Best Simulation Games on Steam
Steam currently has 40,334 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 4/8/2025.
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 871,228 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 857,600 positive reviews and 13,628 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 278,177 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 274,242 positive reviews and 3,935 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 113,489 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 111,896 positive reviews and 1,593 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 207,455 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 203,245 positive reviews and 4,210 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 820,651 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 800,402 positive reviews and 20,249 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 |
6. 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 #6 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 142,868 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 140,078 positive reviews and 2,790 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 |
7. 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 97, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 107,066 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 105,048 positive reviews and 2,018 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).
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 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 136,371 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 133,571 positive reviews and 2,800 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. 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 #9 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 165,802 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 162,049 positive reviews and 3,753 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 |
10. 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 #10 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 134,389 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 131,457 positive reviews and 2,932 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 |
More Simulation Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Simulation games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46,593 | 2/26/2016 | 98 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 4,617 | 7/23/2019 | 97 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 293,204 | 3/24/2025 | 97 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 23,844 | 10/17/2018 | 97 | $34.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 19,762 | 10/12/2012 | 97 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 18,917 | 2/20/2024 | 97 | $13.49 | Steam Charts | |
| 609 | 12/10/2024 | 97 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 898 | 8/1/2017 | 97 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 2,267 | 3/31/2010 | 96 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1,578 | 4/1/2021 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 197 | 10/1/2021 | 96 | $4.79 | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,628 | 8/14/2023 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 17,068 | 5/29/2015 | 96 | $24.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 149 | 3/31/2023 | 96 | $5.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 17,926 | 8/14/2020 | 96 | $35.00 | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,605 | 1/20/2021 | 96 | $17.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 19,822 | 11/29/2006 | 96 | $5.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 19,755 | 9/10/2024 | 96 | $39.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 246 | 4/20/2023 | 96 | $10.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,600 | 6/28/2023 | 96 | $11.99 | 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. (2025, April 8). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 8). Stardew Valley on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 12). People Playground on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 12). Schedule I on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 12). RimWorld on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 11). Euro Truck Simulator 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 11). Balatro on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 27). MiSide on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 1). Slime Rancher on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 17). Mount & Blade: Warband on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 7). Totally Accurate Battle Simulator on Steam. Steam Store.