Palworld Sakurajima update excites fans with new features, but a Dusknoir-like Pal reignites the Pokémon clone controversy with striking similarities.
When Palworld’s massive Sakurajima update was unveiled during the 2026 Summer Game Fest, the gaming community’s reaction was a familiar mix of excitement and déjà vu. While the update promises a wealth of fresh content, including a new island to explore, novel structures, advanced equipment, and a long-awaited PvP arena, one particular reveal has cast a long, familiar shadow over the festivities. Among the roster of new Pals—the creatures players can befriend, battle, and put to work—one stands out not for its originality, but for its striking resemblance to a classic Pokémon specter: Dusknoir. This new creature, with its lantern-like hands and spectral physique, has reignited the persistent debate about Palworld’s creative identity and its relationship to the titan of the monster-collecting genre.
A Ghostly Doppelgänger Emerges
The unnamed new Pal from the Sakurajima trailer is, for many observers, a composite apparition of Pokémon's Duskull and its evolution, Dusknoir. Its most defining feature, the glowing lanterns it holds, serves as a flickering point of differentiation. However, the core design language borrows heavily. The skull-like facial structure is a near-perfect echo of Duskull’s haunting visage, while the broader body proportions—the stout torso, the spectral "tail," and the overall imposing, guardian-like stance—are pulled straight from Dusknoir's playbook. In the world of Palworld, which lacks a formal "Ghost" element, this Pal would logically be categorized under the existing Dark element, much like other eerie Pals before it. Its design is less an homage and more like finding a familiar constellation in a new night sky; the patterns are rearranged, but the guiding stars remain unmistakably the same.
The Pattern in the Pals: A Legacy of Likeness
This is far from an isolated incident in Palworld's history. Since its explosive launch, players have documented a gallery of Pals that share more than a passing family resemblance with creatures from other franchises, primarily Pokémon. This design philosophy has become as much a part of Palworld's identity as its survival-crafting mechanics. The new Dusknoir-esque Pal is simply the latest entry in this ongoing catalog. It suggests that developer Pocket Pair, while demonstrating clear prowess in gameplay innovation and world-building, continues to view certain iconic creature designs as foundational blueprints. This approach is a double-edged sword: it provides instant recognizability and taps into a deep well of genre nostalgia, but it also continuously fuels criticism that the game is navigating by the lighthouse of another's success, never quite charting its own completely unique course.
Why the "Clone" Critique Persists
The reason the "Pokémon clone" label is so sticky, despite Palworld's distinct mechanics like base-building, weapon-wielding Pals, and a more mature tone, boils down to visual first impressions. In a genre built on emotional connections to creature designs, these similarities are front and center. Pocket Pair has shown it can create wholly unique and beloved Pals, but the consistent inclusion of these lookalikes, especially in a major content update meant to define the game's future, signals a deliberate strategy. It’s as if the developer is weaving a tapestry using both original threads and carefully selected patches from a celebrated quilt, creating something functional and appealing, yet forever linked to its source material. For a segment of the fanbase, this ongoing practice casts a slight haze over the developer's creative autonomy, making each new reveal an exercise in spotting the inspiration as much as appreciating the addition.
Beyond Imitation: Potential for Evolution
However, to view this new Pal solely as a copycat is to overlook potential narrative and gameplay doors it might unlock. Its very existence could be a strategic stepping stone. Palworld’s elemental system, while functional, is less complex than those of its competitors. The introduction of a creature so conceptually tied to the "Ghost" type could be the harbinger of a future expansion of the game's elemental roster. Imagine this Pal not as an endpoint, but as a prototype—a test balloon for introducing new spiritual or ethereal mechanics, hauntings for player bases, or even new status effects. In this light, the design similarity becomes a Trojan horse, using a familiar form to introduce entirely unfamiliar gameplay possibilities to Palworld's ecosystem. It could be the key that unlocks a crypt of new content, transforming a point of criticism into a foundation for innovation.
The Verdict on Sakurajima's Specter
The Sakurajima update, slated for release, is undoubtedly a substantial and ambitious expansion for Palworld. It adds layers of depth, challenge, and world-building that solidify the game's unique hybrid identity. Yet, the inclusion of the Dusknoir-like Pal ensures that the conversation will remain bifurcated. For some, it will be a charming, if unoriginal, new ally in their adventures. For others, it is a persistent reminder of the game's derivative roots, a ghost of inspiration past that refuses to be laid to rest. Ultimately, Palworld continues to walk its own path—a path paved with inventive survival mechanics and dark humor—but it seems content to let the shadows of familiar creatures fall upon it. Whether this is a clever marketing tactic, a creative crutch, or a setup for a future genre-bending twist remains to be seen. One thing is clear: in 2026, the debate over inspiration versus imitation in Palworld is alive, well, and now carrying a pair of lanterns.
Key Points of the Sakurajima 'Clone' Debate:
| Aspect | The Case for Inspiration | The Case for Imitation |
|---|---|---|
| Design Core | Lantern hands are a unique twist. | Skull face & body silhouette are directly comparable. |
| Gameplay Role | Could pioneer new "ghost-like" mechanics in Palworld. | Fits the existing Dark element, offering nothing mechanically new. |
| Developer Signal | Shows understanding of beloved genre tropes. | Suggests continued reliance on external design cues. |
| Community Impact | Some fans enjoy the recognizable aesthetic. | Fuels ongoing criticism and limits perception of pure creativity. |
💡 Final Thought: Palworld's journey is a fascinating case study in modern game development, where blending proven successful elements with radical new ideas creates both fervent praise and intense scrutiny. The Sakurajima update proves the game is building a lasting world, but the ghosts of comparisons past are evidently still welcome residents.