Free Simulation Games on Steam
Steam currently has 45,259 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 11/6/2025.
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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 2,587,192 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,102,744 positive reviews and 484,448 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
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 has achieved a Player Score of 60, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,627,691 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,570,398 positive reviews and 1,057,293 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:11/10/2025
- Steam App Id:578080
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 91,809 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 75,199 positive reviews and 16,610 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:11/5/2025
- 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 95, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 49,264 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 47,891 positive reviews and 1,373 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:11/10/2025
- 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 72, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 675,160 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 490,552 positive reviews and 184,608 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:11/7/2025
- 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 249,447 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 187,939 positive reviews and 61,508 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:11/7/2025
- Steam App Id:438100
7. 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 #7 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 181,249 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 157,680 positive reviews and 23,569 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:11/6/2025
- Steam App Id:1222670
8. 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 76, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 155,802 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 119,424 positive reviews and 36,378 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:11/8/2025
- Steam App Id:2139460
9. 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 91, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 33,581 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 31,236 positive reviews and 2,345 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:11/10/2025
- Steam App Id:3224770
10. IdleOn
The management RPG where your heroes keep fighting even when you're gone! Spend their loot on upgrades, unlock classes from Elemental Wizard to Cannon Pirate, and level up 19 unique skills like Farming, Sailing, and even Construction!
IdleOn has achieved a Player Score of 79, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 24,220 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 19,448 positive reviews and 4,772 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 IdleOn on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Release Date:11/6/2025
- Developer:Lavaflame2
- Publisher:Lavaflame2
- Last Updated:11/10/2025
- Steam App Id:1476970
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, November 6). Steam Store. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 6). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/570
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 10). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/578080
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 5). Banana on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2923300
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 10). Bongo Cat on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3419430
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 7). War Thunder on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/236390
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 7). VRChat on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/438100
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 6). The Sims™ 4 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1222670
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 8). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2139460
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 10). Umamusume: Pretty Derby on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3224770
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 10). IdleOn on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1476970