A big factor with Palworld is building up your automation with good base design and Pal management. You assign them to build, sew seeds, water, harvest, transport, mine, chop trees, manufacure items, power generators, etc. As you progress, the systems you maintain get more complicated but provide better services/items/convenience. Exploring is a lot of fun, with Pals you can ride, traversal mechanics like the hookshot, and gliding. Plus all the usual open world mechanics like enemy bases to clear, warp points to unlock, powerful world bosses hanging around, dungeons, and resources to seek out. I’ve sunk probably 200 hours in it with friends.