Summary
- Simulation games offer complex systems and player freedom for an engaging experience.
- Spore allows players to create and evolve their own species from a cellular level.
- Immersive sims like Two Point Hospital and Stardew Valley offer entertaining and diverse gameplay loops.
The simulation genre is full to the brim with some of the most entertaining video games players can get their hands on. The complex and riveting systems in this game let players simulate everything from the workings of a business to the lives of multiple virtual people.
6 Immersive Sims For Newcomers To The Genre
The Immersive Sim genre shines for its complexity and player freedom, but it can be daunting for newcomers.
Either way, the best simulation games know how to keep fans engaged with their gameplay loop. These titles have a ton of things for players to discover as they slowly but surely familiarize themselves with the gameplay systems at play, and they offer a great time from start to finish.
8 Spore
Witness A Custom Species Transform From A Small Organism Into A Race Capable Of Space Travel
Spore
- Released
- September 7, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
There's no denying that Spore has its issues, but players who don't mind the fleeting gameplay loops of this title will love creating an original species that starts at a cellular level before slowly evolving. It's a huge draw of the game and the biggest reason fan hype was so intense leading up to Spore's launch in 2008.
The stages vary in quality, but players eventually warm up to them as they figure out the best way possible to move on from one evolutionary stage to the next. The diverse gameplay loops in Spore ensure that fans will inevitably find something or the other to sink their teeth into as their species gains sentience and becomes smarter than ever.
7 InZOI
Despite Its Early Access Status, This Beautiful Life Sim Is Already A Ton Of Fun
InZOI
- Released
- March 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
InZOI may still be in its Early Access state, but life sim fans have already been wowed by just how promising this title is. The graphics are in a class of their own, the character creator is off the charts, and the gameplay shows a ton of potential despite being a little rough around the edges at this time.
Even with this game technically being incomplete, fans will have a great time helping their Zois achieve happiness. The quirks of this game make it all the more special, and fans hope that the game's mechanics become fleshed out enough for players to invest hundreds of hours managing multiple households without getting bored.
6 Goat Simulator 3
Prioritizes Rampant Chaos And Unbridled Fun Over Anything Else
Goat Simulator 3
- Released
- November 17, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Coffee Stain North
- Publisher(s)
- Coffee Stain Publishing
- Genre(s)
- Simulation, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
The best way to have fun in a video game is to play one that doesn't take itself seriously. This is where Goat Simulator 3 comes into the picture, promising more open-world recklessness as players control a bizarre goat whose only goal in life is to create as much chaos as possible.
6 Best Sim Games About Baking, Ranked
These simulation games focus on the art of baking savory and tasty treats, delivering the best baking mechanics in video games.
The sheer amount of absurdity present in Goat Simulator 3 makes it the GOAT of all meme games (pun intended). It helps that the game is genuinely engaging as players make their goat do ridiculous things to score as many points as possible.
5 Two Point Hospital
The Wacky Ailments That Players Must Cure Are Quite Entertaining
Two Point Hospital
- Released
- August 30, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Two Point Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Two Point Hospital had the RollerCoaster Tycoon DNA all over it, but this isn't a bad thing at all. If anything, fans wanted this formula to come back, and they were impressed to see how the developers of Two Point Studios integrated this gameplay loop into the hospital setting.
Players must prepare themselves to deal with all sorts of wacky diseases, ensuring that their patients have a positive experience as their ailments are diagnosed and they receive the required treatment. Achieving three stars in every level is a blast, compelling players to get a perfect score before moving on to another challenge.
4 Animal Crossing: New Horizons
A Calming Sim Where Players Turn A Dilapidated Island Into The Resort Of Their Dreams
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Released
- March 20, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The pandemic was a harrowing time for humanity as a whole, which is why fans appreciated how they could socialize from the comfort of their homes with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The game sold gangbusters and compelled many players to invest hundreds of hours into making their own personal island resort look amazing.
While post-launch support was somewhat disappointing for just how massive this game became, there's no denying that New Horizons still stands out as one of the best and most fun sim games fans can get their hands on. Sure, fans may need a decent group of virtual friends to maximize their fun and experience all that the title has to offer, but New Horizons has a welcoming community, so it's easy enough to make virtual buddies online.
3 Football Manager 2024
It's Surprisingly Riveting To Help A Team Reach New Heights And Attain Every Piece Of Silverware In Existence
Football Manager 2024
- Released
- November 6, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Sega
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
- Genre(s)
- Management, Simulation, Sports
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Fans lamented the fact that Football Manager wasn't getting its 2025 release, which shows just how much fans love this title. This deep and intricate simulation is heaven for soccer fans, who love dissecting spreadsheets, deciding training regimens, and accumulating a squad of title challengers.
8 Best Farming Simulation Games Of The 2020s, Ranked (So Far)
So far, the 2020s have had no shortage of amazing farming simulation titles, thanks to the genre's explosion in popularity.
It's easy for the hours to fly by as players manage their favorite team and negotiate with the Board in a bid to keep their job secure while ensuring that the team receives the funding it deserves. Beginners can have a great time managing their favorite teams, while experts will love to control a team from the lowest league and help them reach great heights.
2 Stardew Valley
Players Will Love Maintaining A Farm And Befriending The Residents Of This Small Town
Stardew Valley
- Released
- February 26, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
It's an erroneous assumption that relaxing games aren't necessarily fun. After all, the definition of fun itself varies from person, and players who love engaging in meditative tasks while interacting with colorful characters in a charming town will have a ton of fun playing Stardew Valley.
It's the ultimate farming simulation with some social and RPG elements, ensuring that players can invest hundreds of hours in this title without getting bored. It helps that Eric Barone has been very nice to his fans, updating this game regularly so that the fanbase isn't left hanging when it comes to enjoying new things to do in this generational indie title.
1 The Sims 3
The Series Peaked With The Release Of This Open-World Life Sim
The Sims 3
- Released
- June 2, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
The open-world approach of The Sims 3 was groundbreaking and continues to be one of the biggest things missing from its successor. Sure, The Sims 4 may have a ton of content now, but players who like their wallet and don't mind modding this title will find The Sims 3 to be way more enjoyable in the long run.
Players will map their character's actions in real-time as they go to work, take care of the house, and hang out with their friends. Helping household members be happy and continue their dynasty is something that fans will love in The Sims 3, no matter how many hours they sink into the experience.
The 4 Most Promising Upcoming Life Simulation Games
Since its emergence in the early 2000s, The Sims series has remained a dominant force in life simulation games, rarely challenged directly outside of Nintendo's Animal Crossing. Recently, however, a wave of upcoming titles promises to shake up the genre, with several games stepping into the spotlight as potential competitors to Maxis's franchise. So today on TheBestWarGames, we’re going over 4 upcoming life simulation games.