Free Simulation Games on Steam
Steam currently has 49,154 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 4/15/2026.
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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 60. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,700,573 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,627,264 positive reviews and 1,073,309 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:4/15/2026
- 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 2,696,774 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,181,844 positive reviews and 514,930 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. 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 95, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 97,379 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 94,070 positive reviews and 3,309 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac 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:4/17/2026
- Steam App Id:3419430
4. 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 72, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 736,543 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 536,090 positive reviews and 200,453 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:4/17/2026
- Steam App Id:236390
5. 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 #5 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 260,461 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 196,227 positive reviews and 64,234 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:4/16/2026
- Steam App Id:438100
6. World of Warships
Immerse yourself in thrilling naval battles and assemble an armada of over 800 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 76, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 153,865 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 117,951 positive reviews and 35,914 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:World of Warships Franchise
- Developer:Wargaming Group Limited
- Publisher:Wargaming Group Limited
- Last Updated:4/14/2026
- Steam App Id:552990
7. Heartopia
Welcome to Heartopia, a multiplayer life simulation game crafted for creativity, freedom, and peace. Build your dream home, explore a wide range of hobbies, and forge warm connections with friends in a town full of endless possibilities.
Heartopia has achieved a Player Score of 66, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 12,778 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,568 positive reviews and 4,210 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Heartopia on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Release Date:1/17/2026
- Franchise:XD International
- Developer:XD
- Publisher:XD
- Last Updated:4/16/2026
- Steam App Id:4025700
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 192,685 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 166,872 positive reviews and 25,813 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:4/17/2026
- Steam App Id:1222670
9. 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 #9 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 95,628 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 78,270 positive reviews and 17,358 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:4/16/2026
- Steam App Id:2923300
10. 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 72, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 97,714 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 70,583 positive reviews and 27,131 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:
- Last Updated:4/16/2026
- Steam App Id:1449850
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. (2026, April 15). Steam Store. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 15). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/578080
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 16). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/570
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 17). Bongo Cat on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3419430
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 17). War Thunder on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/236390
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 16). VRChat on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/438100
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 14). World of Warships on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/552990
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 16). Heartopia on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/4025700
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 17). The Sims™ 4 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1222670
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 16). Banana on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2923300
- Valve Corporation. (2026, April 16). Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1449850