Have you ever wanted to try your hand at something new, like, say, farming, but without actually having to go through the effort of buying and setting up your farm? Not to mention you don’t know anything about farming! Well, that’s why we have simulation games. While they don't 100% replicate real-life experiences, it's a pretty fun taste of something new.
We took special note of Stardew Valley since it lets you build a farm, interact with people, and you can buy it on multiple platforms. Check out the rest of our recommendations in our list of the 10 best simulation games, and read our buying guide to learn how you can find the best simulation game to suit your needs!
Quick List - Top Simulation Games
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A simulation game is a type of game that imitates aspects of the real world. This is a broad definition, so it can involve many types like operating a vehicle or even pretending to be a goose. Typically, simulation games tend to adhere to specific rules and mechanics and will try to imitate certain aspects of life. For example, some may focus on imitating a job while others may imitate building.
There are varying levels of detail in simulation games, though. On one side you can find accurate flight or car simulators, wherein physics is a large part of the gameplay. On the other hand, you can find simplified cooking games more suitable for children.
Racing, building, and living are just some of the popular simulations you’ll find in these games. The selection of simulation games is truly vast, and you’ll be find something you enjoy among the genre.
There are a few things you should consider to get on the right path to choosing the best simulation game for you. Central questions revolve around choosing a platform to play on, a sub-genre you like, and pinpointing the type of content you want. Here is some advice to help you with your search.
With so many simulation games to choose from, option paralysis can get really bad. Therefore, it helps to know what type of simulations you’re interested in.
You can choose from a variety of topics including job, life, and even building simulators. For example, job simulators work great for people who want to learn about a specific job, such as a Stardew Valley, which lets you get a taste for farming.
Life simulators work great for people interested in enjoying a relaxed experience like Animal Crossing. If you like the idea of making your own creations and seeing them come to life, you should try a building simulator like Kerbal Space Program. You can find tons of sub-genres when it comes to simulators, so look into the types available and see what interests you.
Other than the game being a simulation, what kind of content should you expect? A lot of simulation games are combinations of other genres, so thinking about what other elements you like in games can help you find the best choice for you.
Story isn't always not at the forefront when it comes to simulation games. They usually vary between games with little to no narrative, ones with open-ended narratives, and ones with stronger narratives.
For example, if you play a game focused on building or driving vehicles, you may not see many stories. These games work great for players focused on the gameplay and experience. However, some simulation games, like dating sims or visual novels, are predominately story-based. This means these games might stand out for players who want to balance out the gameplay with more story or purpose while they play.
Open-ended stories offer a good balance of both. While they do have great gameplay, the story usually exists to complement the gameplay. You may see this with life or job simulator games. Either way, it can be helpful to consider how much or little a story you actually like in a game.
Most games offer some kind of gameplay and rewards progression system. This is also true for some simulation games. Sometimes, starting out with few resources and having to build yourself up to riches can be satisfying because it feels good to achieve things through hard work.
But there are also sandbox games that drop you right into its world with no story, character, or world progression. Here, you can just experience the simulation right off the bat and focus on enjoying the experience. This is great for creative people, but it can be boring or unfulfilling for those who desire more structure or rewards. It comes down to your own personal preference.
You’ll want to consider whether or not you're planning to play with other people. Multiplayer gameplay is a great way to have fun with your friends or make new ones, so it’s definitely something to keep in mind when choosing a new simulation game to play.
And because we live in such a modern world, how you do multiplayer is also worth considering. Online multiplayer games are great for playing with people who live far away. It’s also a good way to meet new people with similar interests as you go online and play the game.
On the other hand, local play lets you play together at home. This might be better suited for families or dinner parties. Having a local multiplayer game available when your friends come over won’t hurt anyone either, since you can all jump on the couch together and have some fun.
Games have different maturity ratings based on their contents. The most common ratings in the ESRB rating system are E, E-10, T, and M. E-rated games are for any age and only have mild violence or language in them. E-10 games usually have a bit more violence and mild language, so they work best for players over the age of 10.
T games tend to have more realistic violence, some stronger language, and even a few sexual references. You can even go with M games if you can handle violence, strong swearing, or sexual content. This means if you don't mind the content, you can go with a T or M game, but you may want to stick with E or E-10 for a younger gamer.
The tone also matters when it comes to simulator games. For example, some may have a lighthearted approach focused on fun and relaxing. For example, Untitled Goose Game has you play a goose and mess with people as you have fun and run around the levels.
On the other hand, you may come across more serious games where you have to deal with realistic issues or problems. Games like Doki Doki Literature Club Plus address topics such as depression, undereating, and issues. Make sure you check out each game to see what maturity level and tone work best for your needs.
Do you intend to play the simulation game on a home console or a PC? Or perhaps you want something you can play on the go using a smartphone? The platform you intend to play on is going to dictate your options. There are plenty of choices for games when it comes to consoles, but remember that some game titles are only available on specific ones.
You’ll find lots of fun and family-friendly simulation games on the Nintendo Switch. For more adult-oriented games, you may want to look to a more powerful console like the PS4 or Xbox. On the other hand, PC offers tons of indie and niche titles if you want to try a unique game.
And if you’re going to play heavily detailed games like, say, a flight simulator that may even need extra equipment or controllers, a PC might be your best shot. Of course, you can also find simple simulators that will run on an Android or iOS phone.
Consider what gaming platforms you have at home and on which of them your desired game is available before you make your purchase. This will help narrow down your search!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Electronic Arts The Sims 4 | ![]() | Best for Fans of a Classic Series | |
2 | Nintendo Animal Crossing: New Horizons | ![]() | Best for People Who Want to Relax | |
3 | ConcernedApe Stardew Valley | ![]() | Best for People Interested in Farming | |
4 | Capcom | ![]() | Best for People Who Want to Enjoy a Story | |
5 | House House | ![]() | Best for People Looking for a Laugh | |
6 | Two Point Studios | ![]() | Best for People Interested in Businesses and Buildings | |
7 | Team Salvato | ![]() | Best for a Horror Experience | |
8 | Red Dot Games | ![]() | Best for Those Interested in Cars | |
9 | Squad Kerbal Space Program | ![]() | Best for People Who Want Multiple Game Modes | |
10 | 1st Playable Productions | ![]() | Best for Kids Interested in Cooking |
Pros:
Cons:
This game lets you create a family of Sims, so you can watch them or take part in their daily lives. With the included expansion, you can also add cats and dogs to the family for more content.
One or two reviewers didn't like how the purchase came with one disc and a download code. On the other hand, plenty of reviewers said the game was fun and included hours of content. They also loved how they could add pets to the families in the game.
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Cons:
This game takes a relaxed approach by letting you spend time on an island and design a house. It also lets you play both in-person and online, so you can share the simulation with friends and family.
A couple of reviewers didn't like how the game forced them to share a single island between eight users on a console. However, more than a few reviewers appreciated how the game was fun for kids and adults. They also said the game offered hours of fun.
Pros:
Cons:
This game has you play as a person who recently inherited a farm from a relative, so you must repair and improve it. It focuses on having you improve your skills, meet characters, and succeed in the town.
A few reviewers didn't like how this game used dated pixel graphics. However, many reviewers stated the game made the hours fly by whenever they decided to play it. They also appreciated how children could play the game, learn, and get some enjoyment out of it.
Pros:
Cons:
This game stars Ryunosuke, a man from Japan, who must work alongside a detective named Herlock Sholmes as they address cases. It combines two games originally only available in Japan, but they're now translated to English.
A few reviewers said this version wasn't as good as the original Ace Attorney games. Despite a fair portion of reviewers liked the stories throughout these investigations. They also loved how the game had a good amount of humor.
Pros:
Cons:
This game has you play as a goose and terrorize people in the area while you explore it. It offers fun levels where you need to use stealth as you mess with people.
A couple of reviewers felt the game lacked replay value since they would know how to play through the levels. However, plenty of reviewers appreciated how the game was fun for kids and adults. They also found the game funny.
Pros:
Cons:
This game lets the player create their own hospital as they run it and help patients. It keeps the game lighthearted by having the player help patients with quirky illnesses.
A few reviewers said the game got boring after they played it for a while. Nevertheless, more than a few reviewers thought the game had nice graphics. They also found the game funny, so they got a good laugh whenever they played it.
Pros:
Cons:
Even though this game appears to be a romantic visual novel, it turns into a psychological horror game. The game has a disclaimer of it not being for children or people easily disturbed, so don't take this warning lightly.
A few reviewers weren't impressed with the merchandise included with the physical version, saying it was cheap. Nevertheless, multiple reviewers said the game was a great and enjoyable horror experience. They also enjoyed the darker story the game offered.
Pros:
Cons:
This game gives you the opportunity to see cars up close, so you can see what the repair process looks like. You get to run your own shop, take care of cars, and slowly improve your shop as you make money.
One reviewer didn't like how the game didn't have realistic graphics while another saw it as a time-waster. On the other hand, many reviewers loved how the game let them upgrade their shops as they played. They also felt like it was great for both current and future mechanics.
Pros:
Cons:
This game lets you design various spaceships and vehicles for an alien race known as the Kerbals. You can try to get them into space and explore various planets while running into quirky and funny situations.
A few reviewers found the game too difficult and frustrating for them to play. Nevertheless, quite a few reviewers loved how the game offered a sandbox mode, which they found fun. They also played hundreds of hours of this game, so it offers plenty of replay value.
Pros:
Cons:
This game has you personally cook over 90 recipes while following the instructions in-game. It also includes motion controls for the player to enjoy while also offering a vegetarian mode.
Some reviewers weren't satisfied with the game's motion controls. On the bright side, a plethora of reviewers found the game fun with some great recipes. They also liked how it played in handheld mode since they didn't have to use motions controls.
Simulation games not your thing? No worries, we’ve got you covered. Check out these recommended games articles for plenty of other great games to play!
No. 1: Electronic Arts|The Sims 4
No. 2: Nintendo|Animal Crossing: New Horizons
No. 3: ConcernedApe|Stardew Valley
No. 4: Capcom|
No. 5: House House|
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