The best simulation games will allow players to escape into an alternate world full of possibilities. They have some of the best character creation options and world-building opportunities to let the players develop and experience the universe of their wildest dreams.

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The Sims games are some of the most wildly popular simulation games that allow players to experience life through their characters and are highly recommended for fans of deg and roleplaying. However, there are many other great games for simulation fans to try that deserve a spot right up there with The Sims.

The Sims 4

Sims 4 cover photo with four different characters and title

The Sims 4 is the latest edition of The Sims games and probably one of the most detailed life simulation games. Players can create a character, build the world around them, and watch and control the lives they experience.

Players can do so many things in this game, even things fans didn't know they could do. This game guarantees a fun time building houses, creating unique characters, and watching them grow in a career, relationship, and family. There are constantly new updates and packs being released for this game, meaning fresh new content regularly.

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley title on sky view with hills

Stardew Valley is a cute little 8-bit graphics simulation game where players can grow their farms, upgrade their equipment and interact with the other NPC characters in the world. With pixel art like the old Link To The Past, this game has that nostalgic feel with all the best simulation and RPG options.

Stardew Valley is all about growing a farm by upgrading equipment, finding new items, and decorating it to fit each individual's style. This allows players to delve into caves to battle creatures, gaining coins and collectible items. It also allows players to experience some of the best romances for their characters. This nostalgic 8-bit game has plenty to offer for simulation fans.

My Time At Portia

My Time At Portia title photo with group of characters on landscape view

My Time At Portia gives simulation fans the best of both worlds for RPGs and dungeon farming games. While allowing players to have all those roleplaying options, it also requires them to delve into dungeons to mine for supplies or battle enemies.

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This game offers a big world for players to explore, locating new hidden goodies and meeting each unique NPC around the map. They must strive to build their workshop, upgrade their crafting materials, and decorate their own home. This requires them to mine for supplies, gather some from around the world, and save up some money to buy gear. They also can experience romances and friendships with the characters they meet and take part in festival activities of the town.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Wilderness view with water and trees, and characters with animal crossing title

Animal Crossing became another one of the most popular simulation games and one of the best games for Nintendo Switch. Players have so much freedom to create a character and space original to their style and aesthetic.

Players can interact with the cute animal NPC characters around the island, helping them evolve the town. They must venture around, collecting crafting materials to build up their own house, styling it how they like. There are so many interesting items they can collect to make the space their own and venture to friend's islands. There are many different islands for players to explore and find new hidden gems that keep the game entertaining and fresh.

Zoo Tycoon

people obererving animals and zoo tycoon title

Zoo Tycoon is one of the best pet-raising sim games that allows players to care for many exotic animals, raising them from babies to adults in their very own zoo. Animal lovers will love this fun experience building up the perfect spaces for each animal and caring for them based on their individual needs.

Players must build up their zoo, creating spaces perfect for each animal and caring for them based on their needs. Not only is this a great game simulating the care for animals, but players must also put down different centers and amenities for their zoo guests. Can they keep their zoos as a high-traffic business and with steady revenue while taking good care of the animals?

Cities: Skylines

view of city buildings and bridges with cities skylines title

Cities: Skylines is the perfect simulation game for world-building lovers. This open sandbox game allows players to build their very own city from the ground up. They can control where each building, bridge, and road goes.

Players are tasked with building their unique city while also giving the civilians living in the city all the spaces and businesses they need to survive. They must think about all the details of public transportation, convenient roadways, and livable spaces for the inhabitants. They can create a city of their wildest imaginations and watch the characters walk the streets and enjoy it to its full potential.

Hokko Life

hokko life title on green grass and house landscape

This indie simulation game is the perfect mix of Animal Crossing and My Time At Portia. Players arrive at the quiet and cozy village Hokko and must start a life in their new little home. They can grow plants, decorate their house, design furniture for it, and so much more.

Hokko Life gives the players a chance to create their own little spaces, and they are also tasked with helping the dying town grow into a thriving community. Players have the freedom to decorate and upgrade every building in town, making it their original piece of art. They can interact with the animal NPCs around town and help them get their businesses back up and running.

Minecraft

Minecraft forest view with characters

While Minecraft could be labeled a survival game, it also has many simulation aspects. Players have the liberty to build their own unique spaces from the ground up and must collect the materials for it all on their own.

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Players can venture around the wilderness landscapes, collecting materials in caves and battling mobs of monsters. They can build their own spaces any way they please and equip with all sorts of workbenches. They can cook food, craft weapons, create mining carts that drive them on a track, and so much more. They also must survive the waves of mobs at night if they choose to stay awake.

Two Point Hospital

two characters in doctor outfits on green background with game title

Two Point Hospital is a unique simulation experience where players can build up their hospital, employ doctors and staff, and assist patients as they come in with different ailments. Players can continuously expand their very own hospital, decorating and equipping it with all the furniture they want.

Players must create a hospital that thrives with the proper equipment and items for the employees and the patients. They must research proper techniques to treat different sicknesses and properly treat them to receive a good rating. Will the hospital save and cute the poor patients, or will it leave them disappointed and receive a poor rating that can damage their expanding business?

Paralives

out of focus view of house and trees with paralives title

Paralives is an indie life simulation game set to release soon and is expected to rival The Sims franchise. This game is teased to have all the same techniques and options that The Sims allows but without bugs and restrictions.

Paralives will have the same feel and beloved features of The Sim games but more freedom to create a character exactly as fans want. They have more small-detailed choices that allow them to create a truly original character and houses that they dream of. They will be able to manage the lives of their characters in a whole new way, allowing for a truly entertaining and fresh perspective on life simulation.

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