Pocketpair is leaning into one of the most unexpected ideas to come out of the Palworld universe: a dating sim spin-off called More Than Just Pals. And yes, the studio is going out of its way to insist this is not an April Fool’s prank. Still, the announcement has the kind of deliberate weirdness that makes fans wonder just how serious the project really is.
Based on the game’s Steam description, More Than Just Pals puts players in the shoes of an exchange student navigating a new environment where Pals aren’t just creatures you collect or battle alongside. Instead, you can build relationships with them in multiple directions. You can befriend Pals, you can fall in love with them, or you can even eat them. The concept is designed around player choice, with the “relationship route” entirely depending on how you decide to interact.
That said, there’s an important catch: the Steam description being referenced dates back to last year, and the latest announcement didn’t add fresh concrete details. That means practical information—like final system requirements and other key launch specifics—still hasn’t been confirmed.
The timing also raises questions. Palworld itself remains in Early Access, and it’s been there for more than two years. With the full 1.0 release expected sometime this year, many players will understandably want Pocketpair to keep its focus on finishing and polishing the main game before going all-in on experimental side projects.
For now, More Than Just Pals sits in that intriguing space between genuine expansion and deliberately chaotic fan-service. Whether it becomes a full-fledged Palworld dating simulator worth taking seriously—or ends up being more of a playful concept—will likely depend on what Pocketpair reveals next.
