In the realm of life-simulator games,The Sims 4has long been a dominant force.The Simsfranchise has offered players the ability to craft and control virtual lives with extensive customization for over two decades, and with no signs of slowing down.The Sims 4had taken one decade out of those two, cementing itself as the modern industry standard for life-simulation. EnterInZOI, a new contender aiming to redefine the genre with cutting-edge graphics and hyper-realism. AlthoughInZOIhas only been in Early Access for a short time, fans of the life-sim genre are already drawing points of comparison between it and its long-standing giant of a predecessor.
Initially, a comparison between the two games may seem premature, if not unfair.InZOIis a newcomer already reaching milestones, whileThe Sims 4has had an entire decade of development and updates. Both games offer profound customization freedom that characterizes the life-simulation genre. Yet, their approaches to life simulation differ in enough ways to make both unique titles in their own right.
Similarities Between The Sims 4 and InZOI
BothThe Sims 4andInZOIhave earned their places in the life simulation genre by offering rich, player-driven experiences, allowing players to shape the destinies of their characters in a dynamic world. While each game brings its own flair to the genre, there are several similarities that stand out, especially in terms of customization and storytelling.
Creating Possibilities With Build Modes
Players of life-simulators spend endless hours creating ideal spaces for their characters to call home. Both games offer highly satisfying build modes, withInZOIleaning more towards the aesthetic side of customization andThe Sims 4offering build mode cheatsand an expansive toolset for structural creativity. With a beginner-friendly UI, the build mode in both games makes building and customization a reasonably straightforward experience for any player.
Strong Character Creators
A character creator in a game is crucial for player immersion. Oftentimes, the first thing a player encounters in a life-simulator is a character creator that has the opportunity to hypnotize a player and make them a lifelong fan. BothThe Sims 4andInZOIallow players to create highly individualized charactersby adjusting facial features, body shapes, clothing, and accessories. Additionally, both games allow players to influence the personality of their Sims and Zois by selecting traits, desires, and more.
Story-based Gameplay for Endless Adventure
A life-simulator wouldn’t be a life-simulator without a system that offers players continuity. Luckily,InZOIandThe Sims 4spoil players with true sandboxes where shenanigans can ensue. Thestory-based gameplay inThe Sims 4andInZOIshares a key similarity in that both games place a significant emphasis on player-driven narratives, where the story evolves based on the characters and their actions. While each game brings its own unique take on storytelling, the overall structure and focus on player agency make them comparable in terms of their narrative potential.
Differences BetweenThe Sims 4andInZOI
Although they share a genre and are the target of comparisons,The Sims 4andInZOIare wildly different and wholly unique. WhileThe Sims 4andInZOIshare some core elements of life simulation gameplay, there are distinct differences that set the two apart. These differences are generally rooted in the unique design philosophies and priorities of each game.
Open World vs. Loading Screens
Veteran players ofThe Simswere surprised when Maxis moved away from the open-world design of earlierSimsgames inThe Sims 4.The Sims 4features a world divided into smaller, distinct zones that require loading to transition between. Navigation between distinct neighborhoods necessitates loading screens in between, preventing seamless, uninterrupted transportation between lots. The change was so jarring thatThe Sims 4competitors have rejected loading screensin their game designs.
InZOIoffers a fully open and somewhat customizable world where Zois can travel from lot to lot without the need for loading screens. The current map inInZOIis so expansive and immersive thatZois can opt to drive a carto get from point A to point B. WhileThe Sims 4lacks drivable cars,InZOIintroduces functional vehicles, allowing players to navigate the game world more dynamically.
Graphical Performance and Fidelity Differences
The Sims 4andInZOIoffer players a different graphical experience. Players have even opted to makethe same characters inInZOIandThe Sims 4to prove the differences. One ofInZOI’s most significant selling points for players looking for something other than any game inThe Simsfranchise was its realistic graphics.InZOIdistinguishes itself through its photorealistic graphics, which create hyper-realistic environments and character models. On the other hand,The Sims4’s cartoon-y style offers players a different in-game feel.
The graphical requirements of both games take different tolls on a player’s operating systems. WhileThe Sims 4can run on most computers with some exceptions,InZOI’s operating requirements are significantly higher.
AI Features Expand on Customization in Contrast to Presets
InZOIleverages artificial intelligence to enable players to create custom textures and patterns, adding a layer of personalization not present inThe Sims 4. InInZOI, players can use AI-powered tools that help generate textures and patterns for multiple needs. The game’s AI can generate patterns and textures for furniture, clothing, and specific in-game objects. The use of AI inInZOIhas been met with heavy criticism from life-sim players, despite being a major selling point for the game. This opposition mirrorslarger conversations on AI in the video game industry.
The way thatInZOIleverages its AI features is reminiscent of whenThe Simsfranchise boasted the Create-A-Style tool. While loaded with preset textures and color wheels, the Create-A-Style tool allowedSimsplayers to have expanded customization options. The Create-A-Style tool was only a feature forThe Sims 3andaThe Simsspin-off game,The Sims Medieval.
InZOI has Consequences that Mirror the Real World
A unique feature that truly setsInZOIapart fromThe Sims 4is the fact that a Zoi could commit a crime that lands them in jail.InZOIintroduces a Karma system that measures a Zoi’s good or bad deeds. The worse a Zoi’s Karma is, the worse their deeds can be. Eventually, Zois are able to rob ATMs with terrible Karma. Unsuccessful robberies result in arrests, where the player’sZois will have to stay in jailto reflect on their actions.
WhileThe Sims 4has a reputation system that influences how NPCs react to a Sim based on prior social deeds, the consequences of poor behavior are nowhere near as dire asInZOI’s. In March 2025, Maxis reintroduced a fan-favorite criminal toThe Sims 4. The only crime a Sim can be involved in is beingthe victim of a burglar.
