Is Palworld Free to Play or Does It Cost Money to Own?

With the upcoming launch of Palworld, the intriguing monster-collecting survival game from developer Pocket Pair, many players want to know if they will need to pay to play or not. Can you download and access Palworld entirely free? Let's break down what we know.

Is Palworld Free to Play?

Palworld is not a free-to-play game. If you want to own it outright without any subscriptions, it will cost USD 29.99 during early access. Regional pricing applies as well.

So on its own, Palworld is a premium title that requires an upfront purchase. This also means it will not feature microtransactions or other free-to-play type monetization systems.

Is Palworld on Xbox Game Pass?

Importantly, Palworld will be available on Xbox Game Pass (for console and PC) at launch. Therefore, while not free for everyone, Game Pass subscribers can access Palworld at no additional cost.

So if you want to experience Palworld's twisted take on Pokémon free, an active Game Pass membership is your ticket. Of course, this does mean you'd lose access if unsubscribe later.

Lastly, the developers have hinted that Palworld's $29.99 early access price could rise after it leaves early access and hits the final release. So jumping in now likely nets some savings versus buying it down the road.

In summary, Palworld is not free-to-play for all but does offer a free option for Game Pass members at launch. Buying during early access may deliver some cost savings over time as well.