🖥️PC vs Console Differences

Feature	PC (Steam)	Xbox / Console
Mods	Full mod support	None
Dedicated servers	Self-host supported	Limited / via partner
Performance options	Unlimited FPS, settings	Fixed presets
Save transfer	Manual file control	Cloud-managed
Crossplay	PC ↔ PC (check current patch)	Console ↔ console (check)

🧩Recommended Mods

QoL mods that won't break your save (check compatibility each patch)

Category	Mod type	What it does
UI	Map / minimap improvements	Better navigation without wiki lookups
Building	Unlimited structure limits	Remove base build caps
Balance	Capture rate / XP tweaks	Custom difficulty curves
Quality of life	Inventory weight removal	Stop back-and-forth trips
Cosmetic	Pal skin / reskin packs	Visual variety

📦How to Install Mods

Typical install path (Steam)

1. Download from a trusted mod site (Nexus Mods / community Discord).
2. Back up your Pal\Content\Paks folder first.
3. Drop .pak files into the Paks folder.
4. Some mods need a mod loader — follow the mod page instructions exactly.
5. Launch the game, verify the mod loads, and keep your save backed up.

⚠️ Mods can break saves after updates — always check compatibility with the current version before enabling.

🐛Common Bugs & Workarounds

Known issues & quick fixes

• Pal stuck in wall → pick up & re-throw the pal (interact + carry).
• Base pals idle → check SAN/food; rebuild workstations inside the base ring.
• Black screen on load → verify game files / update GPU drivers.
• Save corruption → restore from backup; enable periodic manual backups.
• Audio crackle → reduce audio channels in settings.

💡 For the freshest fix list, always check the official patch notes — many bugs are fixed within days of a report.

FAQ

Do mods work on dedicated servers?

Server-side mods install on the host, not the client: everyone connecting to a modded dedicated server gets the modded behaviour without installing anything, which is the cleanest way to run a stable group. Mixing client mods on top of a modded server is where compatibility breaks — keep your personal installs to visual-only when playing on someone else's server.

Mod safety and save hygiene

Any mod that touches world or Pal data should be treated as save-risky: back up the save folder before installing, add one mod at a time so the culprit is identifiable, and expect framework updates to break mods until their authors catch up. Client-side visual and UI mods are the low-risk tier; anything that spawns items walks you straight into the duplication-trap territory the bug section describes.

PC vs console in practice

The platform split comes down to three things: mods (PC only), dedicated servers (PC hosting), and update timing (console versions certify behind PC releases, sometimes by days). Gameplay, saves and crossplay pools are otherwise the same game — the differences are all around the edges where mods and hosting live.

Where to find mods worth installing

The healthy mod ecosystem lives on the major mod-hosting sites, filtered by framework version and download count: quality-of-life UI, visual overhauls and the dedicated-server tooling are the categories with real maintenance behind them. Avoid anything promising duped items or account-unlock shortcuts — those are the categories that eat saves and, on servers, can poison everyone who joins.

Console update timing and crossplay pools

Console versions certify through platform holders, which is why the same patch lands days later there than on PC, and why a crossplay group can briefly see different balance numbers. Plan competitive sessions around the PC patch schedule, and treat the certification gap as a feature of console play rather than a bug to complain about — the update log page notes when console builds go live.