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
Fish Game
Fish Game is a detailed and highly “sofishticated” freshwater aquarium simulator, lovingly crafted *by* enthusiasts *for* enthusiasts! Featuring fish with personalities and dynamic relationships, water quality modeling, and so much more! Made with support from our friends at Smarter Every Day!
Cattails: Wildwood Story
Become a cat! In this cozy life sim RPG, you'll lead your colony into the mysterious Wildwood. Hunt prey, harvest herbs, collect magical treasures, & defend your new home from intruders. Build a thriving town to recruit new cats. Get to know the residents, fall in love, & raise a litter of kittens!
AirportSim
AirportSim is an Advanced Airport Ground Handling Simulator with true-to-life visuals and operations, licensed planes and vehicles, real airports and live weather conditions. Enjoy the many tasks alone or with friends, making this experience unforgettable.
EarthKart: Google Maps Driving Simulator
3D Google Earth Driving Simulator
Old School
Relive your school days in 3D, where old school graphics bring back timeless fun! Create your own star student and attend a schedule full of classes in time to gather the knowledge you need to thrive, while an equally important popularity contest challenges you survive...
Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos
Explore the wide world of Anthos with the help of your wacky inventor friend Doc Jr. and many others! It’ll be up to you to revive the Harvest Goddess and the Harvest Sprites, as well as reconnect all of the villages of Anthos with each other! Farm all around Anthos using the improved Expando-Farm!
Paleo Pines
Welcome to Paleo Pines, a charming island known for its friendly dinosaurs, quirky townsfolk, and mysterious past. Befriend dinos and enlist their help to fix up your ranch and farm crops to create your cozy dino sanctuary! Then set out with your companion, Lucky, to uncover the island’s secrets.
Russian Village Simulator
This is a simulator of life in the Russian countryside, where the player will be engaged in the garden, picking mushrooms and berries, collect firewood, hunting and fishing, brew moonshine and much, much more.
Plant Therapy
Get cozy in this plant collecting and decorating game! Build a beautiful indoor garden from the ground up in your New York City apartment.
Moonstone Island
Moonstone Island is a creature-collecting life-sim set in an open world with 100 islands to explore. Make friends, brew potions, collect Spirits, and test your strength in card-based encounters to complete your Alchemy training!
Fading Afternoon
Seiji Maruyama is a middle-aged yakuza recently released from prison. Known as "Gozuki" (one of the demon generals from Buddhist mythology) he is the power that his oyabun counts on. But there is one thing his aniki is not taking into account: Maruyama is getting old.
Pumping Simulator 2
A gas station management game, start by selling a car to raise funds and invest in an abandoned plot of land. Build, expand, and upgrade your gas station, diversify services, customize and manage time efficiently during peak hours. And maybe you will become rich
BOOK OF HOURS
Restore a crumbling occult library by a winter sea. Build the world’s foremost collection of grimoires and arcana. Master the invisible arts. BOOK OF HOURS is a narrative crafting RPG set in a 1930s world of hidden gods and secret histories. What sort of Librarian will you choose to be?
VPet-Simulator
Feeling like the computer desktop is too dull? Need something cute to heal oneself? Come and try this new completely free and open source V-Pet simulator. A cute and adorable pet that supports various feeding interactions to accompany you in game learning is definitely your best choice!
Cornucopia®
Start fresh in Cornucopia®—a cozy 2.5D farm and life sim where you grow crops, raise magical animals, fish, cook, decorate, and fall in love. No bedtime—just freedom, friendship, and a living world full of charm, heart, and hidden magic. Wishlist and follow to begin your cozy new life.
Punch Club 2: Fast Forward
Train, fight, and rise to the top in this knockout sequel to the smashing fighter management simulator! Mentor your fighter and guide him to become the ultimate champion: choose from different combat styles, control his routine, and watch him kick some butt like a proud sensei!
Lakeburg Legacies
Take fate into your own hands in Lakeburg Legacies, a social-based village management sim where love is your favourite resource. Play matchmaker to create the most effective, and most loved up, couples and help your kingdom thrive. How long will it take you to crown a sovereign?
One Military Camp
Build your own military camp, manage the economy, recruit the best candidates and train them to become elite specialists. Send them on missions across the land to end the war once and for all!
My Child Lebensborn Remastered
My Child Lebensborn is a story-driven nurture game based on real events. Play as the adoptive parent of Karin or Klaus, and experience the struggles they go through alongside them. Balance your time and resources wisely, while helping your child cope with the effects of hatred.
Sticky Business
Experience the joy of running your own cozy small business: Create stickers, pack orders and hear your customers’ stories. Time to build the cutest shop on the internet!
STONKS-9800: Stock Market Simulator
Simulator of an 80s Japanese stock market businessman. Chill, catch a retro vibe and watch your profits grow in the text-based game STONKS-9800.
STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life
Put down roots on your new farm in the peaceful town of Forgotten Valley. Bring life to the land by cultivating crops and raising animals, find love among the town's friendly folk, and make lasting memories with a family of your very own.
Metro Simulator 2
Metro Simulator 2 is a unique game featuring recreated Moscow Metro and realistic train controls.
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 June 15th 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 886,195 reviews of which 872,384 were positive and 13,811 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 45,197 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.8
872,384
13,811
45,197
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, character customization and free to play game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. Released on June 18th 2020 has received 170,727 reviews of which 149,064 were positive and 21,663 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. While seeing 31,136 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
149,064
21,663
31,136
players
3. Palia
Discover a welcoming world in Palia, a free-to-play fantasy life sim adventure where you can craft, explore, and create the life and home of your dreams. With nearly endless ways to make Palia your home, you’ll find relaxation and joy in every corner of this vibrant, heartwarming world. 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 29,491 reviews of which 25,164 were positive and 4,327 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. While seeing 13,102 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among life sim games based on player count.
8.4
25,164
4,327
13,102
players
4. 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 and character customization game developed by inZOI Studio and published by KRAFTON and Inc.. Released on March 27th 2025 has received 20,859 reviews of which 16,548 were positive and 4,311 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 3,062 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played life sim games.
7.8
16,548
4,311
3,062
players
5. 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 20,793 reviews of which 19,111 were positive and 1,682 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 2,776 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played life sim games.
9.0
19,111
1,682
2,776
players
6. 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 24,584 reviews of which 22,671 were positive and 1,913 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 2,490 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played life sim games.
9.0
22,671
1,913
2,490
players
7. Cash Cleaner Simulator
Check it, clean it, sort it, ship it. Welcome to the life of a cash cleaner. Take jobs from underworld contacts and clean some cash. Just don't try to leave... Cash Cleaner Simulator is a life sim, management and simulation game developed by Mind Control Games and published by Forklift Interactive and Digital Pajamas. Released on May 08th 2025 has received 2,923 reviews of which 2,580 were positive and 343 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 2,167 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played life sim games.
8.5
2,580
343
2,167
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 19,958 reviews of which 19,544 were positive and 414 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 1,835 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played life sim games.
9.6
19,544
414
1,835
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 21,728 reviews of which 19,184 were positive and 2,544 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 1,716 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played life sim games.
8.6
19,184
2,544
1,716
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 26,283 reviews of which 23,218 were positive and 3,065 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 1,553 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played life sim games.
8.7
23,218
3,065
1,553
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 June 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted life sim games.
1. Summer in Mara
Take care of your own island and sail with your boat in this cozy farming adventure! Relax and unwind exploring a tropical archipelago or harvesting your own crops while helping others. Discover the story of Summer in Mara, with farming, crafting and exploring mechanics. Summer in Mara is a life sim, relaxing and farming sim game developed and published by Chibig. Released on June 16th 2020 has received 1,932 reviews of which 1,460 were positive and 472 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Featuring a massive 98% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for life sim category.
7.3
1,460
472
-98%
19.99€
0.51€
2. Spirit of the Island
A beautiful Life Sim Sandbox RPG with Cross-Platform Online COOP set on a tropical Archipelago. Build your farm, grow crops and animals, craft various items, cook dishes, gather resources, build shops and museum to attract visitors, and turn a desolate Island into a prosperous tourist destination! Spirit of the Island is a family friendly, relaxing and indie game developed by 1M Bits Horde and published by META Publishing. Released on August 17th 2022 has received 1,742 reviews of which 1,165 were positive and 577 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 97% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in life sim games.
6.5
1,165
577
-97%
14.79€
0.57€
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 3,495 reviews of which 3,058 were positive and 437 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 96% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in life sim games.
8.4
3,058
437
-96%
19.50€
0.84€
4. Not Tonight
Person of European Heritage #112: Welcome to Relocation Block B, your new home. Your designated role is 'Bouncer'. Work hard, stay out of trouble, and we might let you stay in the UK. Not Tonight is a simulation, life sim and pixel graphics game developed by PanicBarn and published by No More Robots. Released on August 17th 2018 has received 2,493 reviews of which 2,081 were positive and 412 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 96% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for life sim games.
8.0
2,081
412
-96%
16.79€
0.75€
5. 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 4,703 reviews of which 3,759 were positive and 944 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 96% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for life sim games.
7.8
3,759
944
-96%
19.99€
0.90€
6. Streamer Life Simulator
Streamer Life Simulator is a very comprehensive streamer life simulation game. Be the most popular streamer in the world. Streamer Life Simulator is a simulation, life sim and casual game developed and published by Cheesecake Dev. Released on August 21st 2020 has received 7,488 reviews of which 5,770 were positive and 1,718 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 96% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for life sim games.
7.5
5,770
1,718
-96%
19.50€
0.86€
7. 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 4,041 reviews of which 3,038 were positive and 1,003 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for life sim games.
7.3
3,038
1,003
-95%
19.99€
1.10€
8. 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 7,042 reviews of which 5,644 were positive and 1,398 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for life sim games.
7.8
5,644
1,398
-94%
18.68€
1.16€
9. 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! World's Dawn is a farming sim, life sim and casual game developed and published by Wayward Prophet. Released on January 25th 2016 has received 867 reviews of which 690 were positive and 177 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for life sim games.
7.6
690
177
-93%
9.99€
0.76€
10. Cook Serve Forever
Bathe in the sights, sounds, and story of Cook Serve Forever, a narrative cooking game where you serve delicious recipes to the hungry masses of Helianthus. Cook Serve Forever is a early access, time management and female protagonist game developed and published by Vertigo Gaming Inc.. Released on May 15th 2023 has received 346 reviews of which 218 were positive and 128 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for life sim games.
6.1
218
128
-93%
28.99€
2.27€
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 June 15th 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, character customization and free to play game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. Released on June 18th 2020 has received 170,727 reviews of which 149,064 were positive and 21,663 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 31,136 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
149,064
21,663
31,136
players
2. Palia
Discover a welcoming world in Palia, a free-to-play fantasy life sim adventure where you can craft, explore, and create the life and home of your dreams. With nearly endless ways to make Palia your home, you’ll find relaxation and joy in every corner of this vibrant, heartwarming world. 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 29,491 reviews of which 25,164 were positive and 4,327 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 13,102, this life sim game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free life sim games on Steam.
8.4
25,164
4,327
13,102
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 10,402 reviews of which 10,173 were positive and 229 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 160, this life sim game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free life sim games on Steam.
9.5
10,173
229
160
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 493 reviews of which 342 were positive and 151 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 125 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
342
151
125
players
5. Nothing Together
A game about doing Nothing Together Nothing Together is a life sim, idler and psychological horror game developed and published by VacuumDev. Released on February 02nd 2024 has received 1,731 reviews of which 1,634 were positive and 97 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
1,634
97
28
players
6. New Day
New Day is an upcoming life simulation game where almost anything can happen! Create your own islanders, design their apartments, and get involved with their day-to-day life as they divulge into unexpected friendships, problems, and more! New Day is a choose your own adventure, life sim and character customization game developed and published by Scrapbook Studios. Released on December 25th 2024 has received 317 reviews of which 283 were positive and 34 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free life sim games on Steam.
8.2
283
34
7
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 841 reviews of which 780 were positive and 61 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free life sim games on Steam.
8.7
780
61
4
players
8. 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 359 reviews of which 333 were positive and 26 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free life sim games on Steam.
8.6
333
26
4
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 1,699 reviews of which 1,662 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
1,662
37
2
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 803 reviews of which 552 were positive and 251 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free life sim games on Steam.
6.6
552
251
2
players