InZOI, the life simulation game from Krafton, debuted early access in the U.S. on March 27. I jumped in a day after the release and have already sunk over 40 hours into the game. Half a Zoi lifespan later, it’s safe to say I’ve developed some solid opinions on this promising title.

At its core, InZOI is much like The Sims, but with an emphasis on realism that sets it apart. As someone who’s spent countless hours in The Sims series—owning every expansion pack for The Sims 3 and 4—I can’t help but appreciate the ambition Krafton has shown. The game, built on Unreal Engine, is visually impressive, with attention to detail in the way your Zoi moves, interacts, and even the weather that changes with a surprising level of realism.

Early access always has its faults

One of the most striking aspects of InZOI is its open world. It’s not just a sandbox to drop your Zoi into; it’s a living, breathing environment. I’ve found myself just wandering the streets, exploring, which is refreshing and comically similar to Grand Theft Auto. Still, the world feels a bit constrained. Many buildings are simply decor, with no real function to enter, which limits immersion. 

While the game’s foundation is strong, the early access build is far from flawless. For one, the game doesn’t allow much freedom of movement in the world. Though the open world is expansive, being unable to enter most buildings is a missed opportunity. Also, while the manual driving feature is fun, I found myself frustrated by the lack of a minimap or route feature on your Zoi’s phone, making navigation a little tedious.

Another gripe I have is the game’s social interactions. Zois, even with their behavior settings on neutral, can be surprisingly mean or unpredictable. Relationships feel a bit nebulous too. There’s no clear “girlfriend/boyfriend” dynamic, and despite the game’s focus on realism, your Zois can’t have children unless they’re married, which feels a bit restrictive. And while Krafton has acknowledged some glitches with LGBTQ+ relationships, they’ve yet to be fully resolved.

I also wish there were more ways to manage social relationships. When Zois get too clingy or irritating, there’s no easy way to break off contact. This is something I hope the developers will consider refining as the game progresses.

Features I’m loving

What InZOI does best is immersion. The level of customization here is next level. I love the open-world city-building tools. Unlike The Sims 4, where mods are a must to change anything outside of lots, InZOI lets you modify everything from the types of trees in your neighborhood to the billboards on the street. You can even customize the time of day and adjust the weather. This level of control over the environment is a welcome change.

Then there’s the Canvas feature, which allows players to create and share custom content—everything from clothing to Zois themselves. It’s a cool way for the community to contribute, and it adds a level of creativity that’s often missing from other simulation games.

Also, the game’s weather system is wonderfully detailed. When it rains, your Zois’ clothes get soaked unless they have an umbrella. When it snows, their hair gets covered in flakes. It’s these little touches that really make Inzoi feel alive. The attention to detail is staggering— even the way your Zois move is somehow more real than what I’ve seen in other life simulation games.

InZOI’s performance is solid, especially on high-end machines. I run it on ultra settings with a gaming laptop sporting an Nvidia RTX 4060 and Intel i9 core. The game looks incredible in these settings, with hair physics, realistic walking animations, 3-second loading screens and smooth transitions between different times of day. However, if you’re running a less powerful system, the game’s high demands could cause hiccups, so make sure to turn your settings up or down accordingly. Medium and high look almost the same, and though I haven’t tried low, I’m sure it’s not bad.

What I would like to see

While InZOI is shaping up to be something truly special, it’s not without its flaws. The career options feel basic and repetitive. Sure, firefighters could put out fires, and idols could perform concerts, but right now, these careers feel like afterthoughts. It would be nice to see more depth, even if it’s just through cutscenes or simple interactive sequences.

I also have a list of features I’d love to see. Things like sleepovers for children or teen Zois, or a way for Zois to ask their parents for a ride to school, would add layers of realism and fun. A small but meaningful touch I’d like to see is a way for Zois to walk together—perhaps with a hand-holding feature for couples or a side-hug for family members.

And then there’s the lack of easy ways to end problematic relationships. If a Zoi becomes too annoying or unimportant, it should be easier to cut ties.

Final thoughts

Despite its flaws, InZOI shows a lot of promise, especially for a game in early access. The level of realism and the amount of customization are already leagues ahead of what we’ve seen in The Sims. While it’s clear the game has a ways to go— there are plenty of features and fixes still needed— it’s hard not to be excited about the future of InZOI. Krafton has laid the groundwork for something great, and I can’t wait to see how it evolves.

For now, InZOI stands as a love letter to life simulation fans who crave something more immersive, more detailed and frankly, more real. If you’re into these types of games, don’t sleep on it as it’s definitely worth playing.

Rating: 7.6/10