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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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 -93% 0.63€
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% 8.19€
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 -92% 0.83€
Rating 8.2
Release 14 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 -90% 0.58€
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 -30% 8.85€
Rating 8.9
Release 09 Oct 2013
Cook, Serve, Delicious! Hungry? Take your restaurant from a one star abomination to a five star wonder in Cook, Serve, Delicious! Plan your menu, upgrade your equipment, and master challenges with easy-to-learn, hard-to-master gameplay!

Price -97% 0.36€
Rating 9.1
Release 08 Oct 2013
Unholy Heights Welcome to Unholy Heights, a mashup of Tower Defense and Apartment Management Simulation!

Price -62% 1.55€
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 -89% 0.80€
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 -90% 2.79€
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% 1.98€
Rating 6.5
Release 06 Sep 2013
Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Emperor Edition is the definitive edition of ROME II, featuring an improved politics system, overhauled building chains, rebalanced battles and improved visuals in both campaign and battleEmperor Edition contains all free feature updates since its release in 2013, which includes bug fixes, balancing, Twitch.

Price -81% 11.62€
Rating 8.2
Release 02 Sep 2013
America's Army: Proving Grounds America’s Army: Proving Grounds is the official game of the U.S. Army and part of the highly acclaimed America’s Army game series. This free military game focuses on small unit tactical maneuvers and puts you to the test in a wide variety of new America’s Army maps and AA fan favorites.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.7
Release 29 Aug 2013
Game Dev Tycoon In Game Dev Tycoon you replay the history of the gaming industry by starting your own video game development company in the 80s. Create best selling games. Research new technologies and invent new game types. Become the leader of the market and gain worldwide fans.

Price -73% 2.57€
Rating 9.3
Release 29 Aug 2013
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?

Price -94% 0.96€
Rating 8.2
Release 28 Aug 2013
War Thunder War Thunder is the most comprehensive free-to-play, cross-platform, MMO military game dedicated to aviation, armoured vehicles, and naval craft, from the early 20th century to the most advanced modern combat units. Join now and take part in major battles on land, in the air, and at sea.

Price Free to play
Rating 6.4
Release 15 Aug 2013
PAYDAY 2 PAYDAY 2 is an action-packed, four-player co-op shooter that once again lets gamers don the masks of the original PAYDAY crew - Dallas, Hoxton, Wolf and Chains - as they descend on Washington DC for an epic crime spree.

Price -88% 1.20€
Rating 8.9
Release 13 Aug 2013
Europa Universalis IV Rule your land and dominate the world with unparalleled freedom, depth and historical accuracy. Write a new history of the world and build an empire for the ages.

Price -95% 2.55€
Rating 8.6
Release 13 Aug 2013
Papers, Please Congratulations. The October labor lottery is complete. Your name was pulled. For immediate placement, report to the Ministry of Admission at Grestin Border Checkpoint. An apartment will be provided for you and your family in East Grestin. Expect a Class-8 dwelling.

Price -19% 7.99€
Rating 9.6
Release 08 Aug 2013
DCS World Steam Edition Feel the excitement of flying the Su-25T "Frogfoot" attack jet and the TF-51D "Mustang" in the free-to-play Digital Combat Simulator World!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.4
Release 02 Aug 2013
Dota 2 Every day, millions of players worldwide enter battle as one of over a hundred Dota heroes. And no matter if it's their 10th hour of play or 1,000th, there's always something new to discover. With regular updates that ensure a constant evolution of gameplay, features, and heroes, Dota 2 has taken on a life of its own.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.1
Release 09 Jul 2013
Company of Heroes 2 Experience the ultimate WWII RTS platform with COH2 and its standalone expansions. This package includes the base game, which you can then upgrade by purchasing The Western Front Armies, Ardennes Assault and/or The British Forces. More info in the "About This Game" section below.

Price -88% 2.39€
Rating 7.8
Release 25 Jun 2013
TrackMania² Stadium TrackMania² Stadium is the return of the popular Stadium environment enjoyed by millions of players with TrackMania Nations Forever. Now part of the ManiaPlanet environment, Stadium allows for improved services around the game, better graphics and a powerful track editor.

Price -52% 4.88€
Rating 8.6
Release 20 Jun 2013
MotoGP™13 2013 Riders, teams and tracks; both simulation and accessible bike handling with scalable aids; photorealistic graphics with TV style interface; ingame voice over by official MotoGP™ commentators; first person elements such as the helmet view and 3D pits to put you in the rider’s shoes.

Price 9.99€
Rating 7.6
Release 20 Jun 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!