InZOI Takes Aim at The Sims, but Does It Promise Too Much?
InZOI might just be the life simulation game you’ve been waiting for, or at least, that’s what Krafton, the creators behind PUBG, hope as they showcase the game at Gamescom. At first glance, it’s easy to compare it to The Sims, but InZOI clearly wants to offer something different and ambitious.
Producer and director Hyungjun Kim highlights that the core of InZOI is all about freedom: living life your way, setting your own rules, and sharing memorable moments with friends in a stylish urban environment. From what I’ve seen in the preview, InZOI already has many of the features we love in top simulation games.
The character creator especially stands out, balancing ultra-realistic details with the kind of playful, quirky customization reminiscent of games like Elden Ring. Building your own home offers just as much freedom, whether you’re designing a luxury mansion or a cluttered college dorm room. The game also includes unique features, like importing real-world photos directly into your game as usable objects.
The social aspects of InZOI feel fresh and lively. Set in a busy city filled with interactive characters called Zois, the game captures the small details of daily life without becoming repetitive. You’ll encounter everything from children spreading colds at school to Zois gossiping or reminding you via text about unpaid bills.
Unlike SimCity 4, InZOI doesn’t focus heavily on management mechanics but instead provides a flexible sandbox environment. However, Kim openly acknowledges some technical challenges. During the preview, there were amusing glitches, like babies using smartphones, Zois awkwardly t-posing in cars, or customers abandoned at a fast-food place when the staff didn’t show up, a chaotic scene reminiscent of a PUBG lobby.
InZOI’s vibe feels somewhat like Second Life but emphasizes personal escapism rather than complex virtual economies, similar to the Second Life world Dwight Schrute was obsessed with in The Office. The focus is purely on creating your own rules and experiences. Yet, the game’s ambitious vision also brings some skepticism. Despite Kim’s assurance that Krafton is carefully refining the game, its massive scope feels overwhelming, echoing pre-launch concerns we’ve seen with huge RPGs like Starfield.
After experiencing the showcase, I’m excited by the potential of InZOI but still cautious about whether all the ambitious parts will fit together seamlessly. A lot has to go right for InZOI to truly stand apart.
There’s no official release date yet, but you can try the InZOI character creator for free right now. For more updates on InZOI and other upcoming games, stay tuned for our ongoing Gamescom coverage throughout the week.
