The Best Real Life Simulation Games

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. Thankfully, some of the best real-life simulation games around that fans can check out for themselves are rated highly by fans and critics alike. These titles feature compelling gameplay loops that instill a sense of responsibility without making things too boring, which is a balance that good simulation games must nail to entice the masses.

Updated on June 5, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: The idea of playing games that simulate real life may not sound all that compelling, and it’s easy to see why this is the case. After all, a lot of people play video games as a form of escapism, so it’s rather odd to see titles trying to emulate facets of real life instead of trying to do something different. However, this is an erroneous train of thought, especially since there are various facets of real life that can be gamified to make things more engaging. Players interested in these real-life simulation games will be glad to know that there are several beloved titles that will scratch this unique itch.

29 The Good Life

Metascore: 62

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 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.

28 House Flipper

Metascore: 67

Flipping houses is a concept that most people have surface-level knowledge about, with most people working in real estate going out of their way to purchase run-down properties before selling them for a profit after restoring them. This task can be pretty arduous and take a long time in real life, so fans are glad to see that these restrictions are done away with in House Flipper, a title that gamifies this concept in an entertaining manner.

The simple act of restoring run-down houses and decorating them as players see fit makes for a surprisingly engaging time. The gameplay is simple, relaxing, and something players can use to unwind as they take their sweet time decorating the house of their dreams over and over again.

27 The Sims 4

Metascore: 70

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 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 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.

26 PowerWash Simulator

Metascore: 75

At a glance, the idea of washing down dirty surfaces and the like sounds like the most boring thing in the world. It’s as simple as can be, so some people can’t understand why PowerWash Simulator has become such a huge indie game. However, people who have tried this game out for themselves know firsthand why this game has attracted such a wide audience.

Washing surfaces and ensuring that no speck of dirt is left on a dirty surface makes for a surprisingly compelling gameplay loop. It’s a simple, zen game that players can use to relax as they wash down a wealth of surfaces using their power washing tool to wash off all the grime they can find in every stage in a low-stakes, comforting game that is pretty simple to get into and hard to stop playing once players get into the groove of things.

25 Farming Simulator 22

Metascore: 75

Video games make for one of the most immersive mediums that fans can get hopelessly lost in. After all, the mere idea of farming becoming an engaging activity is simply unheard of… but players need only take a look at the immense popularity of Farming Simulator 22 to realize just how much of a draw this gameplay loop has.

The great graphics and immersive gameplay of this title are a huge reason why the simulation game is so popular. Players start from humble beginnings before progressing to make a truly state-of-the-art farm that is loaded with so many things to take care of that players can spend numerous hours without even realizing how time has just flown by.

24 My Time At Portia

Metascore: 75

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 have 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.

23 American Truck Simulator

Metascore: 76

Most real-life simulation games make the most of simple gameplay loops, with most people assuming these tasks to be as boring as they come. So, it can be hard to understand exactly what makes American Truck Simulator such a fun game to get into. However, people who love intricate driving games should give this title a shot to understand why so many people love putting in a large number of hours on a simple yet engaging video game.

American Truck Simulator doesn’t make any qualms about being a fast-paced, action-packed video game in any way, which is precisely what fans of cozy driving sims want to enjoy. Sometimes, it’s the simpler things in life that entice players, and American Truck Simulator is a great example of the same.

22 Not Tonight

Metascore: 78

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.

21 Reigns: Her Majesty

Metascore: 81

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.

20 Snowrunner

Metascore: 81

The idea of exploring rich off-road environments that are simulated with scary levels of accuracy can sound like a daunting experience to get into, especially with the realism of SnowRunner making every mission as tough as can be. The learning curve is intense and not for the faint of heart, especially with the varied missions and environments meaning that players must optimize their loadouts every single time to make any kind of headway.

It’s not a game for everyone, but players who put in the work and effort will be rewarded with a string of mission completions that is intensely satisfying. SnowRunner‘s emulation of various terrain and off-road driving is quite accurate and perfect for fans looking for a real-life simulation game to immerse themselves in.

19 Littlewood

Metascore: 81

Gamers who absolutely adore Stardew Valley will be more than happy to try 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. Players looking for a real-life simulation game that’s simpler than most other titles in the genre will find this game to be right up their alley.

18 VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action

Metascore: 83

Some players consider 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.

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.

17 Mega Mall Story

Metascore: 85

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.

16 Two Point Hospital

Metascore: 85

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 it was 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.

15 Cook-Out: A Sandwich Tale

Metascore: 86

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.

14 Game Dev Story

Metascore: 86

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.

13 The Sims 3

Metascore: 86

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.

12 Animal Crossing: Wild World

Metascore: 86

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. Players don’t put as much effort into their own lives as they did on their virtual avatars in this title, which says a lot.

11 Two Point Campus

Metascore: 87

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.

10 Reigns

Metascore: 87

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. The fact that the complications of monarchy have essentially been reduced to feudal Tinder without losing any of the hard-hitting decisions people in charge need to take is precisely why Reigns became such a hit in no time.