival. While it boasts adorable pixel art graphics, don’t underestimate its challenging combat! Although Core Keeper does contain some light animal care elements with numerous endearing creatures to nurture, it leans more towards a farming simulation rather than a creature-collecting game.

The game titled “Core Keeper” offers multiplayer cooperation for a maximum of 8 players, similar to the game “Palworld”. You can play it on PC through Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox One. Although it has moved beyond its Early Access phase, the game continues to receive regular content updates, keeping gameplay engaging. For Xbox gamers, “Core Keeper” is currently accessible for free with an Xbox Game Pass subscription.

8. Enshrouded

A different cooperative survival game that fills the gap left by Palworld during updates is called Enshrouded. This game emphasizes action RPG aspects, but maintains the open-world survival crafting fun. Additionally, you can tend to creatures while expanding your base. The setting for Enshrouded is a medieval fantasy landscape, guiding you from modest beginnings through to becoming a formidable and flourishing hero.

As an avid gamer, I’m thrilled about “Enshrouded”! This game allows me to team up with as many as 16 friends, offering an epic co-op adventure that’s hard to beat. Currently in Early Access, this means the game is continuously being updated with new content. At the moment, it’s exclusive to PC during early access, but the developers have plans to bring it to the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S once it reaches version 1.0.

7. Moonstone Island

If you’re looking for a game focused on creature collecting that also provides a comfortable gaming atmosphere, Moonstone Island is worth trying out. Unlike a traditional survival game, it leans more towards being a farming simulation and creature collector hybrid. Moonstone Island offers charming pixel art, simple farming tasks, and turn-based battles with the creatures you collect. What’s more, its open world features an expanding map that becomes accessible as you advance in the game.

As a gaming enthusiast, I must say that Moonstone Island stands out from many games in our collection because it’s a solo adventure, unlike the multiplayer gem Palworld. However, despite missing the cooperative aspect, it offers an engaging gameplay experience that’s stress-free and survival-less. You can dive into this captivating world on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, or as an exclusive title on Crunchyroll’s mobile platform.

6. Conan Exiles

Fans of Conan the Barbarian, I’m guessing you’re already aware, but I wanted to let you know about Conan Exiles. This game is set in the world of Conan the Barbarian and tasks players with surviving in a vast open-world environment filled with adversaries. The combat is intense and gory, so be prepared for some graphic violence – it’s quite different from Palworld. If you enjoy an ancient setting and don’t mind mature themes, Conan Exiles offers a fantastic cooperative survival experience. Plus, you can even ride various monster mounts, including some that can fly.

2018 saw the launch of Conan Exiles, a game that has since expanded with numerous DLC and updates, offering an abundance to discover. It offers both multiplayer cooperative mode or Player versus Player (PvP), allowing you to form alliances or challenge your friends as per your whim. You can enjoy Conan Exiles on PC through Steam, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the latest Xbox Series X|S. As a fan, I’ve been exploring its vast world since then!

5. Valheim

If you find Palworld somewhat simple, let me introduce you to the demanding survival game called Valheim. This game prides itself on being “tough,” meaning you won’t make it through its open world without facing some trials and tribulations. The theme of Valheim is inspired by Vikings, so you can expect to traverse a realm rich in Norse mythology references. As you construct your grand Viking hall, you’ll also struggle to survive across the Tenth World. While it may not be a traditional creature-collector, it does offer the opportunity to engage with formidable creatures and even tame rideable mounts, adding a unique twist to the genre.

Despite launching in 2021, Valheim continues to be in its Early Access phase. This implies frequent updates from the development team, but also signifies that the game is still being developed. Valheim allows for multiplayer gaming among up to 10 friends and can be accessed on PC via Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S during its Early Access period.

4. Terraria

Without a doubt, I’m drawn to the allure of a game that Palworld itself found comparable enough to spark collaboration – it’s none other than the legendary, pixelated treasure trove known as Terraria. Before Palworld graced our screens, Terraria reigned supreme in delivering an unparalleled 2D, sandbox survival crafting experience. The distinct pixel art style may differ from the 3D charm of Palworld, but the core gameplay promises to hit that very same enjoyable spot. And let’s not forget about the adorable creatures roaming its lands, waiting to be collected for the Bestiary – though they might not be as helpful in-game as Pals.

Despite being released in 2011, Terraria remains a popular choice among gamers and often ranks high on Steam’s concurrent player list. The developers continue to support the game with frequent updates that improve performance and introduce new features. You can play Terraria on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and various mobile devices.

3. Grounded 2

A game that combines the thrill of survival with a whimsical spin reminiscent of “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” is known as “Grounded 2”. This game incorporates the engaging survival mechanics, base construction, and crafting aspects you enjoy from “Palworld”, but presents an intriguing twist – everything in this world appears enormous, while you are diminutive. The formidable creatures you’ll encounter here are oversized insects, and yes, there’s an opportunity to tame them.

In simple terms, “Grounded 2” allows collaboration with up to 4 friends in its co-op mode, enabling you to journey together through survival. As it’s currently in Early Access, new content updates are on the horizon. If a fully released game is preferred, the original “Grounded” is also recommended. “Grounded 2” can be purchased for PC via Steam and as a preview for Xbox Series X|S and PC through Xbox Game Pass.

2. Ark: Survival Evolved

If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I could really use more dinosaurs in Palworld,” then I have just the right recommendation for you! Ark: Survival Evolved offers a prehistoric take on the open-world survival genre, where players can tame an array of ancient creatures (or dinosaurs, if you will) as they navigate through a challenging and enigmatic island. Similar to Palworld, this game focuses heavily on survival aspects, so keep an eye on your hunger levels and how the climate impacts you throughout your journey.

Survival Evolved” allows you to play either alone (single-player) or with others in a multiplayer setting, similar to an online adventure. If you choose the multiplayer mode, you can form groups or tribes with other players to share resources. This game is accessible on PC through Steam, as well as on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4, and various mobile devices.

1. Monster Hunter Stories

The Monster Hunter Stories series by Capcom introduces a twist on the traditional creature collecting genre, where instead of hunting monsters like in other Monster Hunter games, you coexist with them. Similar to Palworld, you’ll be able to capture and nurture creatures that can be utilized in combat and as transportation while navigating the game environment. The game provides an expansive world for you to explore, although it has a more defined narrative structure than Palworld’s open-ended survival gameplay.

At the moment, you’ll find two games in the Monster Hunter Stories series. But get ready for more adventures, as Capcom has announced the third installment in this popular creature-collecting RPG series. With the first two games, Monster Hunter Stories and Monster Hunter Stories 2, available on PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, and PS4, you’ll have plenty to keep you entertained within this franchise.

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2025-08-26 21:14