Simulation games are hella fun because you can do absolutely anything you want within the confines of the game’s topic. Try and land at Kai Tak Airport (and fail miserably, of course) in a cockpit with FSX, or live the picket-fenced American Dream in The Sims! And so much more. Here’s a list of 25 sim games we think are just damn peachy keen.
1. ”Euro Truck Simulator 2”
- Developer: SCS Studios
- Released: 2012
Deliveries in your semis rollin’ down the highway to parts faraway. (Mmm, rhyming.) Travel across the European Union, carrying cargo on your own truck. Work under contract or as a freelancer! Wipers, headlights, the horn, they all work. Turn on the FM if you’re bored, and breeze down a European superhighway like a real trucker.
2. ”Spintires”
- Developer: Oovee® Game Studios
- Released: 2014
Like ETS but looking for a challenge? Try Spintires! It’s got gunk, it’s got mud, it’s got all the nits and grits of real trucking™! You also have to look out for low fuel and damage to your truck.
3. ”BeamNG.drive”
- Developer: BeamNG
- Released: 2012
Do you like driving games? If so, BeamNG.Drive is the game for you! Basically the Garry’s Mod of driving simulators, you can mod anything you want, to do anything. You. WANT. Get involved in a high-speed chase or drive off a cliff, your choice! The physics are hella awesome, too. It’s still in the Steam Early Access phase, though, so download at your own risk.
4. ”Train Sim World: CSX Heavy Haul”
- Developer: Dovetail Games
- Released: 2017
Driving on land too easy for you? Want a real challenge? Then come on down and try out this top-notch train simulator! Oh sure, a train may seem easier to drive than a truck, being on a fixed railway and all that, but beware. There’s so many things involved in the operation of a train, not just knowing how to pick up a ham radio or the gas pedal. A very realistic recreation, Train Sim World is sure to please even the most dedicated train anorak.
5. Microsoft Flight Simulator X
- Developer: Microsoft
- Released: 2006
Flight Simulator X is a flying simulator. ‘Nuff said. From Pyongyang to Sydney, from Dallas to Buenos Aires, choose from 24.000 different airports around the world to fly to and from, and almost just as many planes to choose from! (More if you count all the scenery and plane mods floating around the net). As well, try out being an ATC officer. You can even play with your friends in multiplayer mode!
6. ”Airport Madness 3D”
- Developer: Big Fat Simulations Inc.
- Released: 2016
Like a watered-down version of FSX, you play an ATC officer working to control the flow of planes at your airport. Instruct planes as precisely as possible to avoid accidents.
7. ”The Sims Series”
- Developer: Electronic Arts
- Released: 2001 (The Sims 1)
It’s The Sims. What more explanation do you need?
8. ”SimCity 2013”
- Developer: Maxis
- Released: 2013 (duh)
If you’re one for city planning and building games, this is the game for you. SimCity 2013 is like The Sims, but instead of crafting and playing a person’s life, you’ll be doing that with a city of your own. Be as realistic or as creative as you want (especially with the natural-disaster-at-click-of-button feature!)
9. ”Cities: Skylines”
- Developer: Colossal Order
- Released: 2015
Cities: Skylines is perfect for those looking for a fresh, alternative to SimCity without all of the Maxis bloat. Just like SimCity, you’ll have to handle metropolitan problems ranging from education to traffic.
10. ”Tropico 5”
- Developer: Haemimont Games
- Released: 2014
Viva el Tropico! Take control of your fledgling island nation and develop it however you want. Form an alliance with the USA or USSR, or go your own way like Yugoslavia. Handle tough crises all, from the Cold War through the future.
11. ”Anno 1701”
- Developer: Blue Byte
- Released: 2006
In this game, you will be tasked to develop your own plot of land in the New World to become a nascent colony. You start out with a small port and limited resources, and a whole lot of competition. You can either co-operate with your AI-controlled neighbours, or you can get your ass trounced by them.
12. ”Farming Simulator ’17”
- Developer: Giants Software
- Released: 2016
You ever dream of being a farmer when you were a kid? No? Neither did I. But damn does Farming Simulator 17 make it seem fun! No plowing the land with carabous anymore, for you have access to a gamut of sophisticated farming equipment at your fingertips. You even use a train to haul your harvest!
13. ”Kerbal Space Program”
- Developer: Squad
- Released: 2015
In Kerbal Space Program, you control tiny green aliens who want to blast off into space. Fun, ain’t it? Your mission is to design a properly functioning rocket and avoid costly mistakes.
14. ”ARMA III”
- Developer: Bohemia Interactive
- Released: 2013
Are you a first/third-person shooter fan but also long for that open world experience? Then get your hands on ARMA III! Traverse the pastoral islands of Altis and Stratis, and if you opt for the DLC, the South Pacific paradise of Tanoa. What’s more, it’s also multiplayer-equipped!
15. ”Papers, Please”
- Developer: Lucas Pope
- Released: 2013
NEXT IN LINE! Purpose of your visit? ..uhh, I am of wish to read about great Arstotzka game Papers Please… How long will you be staying? …I stay couple minutes… This passport is expired. …no, no, please. I beg! I am poor Antegria peasant, I am need of better life in Arstotzka! I give you all my possessions! One cannot bribe an officer of Arstotzka. Take him away, boys. No, NO, PLEASE! YOU CANNOT DO TH- [thud]
16. ”YouTuber’s Life”
- Developer: U-Play Online
- Released: 2016
YouTuber’s Life is, well, exactly what it says on the tin. Live the life of a YouTuber as you ascend the ladder of popularity. Climb each rung with each piece of hardware/software you upgrade, and watch as your follower count piles up and up and up… Besides that, the game also acts as a mini-Sims, allowing you to go to parties or catch a movie with your friends!
17. ”Game Dev Tycoon”
- Developer: Greenheart Games
- Released: 2012
Game Dev Tycoon lets you build your gaming company from the ground up as you branch out into more consoles and produce quality games. Spanning from the 80s to today, be immersed in game development history as you give your all to make games like you’ve always wanted!
18. ”Planet Coaster”
- Developer: Frontier Developments
- Released: 2016
Experience the thrill of building roller coasters! Set in a lush theme park with beautiful 3D graphics, design your own Disney World and of course, build coasters in it, and so many other rides for your virtual tourists to enjoy.
19. ”RimWorld”
- Developer: Ludeon Studios
- Released: 2016
RimWorld is set on a fertile yet isolated planet, where you and your party have been stranded. Build and defend your colony from raiders until you have enough energy to get away. One of the more interesting features of this game is the existence of three separate storyteller AIs. The game’s difficulty is affected by the AI you choose at the start of the game.
20. ”Besiege”
- Developer: Spiderling Studios
- Released: 2015
A simulator of mass destruction is the only apt name you can give to this game. Your job is to build mechanisms that can destroy things. This game requires you to push your creativity to the max.
21. ”Goat Simulator”
- Developer: Coffee Stain Studios
- Released: 2014
It’s a game. You play a goat. With an unnaturally long tongue that can destroy things. Any questions?
22. ”I Am Bread”
- Developer: Bossa Studios
- Released: 2015
You are bread. Your ultimate mission: to become toast. Cross the kitchen to get to the toaster safely and fulfill your destiny! Be careful, though, not to step on anything dirty.
23. ”Surgeon Simulator”
- Developer: Bossa Studios
- Released: 2013
In this game, you have to operate on a patient. Not just in hospital, mind you, but also in OUTER. FREAKIN’. SPACE. No gravity. Or in a crazy-rocking ambulance! Don’t lose your medical licence! (JK, you never had one in the first place.)
24. ”Not A Simulator For Working”
- Developer: GameChanger Studio
- Released: 2016
The perfect time-waster, your objective is to successfully watch a movie while you’re working! Don’t let your colleagues or boss catch you in the act though, or it’s bye bye job!
25. ”Shower With Your Dad Simulator”
- Developer: marbenx
- Released: 2015
It’s a game where you shower with your dad. QED.
So, let us know in the comments which games on the list you enjoyed!
