InZoi Early Access Reviewed by Critics: A Bold New Take on Life Simulators

It’s nearly impossible to discuss InZoi without mentioning The Sims. The life-sim genre has long been dominated by Maxis' iconic series, with few games even attempting to challenge its reign. InZoi, developed by Krafton, aims to do just that. The game enters Early Access boasting impressive graphics, a highly detailed character creator, and a fully open world, setting it apart from its biggest competitor. But does it live up to the hype?

Stunning Visuals and Deep Customization

Previously, we described the developers' hints at the spicy in-game episodes known as WooHoo from the Sims series.

One of the first things players and critics have praised about InZoi is its visual fidelity. The game’s environments are rich and immersive, while characters – called Zois – sport detailed, stylish designs. The level of customization is a clear standout, offering extensive options in character creation, clothing design, and even cityscapes. Unlike The Sims, where pre-made assets dominate, InZoi allows players to tweak minor details, from clothing fits to environmental aesthetics, making each playthrough feel personal.

The fashion system is another highlight, giving players control over individual layers of clothing. You can adjust sleeve lengths, tucks, and hems, offering a depth of control rarely seen in life simulators. The game’s approach to style is trendy and modern, avoiding the often-outdated fashion choices seen in similar games. The promise of free, regular content updates further adds to the appeal.

Personality System and Social Interactions: A Step Forward or a Step Back?

InZoi introduces a unique personality system that replaces traditional trait selection with 18 predefined personality types. While an interesting concept, this system has drawn criticism for being too rigid. Unlike The Sims, where combining different traits can create endless personality combinations, InZoi’s approach results in characters that can often feel too similar. This limitation extends to the game’s social interactions as well, with many critics noting that conversations and relationships lack depth.

The game also features a karma system that influences how Zois interact with the world. Acts of kindness or mischief shape the broader community, adding a sense of consequence to player choices. However, the impact of these choices feels limited in the current build, leaving room for improvement as development continues.

Open World and City Customization: A Mixed Bag

One of InZoi’s most ambitious features is its open-world design. Unlike The Sims’ traditionally segmented neighborhoods, InZoi allows players to explore entire cities without loading screens. The ability to modify cityscapes dynamically – adjusting weather, swapping flora and fauna, and even unleashing hordes of animals – offers a level of world-building not seen in its competitors.

Despite this, the open world feels somewhat empty. While visually impressive, it lacks the liveliness and organic interactions that make a simulation feel immersive. Critics have noted that NPC behavior often feels repetitive, and while Zois can engage in a wide range of activities, the world itself doesn’t always react in meaningful ways.

Gameplay Frustrations and AI Concerns

For all its visual splendor, many players have found InZoi’s core gameplay lacking. The game’s slow pacing – especially in activities like attending university or sleeping – has been a major point of frustration. Additionally, social interactions, while numerous, can feel clunky and overwhelming due to a cluttered interface.

Another controversy surrounding the game is its use of AI-generated assets. Krafton has assured players that all AI features utilize proprietary models trained on company-owned, copyright-free data. While some players are comfortable with this, concerns remain regarding AI’s impact on game development, particularly in areas like in-game art and procedural content.

The Verdict So Far

InZoi is an ambitious project that shows immense promise. Its breathtaking visuals, deep customization, and open-world structure provide a fresh take on the life-sim genre. However, the game currently suffers from a lack of engaging gameplay and character depth, making it feel more like a beautiful tech demo than a fully realized experience.

That said, InZoi is still in Early Access, meaning there’s time for improvement. If the developers can refine the personality system, enhance social interactions, and inject more life into the world, InZoi could become a true rival to The Sims. For now, it remains a fascinating, if somewhat hollow, experiment in life simulation.