Best Games To Play If You Like The Sims 4

The Sims franchise has been incredibly successful since its release in the early 2000s. While the series has largely been without any real competitors, there has been a huge expansion of the life simulation genre, which continues to grow every year with even more incredible games.

It’s a tough task to find that fine balance between fun and realistic while offering players the possibility to build the life they want. If any fans are looking for something to do while waiting for The Sims 5 to be released, there are plenty of games like The Sims 4 that should hit the spot.

Updated on May 13, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: The Sims 4 is one of the most popular video games ever made, with a poor launch being remedied with a wealth of updates and content that have made this game the most feature-packed Sims game to date. Despite some issues that have cropped up during its development, fans are hoping that The Sims 5 remedies a lot of these issues and lets players enjoy a huge improvement over the previous title. If players find this wait to be agonizing, then there are some games that scratch the same itch in some form or the other.

27 Two Point Campus

Constructing A Campus Itches The Scratch Players Have If They Miss Sims 4’s Build Mode

Fans of Two Point Hospital will love playing through a sequel that takes things in a new direction while still letting players enjoy a familiar gameplay loop. Instead of a hospital, players are tasked with creating a college campus and building the facilities required to teach people the tricks of the trade and excel in their chosen field.

Players who want to enjoy a more commercial take on Sims 4‘s fun Build Mode will love expanding their university and making it as prestigious as possible. The elusive 3-star rating becomes harder and harder to achieve as levels become more complex, but players will love putting in the extra hours to ensure that their campus is as efficiently constructed as possible.

26 Animal Crossing: New Leaf

A Social Simulation Game That’s Just As Charming As The Sims, If Not More

Animal Crossing: New Leaf is considered by many to be the best game in the series, which is no small statement to make. The success of New Horizons could’ve made it the game that finally unseated this title from its throne, but a lack of post-launch support meant that New Leaf continues to be held in a higher regard by most fans.

Fans of The Sims 4 will love the charming vibe of this title, letting players control the life of a solitary boy or girl as they become a town’s mayor and help turn into into a beautiful place to live. Sims 4 players may not be used to gathering materials to craft items, but players can just think of this as an elaborate way to earn Simoleons that they can use to turn a dilapidated town into something special.

25 Terraria

Fans Of Sims 4’s Build Mode Will Find This 2D Take To Be Refreshing

Although Terraria may seem like a far cry from The Sims in terms of gameplay, there is still a pretty great building and town-creation mechanic here for those who are interested in crafting their own world. Terraria features a hefty dose of combat but players can always choose to peacefully build homes for themselves and their NPCs if they so wish.

With so much content to see and explore, players could find themselves engaged for hours. Terraria is made even better by the ability to play multiplayer, allowing players to bring their friends along for the journey.

24 Dinkum

Create A Farm And Influence The Town Around The Player, Charming In The Same Ways As The Sims

One of the best aspects of The Sims is that players can freely craft their own town if they see fit. Although they will create their own character or family at the start, they are free to explore the other pre-established families in the neighborhood and even meddle in their lives if they see fit. It’s fun to have control over multiple aspects of the world and there are other games that give players this same freedom.

Dinkum is one good example, giving players the ability to make their own farm, while simultaneously helping to build and influence the surrounding town. Although this title is currently in Early Access (at the time of writing) it still has quite a bit of content to sift through.

23 Alter Ego

Control The Life Of One Person Instead Of An Entire Household

• Released: May 1, 1986
• Developer: Choose Multiple LLC
• Platforms: PC

It’s amazing that a game that is solely text-driven can allow players to enjoy a great time as they simulate the life of one particular individual. Alter Ego succeeds in this regard and is easily one of the most immersive life simulation games around.

While the events present in this game might vary in quality, the addictive nature of Alter Ego mainly stems from its replay value and great writing. It’s a fun and brief experience as players zoom through the life of a custom character and imagine the various scenarios that play out in this great CYOA. It may just be a single life compared to the fate of an entire household that players control in The Sims 4, but Alter Ego is a perfect game for fans of this title regardless.

22 Fallout Shelter

Build A Massive Shelter And Ensure That Its Residents Are Happy And Have All Their Needs Fulfilled

At a glance, Fallout Shelter might seem like nothing more than a soulless cash-in mobile game that besmirches the name of one of gaming’s most beloved IPs. However, it’s only after players check this title out for themselves that they’ll see just how engaging this game really is.

While the game does partake in some detestable freemium video game design at times, the overall experience is pretty solid and addictive. Trying to manage a shelter following the nuclear apocalypse is a blast — no pun intended — and makes for a great time indeed. Fans of The Sims 4 who want to engage with the home-building gameplay but with the context of a nuclear apocalypse will love what this title has to offer.

21 Starbound

A Sci-Fi Adventure With Shades Of Simulation Gameplay Much Like Everyone’s Favorite Franchise

Developed by Chucklefish, Starbound is very similar to Terraria in its design but features a much larger world than the hit Indie release. In fact, it features multiple worlds, scattered across a galaxy and gives players the freedom to pick and choose what and where they explore. Gamers will gain access to a spaceship that they can customize to their liking, traveling across the cosmos and landing on different planets to collect resources and complete quests.

They can even find their own personal planet and build a base just like in Terraria. It’s a blast to play, features quite a bit of combat, and will keep players entertained for hours. Players who love creating entire towns in The Sims 4 will love the settlement-building elements of this game.

20 Grounded

Adds A Level Of Stress To Building A Home, Incorporating Elements Of The Survival Genre

It’s rather combat-heavy compared to The Sims but players who enjoy building their own home from scratch may want to consider playing Grounded. This cooperative title sees players shrunk down to near-microscopic size and forced to contend with an array of vicious bugs that plague an expansive backyard.

Players will be able to craft items, unlock abilities, and even construct bases to help keep themselves safe from the prying eyes that stalk the tall grass. Grounded is a ton of fun to play alone but it’s an absolute blast with friends.

19 Two Point Hospital

Construct A Huge Commercial Building, Serving As A Fresh Change Of Pace From The Sims 4’s Domiciles

The creators behind the amazing RollerCoaster Tycoon also came out with a brilliant title called Two Point Hospital. At a glance, managing a hospital might sound like the most boring thing in the world, but Two Point Hospital completely destroys this preconception with its imaginative gameplay.

The hilarious diseases and addictive management gameplay on offer in Two Point Hospital make it an absolute blast. Players who want to enjoy a more commercial take on the building elements of The Sims 4 will find this title to be a blast.

18 The Partners

A Lawyer-Focused Clone Of The Sims Series

• Released: 2002
• Developer: Monte Cristo Multimedia
• Platforms: PC

The Partners is probably the most blatant clone of The Sims on the market today, but that doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. It lacks the levels of polish that are present in its inspiration, but the sheer heart put into this game is pretty noticeable and its biggest saving grace.

Players control lawyers in a law firm as they strive to solve cases while also managing their personal lives as well. Once players manage to look past the somewhat janky gameplay, they can definitely have a pretty fun time with the title.

17 RimWorld

A Darker Take On The Sims’ Gameplay Where Players Must Ensure The Survival Of A Group Of Colonists

Sci-fi fans who love management games and simulation games will fall in love with RimWorld. This top-down-view indie game has players looking after a group of colonists and managing just about every aspect of their lives.

This game is just like The Sims in the sense that needs and relationships need to be managed. That said, there’s a big survival aspect to the gameplay as well, from protecting the colony, building new structures, and crafting various new objects.

16 Fantasy Life

The Familiar Sims Gameplay With A Fantasy Twist

Life simulation combined with traditional RPG is exactly what Fantasy Life is all about. Although it’s an older game from 2012 and therefore only available for Nintendo 3DS, it’s a great mix of traditional medieval fantasy RPG in a place called Reveria, as well as simulation with house decorating and questing.

The quests themselves are interesting since they depend on the type of character the player chooses to play. It definitely has more of an RPG focus than The Sims 4, but it’s a worthy title for fans of this title regardless.

15 Farming Simulator

A Simulation Game That Tackles A Cozy Gameplay Loop

There are quite a few realistic simulator games out there, but Farming Simulator has consistently been a favorite among players due to the sheer scope of the game. This game focuses on farming, managing a unique farm in an immersive and highly realistic open-world environment.

That being said, Farming Simulator can get pretty technical and detailed for newcomers, which might be off-putting. It’s definitely the ideal choice for those who like ultra-realism above all and don’t mind getting sucked into a game fully. The Sims 4 may be more whimsical and video game-y, but fans of this title may just appreciate what Farming Simulator has to offer.

14 Family House

Renovate An Old, Dilapidated And Make It A Place Where Its Residents Are As Happy As They Come

• Released: 2016
• Developer: brightsolid
• Platforms: Mobile

Mobile games have a nice variety of light-hearted simulation games, including Family House, which has the player move into a decrepit building and turn it back into its former glory. In many ways, Family House is similar to The Sims.

As they progress by unlocking more furniture, family members, and rooms, they level up and gain access to more features. It’s a classic mobile game with limitations, but for those really craving some family simulation games, it’s a decent choice with a ton of The Sims-inspired content.

13 My Time At Portia

Perfect For Fans Of The Sims 4 And Its Gameplay Loops

A lot of The Sims 4 fans will have tried games like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley, which is why My Time At Portia is sort of the perfect in-between game. It’s heavily inspired by Stardew Valley, with a similar premise of a main character returning to their roots to restore their father’s workshop to a better state.

The game is three-dimensional and quite immersive. Like in The Sims, there are townies to befriend and interact with, as well as a whole array of quests and romance plotlines to discover. At its core, it all comes down to being a farming simulator with some mild life simulation features.

12 Cities: Skylines

A City-Building Game That Builds Upon SimCity’s Gameplay

Old-school fans of The Sims franchise will remember just how fun games like SimCity were before they essentially disappeared from the market or became watered down. Thankfully, Cities: Skylines has done a remarkable job at bringing back that classic feel or creating the perfect city.

It’s not quite like The Sims 4, but it’s a nice throwback for some more seasoned simulation fans who want to play a simulation focused more on cities rather than individual families. All the aspects of a classic city creation and management strategy game are in Skylines, which is bound to suck in just about any creative and challenge-loving mind.

11 Planet Zoo

Establish A Successful Zoo And Keep Visitors Happy, Providing A Fresh Spin On The Sims’ Gameplay

Managing a household is tough, but how about managing a full-on zoo? With gorgeous graphics and very immersive gameplay, Planet Zoo allows players to build their very own zoo establishment and maintain it to the best of their ability.

It’s a big step forward from classic games like Planet Coaster and Zoo Tycoon, which were immensely popular during The Sims and The Sims 2, gathering fans from the same franchise. Moreover, it’s just a nice change of pace to manage something different than a household.

10 Minecraft

The Building Gameplay Of The Sims 4 On Steroids

There’s a whole community of Simmers out there who have dedicated their free time to building. Creating insane houses and mansions is one of their greatest pastimes, which is why games like Minecraft will bring a special kind of joy to any build lovers.

Its creative mode in particular gives completely free hands to players who want to plan out houses and bring them to the next level. However, its survival mode is still very fun and close to many other popular simulations out there, with RPG and farming aspects included.

9 BitLife

Live A Virtual Life Via The Comfort Of Your Smartphone

For those who love being thrown into difficult decisions and funny, imagined situations of an alternate life, BitLife is perfect. The application is available for smartphones and randomizes a new life for players, which will progress with every year.

The game will put players through various life events and give options from which they must choose carefully, as decisions will always have interesting and sometimes hilarious consequences. It’s a great bit of entertainment that can be carried anywhere, with that random life event mechanic from The Sims very much present despite being only in text form.

8 Avakin Life

A Life-Sim Gameplay That Fans Of The Sims 4 Will Find Easy To Get Into

For a person on the go, but who wants a bit more out of the visuals of a game, an ideal pick is Avakin Life. The game is available on smartphones and allows players to create exactly the character they’d like with clothing and cosmetics of choice.

While there’s no need to worry about needs, players can definitely get very creative with furnishing their room and giving their character that perfect fashion style. Fans of The Sims 4 will be salivating at the thought of playing this game after reading that sentence.