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
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?
World's Dawn
Bring life back to a sleepy seaside village by building friendships, finding love, harvesting crops, tending livestock, competing in festivals, fishing, mining, discovering magical secrets and more!
Egyptian Senet
The Mysterious Afterlife Journey And The Favorite Pastime Of The Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Don't Miss The Opportunity To Play The World's Oldest Board Game From Ancient Egypt.
Mitos.is: The Game
Step into the microscopic world of Mitos.is! Eat or be eaten—become the ultimate cell in a highly addictive multiplayer game. Diverse modes, daily tournaments, guilds, and gear await! The BEST game of 2015 is back!
Castaway Paradise - live among the animals
It's the ultimate Sandbox sim! Farm, catch bugs, talk to villagers, build your own tropical dream island! If you like Animal Crossing, Among Us, or Harvest Moon, you will love this game!
Space Colony: Steam Edition
Space Colony: Steam Edition is a remaster of the real-time base builder and strategy game from Firefly Studios, creators of the Stronghold series. In Space Colony you colonize to survive, designing intergalactic bases that keep your crew productive, happy and defended against hostile alien threats.
Tea Party Simulator 2015™
Ever wanted to be a tea party extraordinaire? Well now you can. Each new level brings it's own challenges you must overcome on your quest to become the ultimate tea party master. Comes with the original Tea Party Mode and now a Mode 2 (after beating all the levels), for a whole new experience!
Domestic Dog
Have you ever wanted to be a dog? Well now you can, kinda...
Among Ripples
Control a pond's ecosystem; experiment with what you can do and see what happens. Among Ripples is a meditative ecosystem management simulator; you add different creatures to the pond and see how they interact.
Always Sometimes Monsters
Set out on a cross-country journey to win back the love of your life and endure the hardship of making story-defining choices that affect your life and the lives of those around you.
Influent Language Learning Game
Influent is a Language Learning Game focused on rapid vocabulary acquisition in a 3D world featuring over 400 nouns, adjectives, and verbs all with native pronunciations in 23 languages! Players have complete freedom to choose which words they want to learn without any need for pencils or books!
Startopia
A once thriving network of space stations and planets have been left lifeless, redundant scars of the apocalypse. Into this age of darkness comes light. You will lead the way in rebuilding the network of space stations to a standard accepted by the individual alien races, attracting them to harness their expertise and research new...
Unholy Heights
Welcome to Unholy Heights, a mashup of Tower Defense and Apartment Management Simulation!
Shelter
Experience the wild as a badger sheltering your cubs from harm. On your journey, you will be stalked by birds of prey, encounter perils of the night, cross fierce rivers, escape forest fires and face the looming threat of starvation. Food is to be found, but is there enough for everyone?
Monster Loves You!
Live the life of a Monster, from birth to elderhood and beyond, making decisions that affect the world of Monsters and Humans. Solve problems. Meet animals and interesting people. Get to know them. Eat them. Make your own story!
The Sims™ 3
The Sims 3: Create the perfect world with full customization at your fingertips. Refine personalities and help fulfill destinies.
The Guild II Renaissance
For centuries Europe has been dominated by the church and nobility. On the shoulders of ordinary people the servants of god and the noble families justified their power and wealth. This was the incontrovertible, divine world order. A truly dark era… In the 14th Century the world order is beginning to transform itself.
The Guild II
The Guild 2 is the shining successor of the ultra successful medieval life sim, Europe 1400. The Guild 2 is a unique mixture of RPG and life simulation in an immersive middle ages scenario. The player and his party become part of history and can even change it in real-time. Go back to the dark middle ages and found a new dynasty!
Restaurant Empire II
Restaurant Empire 2 is the most realistic and comprehensive restaurant business simulation available, featuring 4 cuisines, 600 recipes, 4 huge cities, 2 campaigns with a total of 34 missions, 1400 interior objects, and a mix of business strategy and role-playing gameplay such as cooking contests.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 May 03rd 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 39,287 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.8
862,289
13,677
39,287
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 28,581 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
28,581
players
3. 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 26,936 reviews of which 22,916 were positive and 4,020 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. While seeing 4,476 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among life sim games based on player count.
8.3
22,916
4,020
4,476
players
4. 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. With 4,457 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played life sim games.
9.0
18,859
1,665
4,457
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 23,913 reviews of which 22,103 were positive and 1,810 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 3,854 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played life sim games.
9.0
22,103
1,810
3,854
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 3,058 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
3,058
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 1,845 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
1,845
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 19,266 reviews of which 18,862 were positive and 404 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 1,741 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played life sim games.
9.5
18,862
404
1,741
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 1,636 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
1,636
players
10. The Sims™ 3
The Sims 3: Create the perfect world with full customization at your fingertips. Refine personalities and help fulfill destinies. The Sims™ 3 is a life sim, simulation and character customization game developed by The Sims Studio and Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. Released on January 27th 2011 has received 32,778 reviews of which 28,435 were positive and 4,343 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 1,272 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played life sim games.
8.5
28,435
4,343
1,272
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 May 03rd 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted life sim games.
1. 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. Featuring a massive 87% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for life sim category.
8.4
3,005
432
-87%
19.08€
2.48€
2. 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 1,314 reviews of which 893 were positive and 421 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 86% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in life sim games.
6.6
893
421
-86%
10.64€
1.49€
3. 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 4,656 reviews of which 3,722 were positive and 934 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 85% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in life sim games.
7.8
3,722
934
-85%
20.07€
3.01€
4. 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 #4 position in the best deals for life sim games.
7.3
3,020
993
-81%
20.47€
3.89€
5. 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 #5 position in the best deals for life sim games.
7.0
583
216
-81%
25.42€
4.83€
6. 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 #6 position in the best deals for life sim games.
6.1
4,576
2,886
-81%
30.21€
5.74€
7. Choice of Life: Middle Ages
A card game in a Medieval setting where you make decisions on which not only your life will depend, but also the future of the kingdom! Choice of Life: Middle Ages is a choices matter, medieval and choose your own adventure game developed and published by Blazing Planet Studio. Released on November 06th 2020 has received 1,545 reviews of which 1,383 were positive and 162 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 80% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for life sim games.
8.5
1,383
162
-80%
4.99€
0.99€
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. Cat Cafe Manager
Travel to the sleepy village of Caterwaul Way and rebuild your grandmother's cat cafe. Renovate your restaurant, befriend the local cats and townsfolk, forge lasting friendships, unravel catty mysteries, and build a home for dozens of unique felines! Cat Cafe Manager is a cozy, simulation and management game developed by Roost Games and published by indie.io. Released on April 14th 2022 has received 2,801 reviews of which 2,448 were positive and 353 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 77% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for life sim games.
8.4
2,448
353
-77%
18.70€
4.30€
10. 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 #10 position in the best deals for life sim games.
8.7
423
25
-75%
14.76€
3.69€
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 May 03rd 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 28,581 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
28,581
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 26,936 reviews of which 22,916 were positive and 4,020 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 4,476, this life sim game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free life sim games on Steam.
8.3
22,916
4,020
4,476
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 10,308 reviews of which 10,080 were positive and 228 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 209, this life sim game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free life sim games on Steam.
9.5
10,080
228
209
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. Attracting a solid base of 129 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free life sim games on Steam.
6.6
334
148
129
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
14
players
6. 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 #6 spot among the most played free life sim games on Steam.
8.8
758
55
3
players
7. 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 638 reviews of which 574 were positive and 64 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free life sim games on Steam.
8.4
574
64
2
players
8. 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 1,133 reviews of which 781 were positive and 352 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free life sim games on Steam.
6.7
781
352
1
players
9. A Taste of the Past
What do you do when you lose someone you love? A Taste of the Past is an emotional sidescroller about reconnecting with your Chinese culture while navigating a train to the afterlife. Featuring a wholesome story, cooking minigames, and hope. A Taste of the Past is a adventure, interactive fiction and visual novel game developed and published by Sondering Studio. Released on March 11th 2022 has received 1,692 reviews of which 1,655 were positive and 37 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free life sim games on Steam.
9.3
1,655
37
10. 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. you're just imagining it is a interactive fiction, simulation and visual novel game developed and published by npckc. Released on November 05th 2024 has received 301 reviews of which 294 were positive and 7 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free life sim games on Steam.
8.9
294
7