Best Simulation games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated simulation games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free simulation games are available at the bottom of the page.
Assetto Corsa EVO
Assetto Corsa EVO redefines the realism and features of one of the most popular multiplatform driving simulations ever developed. Featuring cars and tracks from different classes spanning across years of motoring history.Football Coach: College Dynasty
A true college football management game. Play as a coach or a school, recruit players, develop your team, and compete for national championships. Build a college football dynasty and become a coaching legend!Aloft
Soar the skies in Aloft, the co-op sandbox survival game set in a world of floating islands. Build any island into a skyship, your home in the clouds. Find lost knowledge, cure the fungal corruption, and brave the hurricane to restore the ecosystem.Game of Fate 2: A Century's Promise
Transported back a century by fate, you find yourself in a legendary tale of vengeance. Amidst powerful enemies in a tumultuous era, your mission is to assist those around you. Experience this immersive epic from a first-person perspective—authentic, weighty, yet brimming with hope.Nine-Ball Roulette
This will be the most thrilling pool game you have ever played. Join up to 3 of your friends in this exciting pool roulette game! Eliminate each other with pool until only one person is left.Return to campus
An open world school game, you can bully your classmates, collect protection fees, go to the supermarket to make zero-dollar purchases, or even blow up the school. Of course, you can also study hard and exchange ideas with your classmates.Animal Jam
In Animal Jam, you can become your favorite animal, collect amazing items, adopt adorable pets, and create a style to express the real you as you explore the beautiful 3D world of Jamaa! 2017 Google Play Awards Winner ★ Best App for KidsMy Summer Car
My Summer Car is the ultimate car owning, building, fixing, tuning, maintenance AND permadeath life survival simulator. You start the game with hundreds of loose parts and assemble both car and engine.Behind Glass: Aquarium Simulator
Create stunning virtual aquariums on your PC! Our advanced 3D engine brings your fish tank to life with breathtaking realism, featuring lifelike fish, plants, decorations, and more. Transform your monitor into a vibrant, living aquarium. Virtual aquascaping has never been easier!S4U: CITYPUNK 2011 AND LOVE PUNCH
This is a modern adventure of young adults seeking love and meaning. Return to 2011's Castor Yard, tap on your keyboard, and make those letters dance: Use your online persona to make meaningful decisions for your clients and yourself.Hello Love: 18 Again
Unexpectedly back at 18, you embark on a thrilling and sweet campus rebirth journey with the memories! The campus goddess, the sexy girl, the childhood sweetheart, the frigid CEO, the gentle teacher. Who will ignite your heart among the dreams and regrets of youth? Relive old dreams without regrets!Lightracer: For Judge
In a dystopian future, as The Judge with immense power, you journey through space to find hope in a divided society. This sci-fi adventure explores hope amidst adversity.Chocolate Factory Simulator
Enter the world of steam and sugar and become a master chocolatier in Chocolate Factory Simulator. Craft gourmet chocolate for your customers in your steampunk workshop with the help of your automaton assistant Nougat.Screen Cat
The cute cat on your desktop. He will purr when you are tired. He will hunt the cursor when you work. He will sleep while you play.Click Mage
Click Mage is a unique 2D resource gatherer and building game. Mine and process resources, upgrade your clicking power and construct buildings on an idyllic island with beautiful pixel art graphics.Puck
Fast-paced physics-based hockey simulation where precision, strategy, and chaos collide. Control every move, pass, and shot with realistic puck physics, dynamic player movement, and thrilling gameplay. Master the rink with friends or team up with other Puck players for ultimate hockey dominance!Incremental Epic Hero 2
A mixture of incremental/idle and roleplaying game set in fantasy world filled with monsters and things to explore, where battling is constant, almost everything can be upgraded, and with wide array of various prestige mechanics to always keep things interesting and moving forward!Multiverse Loot Hunter
This is a brush treasure adventure game across the heavens. The protagonist awakens his powers and freely passes through different planes such as Xiuxian, history, Wuxia, magic, and future. Collect equipment, spirits, characters and cheats distributed across all planes through battle.Winion Virus
Winion Virus is a pixel-art visual novel horror game. It features adorable and charming graphics paired with a dark fairy-tale story full of unexpected twists. As a point-and-click adventure, your task is to fix the errors occurring within the computer.Rocksmith® 2014 Edition REMASTERED LEARN & PLAY
Play guitar or bass and start your musical journey with Rocksmith 2014 Remastered Learn & Play! Perfect for beginners and pros, learn at your own rythmm with 60 tracks and customizable tools. Get ready to rock!Taiwan Love Story⁵
"Taiwan Love Story ⁵" is a romantic interactive novel. To write a thesis on love, you meet girls from different parts of Taiwan. As you conduct your academic research, you gradually become captivated by them, leading to a series of sweet, bittersweet, and complex romantic encounters.Office Life
It’s a story about after graduation life of college student. We guess it is a simulation game, besides which type of game it could be? We just want to provide a true real life with you in this way.ENSCROLL
Fresh out of Magic Academy with a hefty student loan, you must craft and sell magic scrolls to pay off your debt. Create spells for demanding customers and manage your growing loan payments. Will your magical skills be enough to free you from student debt?Simulation games offer players the chance to experience real-life scenarios in a virtual environment. Whether you want to build a thriving city, manage a farm, or pilot a plane, simulation games provide immersive experiences that can be both entertaining and educational. Here are some popular types of simulation games you can explore.
Life Simulation
Games that let you create and manage characters and their lives, like The Sims™ 4.
Vehicle Simulation
Experience driving, flying, or sailing in realistic environments, such as Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Edition.
City-Building
Design and manage your own city, balancing resources and the needs of your citizens, like in Cities: Skylines.
Farming Simulation
Grow crops, raise animals, and manage your farm in games like Farming Simulator 25.
Each game offers unique gameplay mechanics and challenges, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.
How to Find More Simulation Games
If you’re eager to explore even more simulation games, our site makes it easy! Use the category filters to narrow down your search. You can look for tags like "multiplayer" for games to play with friends or "realistic" for those that focus on authentic experiences. This way, you can quickly find games that match your interests.
Tips for Choosing the Right Simulation Game
Consider your interests
Think about what aspects of simulation you enjoy most. Do you prefer building and management, or are you more into exploration and adventure?
Look for games with strong community support
Games that have active communities often provide additional content, mods, and tips that can enhance your experience.
Check for user reviews
Reading reviews can give you insight into the game’s quality, gameplay experience, and any potential issues.
What are the best simulation games for beginners?
If you’re new to simulation games, consider starting with Stardew Valley or Two Point Hospital. Both are user-friendly and offer tutorials to help you get started.
What makes a simulation game great?
A great simulation game typically features engaging mechanics, a well-designed user interface, and a balance between challenge and fun. Realism and depth can also enhance the overall experience.
With a wide variety of options available, you’re sure to find a game that captivates you and provides hours of entertainment. Don’t forget to check back regularly for updates, as new games are released and ratings change. Happy gaming, and enjoy building, managing, and exploring in your virtual worlds!
Most played simulation games on Steam
Take a look at the top simulation games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 16th 2025.
1. Schedule I
From small-time dope pusher to kingpin - manufacture and distribute a range of drugs throughout the grungy city of Hyland Point. Expand your empire with properties, businesses, employees and more. Schedule I is a simulation, co-op and crime game developed and published by TVGS. Released on March 24th 2025 has received 129,494 reviews of which 127,649 were positive and 1,845 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played simulation game, thanks to its 214,533 peak concurrent players over the last day.2. Bongo Cat
Bongo cat needs your help. Bongo cat needz more hatz!!! Every time you press a key, Bongo cat will punch your taskbar. Type, click, play, work to collect more points. Which hats will you find? Bongo Cat is a casual, clicker and cats game developed by Marcel Zurawka and published by Irox Games. Released on March 05th 2025 has received 5,602 reviews of which 5,405 were positive and 197 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. While seeing 86,181 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among simulation games based on player count.3. War Thunder
War Thunder is the most comprehensive free-to-play, cross-platform, MMO military game dedicated to aviation, armoured vehicles, and naval craft, from the early 20th century to the most advanced modern combat units. Join now and take part in major battles on land, in the air, and at sea. War Thunder is a free to play, simulation and vehicular combat game developed by Gaijin Entertainment and published by Gaijin Network Ltd. Released on August 15th 2013 has received 743,117 reviews of which 473,366 were positive and 269,751 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. While seeing 36,477 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among simulation games based on player count.4. Football Manager 2024
Build a world-class team ready to dominate your rivals in football’s most prestigious competitions. Progress never stops when you’re pursuing footballing greatness. Football Manager 2024 is a simulation, sports and management game developed by Sports Interactive and published by SEGA. Released on November 06th 2023 has received 21,674 reviews of which 19,655 were positive and 2,019 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 33,291 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played simulation games.5. Euro Truck Simulator 2
Travel across Europe as king of the road, a trucker who delivers important cargo across impressive distances! With dozens of cities to explore, your endurance, skill and speed will all be pushed to their limits. Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a driving, transportation and simulation game developed and published by SCS Software. Released on October 12th 2012 has received 856,516 reviews of which 833,891 were positive and 22,625 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. With 17,064 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played simulation games.6. BeamNG.drive
A dynamic soft-body physics vehicle simulator capable of doing just about anything. BeamNG.drive is a simulation, driving and physics game developed and published by BeamNG. Released on May 29th 2015 has received 313,990 reviews of which 305,852 were positive and 8,138 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 15,116 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played simulation games.7. Crusader Kings III
Love, fight, scheme, and claim greatness. Determine your noble house’s legacy in the sprawling grand strategy of Crusader Kings III. Death is only the beginning as you guide your dynasty’s bloodline in the rich and larger-than-life simulation of the Middle Ages. Crusader Kings III is a strategy, medieval and grand strategy game developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on September 01st 2020 has received 124,131 reviews of which 112,162 were positive and 11,969 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 13,670 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played simulation games.8. Arma Reforger
Experience authentic Cold War combat and join the struggle for the sprawling, mid-Atlantic island of Everon and its smaller, offshore territory, Arland – or take on the role of Game Master and create your very own scenarios for others to enjoy. Arma Reforger is a military, simulation and action game developed and published by Bohemia Interactive. Released on November 16th 2023 has received 27,305 reviews of which 20,433 were positive and 6,872 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. With 11,466 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played simulation games.9. Farming Simulator 25
Farming Simulator 25 invites you to join the rewarding farm life, single-handedly or cooperatively in multiplayer. This Farm is Your Farm! Farming Simulator 25 is a simulation, farming sim and realistic game developed and published by Giants Software. Released on November 12th 2024 has received 30,980 reviews of which 25,801 were positive and 5,179 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. With 11,216 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played simulation games.10. Europa Universalis IV
Rule your land and dominate the world with unparalleled freedom, depth and historical accuracy. Write a new history of the world and build an empire for the ages. Europa Universalis IV is a grand strategy, strategy and historical game developed by Paradox Development Studio and Paradox Tinto and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on August 13th 2013 has received 133,375 reviews of which 115,447 were positive and 17,928 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 10,757 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played simulation games.Best deals on simulation games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of simulation games available on Steam right now, updated on April 16th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted simulation games.
1. Destroyer: The U-Boat Hunter
Destroyer: The U-Boat Hunter brings you an authentic and historically accurate destroyer simulation along with gripping anti-submarine warfare set in the turmoils of the Atlantic Ocean during World War II. Destroyer: The U-Boat Hunter is a simulation, naval combat and world war ii game developed by Iron Wolf Studio S.A. and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on December 06th 2023 has received 1,020 reviews of which 771 were positive and 249 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Featuring a massive 97% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for simulation category.2. Automobilista
AUTOMOBILISTA places you in the driving seat of an advanced racing simulator, featuring elite brazilian racing series along with a wide range of racing vehicles and international tracks for a uniquely diverse motorsports experience. Automobilista is a racing, simulation and automobile sim game developed and published by Reiza Studios. Released on August 24th 2016 has received 2,414 reviews of which 2,177 were positive and 237 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 96% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in simulation games.3. Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master
A dungeon in danger ! Build, manage, and defend your tower in the satirical heroic fantasy universe of Dungeon of Naheulbeuk. From a shaky establishment to an infamous lair! Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master is a management, simulation and funny game developed by Artefacts Studio and published by Dear Villagers. Released on November 15th 2023 has received 1,373 reviews of which 988 were positive and 385 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 96% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in simulation games.4. The Pale Beyond
You didn’t ask to lead this expedition, but here you are. Stuck in the ice, Captain missing, miles from civilisation. Someone has to take charge. Manage your meagre resources, balance safety and morale, make the hard calls, and head in the only direction you can - through The Pale Beyond. The Pale Beyond is a resource management, survival and choices matter game developed by Bellular Studios and published by Fellow Traveller. Released on February 24th 2023 has received 1,808 reviews of which 1,609 were positive and 199 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for simulation games.5. Eastside Hockey Manager
EHM offers fans the most realistic, in-depth and immersive simulation of hockey management available, giving them the chance to manage either club or country in any of the world’s top hockey-playing nations. Eastside Hockey Manager is a hockey, sports and simulation game developed by Sports Interactive and published by SEGA. Released on December 01st 2015 has received 1,330 reviews of which 1,139 were positive and 191 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for simulation games.6. PGA TOUR 2K21
Play against the pros. Play with your crew. In PGA TOUR 2K21, you can play by the rules or create your own featuring a new PGA TOUR Career Mode, licensed courses and more! Powered by The Golf Club. PGA TOUR 2K21 is a sports, simulation and local multiplayer game developed by HB Studios Multimedia Ltd. and published by 2K. Released on August 20th 2020 has received 7,606 reviews of which 6,373 were positive and 1,233 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for simulation games.7. Black Skylands
Become the captain of an airship and explore the world of the skies, gather resources and build powerful weapons, uncover ancient secrets and fight beneath your ship's sails. Black Skylands is a pixel graphics, open world and sandbox game developed by Hungry Couch Games and published by tinyBuild. Released on August 15th 2023 has received 3,806 reviews of which 3,155 were positive and 651 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for simulation games.8. Old World
Old World is a revolutionary new historical strategy game where you lead your dynasty over generations of rule against rival kings and queens. Wage massive wars, manage your court, and build a dynasty — or watch your empire crumble to dust. What legacy will you leave behind? Old World is a strategy, simulation and 4x game developed by Mohawk Games and published by Hooded Horse. Released on May 18th 2022 has received 4,451 reviews of which 3,650 were positive and 801 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for simulation games.9. Hexarchy
Hexarchy is an innovative, fast-paced, historical 4x strategy game where you use cards and deckbuilding to make your decisions. Single-player and online multiplayer. Hexarchy is a turn-based, card game and resource management game developed by Main Tank Software and published by Yogscast Games and Gamersky Games. Released on October 19th 2023 has received 1,120 reviews of which 915 were positive and 205 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for simulation games.10. Founders' Fortune
A fantasy village builder focusing on creative building, colonist psychology and base defense. Handle resources, farming, production, tools, diplomacy, families, trading, defense, and research, as well as the wishes, expectations, thoughts, and equipment of every villager. Founders' Fortune is a colony sim, base-building and city builder game developed and published by Dionic Software. Released on December 18th 2020 has received 2,093 reviews of which 1,686 were positive and 407 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for simulation games.Free simulation games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play simulation games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 16th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play simulation games.