Palworld: The game that sums up 2024 like no other

How to summarize the year 2024 in terms of video games? This is a complex question. The year started in January, and here we are already in December. Several games have been released in the meantime. That sums up 2024. Perhaps I’m speaking a little harshly – there have, of course, been some exceptional games this year. Titles that I loved, others that were technically impressive, and some that combined both qualities. Like every year, many worthy games were released, testifying to the richness of this period. However, it seems that 2024 will be mainly marked by Palworld.

Palworld is not my game of the year. Even leaving aside my dislike of Early Access games (I think they’ll have their moment), it wasn’t among the 15 titles I considered highlighting. Nonetheless, there’s always one game that captures the spirit of gaming over a twelve-month period, and this year, that game is Palworld.

A game always defines a year

To better understand, let’s look at some recent years. 2020 marked the end (and beginning) of a console generation, with a strong emphasis on photorealistic technology and the pursuit of cinematic prestige, as evidenced by The Last of Us Part 2. In 2021, the pandemic disrupted the release calendar, leading to games being released randomly, like It Takes Two. Both of these games nevertheless won Game of the Year at The Game Awards, but that’s not always the case.

2022 saw the emergence of Elden Ring, its own Game of the Year winner, but that title didn’t define the overall feel of the year. The latter was instead shaped by the indisputable dominance of Elden Ring, leaving other games looking bland. Examples like Horizon Forbidden West illustrate this phenomenon well, with the sequel being put aside, four years after the release of the original.

As for 2023, it was synonymous with constant quality but above all with surprises. Baldur’s Gate 3 eclipsed all expectations, and everyone discovered something new. The GTA 6 trailer has finally emerged and Metroid Prime Remastered has been dropped without notice after years of rumors. On the other hand, Starfield had an unexpected landing. Each week brought its share of twists and turns. The case of Hi-Fi Rush, totally unexpected and released during an Xbox showcase, perfectly illustrates this spirit.

For 2024, the year seemed to start strong, continuing the good vibes of 2023. By the end of February, we already had major titles like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Helldivers 2, Tekken 8, and many more. However, the pace quickly slowed down, the victim of a blow from Nintendo. Regarding Palworld, a lawsuit threatens to slow down the game and hinder delayed updates. For 2024, it was the announcement of the Switch 2 planned for 2025 which left a gap in the calendar.

Without the Switch 2, 2024 feels incomplete

The Switch 2 was never really delayed, since it was never officially announced. No information about its name, specifications, or appearance has been released yet. We only know that it will be accompanied by a Pokémon game and a Metroid title. The elements that we see suggest continuity with the Switch, rather than a new console – a bit like the transition from the SNES to the NES. However, its arrival was widely expected for 2024, leaving a gap in the calendar. If we integrated a Switch 2 this year, it would become much richer.

It goes without saying that this observation seems obvious. But if we added a Switch 2 in 2023, that would make the program heavier. In 2021, when major releases were practically non-existent, this would have made it possible to reach the level of 2024. With 2025 which promises to be dominated by GTA 6, similar to the influence of Elden Ring in 2022, the year to Coming doesn’t need the Switch 2. On the contrary, it’s 2024 that really needed it.

Further parallels can also be drawn with Palworld – indie games continue to shine in the absence of major triple-A titles. The question of AI generation generates a lot of discussion, including who actually uses it. This year’s notable failures have often resulted from imitations of already established games, which seems to be the whole premise of Palworld. However, it is above all the disappointment coming from Nintendo that resonates the most.

It is worth emphasizing that it is not the entire year that is captured by Palworld, but specifically the gaming domain. In short, 2024, with its political upheavals, is closer to Metaphor: ReFantazio. Likewise, 2020 is symbolized by Animal Crossing: New Horizons, closely linked to confinement. But when it comes to the state of gaming in 2024, few titles this year reflect the fate of the last twelve months like Palworld.

Good to know

• Palworld, an independent game, aims to redefine expectations around early access games.
• The Switch 2 could potentially shake up the market with expected innovations.
• Current gaming trends show a renewed interest in titles inspired by classic mechanics.