Two years after the launch of Palworld, there are fresh developments concerning its relationship with Pokémon. A newly unveiled open-world monster-hunting game named Pickmon has surfaced on Steam, showcasing an extensive trailer. This game is facing allegations of appropriating creature designs reminiscent of those from Pokémon and Palworld.
Pickmon is categorized as an open-world survival crafting game, where players will engage in the task of capturing various monsters. However, instead of the traditional capture spheres, players appear to use cards to ensnare these creatures.
The monsters in Pickmon can be employed in battles, mirroring a fundamental aspect of the main Pokémon series, and they also assist players in crafting items—something that distinguishes Palworld from typical Pokémon gameplay. Strikingly, it’s not the gameplay elements that have drawn attention from fans of Pokémon and Palworld, but rather the apparent similarities in monster designs, leading to accusations of plagiarism.
Although the names of Pickmon’s creatures remain undisclosed, several fans have pointed out resemblances to well-known Pokémon. For instance, a prominent monster featured in promotional materials closely resembles Charizard from Pokémon, combined with elements from a creature found in Palworld. Additionally, other designs appear to echo those of characters such as Meganium and Lucario.
In one particular scene from the trailer, a confrontation with a monster that bears a near-identical likeness to Ceruledge is showcased. Observers noted that the design seems to have been lifted directly from the Pokémon franchise without significant alterations.
The Pokémon Company has been embroiled in a legal dispute with the developers of Palworld, focusing on gameplay mechanics rather than character designs. The utilization of capture spheres to obtain creatures has been a contentious point, which may have influenced Pickmon’s decision to utilize cards for this purpose.
Despite the clear design similarities, the legal complexities surrounding monster designs could permit Pickmon to retain aspects of its critters without facing legal repercussions. The game may also attract scrutiny from other franchises; the main character is depicted in ways reminiscent of Link from Breath of the Wild, and features falling from the sky akin to moments in Tears of the Kingdom. This combination might invite backlash from both Pokémon and Nintendo.
With no release date currently set, the future of Pickmon remains uncertain. While concerns mirror those raised about Palworld in the past, the game is drawing attention for its unique take on monster-catching gameplay.
