Did you hear about this creature collector game that's been upsetting people lately? In it, you capture wild animals, forcing them out of their habitats and into fighting others, and even breed them for personal gain. Many of the creatures have dark backstories involving death and dismemberment. The cuddly designs of the creatures belie the true nature of a world that preys on its wildlife for fame and fortune. It's understandably become a lightning rod of criticism, where gamers seeking a wholesome, cozy experience are instead left to confront these simulated analogs of real-life animal exploitation. It's been an uncomfortable experience to say the least, but, hey, that's Pokemon for you.

Oh, did you think I meant Palworld? Nope. For the first time in the genre, as far as I'm aware, a creature collector game has owned up to its exploitation-as-gameplay systems--and I appreciate the sincerity.

In Palworld, the latest in a long line of Pokemon-inspired games, the otherwise ubiquitous cognitive dissonance between what a game in this genre says versus what it shows has finally closed. It must be the most cynical creature collector I've ever played, and that's a refreshing perspective in a genre so often tripping over itself to present things as joyous and heartfelt.