As others have emphasized, this game is still in Closed Beta despite that not being made clear on the Steam page. I have poured hundreds of hours into Palia since July 2023, and I plan to keep diving in for hundreds more. While a lot of the negative reviews out there have merit, I do wish I saw more of an emphasis on what is GOOD about this game. Because, god, is this game good (to me, at least).

• I'm not blind - there certainly are lots of bugs in this game but they're predominantly not game-breaking and I have personally adapted around them.
• There are players out there who are blatantly rude to others over the server-wide chat, but that's an issue in every multiplayer game. It's been easy for me to be placed in a new server by leaving and rejoining the area to get away from any Debbie Downers. The number of wholesome, helpful players out there enormously outweigh the bad apples. I have been lucky enough to find a tight-knit community and some great friends through this game.
• The lore in this game is expansive and anything but dry. If that's your thing, you're in luck. The NPCs in this game have their own distinct personalities and their backstories have depth. It's been fun to get to know more about them while leveling my character's friendship with them.
• Decorating/designing in this game is one of the greatest pulls for me, personally. There are many great-looking furniture sets available. The re-coloring system/options aren't quite my favorite, but that fact isn't a deal-breaker for me. It's a rather minor gripe in an otherwise delightful experience. If you like decorating in games and don't mind grinding to unlock everything, then this may be one of the best options out there for you.

Speaking of grinding... Yes, this game is a huge grind. I've spent many hours grinding and I'm not even close to completing the content that's out there. Whether you prefer a swift sprint through content or a leisurely (read: slow af) stroll, there's something here for every playstyle. I personally love that I can play with another person/group or solo as I please. Not every game out there is for everyone. It seems a lot of people were simply expecting something else, but it just makes sense that it's not going to tick every single box for every single person. It is what it is. This game is a perfect mix for me, and I don't intend to put it on the back burner any time soon. I'm in it for the long-haul.

[h1]Palia may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it has become my guilty pleasure. Don't let the negative buzz deter you from giving it a fair shot.[/h1] As others have emphasized, this game is still in Closed Beta despite that not being made clear on the Steam page. I have poured hundreds of hours into Palia since July 2023, and I plan to keep diving in for hundreds more. While a lot of the negative reviews out there have merit, I do wish I saw more of an emphasis on what is [i]GOOD[/i] about this game. Because, god, is this game good (to me, at least). • I'm not blind - there certainly are lots of bugs in this game but they're predominantly not game-breaking and I have personally adapted around them. • There are players out there who are blatantly rude to others over the server-wide chat, but that's an issue in every multiplayer game. It's been easy for me to be placed in a new server by leaving and rejoining the area to get away from any Debbie Downers. The number of wholesome, helpful players out there enormously outweigh the bad apples. I have been lucky enough to find a tight-knit community and some great friends through this game. • The lore in this game is expansive and anything but dry. If that's your thing, you're in luck. The NPCs in this game have their own distinct personalities and their backstories have depth. It's been fun to get to know more about them while leveling my character's friendship with them. • Decorating/designing in this game is one of the greatest pulls for me, personally. There are many great-looking furniture sets available. The re-coloring system/options aren't quite my favorite, but that fact isn't a deal-breaker for me. It's a rather minor gripe in an otherwise delightful experience. If you like decorating in games and don't mind grinding to unlock everything, then this may be one of the best options out there for you. Speaking of grinding... Yes, this game is a huge grind. I've spent [b]many[/b] hours grinding and I'm not even close to completing the content that's out there. Whether you prefer a swift sprint through content or a leisurely [strike](read: slow af)[/strike] stroll, there's something here for every playstyle. I personally love that I can play with another person/group or solo as I please. Not every game out there is for everyone. It seems a lot of people were simply expecting something else, but it just makes sense that it's not going to tick every single box for every single person. It is what it is. This game is a perfect mix for me, and I don't intend to put it on the back burner any time soon. I'm in it for the long-haul. [h3]I [b]highly recommend[/b] you give it a try and see for yourself what the world of Palia has to offer.[/h3]