Aniimo Overtakes Palworld in Current Steam Players Despite Monetization Complaints

Aniimo is attracting slightly more players on Steam than Palworld, according to the current player counts displayed by SteamDB. The comparison comes despite a difference in their reception, with Aniimo holding a 72.10% positive rating across approximately 25,000 reviews, while Palworld has a 93.73% positive rating from around 492,000 reviews.

SteamDB’s displayed figures show 64,697 players in Aniimo compared with 64,351 in Palworld, giving Aniimo a narrow lead of 346 players at the time captured. These numbers represent a snapshot rather than a permanent ranking, as concurrent player counts fluctuate throughout the day.

The comparison is notable because Palworld became one of Steam’s biggest launches in 2024, while Aniimo is a newer, free-to-play creature-collecting game. However, Aniimo’s current lead should not be confused with surpassing Palworld’s all-time peak of more than two million concurrent players.

ANIIMO’S CURRENT PLAYER COUNT PUTS IT SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF PALWORLD

Developed by Pawprint Studio, Aniimo launched on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on September 16, 2026, before arriving on iOS and Android on September 23. The game also became available through Xbox Game Pass at launch and reportedly attracted more than 30 million pre-registrations.

According to figures cited by JPGames and Hitbox Magazine, Aniimo passed 127,000 concurrent Steam players within its first 24 hours and later reached a reported peak of 167,956. Its total audience extends beyond Steam to other storefronts, consoles, and Game Pass.

Aniimo sends players across the open world of Idyll to capture and evolve creatures. Its signature Twining mechanic lets players transform into members of their team and use their elemental abilities directly, adding a distinctive combat feature to its creature-collecting formula.

WHY ANIIMO HAS MIXED REVIEWS DESPITE ITS PLAYER COUNT

Aniimo’s player numbers have not translated into the same level of approval as Palworld. SteamDB’s displayed ratings show Aniimo at 72.10% positive across approximately 25,000 reviews, compared with Palworld’s 93.73% positive rating from around 492,000 reviews.

The biggest complaints surrounding Aniimo concern its monetization. Players have criticized monthly passes, energy restrictions, battle pass tiers, and paid capture items that can improve creature quality. Some reviewers view these systems as an unnecessary push toward spending, while others argue that players can progress without purchasing additional items.

Gameplay concerns have also surfaced, including bugs, controller navigation problems, and a progression loop that some players consider too slow. Nevertheless, the game’s free-to-play model and creature-catching mechanics continue to attract players.

MOBILE RELEASE COULD HELP ANIIMO MAINTAIN ITS LEAD

Aniimo launched on iOS and Android on September 23, expanding its reach beyond PC and consoles. According to the official Aniimo website, the mobile version supports cross-progression with PC and consoles. Players using the same account and server can carry over their progress, resources, and teams between supported platforms.

The mobile launch gives Pawprint Studio another opportunity to grow its audience, although SteamDB’s concurrent-player figures do not include users playing through mobile, consoles, or other PC storefronts.

For now, Aniimo’s narrow lead over Palworld in the displayed Steam player counts is a snapshot, not evidence that it has surpassed Palworld’s historic popularity. Whether Aniimo can sustain its audience will depend on its long-term retention, future updates, and how Pawprint Studio responds to criticism of its monetization systems.