I admit it: inZOI was one of the last games I somehow managed to carve out time for at Gamescom. Between appointments, booths, and the usual trade fair madness, I had this project from Krafton (Yes, the PUBG people!It's somehow parked on my "when I have some free time" list. But there's something about this concept – this mix of life simulation, open world, and almost... PlayStation Home Reincarnation – it did intrigue me after all.
And lo and behold: After a short session, I'm cautiously euphoric. Not everything is perfect, but a great deal feels more modern, more detailed, and simply fresher than what Maxis has been selling us as the "new Sims game" for years.
Pushing through for 20 minutes of glitter
First, the obvious: The booth was huge. Really stylish, with LED walls, cityscapes, and more interactive stations than you'd expect from a "simulator." So, I pushed my way through with my PR pass and built my virtual self.
Right from the start, it's clear what Krafton prioritizes: personalization. The character editor offers an enormous range of hairstyles, clothing styles, and facial customizations. Unlike in many other simulations, the avatars here look less like comics and more stylized and realistic. The clothing options felt modern, urban, and cohesive. No mods or countless DLCs are needed for this. For a first demo, the sheer variety was astonishing.
Everyday life in the game world: More believable than expected
After the editor phase, we moved on to a pre-made apartment. Basic functions like cooking, showering, and cleaning work as expected, but the animations already appear smoother than what you'd expect from competitors in the genre. While some minor technical glitches were noticeable—occasionally an object floats awkwardly, or a reaction seems wooden—these are forgivable for an early demo.
What I found more exciting was how seamlessly the game character could transition from the apartment to the outside world. No loading screens when leaving your own four walls – a clear improvement over previous games. Sims 4This immediately makes the world seem more alive.
The game environment itself was also impressive: streets, cafes, small shops – everything feels less static and more like a real city. Whether the world is ultimately large enough to hold players' attention in the long run remains to be seen.
More than just Sims, or just a first impression?
A major difference from classic life simulations: inZOI The game clearly places importance on a social component. Player characters appear more independent, interact with their environment, and even use their smartphones for navigation. This feels modern and appropriate for the year 2025.
Whether there will be true multiplayer or community features later on is still uncertain. But even now, it feels... inZOI a bit like a modern mix of Sims and the long-discontinued PlayStation HomeA platform that is not just a simulation, but could also be a social meeting place.
Building mode, long-term motivation, and open questions
The building mode wasn't really visible yet. For many fans, it's one of the most important features. It also remains to be seen how much the world will be expanded beyond the first demo. Will shops, jobs, and social events play a real role? Or will it ultimately remain just a pretty backdrop?
Then there is the question of monetization: While Sims Since Krafton now relies almost exclusively on DLCs, they have yet to present a clear model. This will be crucial when inZOI wants to be more than a niche alternative.
My first impression: inZOI This could actually be the first game in years that Sims It's serious competition. Graphically, it's more modern, handles more smoothly, and feels more contemporary in many details. Of course, it's still far from release-ready, bugs and missing features included. But the foundation is solid. Another plus point of inZOIAs a new concept, it seems significantly more accessible than the current one. Sims-series. It's not overloaded with countless DLCs or complex menus, but offers a clear entry point for new players. Anyone who wants to try out a vibrant life simulation without immediately having to think about expansions or modifications will find a pleasantly streamlined yet versatile foundation here.
If the developers continue working consistently and avoid monetization traps, it could inZOI This will be what many have been wishing for for years: a real, serious alternative to the endless Sims series and a new PlayStation Home. inZoi Released in early 2026 for PS5Incidentally, together with the Island Getaway DLC, which was recently announced.
