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Wonderful Aesthetic, Engaging Gameplay, Rich Narrative
Hard To Find, A Bit Laggy
We’re back to Palia, now with a new DLC expansion that builds meaningfully upon the cozy MMO’s foundations. The Elderwood Expansion is the game’s first DLC, and it’s free just like the base game! This new area is a lush, mystical region filled with fresh adventures and a heartfelt story line.
The aesthetic of this new area is absolutely breathtaking. Admittedly, I struggled to find the location as it had been a while since I picked up Palia, but it is located in the enchanted forests beyond Kilima and Bahari Bay. Somewhat near Tamala’s house, there is a large doorway with tree roots growing out of it, and that is the entrance to Elderwood. The scenery alone invites players to slow down and admire the magical biome full of overgrown ruins and new wildlife.
Something really unique about this DLC is its seamless integration of exploration and narrative. New NPCs provide rich backstories and unique dialogue that continues Palia’s meaningful character interaction. In Elderwood, there is a central mystery that revolves around an ancient civilization and forgotten magic, offering more lore to uncover through quests that emphasize cooperation and curiosity, just as the base game does.
Elderwood also introduces new crafting materials, crops, recipes, and furniture sets for players to utilize. There is also a new skill called “Herblore” that allows for potion-making and plant identification, adding variety to the gathering and crafting loop. Additionally, community projects now involve rewilding areas of the forest, further tying player efforts to environmental storytelling.
This DLC also refreshes the questing routine with new daily tasks and region-specific activities, such as Forest Clean-up Events and Druid Circle Offerings that also tie in to seasonal story arcs. What’s so great about this game too, is that it avoids the typical MMO checklist trap by giving even side missions a strong sense of purpose. I’ve noticed that dialogue is always meaningful, rewards are always satisfying, and tasks are designed to blend naturally with your regular activities in Palia.
Performance-wise, the expansion is impressively smooth, with minimal bugs. I did experience lagging here and there, or some things not loading as quick as usual. Along with the DLC, there were some thoughtful UI improvements that streamline inventory and quest tracking.
Overall, the DLC is a wonderful addition to the base game, without taking away from Palia’s core values, or blending too much into the base game. It may not radically transform the gameplay, but for fans who love the soul of Palia, Elderwood is a journey well worth taking.
Nintendojo was provided a copy of this game for review by a third party, though that does not affect our recommendation. For every review, Nintendojo uses a standard criteria.
