Free Simulation Games on Steam
Steam currently has 33,406 Simulation games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best free games ranked by popularity and ratings. Data for this list is calculated from reviews and player counts reported directly by Steam and will be updated in real-time. Free Simulation game rankings were last updated on 5/15/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best simulation games on Steam
- Best simulation Steam Deck games
- Best simulation Steam games for Mac OS
- Best simulation Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Dota 2
Every day, millions of players worldwide enter battle as one of over a hundred Dota heroes. And no matter if it's their 10th hour of play or 1,000th, there's always something new to discover. With regular updates that ensure a constant evolution of gameplay, features, and heroes, Dota 2 has taken on a life of its own.
Dota 2 holds the #1 spot for "best free Simulation game on Steam" with a Player Score of 81. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,238,249 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,832,298 positive reviews and 405,951 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Dota 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
2. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS
Play PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS for free. Land on strategic locations, loot weapons and supplies, and survive to become the last team standing across various, diverse Battlegrounds. Squad up and join the Battlegrounds for the original Battle Royale experience that only PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS can offer.
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has achieved a Player Score of 58, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,360,282 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,378,783 positive reviews and 981,499 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 12/21/2017 |
| Developer | KRAFTON, Inc. |
| Publisher | KRAFTON, Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 578080 |
3. War Thunder
War Thunder is the most comprehensive free-to-play, cross-platform, MMO military game dedicated to aviation, armoured vehicles, and naval craft, from the early 20th century to the most advanced modern combat units. Join now and take part in major battles on land, in the air, and at sea.
War Thunder has achieved a Player Score of 75, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 488,897 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 367,166 positive reviews and 121,731 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It 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.
| Release Date | 8/15/2013 |
| Developer | Gaijin Entertainment |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 236390 |
4. Governor of Poker 3
Governor of Poker 3 is the best multiplayer poker game with a great design. In this multi-player version of Governor of Poker you compete live with thousands of real poker players to prove you are the number 1 Texas Hold ’em poker star!
Governor of Poker 3 has achieved a Player Score of 69, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 14,803 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,391 positive reviews and 4,412 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Governor of Poker 3 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/19/2016 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 436150 |
5. The Sims™ 4
Play with life and discover the possibilities. Unleash your imagination and create a world of Sims that’s wholly unique. Explore and customize every detail from Sims to homes–and much more.
The Sims™ 4 has achieved a Player Score of 87, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 136,387 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 119,467 positive reviews and 16,920 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play The Sims™ 4 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 6/18/2020 |
| Franchise | The Sims 4 EA |
| Developer | Maxis |
| Publisher | Electronic Arts |
| Steam App Id | 1222670 |
6. VRChat
Join our growing community as you explore, play, and help craft the future of social VR. Create worlds and custom avatars. Welcome to VRChat.
VRChat has achieved a Player Score of 74, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 216,706 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 162,032 positive reviews and 54,674 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Release Date | 2/1/2017 |
| Developer | VRChat Inc. |
| Publisher | VRChat Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 438100 |
7. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel
Yu-Gi-Oh! MASTER DUEL is the ultimate free-to-play cross-platform strategy card game with fast-paced Duels, stunning HD graphics and a new, dynamic soundtrack! Get ready to challenge Duelists around the world!
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel has achieved a Player Score of 75, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 73,068 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 55,302 positive reviews and 17,766 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Release Date | 1/19/2022 |
| Franchise | Yu-Gi-Oh! |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1449850 |
8. World of Warships
Immerse yourself in thrilling naval battles and assemble an armada of over 600 ships from the first half of the 20th century — from stealthy destroyers to gigantic battleships. Change the look of your ship, choose upgrades to suit your play style, and go into battle with other players!
World of Warships has achieved a Player Score of 77, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 138,851 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 107,544 positive reviews and 31,307 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play World of Warships on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 11/15/2017 |
| Franchise | Wargaming Group Ltd. |
| Developer | Wargaming Group Limited |
| Publisher | Wargaming Group Limited |
| Steam App Id | 552990 |
9. eFootball™ 2024
The classic action soccer game with the most up-to-date data! Enjoy the fever pitch of ""real soccer"" in eFootball™ 2024!
eFootball™ 2024 has achieved a Player Score of 43, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 74,034 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 31,891 positive reviews and 42,143 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play eFootball™ 2024 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 9/30/2021 |
| Franchise | KONAMI |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1665460 |
10. IdleOn - The Idle RPG
The RPG where all your characters grind for you! Choose classes as they level up, and spend their loot to gain more power... but don't let the simple graphics fool you, IdleOn gets more complex as you progress!
IdleOn - The Idle RPG has achieved a Player Score of 77, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 16,532 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 12,945 positive reviews and 3,587 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play IdleOn - The Idle RPG on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 4/2/2021 |
| Developer | Lavaflame2 |
| Publisher | Lavaflame2 |
| Steam App Id | 1476970 |
More Free Simulation Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Simulation games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 444,438 | 7/9/2013 | 81 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 122,156 | 12/21/2017 | 58 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 46,763 | 8/15/2013 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 42,686 | 2/19/2016 | 69 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 33,187 | 6/18/2020 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 28,261 | 2/1/2017 | 74 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 13,114 | 1/19/2022 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 10,003 | 11/15/2017 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 8,222 | 9/30/2021 | 43 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 7,922 | 4/2/2021 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 7,829 | 3/25/2024 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,245 | 11/11/2021 | 48 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,079 | 3/29/2017 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,037 | 11/3/2021 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,878 | 7/27/2023 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,694 | 5/5/2020 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,673 | 10/1/2019 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,592 | 6/17/2023 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,276 | 11/17/2017 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,133 | 4/23/2024 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Player counts 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 15). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 15). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 14). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). War Thunder on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). Governor of Poker 3 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). The Sims™ 4 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 17). VRChat on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 16). World of Warships on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 15). eFootball™ 2024 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). IdleOn - The Idle RPG on Steam. Steam Store.