New gameplay footage was released during the E3 2021 Wholesome Direct Showcase for the upcoming indie life simulation game Paralives. The game, developed by Alex Massé and the Paralives Studio team, has been described by the developer as a "dollhouse life simulator," allowing players to build elaborate 3D homes in high saturation environments. Paralives gameplay appears to be heavily inspired by the popular simulation games The Sims, as seen during the showcase.
Paralives has been in development on Steam for several years, with regular progress updates detailing the mechanics players will be able to expect when the game releases. Currently, gameplay appears to focus on the creation of intricate homes, both inside and out, with the ability to build simple houses or complex buildings like lighthouses, challenging similar games like The Sims. The homes players can build have a modern style, with bright colors, sharp lighting, and plenty of customization to make each room unique.
To fill these homes, Paralives allows players to create playable characters called "Parafolks." Like The Sims, these characters are designed in a complex character creator, offering plenty of options for a unique look. According to Paralives Studio, players will be able to control the Parafolks they create to explore their homes, and the town they choose to build in. However, it hasn't been announced if the Parafolks will possess the same needs as seen in The Sims, like sleeping, eating, and bathing.
Paralives Offers A Variety Of Furniture Options For Decorating
Currently, the home-building mechanics revealed during the Wholesome Direct showcase will be familiar to fans of The Sims. Players will buy an available lot from a number of sizes and prices. Once purchased, they can enter a build mode and begin laying out their home using a wall-building tool. Walls can be built in straight lines, or they can be curved for a less boxy appearance. After the shape of the home is laid out, wallpaper, flooring, windows, and doors can be inserted by selecting the desired choices from the build menu. The gameplay shows players an intuitive and speedy set of mechanics, removing the tedious menus that bog down building homes in The Sims games.
While the gameplay reveal is an exciting step forward for the development of Paralives, the game still lacks an expected release date as of E3 2021. Hopefully, more information regarding gameplay outside of the build mode mechanics will come soon, showcasing what players will be able to do with their Parafolks, and what sorts of interactions can happen between playable characters and the world their home has been built in. If Paralives continues to follow in the footsteps of other popular simulation games, players might be able to get married, shop at shopping centers, and even explore stores or establishments. Any of these options would make Paralives a good addition to the simulation genre of gaming.
Source: Paralives Studio