For those who want a relaxing "other life" experience, real-life simulation games are an outlet for low-stakes relaxation. While other games focus on saving the realm, world, or galaxy, simulation games focus on the ordinary experience.
From farms to suburban life, the options are vast and plentiful, but not every one of these games is the serene experience given by a game of high quality. With an endless amount of simulation games available, with new additions popping up, it can be hard to know what to play. Here are the best real-life simulation games.
Updated on May 31, 2023, by Ritwik Mitra:Life simulation games have an allure of their own that is quite challenging to resist. The addictive mechanics at play in these games coupled with the organic storytelling that is inherent to the success of these titles is what has helped them boom in popularity. There are many life simulation games that players can check out if they love this genre, but there's no denying that some attempts to make a title in this genre have been pretty half-baked at best. Thankfully, players always have review scores to help guide their decision-making when it comes to one of the many life sim games that players can purchase and enjoy for themselves.
23 The Good Life (62)
| Release Date | October 15, 2021 |
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| Studio | White Owls Inc. |
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From the unique mind of Swery, the developer behind titles like Deadly Premonition, comes a unique life simulation game that features a main plot while also tasking players with living out their lives in a small town. This is precisely what The Good Life brings to the table, and it's easy to see why the game is so eccentric given the history of its director.
The gameplay systems of this title can be pretty awkward to work around, and the story itself isn't really all that riveting. However, this game brings a unique flavor to the mix that makes it worth checking out for fans of life simulation games. Players should be ready for some baffling game design choices and uninteresting gameplay, but there's still a lot of heart in The Good Life that isn't really all that apparent early on.
22 The Sims 4 (70)
| Release Date | September 2, 2014 |
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| Studio | Maxis |
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The Sims 4 had the rockiest launch in the series, with the game being almost completely devoid of meaningful content while also featuring several problems of its own that really bogged down the entire experience. Many fans considered the game to be inferior to The Sims 3 in every way, which spoke volumes when it came to just how disappointing this release really was.
Over time, the release of many patches, content packs, and expansions has made The Sims 4 a lot more enjoyable, but that still won't fix the damage from its disastrous launch. It may not have an impressive rating, but people who love the gameplay loop of life simulation games will find The Sims 4 to be one of the best titles to check out in this regard.
21 My Time At Portia (75)
| Release Date | January 15, 2019 |
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| Studio | Pathea Games |
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While this game might not be everyone's cup of tea, fans of life simulation games will be right at home with this charming indie title. My Time at Portia seems rather unimpressive at first glance, but players who decide to immerse themselves in this title will be having a great experience indeed.
Exploring the history of this world and taking part in making recipes is surprisingly engaging. The aesthetics of this title are also pretty pleasing, making for a rather wholesome package for players to unwind after a long and stressful day.
20 Not Tonight (78)
| Release Date | August 17, 2018 |
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| Studio | PanicBarn |
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Brexit was easily one of the biggest events in the political landscape, with the UK's decision to leave the European Union being a wildly divisive one. Not Tonight takes a rather interesting view of this major political event and its potential ramifications.
Players who love Papers, Please and want to try out more games in the same vein should definitely try out Not Tonight. Its interesting view of the implications of Brexit through the eyes of a European bouncer makes for a rather topical setting.
19 Reigns: Her Majesty (81)
| Release Date | December 6, 2017 |
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| Studio | Nerial |
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Reigns is one of the most innovative yet simple simulation titles that players can check out. The idea of controlling an entire empire through nothing more than a Tinder-esque swiping mechanic is surprisingly entertaining.
Its sequel places a queen at the helm of things this time around, but it certainly lacked some of the novelty present in the first title. However, it's still a great game that slightly innovates upon the established mechanics of its predecessor.
18 Littlewood (81)
| Release Date | February 25, 2021 |
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| Studio | SmashGames |
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Gamers who absolutely adore Stardew Valley will be more than happy with trying out a similar game like Littlewood. The game's undeniable charm and gameplay loop make for a relaxing gameplay experience.
The game might fall into a rather repetitive loop after a point, but the journey still has several highlights along the way regardless. Growing the town, engaging in farming, and interacting with the residents is a surprisingly great way to pass the time.
17 VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action (83)
| Release Date | June 21, 2016 |
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| Studio | Sukeban Games |
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Metacritic considers VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action to be a simulation game. This is probably a stretch, but visual novels can be considered simulations of dialogue and speaking with people. Since a lot of conversation is done virtually these days anyway, might as well just go all-out and converse with fictional people, right?
VA-11 HALL-A has an incredibly well-written narrative with tons of interesting characters to chat with as players run their bar. Reviews praise the rollercoaster of emotions the game sends players through. Additionally, the reviews frequently call it one of the best visual novels available, particularly on consoles. It may loosely be a simulation game, but it still provides a slice of dystopian life that people may want to experience.
16 Mega Mall Story (85)
| Release Date | August 9, 2011 |
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| Studio | Kairosoft |
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In what can now be considered a relic of the past, mall tycoon games offered the thrilling experience of managing a department store and keeping guests happy. It may not be as exhilarating as crafting mind-bending rollercoasters in Roller Coaster Tycoon, but it's still satisfying to see that number go up.
Mega Mall Story, from Kairosoft and available on iOS and eventually ported to Nintendo Switch, offers just that in a small package. Reviews consider it to be incredibly charming, easy to pick up, and addictive to play. The Switch port has little coverage, but considering how few mall tycoon games exist currently, it's nice to see a piece of what's slowly becoming ancient cultural history.
15 Two Point Hospital (85)
| Release Date | August 30, 2018 |
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| Studio | Two Point Studios |
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One of the numerous games inspired by classic virtual sim titles, Two Point Hospital lives as a spiritual successor to Bullfrog's Theme Hospital. The game went through tumultuous development as the team worked to find investment from a publisher or the people, but released to the fanfare of the niche community excited for the return of the classic hospital simulation game.
Each of the versions of the game has a relatively similar score, with the Switch being the highest-rated version. The reviews praise its zany nature and fun gameplay, making an easy-going atmosphere of a subject that can often be relatively grim. While it's not a game for everyone, the people it is for will enjoy it thoroughly.
14 Cook-Out: A Sandwich Tale (86)
| Release Date | September 3, 2020 |
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| Studio | Resolution Games |
| Platforms | PC |
VR games, at their best, have the potential to offer some of the greatest life simulation experiences currently available. When VR works, it feels like players are being transported into another reality. But when it doesn't work, the dissonance can be a serious issue. Fortunately, Cook-Out: A Sandwich Tale seems to be considered a solid enough VR experience.
Four players are tasked to work together and serve a series of increasingly demanding customers at crazy levels in a fantasy world. It's a step away from the traditional cooking game, but can be considered in the same realm as Overcooked! or Cook, Serve, Delicious. Reviews mention the game is great to play with multiple people and a fun experience for groups of friends with multiple VR headsets.
13 Game Dev Story (86)
| Release Date | October 9, 2010 |
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| Studio | Kairosoft |
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Available on PC, Switch, and mobile devices, Game Dev Story is one of many Story games from Kairosoft. As the title suggests, the game is about developing video games, but it's more focused on managing a studio than the nitty-gritty details of actually making a game.
From hiring the right combination of staff members to picking a good genre in pre-production, to squashing bugs before release, a player's studio can rise to the top of the industry by shipping better and better games. As time passes new consoles are released and companies must adapt. For anyone who likes business sims and video games, this is a perfect little title.
12 The Sims 3 (86)
| Release Date | June 2, 2009 |
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| Studios | Maxis Redwood Shores, EA Mobile, Edge of Reality |
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There seems to be a new Sims game for every console generation, with The Sims 3 coming during the time of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Sequels for simulation games can be odd, with a limited amount of space for the expansion of ideas, instead usually focusing on the refinement of the formula already in place.
While that is technically the case here, the game expands customization tools, interactions with other Sims (and people) as well as life goals and aspirations in a way that makes it feel like a leap forward instead of just a step.
11 Animal Crossing: Wild World (86)
| Release Date | December 5, 2005 |
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| Studio | Nintendo EAD |
| Platforms | Nintendo DS |
Another series that focuses more on refinement and improvement over vast change, Animal Crossing: Wild World takes the original game, polishes it, and throws it onto a Wi-Fi-capable handheld console. The entire experience feels like it belongs in mobile format, being able to fish, hunt bugs, and collect fruit whenever and wherever for even a couple of minutes at a time.
For a game about nothing but the capitalistic grind of acquiring debt, paying off said debt, and repeating the process for a bigger house, the series is loved by plenty and this is a solid entry.
10 Two Point Campus (87)
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| Release Date | August 9, 2022 |
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| Studio | Two Point Studios |
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After the hit success of Two Point Hospital, the studio decided to work on an expanded version of this title that would focus on colleges instead. This led to the development of Two Point Campus, a game that included almost every refinement from its predecessor while adding some new innovations of its own that made this simulation title a blast to play through.
Two Point Campus features a gameplay loop that is just as riveting as its predecessor, if not more. Enrolling students and helping them on the stepping stone towards their careers makes for a great time, no matter how eccentric their passions may be. Two Point Campus may not be as much of a breakthrough as the studio's first game, but it's still a great game in its own right that deserves a ton of love.
9 Reigns (87)
| Release Date | January 15, 2019 |
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| Studio | Pathea Games |
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Combining the decision-making of royalty with the simple-to-use UI of Tinder, Reigns sees players take the role of the monarch of a fictional medieval kingdom who can choose to listen or ignore advisors by swiping right or left in this mobile, PC, and Switch title. Every decision comes with consequences and a balance between the four pillars of the kingdom, the church, the people, the military, and wealth.
If one becomes too powerful or nonexistent, the king's rule comes to an untimely end. Other random scripted events can impact the kingdom and must be navigated, as any good ruler should.
8 Animal Crossing (87)
| Release Date | September 16, 2002 |
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| Studio | Nintendo EAD |
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Animal Crossing is one of the most popular life simulation games around. So, the fact that the series started on such a high note is not a surprise at all.
From the iconic Tom Nook to the incredible level of creativity present in this title — the sheer number of iconic elements in this first title is immense. The GameCube was absolutely blessed with this amazing gem of a title.
7 Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator (88)
| Release Date | July 20, 2017 |
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| Studio | Game Grumps |
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Dating sims are one of the more prolific sub-genres, with a vast selection available and more being added every day. A game rarely sticks out as much as Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator but it's entirely earned.
The Game Grumps developed visual novel follows a single dad who just moved cul-de-sac with his daughter, where several other single dads live. After that, the romance begins. At face value, the game takes an over-the-top look at "dads dating dads" and uses it to tell a well-crafted and compelling narrative and social anxiety and toxic masculinity.
6 Animal Crossing: New Leaf (88)
| Release Date | June 9, 2013 |
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| Studio | Nintendo EAD |
| Platforms | Nintendo 3DS |
As the fourth iteration in the series, it makes sense that the latest handheld entry in the series was previously the highest-rated Animal Crossing title.
The series recognized the pride people took in their towns and handed them the agency to make a wide variety of changes while putting the player in the role of the mayor. Having full agency over town projects was a welcomed addition and came with the lovable Isabelle as the dedicated assistant and secretary.
5 Stardew Valley (89)
| Release Date | February 26, 2016 |
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| Studio | ConcernedApe |
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Occasionally, a simulation series fails to make the improvements and iterations fans want, and another developer steps in to fill the space. That is the case with Stardew Valley, the Harvest Moon "inspired" small-town farming simulator made by Eric Barone, a single human being.
The game takes the formula established by Harvest Moon, gives it a 2D pixel art style, and nearly perfects every aspect of the game. Farming, mining, fishing, and relationships are all complex systems with rewarding progress. The addition of monster fights and a "main quest" makes the game a complete package that can take players away from the grind of corporate life.
4 Animal Crossing: New Horizons (90)
| Release Date | March 20, 2020 |
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| Studio | Nintendo EPD |
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a game that was released with an ideal theme at (by no planning of Nintendo) the perfect time. It may not be as expansive as a game like New Leaf was in terms of features and customization, at least at launch, but New Horizons finally gives fans of the series a title on a console. The handheld/console split nature serves the game beautifully, and it was a hugely successful game commercially.
The game tasks players with building a deserted island into a full island paradise. Players have full reign in morphing the terrain and creating the exact world they want to create, with some minor hiccups in the process. It may not be considered the best game by fans of the series, but newcomers and general audiences fell in love with everything that New Horizons had to offer.