Best Simulation Games on Steam

Steam currently has 40,178 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 3/28/2025.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

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 banner

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 869,133 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 855,531 positive reviews and 13,602 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 banner

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 277,536 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 273,618 positive reviews and 3,918 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. 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 banner

RimWorld 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 206,952 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 202,755 positive reviews and 4,197 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $27.99 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 $27.99
Release Date 10/17/2018
Developer Ludeon Studios
Publisher Ludeon Studios
Steam App Id 294100

4. 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 banner

Euro Truck Simulator 2 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 818,722 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 798,550 positive reviews and 20,172 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $4.99 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 $4.99
Release Date 10/12/2012
Franchise SCS Software
Developer SCS Software
Publisher SCS Software
Steam App Id 227300

5. 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 banner

Balatro 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 140,991 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 138,261 positive reviews and 2,730 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $13.49 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 $13.49
Release Date 2/20/2024
Franchise Playstack
Developer LocalThunk
Publishers
Steam App Id 2379780

6. 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 banner

MiSide 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 106,634 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 104,638 positive reviews and 1,996 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).

Steam Price $14.99
Release Date 12/10/2024
Franchise IndieArk
Developer AIHASTO
Publishers
Steam App Id 2527500

7. 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 banner

Schedule I 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 58,689 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 57,762 positive reviews and 927 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, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.

Steam Price $19.99
Release Date 3/24/2025
Developer TVGS
Publisher TVGS
Steam App Id 3164500

8. 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 banner

Slime Rancher has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 136,172 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 133,380 positive reviews and 2,792 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

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 banner

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 134,085 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 131,168 positive reviews and 2,917 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $6.79 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 $6.79
Release Date 4/1/2021
Franchise Landfall Games
Developer Landfall
Publisher Landfall
Steam App Id 508440

10. Mount & Blade: Warband

In a land torn asunder by incessant warfare, it is time to assemble your own band of hardened warriors and enter the fray. Lead your men into battle, expand your realm, and claim the ultimate prize: the throne of Calradia!

Mount & Blade: Warband banner

Mount & Blade: Warband 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 165,687 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 161,935 positive reviews and 3,752 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Mount & Blade: Warband on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $4.99
Release Date 3/31/2010
Developer TaleWorlds Entertainment
Publisher TaleWorlds Entertainment
Steam App Id 48700

More Simulation Games

Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Simulation games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
Stardew Valley steam charts
53,745
2/26/2016
98
$14.99
Steam Charts
People Playground steam charts
5,534
7/23/2019
97
$9.99
Steam Charts
RimWorld steam charts
26,438
10/17/2018
97
$27.99
Steam Charts
Euro Truck Simulator 2 steam charts
38,185
10/12/2012
97
$4.99
Steam Charts
Balatro steam charts
19,563
2/20/2024
97
$13.49
Steam Charts
MiSide steam charts
932
12/10/2024
97
$14.99
Steam Charts
Schedule I steam charts
296,151
3/24/2025
97
$19.99
Steam Charts
Slime Rancher steam charts
1,070
8/1/2017
97
$19.99
Steam Charts
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator steam charts
2,201
4/1/2021
96
$6.79
Steam Charts
Mount & Blade: Warband steam charts
3,613
3/31/2010
96
$4.99
Steam Charts
Touhou Mystia's Izakaya steam charts
376
10/1/2021
96
$3.83
Steam Charts
VPet-Simulator steam charts
4,000
8/14/2023
96
Free
Steam Charts
BeamNG.drive steam charts
25,520
5/29/2015
96
$24.99
Steam Charts
Papa's Freezeria Deluxe steam charts
132
3/31/2023
96
$5.99
Steam Charts
Factorio steam charts
20,875
8/14/2020
96
$35.00
Steam Charts
Dyson Sphere Program steam charts
2,901
1/21/2021
96
$19.99
Steam Charts
Garry's Mod steam charts
26,070
11/29/2006
96
$9.99
Steam Charts
Satisfactory steam charts
25,848
9/10/2024
96
$39.99
Steam Charts
Volcano Princess steam charts
472
4/20/2023
96
$10.99
Steam Charts
DAVE THE DIVER steam charts
2,672
6/28/2023
96
$19.99
Steam Charts
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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. (2025, March 28). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 28). Stardew Valley on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, February 21). People Playground on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 4). RimWorld on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 4). Euro Truck Simulator 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 2). Balatro on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 27). MiSide on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 4). Schedule I on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 1). Slime Rancher on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 31). Totally Accurate Battle Simulator on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 17). Mount & Blade: Warband on Steam. Steam Store.

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