Pocketpair Reveals ‘Pal♡world! More Than Just Pals’ Dating Sim — And Yes, It’s Real This Time
After last year’s viral April Fool’s gag, Pal♡world! More Than Just Pals is no longer just a joke. Developer Pocketpair has officially announced that the Palworld-themed dating sim is now a real, actively developed title, with a full Steam page now live for wishlisting: Steam Page. This unexpected (but very real) expansion of the Palworld universe was unveiled through a new trailer published today: YouTube Trailer. It offers a deeper look into this peculiar take on the world of Pals — and fans are already buzzing with questions, laughter, and just a little horror.
From April Fool’s Joke to Actual Game
Initially revealed as a parody trailer for April Fool’s 2023, Pal♡world! More Than Just Pals took the absurd concept of dating Pals to an extreme, blending anime-style romance tropes with the absurdity and surreal horror often hidden beneath the surface of Palworld. Today’s announcement confirms that this project is now an actual visual novel and is in development for Steam and PlayStation. There’s still no confirmation of availability for Nintendo Switch or Xbox Series X|S.
The Premise: Romance, Friendship... Or Cannibalism?
Players are cast as a transfer student at Palpagos Private Academy, where they’ll meet a colorful and curious roster of fellow students — many of them familiar Pals from the original game. Characters like Lovander, Chillet, Zoe, Chillet Ignis, Quivern, Nurse Saya, and Tarantriss each come with their own unique personalities and storylines.
You’ll be able to choose your own path: form meaningful friendships, dive into romantic relationships, or — as teased in the most Palworld fashion possible — dismember and eat your classmates. Yes, that’s actually an option. In fact, the game appears to balance lighthearted anime tropes with disturbing horror elements reminiscent of Doki Doki Literature Club — drawing players in with wholesome aesthetics before revealing a much darker core.
An Unusual Announcement Timing
While the timing — just days before April 1st — raised eyebrows, Pocketpair Community Manager John "Bucky" Buckley confirmed to Eurogamer that the project is legitimate and not another prank.
“Yes, it’s real. No, we’re not joking. You’ll really get to date (or devour) your favorite Pals.”
At the time of writing, no specific release date has been announced. However, the Steam page confirms active development, and fans are encouraged to wishlist the game for updates.
Are you ready to enroll in Palpagos Private Academy and choose between love, friendship, or… full-blown chaos? Let us know in the comments how you’ll be shaping your storyline in this bizarre twist on the Palworld universe!
