Palworld Dating Sim Announced: Developer Confirms It's Real

Pocketpair has unveiled Palworld! More Than Just Pals, a dating sim set in its wildly popular monster-collecting universe — and it’s definitely not an April Fools’ prank this time.

The creators of 2024’s Pokémon-inspired survival game shared plans to add romance to their lineup on March 31. On any other day, fans might embrace the news without hesitation. But with April Fools’ Day looming, bringing a wave of fake game reveals and quirky developer announcements, many are approaching Palworld! More Than Just Pals with cautious skepticism.

Pocketpair is adamant to reassure doubters: Palworld! More Than Just Pals is a genuine video game. The concept appears to have stemmed from a 2024 April Fools’ gag, where the team teased More Than Just Pals as a playful jest. Now, it’s a reality, slated for a future PC release via Steam.

Palworld! More Than Just Pals feels like a bold addition to Pocketpair’s vibrant universe. Its description promises an experience where players can befriend and romance student Pals at the prestigious Palagos Private Academy. The game’s official Steam page showcases characters like the “charming” and “enigmatic” Katress and the “shy” Chillet, drawing names directly from Palworld’s creature roster.

“As the protagonist, you join Palagos Private Academy as a transfer student,” Pocketpair’s official description explains. “You’ll encounter unique companions (pals) and navigate school life through friendships and romance. Whether you choose to stay friends, pursue love, or take a darker path by battling and consuming them, the choice is yours.”

This is no April Fools’ joke :)

— Bucky | Palworld (@Bucky_cm) March 31, 2025

Pocketpair’s Palworld marked its one-year milestone this past January, with ongoing development bringing fresh updates. Recent additions, including crossplay support, Blueprint enhancements, photo mode, and more, keep players engaged while awaiting the dating sim. Meanwhile, those hoping for a Nintendo Switch 2 version of Palworld hold onto slivers of optimism, but even if a Switch port falls through, there’s hope Palworld! More Than Just Pals might eventually land on the console.