Summary
The quest for the ultimate simulation game continues as fans ofStardew Valleyare looking forward toHaunted ChocolatierandThe Simsas a franchise is getting multiple competitors in the form ofLife By YouandParalives.The Sims 4in particular has had quite a long run so far, and it has gotten an incredible amount of new content over the years in the form of purchasable kits and packs, all expanding on the many aspects of life simulation to make it as accurate and realistic as possible - not without some fun additions. WhileParalivesdoesn’t have the big budget and production ofThe Sims, it is already doing something the iconic title wasn’t capable of doing, getting a leg up in the process.
The Sims 4has plenty of ways for fans to get an immersive experience out of every session, also offering multiple ways to customize their Sims and how to interact with them - such as new moodlets or even alife stage being introduced with the Growing Together expansion. The main problem with the game is not its content, but rather how its many post-launch releases have been monetized, andParalivesmay end up finally fixing this issue in a player-first kind of way.
How Paralives' Post-Launch Plans Compare to The Sims 4’s
The Sims 4’s Monetization Issue is Non-Existent With Paralives' Free DLCs
First introduced as a dollhouse-like game that plays like an open-world small town,Paraliveshas the potential to become one of the most interesting and unique life simulation titles out there, and it’s coming out as early as next year - albeit in early access. The exact release date is yet to be revealed, butfans ofThe Simscan expectParalivesto play a lot like the two-decades-old franchise, even though the two have their differences and ways to customize one’s experience and Parafolks. Notably,Paraliveswill have DLC after its launch, but the studio behind the game has stated these releases will be completely free.
One of the main points of contention surroundingThe Sims 4is that it not only became one of the most expensive games to play ever (if not the) but that several of its post-launch releases are cross-functional, in the sense that some kits or packs may have items needed to complete collections introduced by other kits or packs. This made some players question whichThe Sims 4DLCswere best to grab and which could be skipped, and whether the approach made sense in the first place, considering how much content is pay-walled.
Why Paralives is a Great The Sims 4 Alternative
Instead,Paraliveswill have dedicated modsand use the Steam Workshop on Valve’s platform to keep adding content after release, and it will also come with DLC that won’t require players to spend anything. This approach doesn’t only pull the sword from the stone thatThe Sims 4couldn’t, but it’s also a good way to preemptively fight the live-service, monetization-heavy game that may end up beingProject Rene, at least based on what is currently known and what the approach for its predecessor was.
Overall,Paralivesseems to be a great alternative tolife simulation games likeThe Sims, both when it comes out in early access in 2025 and possibly in the long run, having free content drops to improve the title’s lifespan. This doesn’t mean it will be the be-all, end-all answer toThe Sims, especially considering the two games' scope and offerings differ, but it may be a strong enough contender for those who don’t want to spend too much onThe Sims 4’s packs. What Paralives Studio has in its hands may be a hidden indie gem, and life simulation fans should mark their calendars when the game gets a release date.
The Sims 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Unleash your imagination and create a unique world of Sims that’s an expression of you. Download for free, and customize every detail from Sims to homes and much more. Choose how Sims look, act, and dress, then decide how they’ll live out each day. Design and build incredible homes for every family, then decorate with your favorite furnishings and décor. Travel to different neighborhoods where you can meet other Sims and learn about their lives. Discover beautiful locations with distinctive environments and go on spontaneous adventures. Manage the ups and downs of Sims’ everyday lives, and see what happens when you play out scenarios from your own real life. Tell your stories your way while developing relationships, pursuing careers and life aspirations, and immersing yourself in this extraordinary game, where the possibilities are endless
