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, check out lists of the most played, top deals and best free to play Simulation games on Steam.

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OMSI 2: Steam Edition Off to the next round! Experience a new omnibus simulator with OMSI 2 and start discovering Spandau while driving the omnibus. OMSI 2 is the successor of the well-known and awarded omnibus simulator "OMSI - The Bus Simulator".

Price -74% 7.80€
Rating 8.3
Release 11 Dec 2013
Emergency 2014 You have command of paramedics, fire brigades, police and disaster relief. Send your teams out on tense real-time missions to deal with disasters in Europe's major centres.

Price 9.99€
Rating 6.2
Release 15 Nov 2013
Project Zomboid Project Zomboid is the ultimate in zombie survival. Alone or in MP: you loot, build, craft, fight, farm and fish in a struggle to survive. A hardcore RPG skillset, a vast map, massively customisable sandbox and a cute tutorial raccoon await the unwary. So how will you die? All it takes is a bite..

Price -20% 15.63€
Rating 9.3
Release 08 Nov 2013
Long Live The Queen Rule the world or die trying!Being a Princess is not an easy job. Being a Queen is even harder. Especially when you're only fourteen years old, and the reason you've inherited the throne is that your royal mother has just met an untimely end.Now power is up for grabs.

Price -77% 2.26€
Rating 9.2
Release 08 Nov 2013
Reach for the Sun Version 1.2 Out Now!Strategy mode is now available on the plant selection screenThis mode uses a set number of turns with no time limit. Plants will automatically collect resources between turns. Keep your plant balanced and try to maximize your resources on every turn to fruit each flower before winter comes!

Price 4.99€
Rating 6.6
Release 07 Nov 2013
Pinball Arcade Pinball Arcade by FarSight Studios features exact recreations of the all-time greatest pinball tables from Stern Pinball® and Gottlieb® together in one game. Every flipper, bumper, sound effect, and display pixel has been painstakingly emulated in astonishing detail.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.2
Release 04 Nov 2013
WRC 4 FIA World Rally Championship Show off your style and win the FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP 2013 season! Experience the 2013 season with the drivers, cars and courses of the WRC, WRC2, WRC3 and, for the first time, Junior WRC championships.

Price -90% 0.99€
Rating 7.3
Release 25 Oct 2013
Sparkle 2 Evo Control the evolution with the touch of your finger. Can you grow the biggest Sparkle in the world?

Price -90% 0.52€
Rating 7.1
Release 24 Oct 2013
Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) The highly anticipated sequel to the best-selling Stronghold, Stronghold Crusader HD throws you into historic battles and castle sieges from the Crusades with fiendish AI opponents, new units, 4 historical campaigns and over 100 unique skirmish missions.

Price 7.99€
Rating 9.5
Release 21 Oct 2013
Stronghold HD (2012) The original castle sim, Stronghold HD allows you to design, build and destroy historical castles. Engage in medieval warfare against the AI in one of two single player campaigns or online with up to 8 players.

Price 3.99€
Rating 9.3
Release 21 Oct 2013
Pool Nation Play POOL NATION and become mesmerised by our balls, entranced by our decals & unashamedly attached to our cues, so join us please, & just have fun playing pool!! WARNING: contains addictive content!! Pool Nation, with WORKSHOP integration AVAILABLE NOW in our Crazy Mode the Box Of Tricks (Out Now)!

Price -71% 1.67€
Rating 8.6
Release 18 Oct 2013
Space Rangers HD: A War Apart Space adventure, open world RPG, strategy, arcade, quest and more!

Price -97% 0.48€
Rating 9.1
Release 17 Oct 2013
Bridge Constructor Become an appraised bridge engineer and architect in Bridge Constructor. Create and design your own constructions and watch the cars and trucks pass over them - or see them fall and crash while your inferior creations collapse due to weight and the laws of physics!

Price -94% 0.57€
Rating 7.3
Release 16 Oct 2013
Democracy 3 Have you ever wanted to be president? or prime-minister? Convinced you could do a better job of running the country? Let's face it, you could hardly do a worse job than our current political leaders.

Price -67% 8.20€
Rating 7.3
Release 14 Oct 2013
Knights and Merchants KNIGHTS and MERCHANTS recreates the era of the Middle Ages. Apart from the purely fictitious geography of our world, all game elements and scenes are based on the Anglo-Saxon period, 1200 A.D. And we haven't used imaginary elements like fabled creatures, either. The player takes on the role of an ordinary captain in the Palace Guard.

Price -93% 0.74€
Rating 8.2
Release 14 Oct 2013
Viscera Cleanup Detail: Shadow Warrior After the battle is over, someone has to cleanup the mess! Introducing Viscera Cleanup Detail: Shadow Warrior from RuneStorm, a unique crossover mini-game that combines the worlds of Viscera Cleanup Detail and Shadow Warrior.

Price -98% 3.02€
Rating 7.8
Release 11 Oct 2013
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...

Price -91% 0.52€
Rating 8.5
Release 10 Oct 2013
Farming Simulator 2013 Titanium Edition Animal husbandry, crops, sales… It's up to you to manage and grow your own farm in a huge, totally new world!

Price -23% 9.65€
Rating 8.9
Release 09 Oct 2013
Cook, Serve, Delicious! One of the few hardcore restaurant sims in existence, Cook, Serve, Delicious! is a deceptively easy game to learn but incredibly challenging to master as you progress through your career from owning a terrible zero star cafe into a five star world famous restaurant.

Price -96% 0.44€
Rating 9.1
Release 08 Oct 2013
Unholy Heights Welcome to Unholy Heights, a mashup of Tower Defense and Apartment Management Simulation!

Price -88% 0.48€
Rating 8.5
Release 04 Oct 2013
Urban Trial Freestyle The city is your playground! Nothing will stop you on your freestyle trials bike. Use the urban landscape to pull spectacular tricks - backflips, 360s, wallrides, ollies, and more. Customize your bike to boost your performance in Time Attack or Stunt mode. Choose between speed and style, developing your own unique riding style.

Price -91% 0.64€
Rating 7.9
Release 18 Sep 2013
Artemis Spaceship Bridge Simulator Artemis is designed for anyone who watched Star Trek and dreamed of what it would be like to sit on the bridge of a star ship. Artemis simulates a spaceship bridge by networking several computers together. You cannot play Artemis single-player!

Price -42% 4.00€
Rating 8.4
Release 16 Sep 2013
Arma 3 Experience true combat gameplay in a massive military sandbox. Deploying a wide variety of single- and multiplayer content, over 20 vehicles and 40 weapons, and limitless opportunities for content creation, this is the PC’s premier military game. Authentic, diverse, open - Arma 3 sends you to war.

Price -85% 4.19€
Rating 9.0
Release 12 Sep 2013
Zafehouse: Diaries Stuck in a remote, abandoned town, you must lead five survivors with conflicting motivations, fragile relationships and fiery prejudices to safety from the roving undead. A sophisticated engine generates new survivors, towns and content so every adventure is a different experience, and you can use built-in editors to add yourself and...

Price 1.99€
Rating 6.5
Release 06 Sep 2013

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 (2020) 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!