Sims Rival InZOI Reaches for the Stars, But Can It Stay Grounded?

Sims Rival InZOI Reaches for the Stars, But Can It Stay Grounded?

InZOI might just be the life-simulation game you’ve been waiting for, or at least that’s what Krafton, the creators of PUBG, is banking on as they showcase the game at Gamescom. At first glance, it’s easy to think of The Sims, but InZOI is aiming for more than a simple comparison to EA’s life-sim giant.

Producer and director Hyungjun Kim emphasizes the importance of playing however you want, living by your own rules, and sharing those digital moments with friends in a sleek urban landscape. From what I’ve seen in the preview, InZOI already incorporates many features we’ve come to love from top-tier simulation games.

The character creation tool is a standout, balancing between ultra-realistic detail and the kind of quirky fun you’d expect from something like Elden Ring’s crazy customization. Building your own home is equally flexible, whether you’re crafting a luxurious mansion or a messy dorm room. There are also fun, unexpected features like taking real-world photos and importing them as usable assets in the game.

The game’s social dynamics feel fresh too. InZOI is set in a bustling city with hundreds of interactive characters, or Zois. From kids spreading illnesses at school to Zois gossiping and sending text reminders about missed payments, InZOI revels in the details of daily life without feeling boring or repetitive.

Unlike games like SimCity 4, InZOI isn’t aiming for deep management mechanics, but rather a sandbox where you can mold the world around you. That said, Kim is transparent about some of the game’s technical hurdles. For instance, while building a high-rise apartment sounds fun, it can result in some uninhabitable designs. The AI isn’t perfect yet either, babies using smartphones and t-posing Zois in cars made an appearance during the preview. There was even a moment where customers at a fast food joint were left to fend for themselves when the staff didn’t show up, a chaotic scene that would feel right at home in a battle royale game.

InZOI has a feel reminiscent of Second Life, but with less focus on creating a virtual economy and more on personal escapism, much like the version of Second Life that Dwight Schrute obsessively played in The Office. It’s all about stepping into a world where the rules are yours to make. However, this grand vision also raises concerns. Despite Kim’s assurances that Krafton is taking its time to perfect the game, the sheer scale of InZOI’s ambition feels overwhelming, giving off that same sense of pre-launch skepticism that often surrounds massive RPGs like Starfield.

Since leaving the showcase, I’ve been mulling over the massive scope InZOI promises, and while its ambition is exciting, I’m not entirely convinced everything will come together as smoothly as hoped. There are a lot of moving parts that need to work just right for this game to truly set itself apart.

While there’s no official release date yet, you can try out the InZOI character creator for free right now. And if you’re eager for more updates on InZOI and other upcoming PC games, be sure to stay tuned for more of our Gamescom coverage throughout the week.