Simulation games allow players to step into the shoes of another person, or immerse themselves in a simulated world. They can be educational, providing a realistic experience that allows players to learn about complex systems, or they can simply be fun, offering an escape from reality.
Steam is home to a variety of simulation games, ranging from farming simulators to city builders and train simulators. In this list, we gathered 10 of the best simulation games to be found on Steam.
10 best simulation games on Steam
15. Crusader Kings III
Have you ever dreamt of being a royal of the Middle Ages, handing out beheadings and fiefdoms as you marry your 1st cousin after your 6th wife has died in childbirth? Then, pick up a copy of Crusader Kings III for one of the most immersive god game simulators on Steam. This simulation game puts in the role of a European king or queen vying for power using all the classic tactics of the time. I’m talking about bribery, marriage, warfare, starvation, and all the other good ploys we still see today.
14. Teardown
Teardown is a hard game to pin down when it comes to genre. Yes, it is a heist game, but it is also a destruction game. However, it is also a simulation game of sorts. It is up to you to create routes and shortcuts for the perfect heist by obliterating the environment. The physics engine alone classifies it as a simulation game, and I can’t recommend it enough; I had hours of fun.
13. Football Manager
No list of simulation games would be complete without the mention of the wildly popular Football Manager. This game allows you to sit in the seat of a football club manager as you direct the transfer of players, formation management, matchmaking, and budgeting. It’s a football game with almost no football in it. The only role you play in any Football Manager game is that of paper shuffling and looking at charts. A complete bureaucrat’s wet dream!
12. Planet Zoo
With this Steam simulation game, you can role-play as the capitalist overlord of a zoo. It’s up to you to not only keep the guests enthralled, but also the animals in the cages satiated. As you progress through the many stages of zoo life, more and more attractions and animals become available. Before long, you will have gone from a petting zoo to something resembling Jurrasic Park. This may not be a game for the vegans among us, but you can always opt for a fence-free park; I just wouldn’t expect your animals or guests to last all that long.
11. Powerwash Simulator
What could be better than being presented with a great, big, filthy object and being armed with a variety of power-washing tools? This game sounds like it should be as dull as they come, but the positive reviews and record sales beg to differ. This simulation game on Steam is somewhat of an exercise in meditation as you methodically wash away the age-old grime and dirt to reveal the shining object beneath.
10. Papers, Please
Papers, Please is a game about immigration and border control. You play an inspector at a border checkpoint in the country of Arstotzka. Your job is to examine incoming documents and ensure that each person has the correct papers before letting them through. The game starts out simple enough but quickly becomes more complex as you have to deal with forgeries, refugees, and political intrigue. Papers, Please is an excellent example of a simulation game that uses its mechanics to tell a compelling story.
9. Dyson Sphere Program
Dyson Sphere Program is a space management game in which you are in charge of building and maintaining a Dyson Sphere, a hypothetical megastructure that could capture the entire energy output of a star. While it is a great management game, it lacks replayability since you can achieve the main goal within a few playthroughs.
8. Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
This game is a wacky physics-based tactics game. Players will control an army of units and attempt to outsmart their opponent. Totally Accurate Battle Simulator features campaign mode and multiplayer to keep players engaged. It’s a must-play for anyone who enjoys strategy games and wants a challenge.
7. Slime Rancher
In Slime Rancher, the player takes on the role of Beatrix LeBeau, a rancher who raises slimes for a living. The gameplay is interesting and unique, as it is a simulation game where the player must take care of their slimes and keep them happy. There are many different types of slimes to collect, and each type has its unique behavior. The player can also build their ranch however they like, and there are many customization options available.
6. Mount & Blade: Warband
While Mount & Blade: Warband may look like a medieval action title at first glance, it is actually a very in-depth and complex strategy game. Players will have to manage their troops, resources, and alliances as they attempt to take over the land of Calradia. There is a lot of freedom in how players approach the game, making it one of the best sandbox and simulation games on Steam.
5. Garry’s Mod
Another sandbox game, Garry’s Mod (or GMod for short) is a popular physics-based game that gives players the ability to create just about anything they can imagine. GMod is a bit different from other simulation games on this list in that it isn’t really a game itself, but more of a toolbox or engine for players to create their own games and experiences. There are no set goals or objectives, and players are free to do whatever they want.
4. RimWorld
RimWorld is a space colony management game developed by Ludeon Studios. The player controls a group of survivors who are stranded on a planet after their ship crash-landed. They must manage the colonists’ moods, needs, injuries, and illnesses while protecting them from raiders, pirates, and other threats.
3. Euro Truck Simulator 2
Players take on the role of truck drivers as they travel across Europe delivering cargo to different destinations. The game features over 60 different cities to explore, including Berlin, Prague, and Vienna. Players can also customize their trucks with different paint jobs and accessories. Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a great game for those who want to experience what it’s like to be a truck driver. It’s also a great game for those who want to explore Europe from the comfort of their own home.
2. Cities: Skylines
Cities: Skylines is a modern take on the classic city simulator. The game introduces new gameplay elements to realize the thrill and hardships of creating and maintaining a real city while expanding on some well-established tropes of the city-building experience.
1. Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a delightful farming simulator and one of the most famous examples of the genre. In this new take on Harvest Moon-esque gameplay, you’ll start with a small patch of land inherited from your grandpa, and it’s up to you to make it into a thriving farm. Along the way, you’ll meet colorful characters, fall in love, and uncover the mysteries of the valley. It’s the perfect game to relax with, and you’ll quickly find yourself losing hours to it.
