Probably you know that Paralives is in early access and players are testing the paramaker. When I started playing, I created a female character and it looked absolutely great. However, the process of making a male para in Paralives was a completely different story. I wanted to build a strongman, but he just ended up looking like a lanky teenager who never lifted a weight! If your guy looks too soft or has wide hips, you are not alone.
What we cover:
Why Male Para in Paralives Looks Feminine?
Honestly, if your guy looks like a woman with a masculine body, it is not your fault. The developers used a single unisex frame. So, the base model naturally leans toward an androgynous look.
Even when I maxed out the chest, my character still looked thin from the side. The game ties muscle mass to looking shredded, so you cannot easily make an average, broad-chested guy. Plus, there is always an unnatural curve in the lower back, no matter how much you tweak the waist.
Clothes make the problem worse. If you put a simple t-shirt or suit on your character, it hugs the skin way too tightly. Also, none of the regular t-shirts come above the clavicle, and the textures often shows a shadow that looks like breasts.
Tips for Better Paralives Male Characters
If you want to save time and avoid the frustration I went through, follow these steps to fix the proportions:
- Click the dice icon at the top of the screen to use the randomize button. Do this until you get a decent base.
- Go to the face editor. Push the sliders to maximize the jaw and cheekbones.
- Move to the body editor. Delete the stomach curve, widen the waistline, and maximize the ribcage.
- Adjust the backside. Lower it and slim it down to hide the unnatural lower back curve as much as possible.
- Open the skin color tab. Toggle advanced mode to turn down the natural blush so it does not look like heavy makeup.
Hair and Facial Hair Options
Hair choices are quite limited right now. Short hair is your best option for a standard man look. If you pick medium or long hair, your character will look like a woman.
For facial hair, the game only offers a few basic beards and a chinstrap. However, you can layer them. You can place a moustache over a 5 o’clock shadow to create a more realistic, rugged face. I used this trick and it helped my character look much better.
Best Mods for Male Proportions
Since the base game has limits, the community has stepped in to help. You can find custom content to fix body shapes. Here is the best option available right now:
| Mod Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mod Name | Muscle Slider Tweaks |
| Creator | Tarruvi |
| Platform | Steam Workshop |
| Benefits | Allows you to create a much bulkier, muscular physique. |
| Issues | You should expect some clothing clipping and changes to existing characters. |
Will Paralives Add Gender Filters?
Many players are frustrated because they have to scroll past bras to find a men’s shirt. The community is currently debating whether the developers should add filters to the menu.
Some players ask for a strict genderlock system. Others argue that this ruins the inclusivity of the game. Personally, I think a great middle ground would be custom tags. This way, you could filter items by masculine or feminine categories without locking any clothes away from any specific identity. For now, we have to wait and see what updates come to the game.
