Best Simulation Games on Steam
Steam currently has 49,775 Simulation games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Simulation game rankings were last updated on 5/5/2026.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Free simulation games on Steam
- Best simulation Steam Deck games
- Best simulation Linux games on Steam
- Best simulation Steam games for Mac OS
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Stardew Valley
You've inherited your grandfather's old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home?
Stardew Valley holds the #1 spot for "best Simulation game on Steam" with a Player Score of 98. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,002,149 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 986,860 positive reviews and 15,289 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 2/26/2016 |
| Developer | ConcernedApe |
| Publisher | ConcernedApe |
| Steam App Id | 413150 |
2. People Playground
Shoot, stab, burn, poison, tear, vaporise, or crush ragdolls in a large open space.
People Playground has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 310,646 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 305,909 positive reviews and 4,737 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play People Playground on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 7/23/2019 |
| Developer | mestiez |
| Publisher | Studio Minus |
| Steam App Id | 1118200 |
3. Schedule I
From small-time dope pusher to kingpin - manufacture and distribute a range of drugs throughout the grungy city of Hyland Point. Expand your empire with properties, businesses, employees and more.
Schedule I has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 296,588 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 290,309 positive reviews and 6,279 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Schedule I on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
4. RimWorld
A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more.
RimWorld has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 238,624 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 233,580 positive reviews and 5,044 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $34.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $34.99 |
| Release Date | 10/17/2018 |
| Developer | Ludeon Studios |
| Publisher | Ludeon Studios |
| Steam App Id | 294100 |
5. Euro Truck Simulator 2
Travel across Europe as king of the road, a trucker who delivers important cargo across impressive distances! With dozens of cities to explore, your endurance, skill and speed will all be pushed to their limits.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 915,394 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 892,110 positive reviews and 23,284 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 10/12/2012 |
| Franchise | SCS Software |
| Developer | SCS Software |
| Publisher | SCS Software |
| Steam App Id | 227300 |
6. Slime Rancher
Slime Rancher is the tale of Beatrix LeBeau, a plucky, young rancher who sets out for a life a thousand light years away from Earth on the ‘Far, Far Range’ where she tries her hand at making a living wrangling slimes.
Slime Rancher has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 152,761 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 149,690 positive reviews and 3,071 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Slime Rancher on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 8/1/2017 |
| Franchise | Monomi Park |
| Developer | Monomi Park |
| Publisher | Monomi Park |
| Steam App Id | 433340 |
7. Balatro
The poker roguelike. Balatro is a hypnotically satisfying deckbuilder where you play illegal poker hands, discover game-changing jokers, and trigger adrenaline-pumping, outrageous combos.
Balatro has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 190,241 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 186,238 positive reviews and 4,003 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $11.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $11.99 |
| Release Date | 2/20/2024 |
| Franchise | Playstack |
| Developer | LocalThunk |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2379780 |
8. MiSide
Let's imagine that you have a game in which you care for a character. But could you imagine one day getting into that game yourself?
MiSide has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 137,804 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 134,842 positive reviews and 2,962 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play MiSide on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
9. Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
Be the leader of wobblers from ancient lands, spooky places, and fantasy worlds. Watch them fight in simulations made with the wobbliest physics system ever created, make your own wobblers in the unit creator and send your army off to fight your friends in multiplayer.
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 149,280 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 146,011 positive reviews and 3,269 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 4/1/2021 |
| Franchise | Landfall Games |
| Developer | Landfall |
| Publisher | Landfall |
| Steam App Id | 508440 |
10. VPet-Simulator
Feeling like the computer desktop is too dull? Need something cute to heal oneself? Come and try this new completely free and open source V-Pet simulator. A cute and adorable pet that supports various feeding interactions to accompany you in game learning is definitely your best choice!
VPet-Simulator has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 50,816 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 49,955 positive reviews and 861 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run VPet-Simulator on the Steam Deck.
More Simulation Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Simulation games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35,063 | 2/26/2016 | 98 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 4,194 | 7/23/2019 | 97 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 15,355 | 3/24/2025 | 97 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 21,635 | 10/17/2018 | 97 | $34.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 20,519 | 10/12/2012 | 97 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 855 | 8/1/2017 | 97 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 9,179 | 2/20/2024 | 97 | $11.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 298 | 12/11/2024 | 96 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1,182 | 4/1/2021 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 2,096 | 8/14/2023 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,386 | 3/31/2010 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 18,039 | 5/29/2015 | 96 | $24.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 422 | 10/1/2021 | 96 | $5.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 128 | 3/31/2023 | 96 | $5.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 15,194 | 8/14/2020 | 96 | $35.00 | Steam Charts | |
 | 20,516 | 11/29/2006 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 17,117 | 9/10/2024 | 96 | $39.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 53 | 2/6/2026 | 96 | $7.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,155 | 8/14/2024 | 96 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,096 | 1/21/2021 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 5). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 5). Stardew Valley on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 2). People Playground on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 6). Schedule I on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 6). RimWorld on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 7). Euro Truck Simulator 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 30). Slime Rancher on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 4). Balatro on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 3). MiSide on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 1). Totally Accurate Battle Simulator on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 29). VPet-Simulator on Steam. Steam Store.