After Pokémon, Palworld Might Have Turned to Elden Ring for Some “Inspiration”

It seems like Pocketpair is far from taking a break from causing a stir, as they’ve found themselves involved in another controversy. The studio, already embroiled in a legal battle with Nintendo over perceived similarities to Pokémon, appears to thrive on excitement, having initiated yet another lawsuit.

Two days back, the Tides of Terraria update was released, and instead of everyone being overwhelmed by the crossover elements, a few players have begun pointing out something completely different.

The recently introduced challenging boss battles might seem eerily reminiscent to players who have frequently perished in the realm of Elden Ring, known as the Lands Between.

Déjà vu hits different when it’s frame-perfect





In the community, there was no delay in recognizing the similarities. One of the latest Tower Bosses in Palworld, named Bastigor, initiates an attack by emitting a terrifying war cry, then soaring into the sky and crashing down for wide-ranging damage. If this series of actions appears familiar to you, well done—you likely have battle experience against Hoarah Loux.

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The resemblances aren’t just noticeable; they’re almost indistinguishable. We’re discussing identical rhythm in animation, the very same dramatic pause prior to collision, and even similar camera techniques. It’s no longer about inspiration at this point. It appears more like a Elden Ring duplicate with distinct character models and artistic styles.

In the recent lineup of raid bosses, Blazamut Ryu stands out by disappearing in a cloud of lavender fog, then locating players and executing powerful series of assaults.

For those who have encountered Dragonlord Placidusax, they are well-versed in the familiar rhythm of this encounter. The identical special effects, predictable movement patterns, and that nerve-wracking instant when the boss resurfaces – it’s all part of the routine.

Neptilius, on the other hand, presents a laser light spectacle that resembles a collection of the most iconic moves from Dark Souls 3’s Darkeater Midir. The sequence of the beams, the timing of the explosions, and the spatial requirements are all strikingly similar, albeit presented in a different form.

Playing the field while dodging lawsuits

However, things heat up a bit as it seems Nintendo’s legal team is probably fine-tuning their arguments regarding the Pokemon case. Interestingly, Pocketpair has expanded its creative sources of inspiration instead. Indeed, it appears to be a shrewd decision.

You certainly can’t argue that they lack creativity when it comes to game design, as FromSoftware consistently creates some of the most iconic boss battles in gaming. It might be wise to take a page from their book and learn from the experts. Their execution is robust, the fights are engaging, and players seem to enjoy themselves even though they can predict each move.

You could almost marvel at their boldness. Most developers might shy away after encountering legal challenges, but Pocketpair continues to take big risks. Perhaps the key lies in their ability to inspire across various series – it becomes more difficult to accuse them of systematic copying when they’re taking ideas from everywhere.

The community’s reaction has been surprisingly relaxed. Players value well-designed bosses, no matter their source, and these battles certainly meet expectations. Occasionally, a skillfully done tribute surpasses an underwhelming original creation.

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2025-06-27 16:13