A monster-capturing adventure with promising potential

Miraibo GO is a monster-themed open-world survival game by DREAMCUBE that received a recent launch on October 10th, 2024. Without a doubt, it has already succeeded in becoming a magical mobile adventure replicating the experience of Palworld, and at the time of writing, I’m sure most of the players are busy catching Mira. While few are enjoying it, there are a fair share of players who did give their mixed opinions about the game. Here’s where I come in, and after spending many hours on this game doing the exploring stuff, crafting, and catching, here’s my review about Miraibo GO and whether you should play it.

A free-world experience where creativity meets the grind

The core of Miraibo is similar to Palworld, you are landing in a land that needs full of wondering and exploration wrapped in a survival mechanic. The gameplay is simple, you will roam around capturing creatures called Miras, crafting items, and building bases as you survive in your world. If you are new, you can already see some other players in your world whose bases are marked with a red border outline. Of course, you can wander around there, but make sure to not do anything silly.

I always find such exploration games a a double-edged sword. Yes, that gives you freedom to roam and do whatever you want to, but can also make you feel a bit lost. But the interesting part of this game is catching new creatures. It feels exciting, especially since they aren’t just for show. They actually contribute to your survival efforts as some will assist with farming or crafting, while others can help in battle.

You can also switch between Portrait and Landscape mode whenever you feel like, so that’s an amazing feature. The tutorial system is a good addition I must say, which makes it easy to understand what to follow. The grind is on the tougher side though, no indication of what to find where, so you must be smart enough to search for resources. I liked this because it adds an surprise element, and hence pulls you towards the gameplay to enjoy more.

Graphics get the job done, but there’s room for improvement

Visually, Miraibo GO doesn’t quite match the polished look of Palworld. C’mon, I’m sure you wouldn’t like me comparing graphics between mobile and other platforms, but this is just for the idea. However, for an open-world mobile-first experience, it holds up well. The monsters are very unique and looks visually impressive. I use an iQOO Neo 7 Pro which runs any game easily without any issues, so maxed everything for the best experience.

Now, I also tried to give the game a run set into low graphics, but I wasn’t pleased with this. I noticed a significant difference, the colours looked off and so was the environment, so I had to revert back to the best settings. In simple words, if your device can handle it, maxing out the settings is something I recommend. The details become crisper, and the game world feels more vibrant and easy on the eye.

Clustered controls can be a mood spoiler at times

Moving to the next section in this review, controls are probably the biggest drawback right now in Miraibo GO. While the idea of exploring with virtual joysticks is standard for mobile games, the joystick feels too small and cramped in landscape mode. Some buttons, like the “backpack” or “X” close buttons, are placed too close to the screen’s edges, leading to multiple mis-taps, or even annoying, sometimes, it doesn’t even get clicked.

It’s also frustrating that the camera angle shifts gradually as you move to the side, which can disorient you during fast-paced moments. What’s even more frustrating is the lack of customization options. If the joystick or UI elements could be resized, it would be a game-changer. Similarly, the landscape mode, which should ideally offer a better experience, just makes the buttons and text smaller instead.

The addition of controller support would also elevate the experience significantly, especially for players who prefer physical controls over touch inputs. The UI could have been much more user-friendly. During the tutorial mission, I had to find the Mira Technology Menu, and it was such a hassle that I honestly thought it was a mistake on their part; at one point, I was convinced the menu didn’t even exist. It needs a sizable option, and hoping the devs introduce this soon.

Optimization and connectivity issues are noticable, waiting for a Free World is a headache

Now, coming to the little issues I faced, I did encounter some occasional frame drops and stuttering. I know this could be the reason because of the high graphics setting, but I wasn’t too pleased as it really is a bad experience. Performance issues are something that can be fixed as time goes, so I’m hopeful that these frame drops will be ironed out by the time the game receives further updates. There are a few noticeable bugs in a few places, which isn’t much of a game spoiler though.

As I was playing, I kept looking at the ping and connectivity bar. For someone who plays console PvP games online, I have a strong connection, but when my ping was in red bars and connection being unstable for a couple of times, it is a head scratcher. Again, since it is a new release, nothing much to complain in this regard, developers will improve it, has been the case most of the times.

I think I lack patience at times, but here, I believe I am on the right. There are so many free worlds listed, but always, someone or the other would be hanging around. It took me a fair chunk of my gaming hours out because of the waiting time I had to endure, but once I entered it was all good.

If there’s one thing I’d love to see added, it would be an offline mode. Losing signal mid-session was frustrating, and having a single-player mode without requiring an internet connection would make the game even better. You, all alone, explore the world and build your own base. Might sound boring without interaction, but kind of a happy, virtual place is what we all need.

In-app purchases can be done, ad-free experience is a positive

The shop has good number of in-game items that can be purchased, including a VIP subscription that can be used to enter a VIP-exclusive lobby. Yes, if you aren’t stingy like me, you can get that offer, which is really cheap for a 30-day plan with multiple perks. Also, no advertisements to spoil the mood. So, expect a clean adventure experience.

Final Verdict

Alright folks, time for a verdict as I come to the final section of this Miraibo GO review. If you ask me, Miraibo GO is a game that you can put your time and effort, because this game packs all the surprising elements you need from a survival adventure. Beautiful landscapes, wonderful music and sound effects, creatures that not only look unique but also come with their own distinct abilities. Plus, the progression system feels natural and rewarding. What else do you need?

Yes, there are tweaks needed here and there. But for an ambitious, large-scale title like Miraibo GO, a few issues are common during its release phase. The potential of this game is high, no doubts about this. Further improvements can be made, and I’m excited to revisit this review in a few months and see just how much progress has been made. For now, an apt phrase for this Miraibo GO review would be “A diamond in the rough”.

What are your opinions on Miraibo GO and your review of it? Do let us know in the comments!

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