The recently announcedPaliafrom new developer Singularity 6 gets its inspiration from many different places. It markets its social simulators afterAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, but within a massive open world much likeBreath of the Wild. It’s also clear where it takes some aspects fromStardew Valleyas well in terms of rehabilitating and NPC relationships.
By adding the key gameplay elements from each of these games, Singularity 6 hopes to amassPaliainto anMMORPGwith endless opportunities where players can choose how they experience the fantastical world, its quests, and its main story. While some may choose to focus on exploration, others can put the bulk of their time into their guilds. Whatever the case, players have complete freedom in the world ofPalia, offering a relaxing, online experience.
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How Palia is Inspired by Stardew Valley
From the get-go, players will be pointed in the direction of a player home, but the land it’s on has been long abandoned, much like the start of most farming simulators. Players must work to revitalize their home, which includes tilling the land and starting a modest farm, perhaps for income. Similar toStardew Valley, players must build from the ground up from destroying rocks, chopping down trees, and likely using these resources to build what can eventually become a beautiful, full-sized home. Players will also have the opportunity to design the interior of their homes using extensive customizing options.
But beyond that, whilePaliamay take social simulation from games that specialize in this area such asAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, it takes some inspiration fromStardew Valleyas well. Players will have the opportunity toromance NPCs, a major element featured in many farming sims. Friendships and relationships require interaction and gift-giving, similar to the farming sim style, but unlikeStardew Valley, each romanceable NPC will have their own love language, and they can react to romance in a variety of ways.
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How Palia is Inspired by Zelda: Breath of the Wild
ButPaliawill be much more than just another farming sim. While social interaction and house customization are key parts of the game, exploration has been largely modeled afterBreath of the Wildand other open-world games. The hitLegend of Zeldagame introduced a new style of open-world exploration, allowing the player freedom in how they complete quests and finish the main story, which often results in players getting lost in adventuring around Hyrule. Other games have similarly taken from this style of gameplay that leaves small breadcrumbs around the world, keeping players interested, such asGenshin Impactand the upcomingPokemon Legends: Arceus.
Additionally,collecting recipes and cookingwill be an intriguing gameplay element, Singularity 6 said during a press release. But beyond simply cooking dishes that can aid in tasks and exploration, cooking will play a part in the community simulator ofPaliaas well.
How Palia is Inspired by Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Similar to how players can set upDream Islands inAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsor simply open them up to other players,Paliawill allow players full control over communication with strangers and access to player homes. Homes will be in a neighborhood, which isPalia’s version of guilds. Here, players will be able to initiate challenges, collect rewards, and take part in collaborative activities such as building their community with other players. Building neighborhoods will be somewhat similar to constructing and designing islands with shared Switch users, but neighborhoods can be opened up to others outside of that community as well.
Overall, Singularity 6 hopes players will make a second home out ofPaliaand its neighborhoods. While most MMORPGs rely heavily on combat, adventuring, and dungeon crawling, that will only be a fraction of what players can expect withPaliato keep the experience relaxing and stress-free in the wayAnimal CrossingandStardew Valleyoften do. According to Singularity 6,Paliais less of an MMORPG and more of a “community simulator,” focusing less on the intense PvP competitiveness and more on bringing players together.
Paliais currently in development.
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