Paralives Early Access Review

If you’re a fan of life simulators, you’ve no doubt heard critics, developers, influencers, and all manner of social media-savvy people wax lyrical about the complexity of creating a compelling social simulation.

After spending 35 hours in Paralives crafting families, building homes, and sowing discord among residents, there is a renewed hope for this ambitious challenger to The Sims’ throne. The game captures not only the practical elements of humanity but also the weird ones we sweep under the rug. While its Early Access start has room to grow, it shows promise.

Your time in Paralives starts with a tutorial on handpicking actions for the Parafolk, the digital citizens. You can choose from predesigned families or create your own household via the Paramaker mode. The Paramaker mode allows for avatar creation in Appearance, Clothing, and Personality sections, offering a decent variety of options for customization.

The standout art style of Paralives evokes classic Telltale games, with a dynamic comic book approach that enhances details like wrinkles and facial hair. The game's characters, Parafolks, feel more likeable and relatable compared to competitors, thanks to their slightly goofier and cartoonish design. However, the Personality section of character creation feels limited, with choices that don't significantly impact gameplay.

Each family in Paralives requires a Storyteller choice, affecting the difficulty of day-to-day life with random events. The build mode, while currently limited, allows for the construction of homes with essential amenities. The game's construction mode is approachable, aided by a snap tool for easy building.