Although still in Early Access, InZOI has been steadily crafting its own identity in the life-sim space. With its rich visuals, detailed animations, and robust customization options, InZOI presents players with a promising life-simulation that plans on expanding its offerings through more updates and a full release. But in a video game that is so grounded in realism, sometimes simmers just want to experience something a bit less mundane.
The most dedicated simmers know that the greatness of a life-sim isn’t defined by realism alone. The limits of a life-sim should be the player’s imagination—especially when they choose to grant some lucky avatars a dream life. A player undertaking a life-sim can take multiple routes to ensure an avatar lives an enviable dream life, whether it be through dream career choices, incredible riches, or jaw-dropping romance. And although the pursuit of the aspirational can be fun, simmers know all too well how chasing a dream is a lot of hard work. Life-sim players need shortcuts. And for players of InZOI who are ready to leave behind a virtual life of grinding, a glimmer of hope may be fast approaching.
The Sims and InZOI's Rivalry Will Soon Become a Triple Threat
As The Sims and InZOI compete for life sim fans, another game is quietly building a passionate following that might change everything.
All Roadmaps Lead InZOI Players to Hitting Motherlode
According to the developer’s post-launch roadmap for InZOI, the game will receive a major update to enhance the quality of life features for players. The update includes high-priority items for long-time simmers, including modding kits, Create-A-Zoi improvements, and the integration of systems to improve relationships between Zois. Most notably, the May 1 update will include cheat codes for players who wish to spam their way toward their Zoi’s dream life.
With a clear focus on player agency, InZOI’s roadmap has promising features all around. But it’s the May 1 cheat code rollout that’s the real game-changer. Right now, the only cheat code that exists in-game is a money cheat that grants players instant in-game currency for InZOI known as “meow.” Not only does it signal a shift toward sandbox-style play that responds to the game’s early criticism, but it also opens the door for less grind and more narrative chaos. The addition of a more expansive list of cheat codes presents a win-win scenario for players who want a little more fun in their faux lives.
The Life-Sim Genre and Cheat Codes: A Decades-Old Love Affair
For longtime life sim fans, cheat codes aren’t just a way to break the game; they’re a form of storytelling that grants players maximum freedom. Whether they want to build a mega-mansion on day one, remove an annoying household member with suspicious ease, or create a drama-filled neighborhood where everyone is rich and spiteful, players have used cheat codes to concentrate on whatever aspects of the game they’d like to work on.
For example, a player who wishes to focus on a sim’s career without sacrificing social needs may use a cheat to ensure the sim has enough friends. Another who wants their sim to grind until they become a master at a particular skill may cheat to ensure that the sim’s needs don’t go neglected. And, of course, an infamous code like motherlode (The Sims’ classic for a 50k simoleon boost) has always provided the foundation for financial freedom during gameplay.
The Bigger Picture: InZOI Becoming Flexible Could Be Its Biggest Strength
InZOI doesn’t need to be The Sims, and it knows it. Players also know that, especially when noting that InZOI reported reaching player milestones in less than a month after Early Access release. But, Krafton is smart enough to take notes on a formula that is proven to work, and cheat codes, as silly as they seem, are one of the most iconic parts of the life-sim genre. By embracing them, InZOI isn’t just handing players power; it’s acknowledging the different ways people enjoy the game.
Not everyone wants to simulate struggle. Sometimes, players just want to give their digital self a penthouse with some top-of-the-line furniture items while working only part-time, no questions asked. May’s cheat code drop is just one more step in InZOI’s continued evolution for both storytelling and self-expression. Most importantly, it is a step in the right direction after reports of a dwindling InZOI player base. It’s a signal that the developers understand what makes life-sims so beloved: the freedom to play exactly how a player wants.
InZOI
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 77 /100 Critics Rec: 80%
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Genre(s)
- Life Simulation
