11/07/2025

Paralives – The life simulation we've always hoped for

Paralives Die Lebenssimulation, auf die wir immer gehofft haben

If you've ever wished for a life simulation that gives you full creative freedom without draining your bank account, then Paralives might just be the game you've unknowingly been waiting for for years.

Let’s be honest: anyone who has tried to build the perfect dream house in The Sims 4 – only to find out that round walls aren't allowed and their favorite sofa costs real money – has probably wondered: Isn't there a better way? After all, your real money is better spent outside the game world – and then reinvested in the virtual world when you get an impressively powerful gaming PC at a great price.

The answer is: yes. And it's called Paralives – a game that might just turn everything we thought we knew about life sims upside down.

Creativity Without Limits

Paralives is what happens when developers not only listen but actively work with their community – with genuine passion and a clear love for detail. Although it’s an indie project, the game already feels like a heartfelt tribute to the entire genre. And it all starts with the place you create for yourself.

There are no rigid grids, no fixed layouts. Everything can be freely scaled, rotated, colored, distorted. Want to build a giant lamp or a house full of curved walls and half-height levels? No problem. The color wheel isn’t just a nice extra – it’s your personal tool, and every piece of furniture becomes a canvas for your imagination.

The character editor – called the Parafolk Editor – is also impressively flexible. Sliders for body size, finely tunable facial features, and a personality system that truly affects gameplay ensure your Parafolks don’t just look unique – they feel that way too.

A Lively, Open World

Unlike The Sims 4, where even the trip to a neighbor's house triggers a loading screen, Paralives offers a seamless, open world. Whether you're biking to the lake, cruising through the mountains by car, or meeting friends at a café – the city is alive and reacts to your choices. Seasons, relationships, activities – everything is interconnected and shapes your game experience.

No Hidden Costs

Perhaps the most refreshing promise: Paralives completely avoids paid DLCs. Everything you expect – pets, careers, weather, life stages – is included from the beginning. Even future content will be delivered as free updates. No paying for washing machines or toddlers. And with integrated mod support via Steam Workshop, you’ll have access to a world full of community-made expansions.

A Real Beacon of Hope

Between an over-commercialized Sims and a still unfinished inZOI, Paralives could be the first truly great life sim in a long time to get almost everything right: maximum customization, a vibrant world, deep mechanics, and no microtransactions. For everyone who spends hours perfecting their floor plans, it sounds like a dream come true.

If The Sims is a decorative dollhouse with a locked door, and inZOI turned out to be a lifeless decorative object collecting dust in the closet, then Paralives is an open construction kit – complete with keys, tools, and a whole lot of heart.

And the best part? Early Access starts on December 8. If you’re interested, you can already add the game to your Steam wishlist.

(Image source: Paralives Studio)

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