Free Simulation Games on Steam
Steam currently has 42,630 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 7/16/2025.
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1. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, the high-stakes winner-take-all shooter that started the Battle Royale craze, is free-to-play! Drop into diverse maps, loot unique weapons and supplies, and survive in an ever-shrinking zone where every turn could be your last.

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS holds the #1 spot for "best free Simulation game on Steam" with a Player Score of 59. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,583,511 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,537,794 positive reviews and 1,045,717 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
- Franchise:KRAFTON, Inc.
- Developers:
- Publisher:KRAFTON, Inc.
- Last Updated:7/16/2025
- Steam App Id:578080
2. 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 has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,528,233 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,059,495 positive reviews and 468,738 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).
3. Banana
Banana is a clicker Game, in which you click a Banana! In Banana you click the Banana to gain even more Bananas! Every 3 hours, you get dropped a banana. Each banana is also made by the community in discord. Come hang out with us and let's grow into something awesome !

Banana has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 90,540 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 74,384 positive reviews and 16,156 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
- Release Date:4/23/2024
- Developers:
- Publishers:
- Last Updated:7/23/2025
- Steam App Id:2923300
4. Bongo Cat
Bongo cat needs your help. Bongo cat needz more hatz!!! Every time you press a key, Bongo cat will punch your taskbar. Type, click, play, work to collect more points. Which hats will you find?

Bongo Cat has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 30,525 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 29,819 positive reviews and 706 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
- Release Date:3/5/2025
- Developers:
- Publisher:Irox Games
- Last Updated:7/29/2025
- Steam App Id:3419430
5. 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 73, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 640,306 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 467,564 positive reviews and 172,742 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
- Franchise:Gaijin Network Ltd
- Developer:Gaijin Entertainment
- Publishers:
- Last Updated:7/29/2025
- Steam App Id:236390
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 75, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 243,705 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 183,976 positive reviews and 59,729 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.
- Last Updated:7/29/2025
- Steam App Id:438100
7. Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Umamusume: Pretty Derby is ready to race! Scout featured trainees and supporters as you navigate the immersive sports life simulation through the game's in-depth training system and top-of-the-line 3D graphics!

Umamusume: Pretty Derby has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 19,859 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 18,666 positive reviews and 1,193 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 Umamusume: Pretty Derby on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Release Date:6/25/2025
- Developer:Cygames, Inc.
- Publisher:Cygames, Inc.
- Last Updated:7/29/2025
- Steam App Id:3224770
8. 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 86, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 174,708 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 152,527 positive reviews and 22,181 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
- Developer:Maxis
- Publisher:Electronic Arts
- Last Updated:7/26/2025
- Steam App Id:1222670
9. Once Human
Once Human is a multiplayer open-world survival game set in a strange, post-apocalyptic future. Unite with friends to fight monstrous enemies, uncover secret plots, compete for resources, and build your own territory. Once, you were merely human. Now, you have the power to remake the world.

Once Human has achieved a Player Score of 74, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 139,846 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 104,902 positive reviews and 34,944 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Once Human on the Steam Deck.
- Release Date:7/9/2024
- Developer:Starry Studio
- Publisher:Starry Studio
- Last Updated:7/28/2025
- Steam App Id:2139460
10. Russian Fishing 4
Russian Fishing 4 is a fishing simulator with RPG elements. There is no story line and the whole process is based on the concept of an open, free to roam and free to play game.

Russian Fishing 4 has achieved a Player Score of 54, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 75,239 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 41,077 positive reviews and 34,162 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Russian Fishing 4 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Release Date:11/11/2021
- Developers:
- Publishers:
- Last Updated:7/26/2025
- Steam App Id:766570
More Free Simulation Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Simulation games available on Steam.
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. (2025, July 16). Steam Store. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 16). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/578080
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 26). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/570
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 23). Banana on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2923300
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 29). Bongo Cat on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3419430
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 29). War Thunder on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/236390
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 29). VRChat on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/438100
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 29). Umamusume: Pretty Derby on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3224770
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 26). The Sims™ 4 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1222670
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 28). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2139460
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 26). Russian Fishing 4 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/766570