Best Simulation Games on Steam

Steam currently has 33,406 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 5/18/2024.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

1. People Playground

Shoot, stab, burn, poison, tear, vaporise, or crush ragdolls in a large open space.

People Playground banner

People Playground holds the #1 spot for "best Simulation game on Steam" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 243,794 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 240,518 positive reviews and 3,276 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

2. 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 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 706,439 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 694,217 positive reviews and 12,222 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

3. 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 #3 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 723,828 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 706,739 positive reviews and 17,089 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

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 banner

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 186,560 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 182,909 positive reviews and 3,651 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. 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 96, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 119,844 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 117,348 positive reviews and 2,496 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

6. 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 #6 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 122,508 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 119,883 positive reviews and 2,625 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

7. 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 #7 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 160,190 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 156,571 positive reviews and 3,619 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 Mount & Blade: Warband on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $19.99
Release Date 3/31/2010
Developer TaleWorlds Entertainment
Publisher TaleWorlds Entertainment
Steam App Id 48700

8. 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 banner

VPet-Simulator 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 39,057 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 38,413 positive reviews and 644 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.

Release Date 8/14/2023
Developer LB Game
Publisher LB Game
Steam App Id 1920960

9. Touhou Mystia's Izakaya

A brand new pixel art restaurant simulator based on the Touhou Project! Play as Mystia, the owner of a small izakaya. Collect ingredients by day, cater to the customers by night, learn recipes from familiar characters, and become the best izakaya owner in all of Gensokyo!

Touhou Mystia's Izakaya banner

Touhou Mystia's Izakaya 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 20,587 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 20,315 positive reviews and 272 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $5.99 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 $5.99
Release Date 10/1/2021
Developers
Publishers
Steam App Id 1584090

10. BeamNG.drive

A dynamic soft-body physics vehicle simulator capable of doing just about anything.

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BeamNG.drive 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 247,709 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 240,978 positive reviews and 6,731 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $24.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play BeamNG.drive on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $24.99
Release Date 5/29/2015
Developer BeamNG
Publisher BeamNG
Steam App Id 284160

More Simulation Games

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

ImageName
Actions
People Playground steam charts
4,638
7/23/2019
97
$9.99
Steam Charts
Stardew Valley steam charts
91,092
2/26/2016
97
$14.99
Steam Charts
Euro Truck Simulator 2 steam charts
13,734
10/12/2012
97
$4.99
Steam Charts
RimWorld steam charts
24,720
10/17/2018
97
$34.99
Steam Charts
Slime Rancher steam charts
689
8/1/2017
96
$19.99
Steam Charts
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator steam charts
1,216
4/1/2021
96
$19.99
Steam Charts
Mount & Blade: Warband steam charts
2,060
3/31/2010
96
$19.99
Steam Charts
VPet-Simulator steam charts
5,213
8/14/2023
96
Free
Steam Charts
Touhou Mystia's Izakaya steam charts
161
10/1/2021
96
$5.99
Steam Charts
BeamNG.drive steam charts
11,790
5/29/2015
96
$24.99
Steam Charts
Dyson Sphere Program steam charts
2,433
1/20/2021
96
$19.99
Steam Charts
Garry's Mod steam charts
16,861
11/29/2006
96
$9.99
Steam Charts
Papa's Freezeria Deluxe steam charts
190
3/31/2023
96
$5.99
Steam Charts
Factorio steam charts
10,550
8/14/2020
96
$35.00
Steam Charts
DAVE THE DIVER steam charts
2,179
6/28/2023
96
$19.99
Steam Charts
Volcano Princess steam charts
143
4/21/2023
96
$10.99
Steam Charts
Satisfactory steam charts
6,648
6/8/2020
96
$29.99
Steam Charts
American Truck Simulator steam charts
12,281
2/2/2016
96
$4.99
Steam Charts
STAR WARS™ Empire at War - Gold Pack steam charts
2,021
5/26/2010
96
$19.99
Steam Charts
Papers, Please steam charts
458
8/8/2013
96
$9.99
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. (2024, May 18). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). People Playground on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Stardew Valley on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Euro Truck Simulator 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 16). RimWorld on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, April 4). Slime Rancher on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). Totally Accurate Battle Simulator on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, March 26). Mount & Blade: Warband on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). VPet-Simulator on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 16). Touhou Mystia's Izakaya on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). BeamNG.drive on Steam. Steam Store.

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