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Palworld fans say one monster outshines its Pokémon version
Palworld fans are praising a giant water-type creature called Panthalus, arguing its in-game encounter surpasses similar "legendary" battles in Pokémon games, despite the monster's design clearly echoing Kyogre from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. Developer Pocketpair added the long-teased Pal in Palworld's recent 1.0 release, and the encounter's scale and spectacle have helped fuel discussion about why the game has proven so popular, even amid ongoing comparisons and controversy over its similarities to Pokémon.
Panthalus is the largest monster in Palworld, so vast that only one can be kept per base, and it battles players at level 70 by unleashing tsunami-like waves that reportedly strain the game's frame rate. Clips of the fight have gone viral, with commenters contrasting its cinematic grandeur favourably against Pokémon's legendary encounters, including newer titles such as Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Not everyone is impressed, however, and some fans feel Pocketpair could refine the encounter further, something the developer may address given Palworld's live-service model. The game is currently available on Mac, PS5, Windows PC via Steam, Xbox One and Xbox Series X.
In short
- Palworld's Panthalus monster draws Kyogre comparisons, but fans prefer it
- It's Palworld's largest Pal, limited to one per base, at level 70
- Viral clips highlight its dramatic tsunami attack and cinematic scale
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Advocates argue that Panthalus delivers a more impactful legendary encounter through unprecedented scale, with the game's largest creature unleashing visually devastating effects that create a genuinely memorable experience. This spectacle-driven approach surpasses what they perceive as the relatively routine presentation of recent Pokémon legendary battles.
The case against
Critics counter that visual ambition and sheer scale do not constitute superior encounter design, especially when technical performance issues actively detract from enjoyment. They note that Pokémon legendary battles offer narrative depth and strategic complexity that Palworld, as an evolving live-service game, has not yet consistently delivered.
Explained simply
Palworld is a monster-catching game released in 2024 by Japanese developer Pocketpair, in which players capture and train creatures to battle opponents. It is deliberately styled after Pokémon, the hugely popular Nintendo franchise with an identical core concept, though Palworld incorporates darker themes and survival gameplay elements. Since launch, Palworld has attracted millions of players and consistently prompted fans to compare it directly with Pokémon, both as a compliment and a point of contention.
Legendary creatures are the most powerful monsters in these games, typically encountered as important story moments where players face uniquely challenging battles. Palworld's latest update introduced Panthalus, a massive water-type monster whose design closely mirrors Kyogre, a legendary Pokémon from the 2002 Ruby and Sapphire games. The encounter is presented with dramatic visual effects, with Panthalus so enormous that only one can be kept per base and its attacks producing wave-like displays that strain the game's graphics.
Comparisons between these specific encounters have sparked discussion about what distinguishes Palworld from Pokémon and what makes it appealing to players. For some, Palworld's presentation and spectacle represent a genuine improvement over similar moments in the Pokémon series, whilst others believe the encounter could still be refined. Such debates form part of the wider cultural conversation about Palworld's unexpected success and rapid popularity.