Sorry if this is redundant, I didn’t see another thread focused on reactions to the game itself (just the Pokemon-ripoff news cycle).
I tried it on GamePass thinking, why not - might as well see how overhyped it is. And unexpectedly, I put in about 8 hours this weekend.
Despite some rough edges and some very clear inspiration, I am actually enjoying it. It has a very satisfying gameplay feedback loop and is an overdue (if involuntary) “modernization” of the basic monster-collector format.
I have been playing the ever loving fuck out of it any chance I get.
It is like a mix between Dark Souls, Pokemon, Death Stranding and Return to Moria. I love all of those things.
Is there jank? Sure, but not enough to harm my gameplay.
I’ve felt legit nervous facing some of the bigger higher level Pals, and the exploration is very well designed and always engaging.