10 Best 2D Simulation Games, Ranked

Highlights

• Simulation games offer players the opportunity to explore different lives and experiences from the comfort of their own room.
• Even 2D graphics can make for compelling and immersive simulation games across various subgenres.
• These 2D simulation games provide unique gameplay experiences, from answering emergency calls as a 911 operator to running an alchemy shop or managing a colony on an alien planet.

Simulation games allow players to experience various different lives for themselves from the comfort of their own room. Some simulation games are life simulators that allow players to go on a different journey than the one they are currently on, or perhaps explore a fantasy world. Other simulators simulate various jobs and work environments for players to get lost in, as even the most basic of jobs can be interesting to be a part of.

While some players may believe that simulators are best experienced in 3D worlds that allow the player to explore all surroundings and environments, even 2D graphics can make for brilliant simulator titles. Therefore, these are by far some of the best 2D simulation games from various subgenres of simulators.

10 911 Operator

Metascore: 68

• Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, IOS, and Android
• Released: 2017-02-24
• Developer: Jutsu Games
• Genre: Simulation, Strategy

Starting off strong, players who are looking for a simple job simulation title should look no further than 911 Operator. In this game, players are left to answer emergency calls and send the right service to the location by taking the shortest route through the city.

The game is purely 2D as players are only left watching a map of the city where the various crimes and emergencies have taken place and must remain calm as more emergencies are called in. Players will also need to make sure they are giving the right advice while on the phone to keep the person on the other end out of danger while the service gets there.

9 Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator

Metascore: 74

Many players have always wanted to run their own alchemy shop, but few games simulate this sort of environment where players can be alchemists. Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator is the perfect simple simulation title that has players thinking strategically about the ingredients they use to make the perfect potion custom-made for their customers.

The game takes advantage of an incredible art style that is inspired by the art of the Middle Ages, which works perfectly in 2D. As players adventure further on their potion mixing map, the customers’ demands will become more of a challenge as players run a perfect potion shop.

8 The Escapist 2

Metascore: 75

The Escapist is a franchise of games that challenges the player to escape from jail. Many players found more enjoyment in the simulated prison life of The Escapist 2, as this game could also be enjoyed with friends and, therefore, players could work as a team to plan the greatest escape ever designed from these various facilities.

Players would first need to keep to the routine set by the game if they don’t want to get themselves in trouble, all while getting in good with various other prisoners and improving their skills by completing activities in the various areas of the 2D jail.

7 Tiny Life

Steam Rating: 9/10 (168 Reviews)

• Platform: PC
• Released: 2023-05-03
• Developer: Ellpeck Games
• Genre: Simulation

The Sims 4 isn’t the only life simulator available to players that allows them to create their own little families to control their lives. Tiny Life is the perfect pixel family sim for any player looking for the joys of the Sims but made in the cutesy 2D-pixel art style.

Like any life simulator game, players will need to focus on their tiny people’s needs, build up their skills, and help them forge new relationships. However, any player that feels like god may also take it upon themselves to even ruin the lives of these innocent pixel people.

6 Unpacking

Metascore: 83

Unpacking is mainly seen as a Zen puzzle title. However, the game also perfectly simulates what it’s like to move house and have to unpack and fit a person’s old objects into a new home. Each level explores a different stage of a girl’s life as she grows up, from moving into her childhood home to getting roommates, and finally moving in with her forever partner.

Although the player must find spaces, the game is drawn in a particular way to make the 2D environments of Unpacking feel more dimensional than they are. This shows the importance of perspective in games, as players fill cupboards, shelves, and other spaces with their clutter.

5 Papers, Please

Metascore: 85

Some simulators have incredibly deep stories and Papers, Please is exactly that and more. This game may at first glance look quite basic, but players take on the role of a Border Control Officer in the fictional communist state of Arstotzka, which has recently seen the end of a six-year war. With the times still being tense, it is up to the player to determine through a set of rules who can get into the state and who must be turned away.

It’s never so simple as players may feel that some deserve to come in but can’t because of the laws in place. Due to the simplistic nature of checking documents and passports, Papers, Please doesn’t need 3D graphics to be enjoyed.

4 Oxygen Not Included

Metascore: 86

Colony simulators like Oxygen Not Included are another well-loved simulator subgenre that works perfectly with 2D graphics. Players can choose between various planets to start their sci-fi simulation on or choose a random world seed to test their luck in a different randomly generated world.

With the game appearing from a 2D side view, players are only able to go up, down, or left and right, to explore the planets they find themselves within. While mainly underground, players are still able to adventure into various different biomes that are heavily detailed, even if they can’t be explored from every angle.

3 RimWorld

Metascore: 87

Oxygen Not Included isn’t the only 2D colony simulator that players have enjoyed, with RimWorld attracting even more players. In this title, players are left helping their colony survive on an alien planet with plenty of dangers. Even with its simpler graphics, players have still found building a well-guarded base and adventuring to other areas of the place they landed to be an exciting simulated experience.

Besides building a base, the game also perfectly simulates intriguing stories through the psychological threats to the colonists, deserted locations spawned, and the possible diplomacy that has happened within the base. That means even pixel people can have intense relationships with others.

2 Stardew Valley

Metascore: 89

Stardew Valley is arguably one of the most popular life simulator games to ever be created, with players enjoying the farming and dating mechanics of this adorable 2D-pixel game on various different platforms.

Even with its more simplistic graphics, players have still found Stardew Valley to be quite a joyful experience, and many other games have taken inspiration from its success. Stardew Valley goes to show that a farming simulator title doesn’t need to be 3D to attract an audience, with players happily creating their dream farm with a variety of interesting crops.

1 Dave The Diver

Metascore: 90

Out of all the 2D simulation games available, one of the best in recent years has been Dave the Diver. This game combines various genres together. By day, the player is left to do some deep-sea exploring while also doing some occasional fishing, but by night, the player is left to manage their own sushi restaurant, completing the recipes by using the various sea life they caught.

With the game predominantly focusing on the mysteries of the deep blue sea, Dave the Diver simulates an epic adventure that players can then relax with when they aren’t going deep below the waves.