Your Adventure, Your Rules
Simulation games are more than just a genre; they're portals into fully immersive worlds where you call the shots. Are you building entire civilizations or surviving against the odds? While most games skirt realism in favor of simple and accessible game mechanics, these titles let you experience new worlds in far more engrossing ways. So, if you're looking for games that offer a truly immersive experience, then check out the 20 best simulation games out there.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 - 10 Things The Game DOESN'T TELL YOU by gameranx
1. Cities Skylines
In Cities Skylines, you play an urban architect, meeting the quirky needs of your citizens and even taming real-life urban beasts like pollution and zoning laws. Launched in 2015 by Colossal Order, this game is your golden ticket to crafting a city as vibrant and unpredictable as your wildest dreams.
CITIES SKYLINES 2 New Official Gameplay 13 Minutes (4K) by SPD Gaming
2. The Sims
Since 2000, The Sims has let people create quirky characters, design their dream homes, and assist them through a whirlwind of careers and everyday dramas. Every choice you make weaves a unique narrative, making each playthrough a personal saga full of surprises and unforgettable moments.
The Sims 4 - Official Free Base Game Launch Trailer by IGN
3. Stardew Valley
This indie gem, crafted by Eric Barone in 2016 and inspired by Harvest Moon, lets you swap city chaos for the charm of farm life. Every sunrise brings new opportunities to grow, build, and shape your dream homestead. The simple pleasures of rural living make every moment rewarding.
You Finally Made Me Play Stardew Valley by TagBackTV
4. Two Point Hospital
Ever wanted to boss around doctors and design the perfect hospital? Two Point Hospital makes it possible. Since 2018, players have been treating absurd illnesses, hiring eccentric staff, and turning small clinics into healthcare giants. It’s all the fun of management—without the real-world stress.
Two Point Hospital - Gameplay by EurogamerGermany
5. Microsoft Flight Simulator
Soar through hyper-realistic skies in Microsoft Flight Simulator, where every flight feels like a grand adventure. Experience breathtaking aerial views, real-time weather, and flight mechanics so authentic you'll feel like you're in the cockpit. Whether you’re cruising in a jetliner or gliding in a Cessna, the sky is truly yours.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 - Gameplay (PC/UHD) by SergiuHellDragoonHQ
6. Euro Truck Simulator 2
Since its 2012 release, SCS Software has turned long-haul trucking into a surprisingly relaxing and addictive experience. You'll haul cargo across stunning European terrain and grow your trucking empire. From navigating narrow city streets to cruising down endless motorways, each delivery feels like a journey worth taking.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 - West Balkans Video Trailer by SCS Software
7. Planet Zoo
Picture this: you're standing at the gates of your very own zoo. The air is filled with the distant calls of exotic animals and the hum of a habitat coming to life. Released in 2019 by Frontier Developments, this game hands you the keys to a world where creativity meets conservation.
Planet Zoo - Official 4K Trailer by IGN
8. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
The year is 1403, and Bohemia is on the brink of chaos. In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, you're not just playing a game but stepping into history. Every choice you make shapes your journey through this gritty, realistic medieval world, from fierce sword fights to courtly intrigue.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 by PlayStation Polska
9. Sea Of Thieves
Launched in 2018 by Rare, this game throws you into a pirate's life, in which every voyage holds the promise of treasure and unforgettable stories. As you crew up and chart a course, you must keep a sharp eye on the horizon because rival ships and sea monsters aren't far behind.
Official Sea of Thieves Gameplay Launch Trailer by Sea of Thieves
10. Planet Coaster
Imagine owning a theme park where your wildest ideas come to life. In Planet Coaster (2016), you design epic rides, manage the chaos, and keep guests entertained. The twist and drop is yours to create, a playground of thrills waiting for your imagination to take control.
Planet Coaster: Console Edition | Launch Trailer by Planet Coaster
11. Kerbal Space Program
Space travel has never been this hilarious (or explosive). Kerbal Space Program hands you the controls to design rockets, launch missions, and—more often than not—watch them go up in flames. Since 2011, it’s been turning players into accidental aerospace engineers, one failed launch at a time.
Kerbal Space Program Launch Trailer by Xbox
12. Prison Architect
Can you run a prison where order and compassion go hand in hand? Here, you build cell blocks and prevent riots as you shape a facility that balances security with humanity. But you must be careful about your choice because the line between control and chaos is razor-thin.
Prison Architect 2 | Announcement Trailer by Prison Architect
13. Command Professional Edition
Command Professional Edition delivers the ultimate challenge for people who love mastering the art of modern warfare. This advanced simulation, used by military organizations, allows you to plan naval battles and conduct covert operations. The mission demands tactical brilliance and split-second decisions, where victory hangs by a thread.
Command Professional Edition 01: Introduction by Matrix Pro Sims
14. Farming Simulator Series
Is farming your thing? Farming Simulator lets you live the agricultural dream. Since 2008, this series has put players behind the wheel of powerful machinery, managing livestock, harvesting crops, and tackling the challenges of each season. It's a peaceful yet rewarding dive into the art of modern farming.
FARMING SIMULATOR 23 - FIRST LOOK GAMEPLAY by Daggerwin
15. Crusader Kings III
Crusader Kings III is a game in which power and personal drama shape every moment. In this grand strategy epic, you build dynasties and wage wars across generations. You'll also manage everything from royal marriages to deadly rivalries, balancing diplomacy and warfare to secure your family's legacy.
Crusader Kings III by LegendofTotalWar
16. Railway Empire
This 2018 game invites you to build a sprawling railway network across North America during the golden age of steam. You'll manage everything from constructing tracks and buying locomotives to optimizing routes. The best part? You're not alone; rival tycoons will stop at nothing to dominate the industry.
Railway Empire - Gameplay Trailer | PS4 by PlayStation
17. Harvest Moon
In a world where life moves at the pace of growing crops, the Harvest Moon series is known for its relaxing gameplay and heartwarming charm. It's not just about raising livestock; it's about building a life. You'll befriend quirky townsfolk and celebrate local festivals while tending your little patch of paradise.
Harvest Moon: One World Trailer by Natsume_Inc
18. Football Manager Series
In this game, fans sweat over transfer deadlines and face the media after crushing defeats. Spotting the next superstar feels like striking gold, and a last-minute goal can turn you into a legend. No flashy skills required; just a sharp mind and nerves of steel.
Football Manager 2024 Gameplay HD (PC) | NO COMMENTARY by FullThrough
19. Valheim
The afterlife is no place to rest in Valheim. It is a 2021 survival sensation that drops you into a vast, procedurally generated Norse realm where every tree you chop and beast you slay shapes your saga. Plus, you're free to build longhouses worthy of legend.
Valheim - Open-world VIKING SURVIVAL Sandbox!! - Valheim Gameplay - Ep. 1 by paulsoaresjr
20. Theme Hospital
Welcome to Theme Hospital, where the patients are strange and the cures are stranger. Here, players build and run hospitals filled with absurd ailments like "Bloaty Head" and "Elvis Syndrome." So, can you cure the sick and turn a profit without flatlining?
