The Sims has reigned supreme in the life simulation genre for more than two decades, one of the most enjoyed by console and PC users. After it was confirmed that The Sims 5 will never exist and that Electronic Arts and Maxis will continue to bring new content and gameplay features to The Sims 4, fans received a cold shower regarding the future of the genre. Over the last few years, more than a few proposals have tried to overshadow the franchise, such as Life by You or Paralives, but their cancellations augured a strange future for the genre. However, there is one title that has arrived with force to offer real competition to The Sims.

This is inZOI, the video game that attempts to take the life simulation concept to a new dimension through development by Krafton studio, responsible for the successful battle royale PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds. After months of testing some of its features and promising great innovations that are capable of taking the genre into a new era, the proposal finally faces its early access period to allow players to experience all the sensations of this ambitious project that wants to dethrone one of the great kings of video games.

At the moment, inZOI is only confirmed for release on PC, so console gamers will have to wait to see if Krafton gives the green light to a version of the game on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and, perhaps, Nintendo Switch 2. However, the first tests will be carried out on computers so that players can give their verdict on this early version of the title that has been generating colossal expectations for life simulation lovers for a few years now.

inZOI, the great revolution that the life simulation genre was asking for

One of inZOI's main features is the creation of a complete and very detailed character editor that allows players to spend hours creating their avatars to enjoy the game world. In fact, the first tool that was shared about the proposal was precisely this, so that players were aware of all the customization options being included and could request those they considered necessary to add. A section that is intertwined with another of Krafton's great assets to compete against The Sims: realistic graphics.

Because it is true that the Electronic Arts and Maxis franchise has a very defined artistic style that leans towards cartoon, inZOI opts for a design that is closer to reality to offer players a new dimension when controlling their characters and enjoying their world. Thus, the Zois have very detailed features, as does the world in which the game takes place, so that the player can have the feeling of immersion in a real world and can fuel their imagination when building the environment. This is possible thanks to the development of the title in Unreal Engine 5, one of the most capable graphics engines on the market.

The goal of inZOI is for players to feel the ability to create their own world and take it beyond the screen. This is why it also includes extensive customization and environment building options, with very detailed virtual construction based on real cities and locations to achieve maximum realism. In this way, players can feel that the city in which they are performing actions has its own life.

A city full of life where it's impossible to get bored

Because that is another of the elements that stand out above all else in inZOI: the activities that can be carried out with the other characters that populate its world. In this sense, inZOI is shaping up to be a more complete and immersive life simulation experience than other titles in the genre, offering players a wide variety of professional careers from the base game: from traditional jobs in offices, convenience stores or coffee shops to more dynamic occupations such as firefighter, theme park worker or even singing teacher for aspiring pop idols, Krafton's proposal seeks to provide multiple options for each player to build their story in a unique way.

With this, social interactions also play a fundamental role. When conversing face-to-face with other characters, the player has a variety of dialogue options that vary depending on the mood and relationship with the other person, be it family, professional or friendship. However, one of the most interesting mechanics is the in-game messaging system, which allows Zois to stay in contact via mobile phone, through notifications that indicate if a friend wants to meet up, when there are important events or even when friends or family move into the neighborhood, making life in inZOI feel more dynamic and connected.

Other additions such as weather effects and their consequences on zois or the moral system that will arrive after the early access launch are other great ingredients with which inZOI aims to take the throne away from The Sims and compete for the great success of the life simulation genre.