PC Critic Reviews

Anybody who has spent countless hours into a life simulation game before may just love Paralives. You are able to play this game however you like. Focus on creating several diverse types of Parafolks and homes with an impressive customization suite among a solid gameplay foundation. The biggest hurdle to Paralives right now is the fact that it's an Early Access title that is still incomplete, with more work needing to be done in Live Mode to definitively feel like the best in its market. Despite that, the massive amount of potential already present here makes Paralives a game that fans of the life simulation genre should check out. [Early Access Score = 85]

Paralives offers a very promising early access start, with enough to whet the appetite of life sim players who love to craft characters, homes, and stories. It’s not too taxing to run, it’s got a charming style, and most importantly, its unique mechanics and features are easy to learn and enjoy. The studio plans to update and add to the game, and if it does this regularly enough to keep players entertained long-term without them bouncing off, it’s got a real chance of growing into a giant in its own right. [Early Access Review]

Paralives hides plenty of potential behind a smattering of bugs and some mechanical simplicity. Its Early Access debut is already packed with personality, thanks in part to a gorgeous soundtrack and a unique cel-shaded art style. This newcomer feels like a much-needed breath of fresh air in a genre that’s been dominated by a singular series for so long. Those looking for a fully realised life simulator might not be satisfied with what’s on offer right now. However, even with its rough edges and repetitive moments, I find myself drawn into Paralives tantalising world, keen to push my Parafolks to their limits and see out the twilight of their lives. [Early Access Review Score = 70]

There are a lot of features that I'd want included in the game before picking it up if I wasn't previewing its current state, such as seasons and pets, but both of those are in the current roadmap. While I might not get as many hours in-game as I have with The Sims just yet, I can see a future where a version of Paralives that's out of Early Access absorbs countless hours of my life.

If Alex Massé and his team stay the course with both bug fixes and the consistent development of existing features, Paralives could become a strong alternative to The Sims and leave InZOI in the dust. Frustration-resistant life sim fans shouldn’t miss out on Paralives; for everyone else, we recommend jumping in later during Early Access, once the already-announced features—such as seasons, animals, pools, boats, gardening, and family trees—have been added. [Early Access Score = 70]

A social sim with enormous potential, and a bit of everything. [Early Access Score = 75]