Summary
Since the next installment within EA’sThe Simsfranchise is still some time away, many eyes have shifted towards competitors. One that stands out among many, is Krafton’sinZOI. With extraordinary graphics on display running on Unreal Engine 5, it seems to be set in stone to outdo the mostpopular simulationfranchise visually.
The recent presentations showcase mechanics and aspects ofinZOIthat promise a fantastic and well-thought-out attempt at a hyperrealistic simulation game. While plenty has already impressed a plethora of fans, there is still much to see and more for developers to implement over time leading up to the game’s eventual release.
1Impactful Consequences
Consequences Will Allow Players To Take Multiple Approaches In New Playthroughs
One of the most pivotal aspects of any real-life simulation title is the consequences that derive from players' actions. This is also a huge element of manymodern-day action and adventure RPG titles, that include multiple endings, choices, or pathways. While this is not what many would refer to as an RPG despite essentially being one, this is consequences are an element that must be replicated in Krafton’s upcoming game.
Without this, gameplay can become very monotonous and less interesting, whereas consequences of very particular situations can brighten gameplay immersion. Whether this is from death, divorce, birth, or any life-changing event for a character withininZOI, its success is very dependent on this aspect of the upcoming experience.
2Life Paths
Life Paths Can Alter Player Experiences And Promote Replayability
As aforementioned consequences will play a vital role ininZOI, and so will the implementation of life paths. This is an aspect already present inThe Simsfranchise and is already shown to have elements of it present ininZOIitself with careers and jobs. While it is important to mention how great it is to see that the developers have already implemented it, the hope remains that the life paths will be much more interesting and innovative.
In the same vein as impactful consequences, it would be great to see how fulfilling or not fulfilling acreated character’s life pathwill have an effect on them or not. This invites the idea of more real-life scenarios, conversations with other characters, and more that can be included in this new rendition of a life-like simulation title to heighten its immersion more than any other title has ever done.
3Fully Interactive AI/Approaching Players
NPCs Within inZOI Appear To Be Active In The Open World
In addition to creating a world that feels alive and fully functional, NPCs are a primary factor in allowing this to happen. For some simulation/RPG games, players will find that they are the ones approaching NPCs more often than the other way around. While this is not necessarily an issue, it is clear that some fans would hope for more interactive NPCs that will approach players or commit to an action involving the player without any choice made by the player.
By the looks of it,inZOIappears to be prioritizing player andNPC interactionsto keep the game feeling fresh and less monotonous. Immersion, as mentioned, is vital for any game, let alone a simulation game, so this is something fans will be hoping that developers will pay close attention to within the stage of development.
4Slower Pace
Controlling How Fast Days Pass By At Normal Speeds Is Crucial To Enjoyment
TakingThe Simsinto consideration, developers did a great job at allowing players to choose how fast or slow they wish for their game to operate. This can either extend the usual quick time of simulation to the length of an actual day or shorten it for quick playthroughs. WithinZOI, fans will be hoping that the same can be replicated here, especially when it comes down to the growth of characters whether they are babies or adults.
For players who wish to prolong time in their game and spend more time playing with their created characters or families, this will be crucial. While some will argue that this would be monotonous, the option to change at any given moment will alleviate any worries just asEA developers have done withThe Simsfranchise.
5Good Performance
PC Games Of Recent Have Maintained Poor Performance
inZOI’s graphics and visual quality are out of this world, especially compared to the likes ofThe Sims, but it may worry some regarding performance. Considering thebad performance of a variety of PC titles in 2023, especially from triple-A developers, there is no doubt that fans lead with caution after seeing the showcases ofinZOI. A big aspect of the game’s selling point currently is its hyperrealistic graphics on display, so maintaining this without downgrading it massively will likely be one of Krafton developers' main goals.
While some may argue that the frame rate on this occasion is not as important, since it is a simulation title and not an intense action-packed game, it will still be essential. There is still no word on whetherinZOIwill be available on consoles as it is only listed on Steam on PC, but if it is, it will highly likely only be on next-gen consoles given its graphical fidelity. In that case, maintaining a good frame rate level while keeping up with the current graphical fidelity, is an aspect that will contribute to the game’s potential success.
