What are the Differences between InZoi and The Sims 4?

With the new InZoi game released last month, many Simmers are wondering what the differences are between InZoi and The Sims 4. Both are life simulation games that let players shape the daily lives, relationships, and environments of virtual characters, but they approach this genre in distinct ways.

While they share core elements like character customization, home building, and social interaction, their visual styles, emotional depth, and gameplay mechanics set them apart. The Sims 4 embraces a stylized, playful aesthetic with a strong focus on creative freedom and a vast catalog of expansions. InZoi, on the other hand, aims for hyper-realism and cinematic storytelling, utilizing advanced graphics and expressive animations to deliver a more grounded and immersive experience. By comparing these two games, we can see how each offers a unique take on virtual life, catering to different player preferences and experiences.

InZoi

Utilizing the powerful Unreal Engine 5, InZoi showcases stunning, photorealistic visuals and richly detailed environments. The concept for InZoi originated from a meaningful conversation between director Hyungjun Kim and his son, who suggested making life simulation games even more realistic. 

InZoi is an exciting life simulation game developed by the talented InZoi Studio and published by Krafton, the esteemed company behind PUBG. It was launched in early access for Windows on March 28, 2025. This innovative game invites players to create and nurture virtual characters known as “Zois.” With extensive customization options and captivating storytelling, players are sure to enjoy a unique and fulfilling experience.

The Sims 4

The Sims 4 is an exciting and transformative installment in the beloved life simulation series developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts (EA). Officially launched on September 2, 2014, for Windows, this game has since enriched the experiences of Mac and console users as well. The journey of The Sims 4 has been nothing short of remarkable, evolving through an array of expansion packs, game packs, and free updates that reflect player desires.

The passionate community surrounding The Sims 4 has been instrumental in shaping its ongoing evolution, with player feedback and modding initiatives having a significant influence on updates. Despite initial critiques at launch, The Sims 4 has flourished into a celebrated entry in the franchise, enjoying over a decade of active development and a vast, dedicated player base.

Similarities

InZoi and The Sims 4, while distinct in their visual styles and levels of realism, beautifully align in the realm of life simulation games. Both invite players to unleash their creativity by crafting and personalizing virtual characters—known as Zois in InZoi and Sims in The Sims 4—and immersing them in vibrant, fully interactive environments. Players have the thrilling opportunity to design dream homes, cultivate meaningful relationships, pursue diverse careers, and shape the everyday lives of their characters.

# 1 – Player Driven Gameplay

Both InZoi and The Sims 4 celebrate the freedom of player choice, allowing you to explore your creativity without being confined to a scripted storyline or a specific gameplay path. You can immerse yourself in creating Zones of Interest (Zois) or crafting unique Sims, all while enjoying the flexibility to design houses based on your vision, regardless of other game elements. This empowering approach ensures that your experience is uniquely yours, enabling countless possibilities and combinations of activities. Embrace the joy of shaping your adventure in a world where your preferences truly drive the gameplay!

# 2 – Households of 8

There are several small details in both games that are quite similar, one of which is the household size. The most Zois I’ve managed to have in one house is three, and it can get chaotic, much like having eight Sims. However, I’ve noticed that if you leave your Zois to their own devices, they generally do a decent job of taking care of themselves, aside from the occasional kitchen fire, similar to what happens in The Sims.

# 3 – Systems of Needs/Whims/Goals

Both InZoi and The Sims 4 feature a system of needs, wants, whims, and aspirations. ZOIs and Sims require these elements to sustain their lives and achieve happiness. When their needs and goals are not met, their emotional well-being begins to decline.

#4 – Sharing Creations

InZoi and The Sims 4 both provide wonderful opportunities for players to effortlessly share their amazing creations with the community! InZOI’s Canvas system allows for modded creations and can even be accessed outside the game, enabling users to queue up to ten delightful creations to send to their game at once. Meanwhile, The Sims 4 offers the fantastic Gallery, which, while accessible only in-game, offers the immediate use of a wide variety of items, even if it doesn’t support custom content. Both platforms foster an engaging environment with like and comment features, encouraging users to share their thoughts and support the talented creators. It’s a wonderful time to celebrate creativity together!

Differences

InZoi and The Sims 4 both celebrate the vibrant world of life simulation, each offering unique experiences that cater to different preferences. InZoi captivates players with its hyper-realistic graphics and fluid character animations, delivering a truly cinematic feel. Conversely, The Sims 4 charms with its whimsical, cartoon-inspired visuals and playful character expressions, appealing to a wide audience.

# 1  – Graphics/Realism

When it comes to realism, InZoi sets itself apart from The Sims 4 by aiming for a highly lifelike and immersive simulation experience. InZoi delivers photorealistic graphics, detailed character animations, and dynamic environments that accurately replicate real-life locations and social interactions, particularly within the context of Korean culture. The game emphasizes body language and environmental interactions that make its virtual world feel more grounded and authentic.

In contrast, The Sims 4 takes a more stylized and simplified approach. Its cartoonish graphics and exaggerated animations contribute to a playful, lighthearted tone, prioritizing creativity and accessibility over realism.

# 2 – Life Dynamics and Character Behavior

While it includes emotional states and complex life simulation mechanics, the behaviors and interactions of Sims often lean toward the quirky and exaggerated, rather than the subtle and lifelike dynamics seen in InZOI. As a result, InZoi offers a more realistic, cinematic simulation, whereas The Sims 4 focuses on imaginative storytelling and user-driven fun.

# 3 – UI and Controls

Embarking on a new gaming adventure is always exciting, and players may experience a refreshing learning curve as they navigate the unique user interface (UI) of InZoi. Unlike The Sims 4, InZoi’s UI offers a variety of features to explore, which enhances the joy of discovery. With a wealth of options for character customization and building, players can truly make their Zoi unique! Additionally, utilizing the W, A, and D keys empowers players to effortlessly guide their Zoi through the vibrant game world. 

# 4 – Vehicles

I haven’t explored the vehicles section in InZoi yet, but I’ve seen some features, and from what I’ve heard, you can run over other Zois with your vehicle. Additionally, numerous vehicle skins are available for download on the InZoi Canvas. This seems like a blend of Grand Theft Auto and a life simulation game.

#5 – Customizability of Existing Content

The pictured dress above uses a pattern I imported to a standard piece of clothing in the InZoi Base Game.

I’m thrilled to share some exciting news for all Simmers! Inzoi introduces an intuitive color wheel option and a user-friendly import system for graphics and patterns, empowering you to personalize your designs directly within the game. While The Sims 4 allows for recoloring and customization, the process can be quite intricate, often requiring external software to locate and edit meshes. Inzoi streamlines this experience by integrating customization features directly into the game, making it easy to transform your gameplay. Get ready to unleash your creativity in a whole new way!

Summary

The Sims 4 and InZoi are both exciting life simulation games, each bringing its unique charm and strengths to the table! Released in 2025 by Krafton, InZoi impresses with its stunning hyper-realistic visuals, creating an immersive experience for players. By emphasizing intricate character behavior, city dynamics, and advanced storytelling tools, InZoi sets itself apart with a commitment to deep realism.