I don't know why some people apparently need to hear this, but: Palworld does not need to be Pokemon!
You do not need to be given a special starter pal at the beginning of the game. Your "starter" is whatever you catch first. Use your fists!
And the bigger one some people won't shut up about: THE PALS DO NOT NEED TO EVOLVE!!! There are plenty of games with evolution mechanics, Palworld has no reason to be one of them. It's actually NICE to find a pal you like and not have to worry that it's going to turn into something you don't.
"Ugh, but wouldn't it be nice if the weaker pals evolved into something stronger?"
There are pokemon that suck from the time you catch to their final evo and never get good. Meanwhile with breeding, condensing, and some choice items, you can make The Ultimate Chikipi and wreck shit with it.
They do not need to evolve. It does not need to be like pokemon. Let it go, or play a different game if you need it that bad.