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  • 10 Best Simulation Games in 2022 (The Sims, Animal Crossing, and More) 1
  • 10 Best Simulation Games in 2022 (The Sims, Animal Crossing, and More) 2
  • 10 Best Simulation Games in 2022 (The Sims, Animal Crossing, and More) 3
  • 10 Best Simulation Games in 2022 (The Sims, Animal Crossing, and More) 4
  • 10 Best Simulation Games in 2022 (The Sims, Animal Crossing, and More) 5

10 Best Simulation Games in 2022 (The Sims, Animal Crossing, and More)

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!

Last updated 09/26/2023

Quick List - Top Simulation Games

1

Electronic Arts

The Sims 4
The Sims 4

Best for Fans of a Classic Series

2

Nintendo

Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Best for People Who Want to Relax

3

ConcernedApe

Stardew Valley
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

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Table of Contents

What Is a Simulation Game?

What Is a Simulation Game?

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.

How to Choose Simulation Games

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.

1

Pick a Theme That Grabs Your Interest

Pick a Theme That Grabs Your Interest

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.

2

Look at the Gameplay Mechanics and Content

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.

Decide if Story is Important to You

Decide if Story is Important to 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.

Sandbox Games for Freedom, Progression Games for Satisfaction

Sandbox Games for Freedom, Progression Games for Satisfaction

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.

Multiplayer or Co-op Modes for Playing With Friends

Multiplayer or Co-op Modes for Playing With Friends

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.

3

Consider a Maturity Level and Tone That Suits You

Consider a Maturity Level and Tone That Suits You

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.

4

Choose a Console to Play On

Choose a Console to Play On

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!

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10 Best Simulation Games Ranking

Here are the best Simulation Games, ranked according to 10 Best Simulation Games (as of 11-04-2022). The products are ranked independently by mybest.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

Electronic Arts

The Sims 4

Electronic Arts The Sims 4 1

Best for Fans of a Classic Series

2

Nintendo

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Nintendo Animal Crossing: New Horizons 1

Best for People Who Want to Relax

3

ConcernedApe

Stardew Valley

ConcernedApe Stardew Valley 1

Best for People Interested in Farming

4

Capcom

Capcom  1

Best for People Who Want to Enjoy a Story

5

House House

House House  1

Best for People Looking for a Laugh

6

Two Point Studios

Two Point Studios  1

Best for People Interested in Businesses and Buildings

7

Team Salvato

Team Salvato  1

Best for a Horror Experience

8

Red Dot Games

Red Dot Games  1

Best for Those Interested in Cars

9

Squad

Kerbal Space Program

Squad Kerbal Space Program 1

Best for People Who Want Multiple Game Modes

10

1st Playable Productions

1st Playable Productions  1

Best for Kids Interested in Cooking

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Electronic Arts
The Sims 4

The Sims 4 1
Source:amazon.com
The Sims 4 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$23.50
Low Mid
Reference price
$23.50
Low Mid

Best for Fans of a Classic Series

Pros:

  • Includes the Cats and Dogs DLC
  • Available on multiple platforms
  • Lets you create a family and home
  • Give each Sim specific personality traits and goals
  • Allows you to customize your characters in detail

Cons:

  • Tons of DLC, so you must spend money if you want to have all the content

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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No.2

Nintendo
Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Reference price
$59.99
High

Best for People Who Want to Relax

Pros:

  • Doesn't include any time-sensitive tasks, so players can go at their own pace
  • Lets you play the game with up to four players on a single console
  • Pick different clothes for your character
  • Build your own house, change the decorations, and customize the island
  • Visit other islands and friends

Cons:

  • You only get one island per a console
  • Only available on the Switch


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.

No.3

ConcernedApe
Stardew Valley

Reference price
$21.98
Low

Best for People Interested in Farming

Pros:

  • Build relationships with characters and get to know them
  • Develop skills in farming, mining, fishing, foraging, and combat
  • Clean up your farm and improve it
  • Get your own farm animals and care for them
  • Available on multiple platforms

Cons:

  • Uses old school graphics which may bother some players

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.

No.4

Capcom

Reference price
$29.99
Mid

Best for People Who Want to Enjoy a Story

Pros:

  • Available on multiple consoles
  • Puts an emphasis on the story and characters
  • Includes 10 trials for you to experience
  • Lets you find clues to prepare for the trial
  • Includes over-the-top and funny situations in the courtroom

Cons:

  • Not as much gameplay as other options

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.

Best for People Looking for a Laugh

Pros:

  • Offers a unique experience as a goose
  • Available on multiple platforms
  • Plenty of funny moments
  • Includes puzzle and stealth elements for players who like to think
  • Offers a local two-player mode

Cons:

  • Doesn't offer as much replay value

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.

Best for People Interested in Businesses and Buildings

Pros:

  • Design your own hospital
  • Lets you fire and hire doctors from your hospital
  • Comes with two expansion packs when you purchase the physical version
  • Available on multiple consoles
  • Can build and improve your hospital as you get more patients

Cons:

  • Some people may find the game repetitive
  • Doesn't teach real-world diseases

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.

No.7

Team Salvato

Reference price
$24.99
Low Mid

Best for a Horror Experience

Pros:

  • A cute dating sim that turns into a psychological horror game
  • Get to know the four main characters and create poems together
  • Experience multiple scary moments as you get to the second half of the game
  • Contains more content than the free version
  • Available on multiple platforms

Cons:

  • Some people may find the game too disturbing to enjoy
  • It has a slow beginning

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.

Best for Those Interested in Cars

Pros:

  • Includes story orders to give the play a form of progression
  • It lets the player interact with cars and repair them
  • Gives them the chance to order parts for the cars
  • See over 40 car models for car enthusiasts
  • Available on multiple platforms

Cons:

  • Some players may find it repetitive to repair cars

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.

No.9

Squad
Kerbal Space Program

Reference price
$39.99
High Mid

Best for People Who Want Multiple Game Modes

Pros:

  • Has cute and funny characters
  • Customize and create your own ships for space travel
  • Includes Science, Career, and Sandbox modes to offer a variety
  • Gives you the option to fly the ships yourself
  • Available on multiple platforms

Cons:

  • The realistic aerodynamics and physics may frustrate some players
  • Some players couldn't finish the tutorial

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.

Best for Kids Interested in Cooking

Pros:

  • Offers over 90 recipes for you to learn
  • Takes people through multiple steps in recipes
  • Offers a vegetarian mode
  • Includes classic recipes while introducing some fun new ones
  • Has a two-player Potluck Mode

Cons:

  • The motion controls aren't great
  • Only available on Switch and PlayStation 4

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.

Top 5 Simulation Games

No. 1: Electronic ArtsThe Sims 4

No. 2: NintendoAnimal Crossing: New Horizons

No. 3: ConcernedApeStardew Valley

No. 4: Capcom

No. 5: House House

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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

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