Crafting a life simulator that is both enjoyable and reflective of the real world is no small feat. It requires an intricate balance between offering enough creative freedom and setting rules that make decisions feel both realistic and challenging. These decisions must then be seamlessly woven together. Turns out, replicating life is far from easy—sorry, Dr. Frankenstein, for all the criticism. Nonetheless, despite the complexities, developer Krafton has made a commendable effort with inZOI, based on my experience with its Early Access launch. The first glance reveals a stunning, lifelike aesthetic that immediately captivates, while the ambitious simulation mechanics at play initially create an impressive sense of cohesion. Yet, the more time I spend in this digital universe, the more inZOI’s seams become evident, leaving the world feeling more barren than anticipated.
It’s impossible to discuss inZOI without drawing parallels to The Sims, a series it unabashedly draws inspiration from—and hopes to compete against. Players step into the shoes of a god-like entity, capable of creating and directing the lives of their little virtual denizens. You have the freedom to build homes from the ground up, tweak each character’s (or Zoi’s) features, and immerse them in all the drama their world has to offer. They can find a job, attend school, and explore their local environment with varying degrees of autonomy. Although parallels with The Sims are present upon casual observation, digging deeper reveals Krafton’s unique spin on the genre.
As you dive into a new inZOI game, your journey starts with assembling a household courtesy of the detailed Character Creator Studio. You’ll decide on names, genders, ages, and select a Trait that dictates each avatar’s personality. With 18 traits, spanning from Authoritarian to Individualist, each option is paired with a helpful Characteristics sidebar that illustrates how these choices impact in-game behavior. As a freelancer, I gravitated towards the Go-Getter trait, which emphasized professional lives and amusingly, extended periods of nervousness beyond other Zois. As you progress, your Zoi’s personality evolves further through interactions with likes and dislikes, from fast food to fitness, that influence their mood. While inZOI consolidates personality types into accessible choices, they can sometimes feel somewhat limited.
In terms of appearance, you can choose from a multitude of presets or meticulously adjust specific features on your Zoi’s body and face—like I did, merging both methods to create a digital version of myself. A wide selection of preset colors and a detailed color picker provide ample room for customization. Thanks to inZOI’s realistic visuals, my Zoi quickly bore an uncanny resemblance to a real person. I particularly enjoyed synchronizing their makeup and hairstyles with my own.
But it’s in inZOI’s fashion realm that the game truly distinguishes itself. As you define your character, you meticulously put together nine different outfits for various occasions, such as formal events, sleep, and weather conditions. The wardrobe spans a contemporary variety, from cargo-style pants to classic military and leather jackets. Basic clothing items like t-shirts are available in multiple lengths, encouraging endless combinations and layering to your preference. I found myself lost in this feature, crafting a Y2K-inspired outfit complete with leg warmers, Doc Marten knockoffs, and a delightfully oversized baseball jersey. While the system isn’t entirely perfect—baggier clothes sometimes clash with character models—this segment felt well-designed, making the entire dress-up process thoroughly enjoyable.
Once your family unit is ready, it’s time to find them a home. At present, inZOI offers two distinct locales: the Korean-themed city of Dowon and the Californian Bliss Bay. You have the option to construct your own dwelling or move into a pre-made lot, with each location including a handful of public areas like shops, cafes, parks, or shrines. It’s at this stage that Krafton’s ambitious vision begins to reveal its flaws. Neon signs bathe Dowon’s streets in vibrant hues while Bliss Bay’s sunset paints the beach in tranquil tones. However, the illusion starts to crumble the more you linger. Beneath the enticing neon signs lie empty buildings, and the seemingly lively environment often feels more like a well-crafted set. I appreciated the attention to detail, especially in the form of a faux McDonald’s that made me chuckle, but couldn’t escape the feeling that much of the world is merely a facade.
This sentiment persisted in my Zoi’s daily life, where I could cater to their needs like hunger and hygiene yet struggled to integrate them into the digital culture. Despite opting for the Go-Getter trait, its impact on day-to-day activities was negligible, with my other Zoi behaving nearly identically despite their contrasting personality traits. I encountered the same limitations when trying to establish a family within another household—conversations oftentimes repeated regardless of which Zoi I was controlling, with topics like Cryptocurrency and humility frequently resurfacing. While amusing at first, this repetition began to dampen my enthusiasm for nurturing relationships.
The game’s small details, like a functional treadmill display or convincingly detailed food graphics that made me hungry alongside my avatar, add to the immersive experience. However, these finely-crafted moments accentuate the contrast with the simpler, repetitive actions, eventually making my Zoi feel more like a semi-programmed automaton than a unique personality. Perhaps my Zoi will exhibit more individuality as they broaden their preferences and social circle, though I didn’t observe significant changes throughout my 15 hours of gameplay.
inZOI’s Karma system offers a reprieve from these challenges, subjecting citizens to rewards or penalties based on their actions. Choices during interactions with other Zois or objects sometimes present a yin and yang symbol, signaling their impact on the Karmic score. Actions like pilfering coins from a parking meter incur penalties, while assisting strangers earns goodwill. Initially skeptical, I soon felt the system’s influence. I had my Zoi impulsively unleash a tirade at a local park, kicking vending machines before attempting to win a toy. Succeeding only after numerous trials, I subsequently veered my Zoi towards benevolence, exchanging compliments and witty banter with strangers before revisiting the claw machine, where they clinched a prize on the first go-around. The straightforward Karma mechanic functions effectively and introduces an engaging invisible boundary—I just wish more actions could sway the score.
There’s still much to explore before reaching a conclusive assessment, from delving into its career opportunities, car selection, and intricate build mode—with these being just the beginning. As an Early Access title, inZOI unmistakably feels like one. The realistic visuals and assortment of meticulously detailed interactions clash with its rougher, less immersive facets, sometimes engendering a peculiar, sterile vibe. Despite this, the game conceals a surprising depth amid its shortcomings, inspiring me to see if inZOI can fulfill its towering ambitions—both in the long run and as I prepare to deliver a comprehensive launch review in the upcoming weeks.
