On September 16th, Pawprint Studio launched Aniimo worldwide, an open-world creature-catching RPG that positions itself as a free-to-play alternative to phenomena like Palworld and Pokémon. The title is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, and has already attracted over 100.000 concurrent players on Steam in its first few hours, a figure that places it among the most popular launches of the year.
However, the game's popularity contrasts sharply with its lukewarm reception on Valve's platform, where positive reviews barely exceed 50%. Meanwhile, on consoles, the ratings are much more favorable, with players praising the fluid combat and open world. While the free-to-play model has facilitated entry, it has also drawn criticism for its monetization and the excessive number of tutorials.
A massive debut with mixed reviews
Aniimo reached a peak of 106.000 concurrent users on Steam, according to data compiled by several specialized media outlets. This figure, while impressive, falls short of other genre hits like Palworld, which surpassed two million. Even so, the launch has exceeded initial expectations, especially considering the game is free-to-play and garnered over 30 million pre-registrations during its promotional campaign.
Player impressions vary significantly across platforms. On Steam, around 1.500 reviews show a 50,3% positive rating , a low percentage reflecting complaints about technical issues, bugs, and the lack of Linux support. In contrast, on the PlayStation Store, the game has a 4,48 out of 5 rating based on 634 reviews, and on Xbox, the average is similar, albeit with a smaller sample size.
Reviews on PC also mention aggressive monetization, with battle passes and items that accelerate progress, as well as an interface saturated with events and rewards. Interestingly, there's a marked regional gap : players in China, Korea, and Japan give very low ratings, while in Europe and Brazil, positive reviews exceed 60%.
Mechanics that differentiate Aniimo from Palworld
One of Aniimo's greatest strengths is its Twine system , which allows the protagonist to temporarily merge with one of its creatures to use its abilities. This opens up a wide range of possibilities for exploration: climbing cliffs, flying, diving, and even solving puzzles by burning vegetation or freezing water. It's a mechanic reminiscent of Pokémon Legends, but with a more dynamic approach.
Combat is real-time and allows you to switch between your character and the fused creature. Unlike Palworld, survival and base building aren't central to the gameplay; progression is more akin to Genshin Impact , with guided quests, chests, and puzzles scattered across a continent called Idyll. Monsters are captured using Aniicubes (the equivalent of Poké Balls), and the game displays the success rate before each throw, which is very convenient.
All creatures can be captured organically in the world, without relying on gacha mechanics . Pawprint Studio had already promised to eliminate RNG from captures during the beta, and they've delivered on that promise at launch. This doesn't mean there won't be microtransactions for cosmetics and items that facilitate progression, but they aren't necessary to complete the adventure.
The future of Aniimo: mobile and updates
Following its release on PC and consoles, Pawprint Studio has already prepared the mobile version, which will arrive on September 23rd with cross-play and shared progression . This will allow players to take their games to any device, a decision that expands the game's reach and brings it closer to the live-service model that works so well in the Asian market.
Despite initial criticism, the studio has promised to continue improving the game with updates based on community feedback. Launch rewards , such as 200 Glimmer, 2 Aniipod Ultra, the avatar frame, and the exclusive outfit, are now available to everyone who registered before the release. With over 30 million registrations, the potential player base is enormous.
Time will tell if Aniimo manages to establish itself as a benchmark for the genre or remains just another attempt. For now, it offers an entertaining and accessible experience , with a vast world and a large number of creatures to collect. However, PC users looking for flawless performance will have to wait until some technical issues are ironed out.
Aniimo has made a strong entrance, surpassing 100.000 concurrent players and demonstrating the appetite for free-to-play capture RPGs. While Steam reviews are mixed, the game has a solid foundation thanks to its Twine system, open world, and the promise of not using gacha mechanics. With a mobile version on the horizon, Pawprint Studio has the opportunity to iron out bugs and solidify a community that eagerly awaits the next steps.