Best Life Sim 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 life sim games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free life sim games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Catizens
Inspired by RimWorld and The Sims, Catizens is a colony management simulation game where you watch over unique cats with quirky personalities, as you help them build and grow their settlement while exploring new lands, facing off against wildlife and overcoming the challenges of each environment.
I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival
I Am Future is a relaxing single-player survival game about building a cozy rooftop camp amid a flooded post-apocalyptic city. Set up a farm, go fishing, tinker with gadgets, craft new tools, manage a team of cute robots to automate and expand your base, explore the mysterious world, and chill out!
Sengoku Dynasty
Sengoku Dynasty is the ultimate feudal Japan experience: build villages, grow your community, and shape the open world through combat or economy. The choice is yours alone - or that of up to 4 players in multiplayer co-op!
Underground Garage
Dive into Underground Garage, a mechanic sim blending car customization with fast driving. Craft builds for every drive, test them in an open world filled with challenges. Gear up and rev up your ultimate automotive adventure!
Trash Goblin
A wholesome, cosy shopkeeping game with no time pressure! Uncover & clean trinkets then upcycle them to sell to endless colourful & quirky customers. Spend your savings to upgrade your shop, buy better tools, plus expand and customise your space.
you're just imagining it
A chronic illness simulator. You think you have a chronic illness, but you don't know what. All you know is you are always in some state of pain. You've been to too many doctors to count... but you still have to live your life.
IfSunSets
「IfSunSets」 is a survival RPG adventure game. During the day, secure necessary supplies across the island, and survive the night against strong and terrifying monsters that track you down. You can utilize resources you've secured to build a base to fend off threatening monsters.
Car For Sale Simulator 2023
Car For Sale Simulator 2023 - Developed for car enthusiasts, grow your own car sales business by buying and selling different car models. Drive the purchased cars as you wish, repair them, modify them, and sell them to customers at affordable prices.
Quadrober Simulator
Are you a quadrober?
East Trade Tycoon: Inheritance
Eastern Trade Tycoon: Inheritance is a trading simulator game.In the game,you can from zero to hero.By trading markets, build a business,earn money,level up, investing accurately, and manage family to become a trading tycoon!
It's Only Money
The mayor of Rockhaven threw you down a hole into the Undercity. Why? Net worth too low. In this open-world simulation, you and up to 3 pals will steal, fight, and scheme to reclaim the city. Customise your rides, buy businesses, and take on the Mayor’s forces. Rockhaven is yours for the taking!
I've Fallen For You!
Eight women simultaneously appear in your life, offering you unconditional love and support! Will you choose to uphold your beliefs and become a good man, or give in to human temptations and become a bad man?
Amber Isle
Welcome to Amber Isle - a quaint, friendly village of prehistoric residents who are in need of a new shopkeep... That’s you! Craft and sell items, upgrade your shop, befriend your Paleofolk neighbours and customise the island to bring the village back to life and welcome even more prehistoric pals!
Kind Words 2 (lofi city pop)
A game about being kind to real people. Send nice letters from your cozy room, go outside and say hi to your neighbors, swap recommendations, dress up for the poetry slam and add your dreams to a sky full of wishes. Join a community of real people with their hearts on their sleeves.
Esports History
Esports History is an RPG sim where you start as a regular guy, and work your way up to the very top of esports. Defeat bosses in tournaments, make a name for yourself within the esports community, and become a real pro!
Old Market Simulator
Old Market Simulator is a 1-4 player co-op game where you manage your market by ordering goods, growing produce, raising animals, fishing, and crafting items in your workshop, while hiring employees and expanding your business.
Recycling Center Simulator
Recycling Center Simulator is a business simulator game with a first person view. Make money from garbage, collect raw materials for your recycling center from different locations, recycle them, make money by producing new products and improve your factory.
Factory Outlet Simulator
Factory Outlet Simulator is a very comprehensive product manufacturing and selling game. You can produce the products of world famous brands in your factory and sell them. Or you can expand your business and create your own brand. Use your business acumen to lead the market from zero to the top!
Bloomtown: A Different Story
Bloomtown: A Different Story is a narrative JRPG mixing turn-based combat, monster taming and social RPG set in a seemingly pleasant 1960s Americana world. Join Emily and her group of friends to save their cozy town from the demonic creatures that live in the hearts of its residents!
Wild Indigo Ranch
Wild Indigo Ranch is a cozy cowboy-life RPG for 1-4 players. Start a new life on the prairie, explore the frontier, build the finest ranch in the West, and ride into the sunset.
Subside
Subside is an immersive aquatic VR experience with multiple areas to explore and lifelike aquatic creatures to interact with. Crafted with unparalleled realism, it aims to replicate the nuances of real-life swimming and diving in shallow waters
TCG Card Shop Simulator
Open your own local game store. Stock shelves with the latest booster packs, or crack them and collect the cards for yourself. Set your own prices, hire staff, host events, and expand your card shop.Most played life sim games on Steam
Take a look at the top life sim games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 30th 2025.
1. Stardew Valley
You've inherited your grandfather's old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? Stardew Valley is a farming sim, pixel graphics and multiplayer game developed and published by ConcernedApe. Released on February 26th 2016 has received 875,966 reviews of which 862,289 were positive and 13,677 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.8 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played life sim game, thanks to its 34,202 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.8
862,289
13,677
34,202
players
2. The Sims™ 4
Play with life and discover the possibilities. Unleash your imagination and create a world of Sims that’s wholly unique. Explore and customize every detail from Sims to homes–and much more. The Sims™ 4 is a life sim, free to play and character customization game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. Released on June 18th 2020 has received 167,732 reviews of which 146,459 were positive and 21,273 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. While seeing 24,283 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among life sim games based on player count.
8.6
146,459
21,273
24,283
players
3. Disney Dreamlight Valley
Explore a world filled with the magic of Disney as you discover rich stories and build the perfect neighborhood alongside Disney and Pixar heroes and villains in this new life-sim adventure game. Welcome to Disney Dreamlight Valley. Disney Dreamlight Valley is a relaxing, life sim and character customization game developed and published by Gameloft. Released on December 05th 2023 has received 20,524 reviews of which 18,859 were positive and 1,665 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. While seeing 4,791 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among life sim games based on player count.
9.0
18,859
1,665
4,791
players
4. Palia
Palia is a vibrant new world made just for you. Craft, cook, fish, and farm with friends as you live the life of your dreams and discover an enchanting adventure filled with colorful characters and a mystery to unravel. Palia is a free to play, multiplayer and life sim game developed and published by Singularity 6 Corporation. Released on March 25th 2024 has received 26,621 reviews of which 22,626 were positive and 3,995 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 4,111 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played life sim games.
8.3
22,626
3,995
4,111
players
5. Dinkum
Dinkum is a survival life simulation game set on an island inspired by the rugged Australian outback. Farm, hunt, mine, fish, and forage to gather resources, expand your town, and discover what makes Dinkum so special—either solo or with friends. Dinkum is a open world survival craft, agriculture and farming sim game developed by James Bendon and published by KRAFTON and Inc.. Released on April 22nd 2025 has received 23,745 reviews of which 21,959 were positive and 1,786 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 3,580 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played life sim games.
9.0
21,959
1,786
3,580
players
6. inZOI
"Every life becomes a story" Create your unique story by controlling and observing the lives of 'Zois'. Customize characters and build houses using inZOI's easy-to-use tools to live the life of your dreams and experience the different emotions of life created by its deep and detailed simulation. inZOI is a life sim, character customization and realistic game developed by inZOI Studio and published by KRAFTON and Inc.. Released on March 27th 2025 has received 18,767 reviews of which 15,429 were positive and 3,338 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. With 3,110 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played life sim games.
8.1
15,429
3,338
3,110
players
7. Hello Kitty Island Adventure
Embark on a cozy, open-world adventure with Hello Kitty and Friends. Befriend beloved characters as you explore and restore a mysterious island, solve ancient puzzles, cook delicious dishes, customize yourself and your cabins, and so much more. Hello Kitty Island Adventure is a cozy, open world and simulation game developed and published by Sunblink. Released on January 30th 2025 has received 5,158 reviews of which 4,847 were positive and 311 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 2,219 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played life sim games.
9.1
4,847
311
2,219
players
8. Fields of Mistria
Start your new life! Build the farm of your dreams as you discover a world brimming with possibilities. Magic, romance, and adventure all await you in this nostalgic farming / life sim RPG! Fields of Mistria is a early access, farming sim and dating sim game developed and published by NPC Studio. Released on August 05th 2024 has received 19,025 reviews of which 18,628 were positive and 397 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 1,636 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played life sim games.
9.5
18,628
397
1,636
players
9. Coral Island
Coral Island is a vibrant and laid-back reimagining of farm sim games. Be who you want and experience enchanting island living at your own pace—live off the land, nurture animals, build relationships with a diverse cast of townsfolk, and make the world around you a more vital and harmonious place. Coral Island is a farming sim, life sim and relaxing game developed by Stairway Games and published by Humble Games. Released on November 14th 2023 has received 21,455 reviews of which 18,936 were positive and 2,519 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 1,489 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played life sim games.
8.6
18,936
2,519
1,489
players
10. My Time at Sandrock
Travel to the desert community of Sandrock and take on the role of a fledgling Builder. Use your trusty toolset to gather resources, construct machines, and turn your run-down workshop into a well-oiled production facility to save the town from the jaws of economic ruin! My Time at Sandrock is a life sim, building and farming sim game developed by Pathea Games and published by Pathea Games, Focus Entertainment, PM Studios, Inc. and DMM GAMES. Released on November 02nd 2023 has received 25,968 reviews of which 22,958 were positive and 3,010 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 1,229 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played life sim games.
8.7
22,958
3,010
1,229
players
Best deals on life sim games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of life sim games available on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted life sim games.
1. Potion Permit
Moonbury's residents need healing, and you're the best chemist around! With your trusty tools, a brewing cauldron, and a canine companion at your side, you'll need to diagnose symptoms, gather ingredients, brew potions, and cure ailments in this open-ended sim RPG. Potion Permit is a singleplayer, colorful and jrpg game developed by MassHive Media and published by PQube. Released on September 22nd 2022 has received 4,640 reviews of which 3,708 were positive and 932 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Featuring a massive 86% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for life sim category.
7.8
3,708
932
-86%
20.64€
2.89€
2. The Tenants
Become a landlord and deal with problematic tenants as you build your rental property empire. Decide how to react to annoyed neighbors or police interventions. Will you design your apartment for a group of gamer friends or an aspiring musician looking for a new home? The Tenants is a management, design & illustration and life sim game developed by Ancient Forge and published by Frozen District. Released on October 20th 2022 has received 6,976 reviews of which 5,603 were positive and 1,373 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 85% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in life sim games.
7.8
5,603
1,373
-85%
18.68€
2.80€
3. Animal Shelter
In Animal Shelter, your main target is to make your four-legged friends happy. Pet them, hand out treats, play with toys - and they will pay you back with great trust. Get to know the animals well enough to find them the best home! Don't wait any longer, open your animal shelter now! Animal Shelter is a dog, life sim and cats game developed by Games Incubator and published by Games Incubator and PlayWay S.A.. Released on March 23rd 2022 has received 3,437 reviews of which 3,005 were positive and 432 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 84% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in life sim games.
8.4
3,005
432
-84%
19.38€
3.10€
4. Trolley Problem, Inc.
Trolley Problem, Inc. is a darkly comedic narrative game based on real-world philosophical papers, in which you are asked to make a series of impossible choices from two awful answers. Wrestle with your moral compass, decide the fate of millions – and compare your choices with the rest of the world. Trolley Problem, Inc. is a choices matter, indie and dark humor game developed by Read Graves and published by Yogscast Games. Released on April 21st 2022 has received 1,312 reviews of which 892 were positive and 420 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 82% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for life sim games.
6.6
892
420
-82%
10.72€
1.93€
5. Farmer's Dynasty
Live – Build – Farm: Enjoy a unique mix of farming, constructing and life simulation that takes you to the countryside and holds plenty of challenging gameplay in stock! Farmer's Dynasty is a simulation, farming sim and life sim game developed by UMEO Studios and published by Toplitz Productions. Released on November 21st 2019 has received 4,013 reviews of which 3,020 were positive and 993 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 81% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for life sim games.
7.3
3,020
993
-81%
20.47€
3.89€
6. Everdream Valley
A farming adventure with a dash of magic. Play solo or up to a 4-player coop. By day, restore your quaint farm into a summer paradise. Explore, raise crops, care for animals and rebuild your home. At night inhabit various creatures through your dreams and bring enchantment to the valley. Everdream Valley is a farming sim, cute and life sim game developed by Mooneaters and published by Untold Tales and VARSAV Game Studios. Released on May 30th 2023 has received 799 reviews of which 583 were positive and 216 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 81% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for life sim games.
7.0
583
216
-81%
25.42€
4.83€
7. The Guild 3
The Guild 3 is a fascinating trade and life simulation that takes place during the late Middle Ages. Step into the shoes of a citizen, acquire businesses and mansions, produce goods and trade them, start intrigues in politics and society, love, hate, bribe, fight and live through good and bad times! The Guild 3 is a economy, life sim and medieval game developed by Purple Lamp and GolemLabs and published by THQ Nordic. Released on June 14th 2022 has received 7,462 reviews of which 4,576 were positive and 2,886 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 81% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for life sim games.
6.1
4,576
2,886
-81%
30.21€
5.74€
8. Coral Island
Coral Island is a vibrant and laid-back reimagining of farm sim games. Be who you want and experience enchanting island living at your own pace—live off the land, nurture animals, build relationships with a diverse cast of townsfolk, and make the world around you a more vital and harmonious place. Coral Island is a farming sim, life sim and relaxing game developed by Stairway Games and published by Humble Games. Released on November 14th 2023 has received 21,455 reviews of which 18,936 were positive and 2,519 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 77% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for life sim games.
8.6
18,936
2,519
-77%
29.61€
6.81€
9. Dynopunk
An ironic adventure with cyberpunk aesthetics set in a world where humans have been replaced by dinosaurs. Become a top-notch repair shop mechanic: fix gadgets, have heart-to-heart talks, and offer drinks to your customers — everything to fulfill your ultimate dream. Dynopunk is a crafting, visual novel and management game developed by Tomato Fantasy Games and published by 101XP. Released on May 25th 2023 has received 448 reviews of which 423 were positive and 25 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 75% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for life sim games.
8.7
423
25
-75%
14.76€
3.69€
10. CHANGE: A Homeless Survival Experience
CHANGE is an award nominated homeless survival experience set in a randomly created city with rogue-like elements. Explore, survive, earn perks, find items & kindness to develop your character & escape to a new life. Over 7 years of development & over 200 updates so far! CHANGE: A Homeless Survival Experience is a choose your own adventure, time management and rogue-lite game developed and published by Delve Interactive. Released on May 01st 2020 has received 2,544 reviews of which 2,316 were positive and 228 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 75% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for life sim games.
8.7
2,316
228
-75%
19.50€
4.87€
Free life sim games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play life sim games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play life sim games.
1. The Sims™ 4
Play with life and discover the possibilities. Unleash your imagination and create a world of Sims that’s wholly unique. Explore and customize every detail from Sims to homes–and much more. The Sims™ 4 is a life sim, free to play and character customization game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. Released on June 18th 2020 has received 167,732 reviews of which 146,459 were positive and 21,273 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 24,283 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free life sim games on Steam.
8.6
146,459
21,273
24,283
players
2. Palia
Palia is a vibrant new world made just for you. Craft, cook, fish, and farm with friends as you live the life of your dreams and discover an enchanting adventure filled with colorful characters and a mystery to unravel. Palia is a free to play, multiplayer and life sim game developed and published by Singularity 6 Corporation. Released on March 25th 2024 has received 26,621 reviews of which 22,626 were positive and 3,995 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 4,111, this life sim game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free life sim games on Steam.
8.3
22,626
3,995
4,111
players
3. Virtual Cottage
Virtual Cottage gives you a comfy place to rest and be productive without any distractions. Open the game, set yourself a goal and enjoy the atmosphere. Virtual Cottage is a cozy, relaxing and casual game developed and published by DU&I. Released on October 07th 2020 has received 10,288 reviews of which 10,061 were positive and 227 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 246, this life sim game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free life sim games on Steam.
9.5
10,061
227
246
players
4. Star Chef 2: Cooking Game
Kitchen Simulation | Learn Cuisines | Cook Delicious Food | Become A Chef Star Chef 2: Cooking Game is a casual, simulation and farming sim game developed and published by 99Games Online Private Limited. Released on August 09th 2021 has received 482 reviews of which 334 were positive and 148 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free life sim games on Steam.
6.6
334
148
100
players
5. Nothing Together
A game about doing Nothing Together Nothing Together is a life sim and psychological horror game developed and published by VacuumDev. Released on February 02nd 2024 has received 1,701 reviews of which 1,607 were positive and 94 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free life sim games on Steam.
9.0
1,607
94
17
players
6. Terra Firma
Play god and create your own world in this complex simulation. Plate tectonics, wind and water erosion and plant life all develop and interact to produce a world that is viewable from a single tree to kilometres across. Terra Firma is a simulation, strategy and god game game developed and published by Working as Intended. Released on February 20th 2025 has received 358 reviews of which 332 were positive and 26 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free life sim games on Steam.
8.6
332
26
5
players
7. Break a Leg
Break a Leg is a series done over YouTube shorts where the top comment got the next addition to the game. Break a Leg is a game where your primary goal is to break your leg. Once you do, you did it. You won. Therefore, there's no more reason to keep playing this game. Break a Leg is a simulation, casual and education game developed by JustJeff and published by The Reef Production Co.. Released on June 30th 2024 has received 813 reviews of which 758 were positive and 55 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free life sim games on Steam.
8.8
758
55
3
players
8. Espresso Tycoon Prologue: Underwater
A completely FREE underwater mission from the Espresso Tycoon - a coffee shop simulator. Build your own cafe from scratch, hire staff, create the most delicious recipes in the whole Pacific Ocean and make customers happy! Decorate, manage, and build a successful coffee business in Sydney! Espresso Tycoon Prologue: Underwater is a life sim, sandbox and strategy game developed by DreamWay Games and published by PlayWay S.A.. Released on November 04th 2022 has received 636 reviews of which 572 were positive and 64 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free life sim games on Steam.
8.4
572
64
2
players
9. Vivaland: Dream House
Dream House is the build mode of the life simulation game called Vivaland, where you can construct and furnish your dream home. Play solo or with friends in co-op mode. Vivaland: Dream House is a simulation, building and life sim game developed by Hive5 Interactive and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on March 01st 2024 has received 1,134 reviews of which 782 were positive and 352 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free life sim games on Steam.
6.7
782
352
1
players
10. Accident: The Pilot
Become a journalist who researches old car accident cases. Help victims and perform first aid, obtain evidence and reconstruct the events to discover what really happened. Accident: The Pilot is a simulation, indie and singleplayer game developed by Duality Games and Glob Games Studio and published by Duality Games and PlayWay S.A.. Released on July 16th 2020 has received 796 reviews of which 551 were positive and 245 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free life sim games on Steam.
6.7
551
245
1
players