Is It An MMO? #12 — Upcoming "Cozy" Community Sim Palia Might Just Be The Most Unique MMO I've Ever Seen

The characterization of a massively multiplayer online game, or MMO, is self-explanatory. Or is it? By definition, it means a large number of players on the same server — hundreds, thousands — and a big open world that continues to evolve. So does Palia, an upcoming community-based simulation MMO (self-defined as “cozy”) by Singularity 6, slice the veggies?

“Players will step into a breathtaking new world and experience the wonder and charm of Palia through the eyes of their own unique character,” announced the developer during the latest Nintendo Direct. “Players will work together to explore Palia’s immersive landscape, meet a diverse and eclectic cast of characters, and unravel the mysteries of Palia’s ever-evolving world story.”

The game isn’t out yet, so obviously we don’t have all the details — including how many people can actually play together. But I have no doubt Palia is indeed an MMO. What I want to highlight though is how unique this game is, therefore expanding the genre even further than what it is already. Palia is quite literally Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing, yet always online and massively multiplayer, as well as realistic-ish graphics and a three-dimensional, open-world setting.

In the game, players create an avatar, which can be customized further through clothing. There’s skills to learn, resources to gather, and things to craft. Palia also features fishing, foraging, hunting, cooking, and gardening, as well as a housing system. Additionally, the game contains villagers with interconnected stories that offer meaningful friendships, quests, and the possibility of romance. On top of that, there seems to be progression and a storyline.

Most MMOs have what Palia offers. However, I can’t think of a single one that focuses on what this game is all about. From what I have seen, the core of most MMOs is the combat — you progress by fighting enemies. In Palia though, combat doesn’t seem that deep and appears to be just as important as the life skills (crafting, gathering, fishing, cooking, gardening, etc.). Sure, you can play an MMO like Albion Online or Black Desert Online and just focus on stuff like that, but if we’re being real that’s not why most people flock to either of those games.

So, is this game an MMO? Yes. Palia is indeed an MMO. Not only is it an MMO, the game may just be one of a kind. Many games have come and gone (and are still on the way) that don’t try to reinvent the MMO wheel. Instead, they try to take it up a notch with things like better graphics or cooler combat. Often, these games fail, because convincing MMO players to abandon their current MMO and dedicate their time to a new one is tough (especially if the game sucks). Palia, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to be doing that. The game is simultaneously targeting an entirely new audience — many of whom never even played an MMO before — and giving MMO veterans the opportunity to feed their addiction with something that’s less tense, and rather cozy.