InZOI has officially hit early access, generating considerable excitement as the latest competitor to The Sims franchise. While it’s important to approach early access titles with tempered expectations, InZOI exhibits several unfinished features that can hinder the player experience. The game, designed to encourage creativity and experimentation, feels somewhat unpolished and underdeveloped at this stage.
Despite its potential, there are numerous critical issues that need immediate addressing. InZOI’s competition with The Sims 4 should enhance both games, but currently, it highlights areas where The Sims excels. As the developers continue to refine InZOI, they could adopt several improvements that would significantly enhance gameplay and user satisfaction.
10 Improved Categorization in Building Mode
Searching by Rooms Lacks Intuitive Navigation
The initial experience in InZOI’s build mode can be disorienting, particularly due to its lack of organizational categories. While it mirrors The Sims 4 visually, it relies on rooms to categorize items available for purchase, resulting in a convoluted user experience. This scattering can become frustrating, as players may find themselves rummaging through wrong categories in search of common items, like mirrors.
Although utilizing the item search feature can significantly streamline this process, players should not be forced to adapt to an unintuitive menu system to locate what they need.
9 Enhance the Zoi Search Function
Difficulty in Finding Zois: Names Aren’t Alphabetized
InZOI allows players to oversee an entire city while controlling individual Zois, yet navigating through this city can be cumbersome. Players must scroll through a non-alphabetized list of Zois, and the search functionality, which is crucial for identifying inhabitants by name, is frequently unresponsive.
This lack of functional searching forces players into a monotonous scrolling process, as they attempt to locate specific Zois amidst a clutter of names that lack images.
8 Economy System Requires Overhaul
Economic Constraints Foster a Focus on Experimentation
The economic framework in InZOI appears to be unstable; players struggle to earn enough income to maintain a modest living. Job assignments are limited to three working days, while compensation does not align with basic living costs, prompting the widespread use of in-game cheats for wealth.
This lack of economic viability detracts from player engagement, forcing them into a cycle of relying on cheats rather than rewarding gameplay. Moreover, exorbitant food costs further complicate financial stability, making instances like preparing breakfast at home unnecessarily costly compared to purchasing affordable alternatives.
7 Time Progression Needs Acceleration
Slow Progression Hinders Engagement
For players accustomed to the pacing of The Sims, InZOI feels excessively slow in comparison. To put it in perspective, one in-game minute equates to approximately six seconds in real-time, resulting in a significantly slower day-to-day gameplay experience. This sluggish pace can detract from immersion and enjoyment.
Implementing faster gameplay options for routine activities could enhance player engagement, allowing them to spend less time waiting and more time actively experiencing the game world.
6 Balance Zoi Needs More Effectively
Needs Deteriorate and Recover Too Quickly
While time may pass slowly in InZOI, the speed at which Zoi needs fluctuate is on par with that of The Sims. For example, players find they must attend to their Zois’ sleeping requirements twice daily to maintain energy, with recovery occurring much faster than feels realistic. The need for frequent naps disrupts gameplay.
This rapid deterioration of needs leads to frequent interruptions in gameplay, forcing players to constantly manage their Zois’ physical states, thus reducing immersion and enjoyment.
5 Skill Progression Curve Must be Adjusted
Skills Level Up Too Easily
InZOI’s skill advancement feels rushed compared to its predecessor, The Sims. Players can rapidly climb their skill levels without much effort—achieving skill level eight in just three in-game days highlights this imbalance. The thrill of mastering a skill diminishes when players can swiftly reach proficiency without substantial effort.
Finding a balanced approach to skill progression is essential to maintain player engagement and provide a rewarding experience in the game.
4 The Jail Experience is Uninspired
Upon committing crimes, Zois find themselves incarcerated in a dismally simplistic jail setting, featuring just the essentials—a bed, vending machine, sink, and toilet. This lack of depth makes the jail aspect feel more like a time-out than a serious consequence, undermining the game’s potential narrative depth.
Players are required to endure their sentence in real-time without interactive opportunities, detracting from engagement. This half-hearted implementation needs improvement to enhance the overall gaming experience.
3 Revamp Interaction Options
Interactions Feel Repetitive
While InZOI includes interactive features, many come across as repetitive and lack variety. A substantial number of interactions feel like slight variations of one another, occasionally distinguished by emojis or different phrasing. Player engagement could significantly benefit from a more diverse interaction system.
As relationships progress, the options expand only marginally, resulting in a flat experience across different types of relationships, whether friendly or antagonistic.
2 Enhance Animation and Customization Options
AI Animation Needs Improvement
InZOI’s reliance on AI for animation can be a double-edged sword. While it offers an interesting feature for animating Zois, the inconsistency can hinder players’ creativity. Empowering players with the ability to create their unique poses could foster a more personal connection to their characters.
Transitioning control to players for more specific animations would not only enrich the gameplay experience but also differentiate InZOI from other simulators.
1 Broaden Character Customization Options
The character customization feature in InZOI leaves much to be desired. Players encounter a stark lack of clothing and accessory options, leaving them feeling restricted. With the potential for creative expression through customization, the current offerings feel underwhelming. The Zoi customization should be a focal point of the game, yet as it stands, it is noticeably limited.
As the game evolves, there is ample room for improvement and expansion in this area to truly engage players and foster a community excited about customization and self-expression.