10 Best Simulation Games To Try in 2025

Video games can offer an escape from reality, helping you unwind and immerse yourself in a virtual world. However, while fantastical games focused on magic and imaginative worlds can be fun, sometimes players want a realistic gaming experience that more closely mirrors the experience of our everyday lives. This is why life simulation games have proven so incredibly popular over the years.

A simulation video game allows you to enjoy a more relaxed pace of play while introducing you to a realistic virtual world that is not based entirely on competition or kill counts. In these titles, you can learn what it’s like to drive a freight truck through Europe, own a farm, and more.

If you want to experience a more realistic type of gameplay, these are the top 10 simulation games you need to try.

The 10 Best Simulator Games

1. Euro Truck Simulator 2

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take a road trip across Europe? In Euro Truck Simulator 2, you can experience the beauty of this continent from behind the wheel of a freight truck.

In Euro Truck Simulator 2, you need to balance business management with realistic driving gameplay. As you make successful trips delivering freight, you can earn in-game currency to bolster your business, from purchasing new trucks to investing in more garage space. The objectives of this game are simple and relaxing — the main goal is to reach each drop-off with as little vehicular damage as possible. Although this isn’t necessarily a grinding game, completing a high volume of successful missions gives you more points to work with.

2. Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)

The first Microsoft Flight Simulator came out in 1982, and even in modern times, its highly realistic flight mechanics and physics as well as its in-game challenges and scenic views make it a fan favorite among airplane games and simulation games online.

If you’ve never flown a plane before, no worries. This game features an in-depth tutorial to help you become familiar with the cockpit of the plane. Players can also fly under different weather patterns, with the new games in this series even featuring the option to download real-world weather data for additional realism and immersion.

3. The Sims 4

A family simulator free to play on PC and other consoles, The Sims 4 is one of the most played simulation video games online. This title takes many of the beloved aspects from previous installments and combines them with new features, either in the base game or in one of the many DLCs you can invest in. 

There are endless ways to play The Sims 4. Some players prefer to engage in gameplay like other real-life games, designing characters and playing out their everyday lives. Others might want to take advantage of some of the more fantastical elements of The Sims 4, purchasing downloadable content to introduce the supernatural into their gameplay or taking on extreme challenges.

Games like The Sims allow players to have complete control over their neighborhood, even when it comes to interacting with the game-generated neighbors.

4. Two Point Hospital

Two Point Hospital is the perfect blend of realism and fantasy for players looking to engage in real-life games with a touch of comedy and the supernatural.

In this game, players act as the hospital administrator. From building the hospital to managing patient needs, players are in charge of it all. This game simulates many real-life mechanics, such as patients becoming antsy if they’re left waiting too long, but also incorporates some fantastical elements, such as some patients becoming ghosts that the janitors need to capture.

5. Thief Simulator

One of the best similar games PC and console players alike can enjoy, Thief Simulator offers quick and casual gameplay without sacrificing the immersion aspect. As a result, it’s the perfect pick for players looking for a simulation game without a large time commitment.

As a thief, players must scope out their next targets without getting caught. This stealth game requires strategic planning, whether during the crime itself or while looting trashcans for receipts. Players must also observe NPCs to determine if breaking into their homes is safe and worthwhile.

6. Derail Valley

Euro Truck Driver 2 isn’t the only vehicle-based game in this genre. Rather than cruising the European continent in a freight truck, Derail Valley places players behind the wheel of a much larger vehicle.

In this game, players own and operate a train, which they can drive in-game. It offers realistic driving mechanics, as well as a beautiful and immersive landscape to observe. Outside of conducting, players must also manage their business, making strategic decisions and investments to bolster their efficiency.

7. Planet Coaster

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to own an amusement park? In Planet Coaster, take the reins as the head of your very own amusement park, with the responsibility of building a successful park while keeping customers happy.

Players have the opportunity to build a variety of different rides in this 2016 title, including roller coasters and other attractions. There are several different game modes to enjoy, including a career mode as well as a sandbox mode for free play.

The career mode in Planet Coaster offers the most realistic gameplay, where players need to manage funds, hire staff, and tend to the park’s visitors. For players looking for a different way to play, there are also challenge and scenario modes that require more strategy to build the best amusement park.

8. Farming Simulator 22

If you’re interested in games like Stardew Valley that focus solely on farming with less social simulation, Farming Simulator 22 is a great place to start.

You play as a farmer in this 2021 release, sowing seeds and tending to your crops, just like in previous installments in the Farming Simulator series. You’ll also have season cycles to contend with and various types of vehicles to operate. The gameplay is relaxing and immersive, allowing you to sit back and imagine a life in the rural countryside.

9. PowerWash Simulator

One of the benefits of simulation games is how relaxing they can be. While there are some challenges, such as completing objectives and beating levels, many of these games focus on everyday tasks and slice-of-life gameplay.

PowerWash Simulator allows players to own a power washing company, one in which they handle both the business aspects, such as upgrading equipment, and the power washing work itself. You can play alone or with others, and there are various game modes to explore based on the level of challenge and difficulty you’re interested in.

10. Cities: Skylines

Experience the beauty of a sprawling city at night with Cities: Skylines. This city builder game focuses on building a city from the ground up, starting with a single main street and expanding into an ever-growing metropolitan area. Players must navigate keeping their citizens happy and ensuring the success of their city, balancing pollution-filled factory zones with neighborhoods that need quality-of-life improvements like schools and parks.

For players looking to stray away from the more relaxing nature of simulation games, there’s also an option to turn on or even cause natural disasters. This allows you to adjust quickly to new situations and rebuild your city to keep your citizens happy, even in the face of disaster.

The Best Simulation Games at a Glance

When it comes to choosing the best simulation game for you, there are several factors to keep in mind. This includes key aspects and themes of gameplay as well as platform availability.

Game	Best for	Platforms
Euro Truck Simulator 2	Fans of driving games looking for a game focused on relaxing scenic views with minor business management aspects	Windows, Linux, macOS
Microsoft Flight Simulator	Players looking for an easy-to-learn but hard-to-master flight simulator focused on realism	Windows, Xbox
The Sims 4	Fans of The Sims series, players looking for a simulator game with role-playing characteristics, flexibility, and endless creativity	Windows, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox
Two Point Hospital	Players looking for a realistic simulation game with some fantasy aspects	Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
Thief Simulator	Players looking for a casual simulation game that’s easy to pick up and put down as needed	Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation
Derail Valley	Fans of locomotive transportation, players looking for a blend of open-world gameplay and train and business management	Windows
Planet Coaster	Players looking for a balance of realism and fantasy in a CMS game	Windows, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox
Farming Simulator 22	Fans of the Farming Simulator series, players looking for a realistic but relaxing farming experience	Windows, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox
PowerWash Simulator	Players looking for a realistic cleaning simulator that is relaxing and satisfying	Windows, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation
Cities: Skylines	Players looking for a slow-paced simulator that focuses on building a city from the bottom up	Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation

How To Choose a Simulation Game

Simulation games can come in a variety of genres, ranging from action and adventure to social, slice-of-life gameplay. As a result, it’s important to consider a few criteria that can help you narrow down the right title for you:

• Consider the type of simulation experience you want: Some games, like The Sims 4, focus on social simulation, while other titles focus on city building, vehicle simulation, or business simulation. Decide what style of gameplay sounds most interesting to help you choose a simulator.
• Evaluate the level of realism and detail in the game mechanics: Not all simulation games are created equally, and some focus more on preserving realism than others. Choose a game that fits your expectations, whether that’s pure realistic gameplay or a blend of realism and fantasy. 
• Check for mod support to expand gameplay possibilities: Sometimes, a base game doesn’t offer enough options to satisfy your desire for realism. Consider games that offer mod support, allowing you to upload additional content to better tailor the game to your preferences.
• Decide between a solo or multiplayer experience: Simulator games don’t have to be a solo endeavor. While it can be fun to sit down and play a game alone and truly immerse in the world, playing with friends can add a fresh perspective to simulation games.

Dive Into a Lifelike Gaming Experience

From exploring the skies as a pilot to managing a budding rural farm to creating and tending to a virtual family and city, simulation games offer endless realistic and engaging experiences for players. 

These are our top picks for life simulation games, chosen for their immersion and realism that makes every game session feel like stepping into a tangible world. There are hundreds of games to choose from so you can find your perfect fit.

FAQ

What Are the Most Realistic Simulation Games Available?

Simulation games vary in terms of realism. For example, Two Point Hospital has realistic gameplay but also includes some fantasy elements, like ghost hunting. Vehicle simulators like Euro Truck Driver 2, Derail Valley, and Microsoft Flight Simulator often pay close attention to detail, including realistic physics and mechanics.

Can I Play Simulation Games With Friends?

To preserve the immersion and flexibility of simulation games, many titles don’t support multiplayer game modes. However, this isn’t the case for all simulation games. PowerWash Simulator, for example, offers single- and multiplayer gameplay.

Are There Any Free Simulation Games?

Simulator games free to download and play are available and come in many different forms. One of the most popular free simulator games is The Sims 4, which is completely free to play. However, if you’re interested in adding DLCs and additional content, you will need to purchase those separately.