Best Simulation Games on Steam
Steam currently has 35,903 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 9/18/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
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 756,103 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 743,418 positive reviews and 12,685 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.
- Price:$14.99
- Release Date:2/26/2016
- Developer:ConcernedApe
- Publisher:ConcernedApe
- Last Updated:9/18/2024
- 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 258,835 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 255,259 positive reviews and 3,576 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).
- Price:$9.99
- Release Date:7/23/2019
- Developer:mestiez
- Publisher:Studio Minus
- Last Updated:9/16/2024
- Steam App Id:1118200
3. 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 #3 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 761,619 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 743,137 positive reviews and 18,482 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.
- Price:$4.99
- Release Date:10/12/2012
- Franchise:SCS Software
- Developer:SCS Software
- Publisher:SCS Software
- Last Updated:9/18/2024
- Steam App Id:227300
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 193,540 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 189,656 positive reviews and 3,884 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.
- Price:$34.99
- Release Date:10/17/2018
- Developer:Ludeon Studios
- Publisher:Ludeon Studios
- Last Updated:9/18/2024
- Steam App Id:294100
5. 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 #5 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 124,694 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 122,101 positive reviews and 2,593 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Slime Rancher on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Price:$19.99
- Release Date:8/1/2017
- Franchise:Monomi Park
- Developer:Monomi Park
- Publisher:Monomi Park
- Last Updated:9/9/2024
- Steam App Id:433340
6. 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 #6 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 162,624 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 158,946 positive reviews and 3,678 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).
- Price:$4.99
- Release Date:3/31/2010
- Developer:TaleWorlds Entertainment
- Publisher:TaleWorlds Entertainment
- Last Updated:9/12/2024
- Steam App Id:48700
7. 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 #7 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 127,470 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 124,705 positive reviews and 2,765 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.
- Price:$19.99
- Release Date:4/1/2021
- Franchise:Landfall Games
- Developer:Landfall
- Publisher:Landfall
- Last Updated:9/18/2024
- Steam App Id:508440
8. VPet-Simulator
Feeling like the computer desktop is too dull? Need something cute to heal oneself? Come and try this new completely free and open source V-Pet simulator. A cute and adorable pet that supports various feeding interactions to accompany you in game learning is definitely your best choice!
VPet-Simulator has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 41,949 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 41,248 positive reviews and 701 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run VPet-Simulator on the Steam Deck.
9. Touhou Mystia's Izakaya
A brand new pixel art restaurant simulator based on the Touhou Project! Play as Mystia, the owner of a small izakaya. Collect ingredients by day, cater to the customers by night, learn recipes from familiar characters, and become the best izakaya owner in all of Gensokyo!
Touhou Mystia's Izakaya 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 22,879 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 22,570 positive reviews and 309 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $5.99 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.
10. BeamNG.drive
A dynamic soft-body physics vehicle simulator capable of doing just about anything.
BeamNG.drive 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 269,844 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 262,640 positive reviews and 7,204 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 BeamNG.drive on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
More Simulation Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Simulation games available on Steam.
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. (2024, September 18). Steam Store. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com
- Valve Corporation. (2024, September 18). Stardew Valley on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/413150
- Valve Corporation. (2024, September 16). People Playground on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1118200
- Valve Corporation. (2024, September 18). Euro Truck Simulator 2 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/227300
- Valve Corporation. (2024, September 18). RimWorld on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/294100
- Valve Corporation. (2024, September 9). Slime Rancher on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/433340
- Valve Corporation. (2024, September 12). Mount & Blade: Warband on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/48700
- Valve Corporation. (2024, September 18). Totally Accurate Battle Simulator on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/508440
- Valve Corporation. (2024, September 17). VPet-Simulator on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1920960
- Valve Corporation. (2024, September 16). Touhou Mystia's Izakaya on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1584090
- Valve Corporation. (2024, September 18). BeamNG.drive on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/284160