Best Simulation Games on Steam
Steam currently has 37,412 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 11/21/2024.
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 781,055 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 768,056 positive reviews and 12,999 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 264,293 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 260,601 positive reviews and 3,692 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 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 196,724 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 192,761 positive reviews and 3,963 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 |
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 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 777,307 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 758,285 positive reviews and 19,022 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 |
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 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 126,567 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 123,954 positive reviews and 2,613 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. 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 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 163,608 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 159,901 positive reviews and 3,707 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 |
7. 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 #7 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 129,452 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 126,644 positive reviews and 2,808 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 |
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 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 43,081 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 42,352 positive reviews and 729 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.
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 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 23,751 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 23,431 positive reviews and 320 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.
10. BeamNG.drive
A dynamic soft-body physics vehicle simulator capable of doing just about anything.
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 282,400 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 274,984 positive reviews and 7,416 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).
More Simulation Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Simulation games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65,521 | 2/26/2016 | 98 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 4,705 | 7/23/2019 | 97 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 20,970 | 10/17/2018 | 97 | $34.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 27,187 | 10/12/2012 | 97 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 779 | 8/1/2017 | 97 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 4,033 | 3/31/2010 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1,809 | 4/1/2021 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 11,820 | 8/14/2023 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 760 | 10/1/2021 | 96 | $5.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 14,878 | 5/29/2015 | 96 | $24.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 348 | 3/31/2023 | 96 | $5.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,417 | 1/21/2021 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 20,676 | 11/29/2006 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 44,744 | 8/14/2020 | 96 | $35.00 | Steam Charts | |
 | 571 | 4/21/2023 | 96 | $10.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,029 | 6/28/2023 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 8,343 | 2/20/2024 | 96 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,494 | 2/2/2016 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 22,843 | 9/10/2024 | 96 | $39.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,091 | 5/26/2010 | 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. (2024, November 21). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 21). Stardew Valley on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 20). People Playground on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 22). RimWorld on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 22). Euro Truck Simulator 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 23). Slime Rancher on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 21). Mount & Blade: Warband on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 4). Totally Accurate Battle Simulator on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 19). VPet-Simulator on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 22). Touhou Mystia's Izakaya on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 22). BeamNG.drive on Steam. Steam Store.