Pokémon-inspired Aniimo hits 166,000 concurrent Steam players, overtaking Palworld

Aniimo, a Genshin Impact-style open world creature-collecting RPG, has climbed to over 166,000 concurrent players on Steam, according to SteamDB data. The surge places it ahead of established titles like Rust, Delta Force, and Slay the Spire 2, making it the second-most played Pokémon-inspired game on the platform after Palworld.

The game currently holds a "Mostly Positive" rating on Steam. Positive reviews highlight its Pokémon-like gameplay, while negative feedback focuses on its monetization structure. PC Gamer's Lauren Morton tested the closed beta in January, noting she "can't find much about it that other creature collecting and gacha games aren't doing better," though the game's current reception suggests broader player appeal.

Aniimo is free-to-play and available on PC. The strong player numbers reflect ongoing demand among players seeking Pokémon alternatives on platforms beyond Nintendo's ecosystem. PC players interested in the game can access launch gift codes for bonus in-game currency.