Culture

Palia is the new ‘polyamorous’ online multiplayer life sim that you need to know about

Jun 04 2021
Written by Ed Nightingale

Palia. (Singularity 6)

The just-announced game Palia is a life sim that merges Stardew Valley gameplay with an MMO experience.

With a high fantasy setting, the game aims to provide “a deep community experience in a vibrant living world”.

The announcement trailer certainly shows off that world, with its gorgeous bright colours and almost Breath of the Wild aesthetic.

Palia will fit neatly into the cosy game genre. You’ll be able to customise your own character, build and decorate a home, farm for resources, and hang out with friends in an online world.

In this world, humans are considered a legendary race until you and your pals return after thousands of years.

Customising your human will involve plenty of diversity, in terms of skin tones, hairstyles and clothing. Plus the developers are keen to listen to the community in this area.

“One of the good things about the game as a service is that what we offer on day one is just the beginning,” says game director Aidan Karabaich, “and choice here is really core to our beliefs. So expect to see these options continue to robustly expand over time.”

Diversity extends to the NPCs too who will be given rich backstories. And yes, you can romance them.

As with Stardew Valley, that’ll involve plenty of gifts. Gradually increase your friendship and it’ll lead to romance. What’s interesting is that, being an MMO, there’s the chance for you and others to romance the same NPCs. So polyamory is potentially the norm in Palia.

You’ll also be able to collaborate with friends on building and farming, even coming together in neighbourhoods – Palia’s equivalent to MMO guilds. Being able to work together on housing projects is certainly a step on from Animal Crossing.

And what your purpose is in the world is up to you, whether you choose to focus on farming, building, relationships or even combat.

Palia is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the genre. There’s no release date yet, but developers Singularity 6 – founded by ex-Riot staff – are offering the chance to join the game’s pre-alpha on the official website.

Check out the trailer below.