My First Week with inZOI: An Honest Early Access Review
It’s been about a week since inZOI launched in Early Access on March 27, 2025, and I’ve spent most of that time exploring everything it has to offer - from sculpting characters to designing dreamy builds and poking around its still-growing gameplay systems.
Let me say this upfront: inZOI isn’t finished - and that’s okay. It’s not fair to measure it against full releases like The Sims just yet. What we can do is look at what’s already here - and where it could go next.
And honestly? I’m impressed. This is a game that’s already showing strong creative bones and a lot of heart.
Create a Zoi: A Love Letter to Character Design
Let’s start with the standout: Create a Zoi. This is where I got instantly pulled in - and where I happily spent hours adjusting facial features, playing with lighting setups, and uploading my own patterns to make characters that feel totally my own.
Why it works:
- Realism and control. The detail level is wild. You can tweak almost everything: skin texture, hair highlights, lighting, and even the studio background your Zoi stands in.
- Pattern upload = chef’s kiss. There’s also an AI pattern generator, which has potential, but I found more joy in uploading textures I found online.
What’s still on the way:
- Right now, you can only create children - no toddlers or babies yet. That’s likely coming later.
- The presets need more variety. More diverse faces would be a great step forward.
- Some sliders - especially around the eyes and nose - can feel a little tricky to use smoothly.
Still, this is easily one of the strongest character creators I’ve seen in years. It’s polished, powerful, and personal.
Build Mode: A Creative Playground (with Room to Grow)
Once I wrapped up creating my first Zoi, I dove into Build Mode, and I’ll admit, it took a little adjusting. The keyboard shortcuts feel unfamiliar at first, but the devs are already working on letting us customize them, which should make a big difference.
Why it’s exciting:
- Hyper-detailed building. From furniture knobs to curtain textures, every detail can be customized. It’s the kind of builder that lets you reflect your personal taste in full.
- 3D printing is a cool twist. You can print out any furniture, though the system’s a bit wonky, still, the idea is amazing.
- Custom textures return! I can’t say this enough: uploading your own patterns makes a world of difference for builders and CC lovers.
What could be better:
- Stairs gave me trouble. Hoping for a smoother placement system soon.
- No terrain tools yet. Can’t do landscaping the way I want just yet, but I’m patient.
- I’d love a world color picker. Right now, you can only copy color from the same object type. A universal picker would be a game-changer.
Even with the current limitations, I had so much fun in Build Mode. It already feels like a space where creativity is encouraged and rewarded.
Gameplay: Early Steps Toward Something Big
Here’s where inZOI is clearly still finding its rhythm. The gameplay systems are there, but they need more time in the oven. That said, there’s real promise here.
What I liked:
- City and chaos controls are clever. Being able to fine-tune your world’s population and vibe is a neat layer of control we don’t usually get.
- The semi-open world feels fresh. Walking to different locations adds immersion and gives the world a lived-in feeling.
- The prison system is oddly fun. If your Zoi ends up in jail, you can actually play your Zoi in the jail. It’s weirdly entertaining and opens up unique paths.
What needs love:
- Skills and jobs feel light. There isn’t much depth yet to developing your Zoi’s talents or career path.
- Relationships develop way too fast. Like, marry-a-stranger-in-10-minutes fast.
- There’s some downtime. When your Zoi goes to work, there’s not much to do but wait.
- The AI needs improvement. Sometimes, you can commit crimes and face zero consequences.
It’s easy to see where the devs are going here, and I think with time, these systems will flesh out into something dynamic and rich.
The Little Things That Spark Joy
A few extra touches that stood out:
- I appreciate that you can move around UI elements like the needs panel. It's not groundbreaking, but it’s the kind of flexibility that makes the game feel more personal.
- The level of detail when zooming in on your Zoi is stunning. You can zoom in close and catch all kinds of little details that make the world feel real.
- The atmosphere of the game: visuals, music, design - it’s calming, almost meditative.
It’s clear that this game was made with care, and it shows in the small things.
A Sweet Welcome from The Sims
One of my favorite moments this week wasn’t even in the game - it was on X (formerly Twitter). After inZOI launched, The Sims posted:
“Sul Sul! We brought fruitcake!”
inZOI replied:
“The table was waiting for that final touch. 🍰 Welcome!”
It was such a lovely little exchange between creative teams, like a digital handshake. It gave me hope that this genre can grow, thrive, and support more than one great game at a time. With Paralives also on the horizon, we might finally be seeing the golden age of life sims again.
Final Thoughts: Early Access with Big Energy
After a week with inZOI, I’m genuinely hopeful. It’s not perfect, but it’s not trying to be yet. What it is, is a beautiful, flexible, and forward-thinking creative sim that already feels refreshing in a genre that’s been craving something new.
The building and character creation tools alone are worth diving into. If you love designing, storytelling, or just losing yourself in a digital world you can shape, inZOI already has a strong pull. And the gameplay? It’s on its way.
This is a life sim that wants to grow, and honestly, I’m excited to grow with it.
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