Palworld provides a fascinating take on a world where humans and monsters coexist. Read on to see what we can speculate about the unspoken lore of Pokemon that, given Pokémon's child-friendly approach, will likely remain forever unexplored.
Answering Pokémon’s Hidden History with Palworld
Have you ever wondered why some Pokémon bear an uncanny resemblance to humans or maybe contemplated the taste of Magikarp sushi? The lore of Pokémon is shrouded in mystery, usually given to us piecemeal through dialogue and flavor text that leaves us with more questions than answers.
Pokémon Arceus is currently the one game that dares to delve into the history of the world, taking place in the bygone era of Sinnoh, Hisui. Even then, Pokémon Arceus barely scratched the surface of its world. This ambiguity was intentional, as revealed by Pokémon Series producer Junichi Masuda in a 2019 interview with GameInformer. He confirmed that Game Freak deliberately avoids a coherent timeline for the Pokémon world.
So then, what does Palworld have to do with the Pokémon universe? Obviously taking some inspiration from Pokémon while avoiding all the family-friendly policies of its muse, Palworld gives a more raw view of what a world full of tameable monsters would be like and is perhaps closer to the Pokémon world than we realize.
While Palworld's lore may lack a structured narrative, a closer examination of its intricacies and parallels to Pokémon enable us to embark on a journey of revelation. Looking at the implications of Palworld’s gameplay and setting should help us understand more about the parts of the Pokémon world they didn’t want anybody to know about. It frees the Pokemon world of the shackles of censorship and shines a light on the secrets that had been so desperately kept in the dark all this time. Let’s take a look, shall we?
A Mon Eat Mon World
The notion of eating Pokémon has sparked debates among Pokéfans, who predominantly view these creatures as cherished companions. Despite the controversy, hints of Pokémon being part of the menu have emerged several times in the series. In the anime, for instance, Farfetch'd were nearly driven to extinction due to excessive hunting for its reputed tastiness.
Even the games reference Pokémon's role in the food chain, from drinking Moomoo Milk to Pokedex entries mentioning the delectable nature of certain Pokémon like Appletun’s back being eaten by children as a snack. In a 2018 Kotaku interview, Pokémon producer Junichi Masuda was asked about this and he said: "I’m actually curious about that as well." So even if the Pokedex does mention certain Pokémon parts being used as food, an outright confirmation eludes us so long as the games are marketed toward kids.
Recent Pokémon games, like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, also showcase meat as an ingredient, further raising questions about whether it comes from Pokémon. One theory is that with the advent of advanced technology in the modern Pokémon world, humans have discovered alternative and health-conscious solutions for their meat consumption. Potentially, they source it from cloning Pokémon parts or opting for synthetic substitutes, rather than consuming farmed or wild Pokemon outright. On the other hand, while Pokémon have been depicted as attacking humans in the wild, evidence of them actually eating humans is wholly absent.
But that is in an age of advanced technology. What about during Pokémon’s historical times? Were Pokémon ever utilized as a source of food? And did they likewise ever consume humans? This question regarding Pokémon's role in the food chain remained unanswered in Pokémon Legends Arceus, as the game predominantly features vegetables and fruits as the main form of sustenance. We see Pokémon exhibit aggressiveness and engage in attacks against humans, but only to the point of causing them to faint.
Palworld, however, takes a bolder stance, portraying the consumption of Pals as a necessity for survival. There are also carnivorous Pals, like the Direhowls, who pose a predatory threat to humans and other Pals, highlighting the grim reality of the food chain. It’s a mon-eat-mon world.
Even as Palworld progresses from a primitive to a more technological society, Pals are still used as food,often being used in stews and other various dishes. Applying that same logic to modern Pokémon games, it's plausible that, at the very least in the past, Pokémon were hunted and used as food supply, especially during a bygone era when codependence between Pokémon and humans had yet to emerge, before even Legends: Arceus.
In Sword and Shield, there was a curry dish, Kingler Curry, which was ultimately excluded from the official release. This dish featured Kingler's claws emerging from the curry. The reason for its removal from the game is evident, but its mere existence at least proves that this idea of eating Pokemon isn’t completely without merit.
Human-like Features Imply Crossbreeding
Have you ever pondered on the uncanny resemblance of certain Pokémon to humans, like Gardevoir and Machoke? The existence of Pokémon with clothing and the official "Human-like" Egg Group, comprising fully bipedal, two-legged creatures, raises intriguing questions that have actually been answered.
Clyde Mandelin from Legends of Localization noted that within the Japanese version of Pokémon Diamond/Pearl & Platinum, players can find a book in the Canalave Library titled "Sinnoh Folk Tales 3." This book delves into the notion of a closer bond between humans and Pokémon, describing how such intimate relationships were commonplace in ancient times, and even going so far as to mention the existence of marriage between Pokémon and humans.
Although this book is retained in the English version of the games, it underwent a complete rewrite to remove the idea of a Pokemon-human marriage. Instead of being about the relationship between the two, it was about Pokemon having equal rights to humans.
The folk tale suggests a potential shared origin between Pokémon and humans in the Pokémon world. According to the folktale stating that "long ago, people and Pokémon were the same," it is possible that certain humans evolved from being Pokémon, eventually becoming the humans we recognize today. Conversely, those who did not undergo this evolution might be the "human-like" Pokémon observed in the present day.
The theory remains to be determined, given that the account originates from a folktale, leaving room for exaggerations or even fabrication. This theme also has not been explored elsewhere in the series, not even in Pokémon Legends Arceus, which clearly depicts a separation between Pokémon and humans, indicating they did not yet coexist harmoniously.
If the folktale were accurate, drawing parallels between Palworld and the Pokémon world might imply that certain humans evolved at a faster rate than others. Additionally, it could propose that individuals who still exhibit Pokémon characteristics were captured or bred outside the human species.
This folktale could also be supported by the fact that the equivalent of god in the Pokémon world is a Pokémon itself called Arceus who was born in an egg and gave life to the Earth.
Furthermore, while the origin of humans is never explicitly mentioned, it is possible that Pokémon received assistance in evolving into humans and acquired their humanity through the guidance of the lake guardians Uxie, Azelf, and Mesprit. According to the Sinnoh Pokedex, these guardians imparted to humans the capacity to experience emotions, knowledge, and willpower.
Palworld opens up the opportunity to delve into the question of whether such unions actually transpired, offering a potential avenue to address the possible history of humans and Pokémon mating in the past. Palworld, akin to Pokémon, features a breeding system where two captured Pals can create a new creature. What sets Palworld apart is its peculiar twist – humans can also be captured.
While humans and Pals cannot breed, the 69th entry in the Paldeck (Palworld’s Pokedex), Lovander, has a unique trait of showing a romantic interest in humans, constantly seeking a night of love.
Initially focused on other Pals, Lovander has expanded its debauchery to include humans in recent years.
Lovander stands as the sole recorded Pal expressing a romantic interest in humans. While it remains uncertain if other Pals share similar inclinations, it's certainly possible that a Pal possesses a blend of human and Lovander DNA. Drawing parallels to Pokémon, this raises the intriguing possibility that certain Pokémon might have harbored romantic feelings for humans could have engaged in mating, and have had offspring.
While not every Pokémon may be compatible for creating offspring with humans due to differing anatomies, there could be a possibility of procreation for some Pokémon. Notably, certain Pokémon, such as Ditto, Zoroark, and Latias, have demonstrated the ability to transform into human-like forms, opening the door to intriguing possibilities
Although the anime exists in a separate continuity from the mainline games, there have been instances in the show where Pokémon have exhibited intimacy towards humans. A notable example includes Ash's Bayleef having a crush on him, and Latias developing feelings for him, even sharing a kiss in the Pokémon Heroes movie.
The relationship between Pokémon and humans in the past could suggest that some people might have ancestors who are Pokémon. In Palworld, captured humans can learn Pal abilities by consuming fruits designed specifically for Pals, hinting at a potential DNA connection between humans and Pals.
When considering this in the context of Pokémon, there are instances of humans displaying Pokémon-like abilities, such as psychic trainers like Sabrina, who possesses psychic abilities, and her father, who can use the move teleport
New Pokémon Were Created Through Breeding
Palworld and Pokémon share a common feature, known as breeding, that enables a male and female Pal/Pokémon to produce offspring. However, a notable distinction exists between the two systems. While main Pokémon games traditionally allow breeding to result in offspring of the female parent's species, Palworld introduces a more versatile approach. In Palworld, breeding a Jetragon and an Elphidran, for instance, produces a Jormuntide—a species entirely distinct from its parentage. This flexibility allows for the creation of entirely new breeds.
Drawing parallels, it's plausible that humans in the Pokémon world, similar to those in Palworld, may have engaged in selective breeding in the past. This selective breeding is different from trying to get the perfect IVs and EVs, but strictly for the purpose of developing entirely new Pokémon species, potentially giving us a lot of the beloved Pokémon we’re familiar with.
The creation of new Pokémon through traditional breeding methods is undocumented, but humans undoubtedly have the ability to influence Pokémon evolution directly. And we’re not talking about taking a Water Stone to an Eevee, but rather the creation of distinct species. Some examples involve human tampering, such as the crafting of an ancient golem Golurk for safeguarding civilizations, as well as the inadvertent creation of Pokémon due to environmental factors, as seen with Trubbish or Grimer.
In more modern times, the human role in Pokémon creation evolved beyond just conventional breeding techniques with the advent of advanced technology. Prominent instances, such as Paradox Pokémon, Mewtwo, and Genesect X, highlight the shift towards a more intricate and artificial process in Pokémon creation.
Considering these developments, the notion that humans might have created new Pokémon species through breeding in the past gains credibility. This process could parallel the methods employed in Palworld, where humans establish farms and provide specific nourishment to influence the traits of their offspring.
Palword Sheds Light On Pokemon Abuse
In Palworld, caught Pals are subject to be used for unpaid labor. This is in contrast to the world of Pokémon, where there have been no canonical instances in which Pokémon were explicitly used as slaves. The Pokémon world has illustrated occurrences where humans employ Pokémon for diverse purposes, ranging from transportation to manual labor, but it's important to note that in these instances, Pokémon typically engage in these tasks willingly and are not forcibly compelled to do so.
However, there have been instances of Pokémon being mistreated, particularly when malevolent groups like Team Rocket exploit Pokémon for nefarious deeds. This sheds light on darker aspects of the human-Pokémon relationship, where some individuals exploit the inherent abilities of Pokémon for personal gain, revealing the ethical complexities within the Pokémon universe.
Given the striking similarities between Pokémon and Pals, both in terms of their captivating designs and practical utility, one could speculate that the mistreatment of Pokémon may have long existed, even before the events of Legends: Arceus unfolded. By the time Legends: Arceus takes place, we are already witnessing instances of Pokémon enduring abuse, such as Volo threatening Arceus so that he may further his own objectives. This kind of abuse extends even to modern-day Pokemon, as the anime famously shows Ash’s Charmander and Gengar being rescued from their abusive trainers.
Pokemon battles in the wild for the mainline games are usually only seen through the lens of one as a trainer exploring the world. Pokémon Arceus is the first time we see scenarios where Pokémon not only go after humans but can be hostile towards other Pokémon as well. Much like Pals, the Pokémon in this game exhibit heightened aggression, readily retaliating whenever provoked.
While Palworld has yet to depict a full-scale war, many Pals are employed in combat scenarios, engaging in battles where they fight alongside or against humans, sometimes even armed with weapons. This brings to mind "The War of Life and Death," a conflict between two nations that took place 3,000 years prior to Pokemon X and Y. This grim war showed how Pokémon were reduced to mere weapons, resulting in numerous deaths among both Pokémon and humans.
The inherent power and diverse abilities of Pokémon make them formidable assets in conflicts, showcasing a parallel between the two fictional universes in their portrayal of creatures as tools of warfare. Ultimately, these Pokémon were sacrificial pawns, their life forces harnessed to power the ultimate weapon wielded by AZ to bring an end to the devastating war.
The mistreatment of Pals, being butchered for materials, sold, used for slave labor, and weapons for war crimes, could offer insight into how Pokémon in wars might have been treated. Much like Pals being sold for labor.
In Palworld, Pals are considered expendable and can be killed for harvesting materials and goods. While enemy Pals can be killed through attacks, captured Pals can only be killed through butchering or sacrificing. Butchering provides players with necessary materials like food or wool while sacrificing helps another Pal level up.
Considering this perspective and drawing parallels with Pokemon, certain Pokemon may have faced similar unfortunate fates or even worse. For instance, in Pokemon Sun and Moon, Lusamine tortured numerous Pokemon in pursuit of her goal to unleash world destroyers. Although not explicitly shown, some Pokemon might have perished during these experiments.
Furthermore, Pokemon has criminal organizations like Team Rocket that have engaged in similar activities, such as selling fossils and profiting from cutting off Slowpoke tails. While the exact depiction is not shown, Palworld could provide us with a conceptual glimpse of how such actions might appear.
The notion that numerous Pokemon may have suffered brutally, akin to Palworld, is only strengthened when you play Black and White. In this game, a character by the name of N strives to liberate all Pokemon from humans, a mission field by his tragic past where he lived among abused Pokemon.
Because he was raised by Pokemon during his early childhood days, N possesses the ability to talk to them. Given his strong belief in Pokemon liberation and the ability to communicate with Pokemon, it is plausible that he has witnessed and learned about numerous instances of Pokemon abuse similar to Pals in Palworld.
Palworld and Pokemon are More Similar Than We Thought
Pokemon’s Lore is Darker than Palworld’s
Palworld is often labeled as the darker, edgier counterpart to Pokémon, especially due to its explicit violence and use of firearms. But the Pokémon world would lack a sense of realism and immersion without also having a dark side. And no matter how much GameFreak tries to keep it ambiguous, the games have clearly shown that it can similarly delve deeper into those darker themes, albeit in a shallower, less violent manner.
Examining Palworld's setting alongside Pokémon's lore provides a clearer insight into the concealed and darker yet realistic aspects that the family-friendly Pokémon franchise tends to either hide or present with much less detail. This comparison reveals that perhaps the Palworld universe is a lot more similar to the Pokémon world than you might think.
Palworld is taking the world by storm with its positive reviews and sales numbers, despite only being in its early access. If you're curious about when the game might release its full version, read the article below to learn about our best estimations regarding Palworld's release.
Sources:
Legends of Localization: People Used to Marry Pokémon All the Time
Death in the Pokémon world - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia
History of the Pokémon world
Palworld Official Website
Palworld Notes Blog
