GamesSurvivalPalworldPalworld manages the biggest launch in Steam history, passing Hogwarts Legacy, Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and moreWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesSurvivalPalworldPalworld manages the biggest launch in Steam history, passing Hogwarts Legacy, Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and moreWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Pocketpair)

But it took years for Counter-Strike and months for PUBG to reach their respective peaks, where Palworld has managed its ridiculous player count in just a few days. That number puts it beyond the opening week Steam player peaks of games like Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and Hogwarts Legacy. It’s already more than tripled the player peak of Valheim, the next-biggest survival game on the platform. For comparison’s sake, here are the top 15 player peak records on Steam.
You might notice a few games in that list like Lost Ark and New World, which launched with massive hype and interest but which pretty quickly faded from the collective memories of most of the gaming world. Only time will tell if Palworld will end up being more than a flash in the pan, but it’s managed to make a little history regardless.
Across Xbox and PC, Palworld has sold over 5 million copies, as the devs have confirmed onTwitter, and that doesn’t even account for any Game Pass players. But it’s been a controversial success, with some harsh criticism pointed at just how similar many of its creature designs are to that of actual Pokemon.Palworld’s boss has shot down some of those concerns, saying “We have absolutely no intention of infringing upon the intellectual property of other companies.”
If you’re just getting started, check out our guides to find outhow to get guns in Palworldorhow to play Palworld multiplayer with friends.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”