Featured Image Credit: Pocket Pair Publishing/Nintendo
The Pokémon rival Palworld is back in full force as it’s just weeks away from launching a game-changing update.
Since its launch in 2024, Palworld has evolved into something truly special. It lured in players with the promise of Pokémon with guns, and even narrowly avoided legal action when Nintendo attempted to sue it for copyright infringement.
This July, it’ll launch its free 1.0 update, just before Pokémon Pokopia launches its first paid DLC expansion in August.
READ NEXT: Pokémon Pokopia Reveals Free Update & Paid DLC, Adds Huge New Town
The full list of changes and additions being introduced via Palworld 1.0 hasn’t been fully revealed yet, but the developers tease that it’s basically a 27-page document.
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One of the biggest inclusions is an all-new story mode that’ll see players “unravel the island's mysteries” through missions.
Another big change is being made to the map itself. Existing areas are getting an overhaul to make exploration more engaging, and brand-new areas are being added, so there’ll be more to see than ever before.
Chances are, there will also be plenty of new pals to catch, tame, and battle with as well. You can catch a trailer for the 1.0 update below.
🚨 Revamped World & Story!
— Palworld (@Palworld_EN) June 29, 2026
Unravel the island's mysteries through a series of story-driven missions!
Vast new areas to explore, and existing areas improved to make them feel more alive!
Get ready for a fresh new adventure on Palpagos!
Palworld 1.0 arrives July 10! pic.twitter.com/NVCzmr6Sk8
That’s just the tip of the iceberg, and it dwarfs what Pokémon Pokopia is bringing to the table. For the $34.99/£29.99 Pokopia players are getting three separate DLCs, adding new towns and new gameplay mechanics.
In August, players will welcome the first of the three, which focuses on underwater building and exploration alongside new Pokémon.
The other two haven’t been confirmed yet, but expect bite-sized expansions to keep you coming back while you wait for Pokémon Winds and Waves to launch next year. On paper, Palworld’s offering looks more appealing. But Palworld’s shiny new release comes with a catch.
The developers at Pocket Pair are encouraging players to start from scratch when 1.0 drops. This is quite common with games like this, and another great example is Minecraft.
There are a lot of changes incoming, so for the best possible experience, a clean slate is recommended. That’s still annoying for those who have been playing since its early-access launch and want to keep all of their stuff.
You can stay the course if you want to, but then you won’t be enjoying everything Palworld 1.0 has to offer.
Even though Pokémon Pokopia’s upcoming DLC might be smaller in comparison, at least it won’t wreak havoc with your save file.
Nevertheless, Palworld’s 1.0 update is an exciting one, and what a journey the game has been on since its early-access launch.
In that time, it managed to maintain the bulk of its playerbase, and now that it’s finally going to be a fully-fledged release, it’ll undoubtedly pull in more players than ever.
For most gamers, Pokémon Pokopia’s DLC will be more appealing, but if you’re after a change of pace from Nintendo’s pocket monsters, Palworld is worth checking out when it officially launches on 10 July 2026.
