Simulation games are posed as a wide variety of experiences that help the player simulate real world activities. This article covers farming, life, hospital management, piracy, and park management simulators. Join us as we count down from 5 and give a brief overview of each of the simulation games chosen for this list.
5. Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is a farming simulator that brings great joy to all players. After receiving a farm in your grandfather’s last will and testament, the player must work tirelessly to save it from dilapidation and get the farm back up and running.
The player carries out several tasks such as planting, harvesting, and producing. There is a wide array of tools at the players disposal which includes hoes, scythes, shovels, and watering cans. The game has seasons which affect what can grow. For example, summer would produce sunflower crops that can be harvested and sold.
The game also boasts relationship mechanics. This is were the player can bond with the people in the village and even bond with someone so much so that they can be romanced. Then the player can marry them. Additionally, the map is vast and allows for exploration. The mines can be traversed and are a multitude of caverns. The caverns host treacherous terrain, foes, and intriguing crystals. These items can be sold or repurposed.
The game has multiple challenges and goals to be working towards resulting in being one of the longest played and easy games to reply in the simulation category.
4. The SIMS 4

The SIMS series has been enjoyed by players since the introduction of the original SIMS in 2000. There is something oddly relaxing and comfortable playing as humans and having to do mundane tasks such as keep their hygiene, hunger, and social meter at capacity.
SIMS 4 is the latest in the series and combines colorful vibrant and graphically pleasing animation with a host of life experiences. Create a sim, customize it to your heart’s content, and watch as the sim grows from the age you selected until death.
The SIMS 4 has released a variety of expansion packs that help build on the experience of this popular life simulator. Some of these expansion packs including pets which allow SIMS 4 households to have the experience of a pet which ranges from cat, dog, small animal, and for some reason a feisty racoon.
SIMS 4 will always be something players can return to and pick up where they left off.
3. Two Point Hospital

Two Point Hospital is a quirky hospital management sim. Similar to the retro Theme Hospital, it delivers a unique experience to managing a hospital. A great influx of patients to your hospital poses new challenges, especially when some of the patient ailments are hilarious.
For example, mock star is a mental affliction that has patients believing they are Freddie Mercury causing them to physically morph into Freddie Mercury. The treatment plan is of course, a trip to the psychiatrist. This leaves players dealing with a host of interesting and strange ailments.
Additionally, managing hospital finances, ensuring patient satisfaction, recruitment, dealing with inspections, and outbreaks are some of the exciting tasks you will need to deal with to make sure your hospital is of high standard.
Challenges in the game allow for replayability, to ensure you achieve the challenges, and just general replayability to try different hospital settings. Endless different outcomes for each hospital, allows for a lengthy time sink.
2. Port Royale 4

Port Royale is an exciting and tantalizing piracy trade simulation. Navigate and explore the Caribbean whilst creating rich and successful import and export trade. It wouldn’t be a game set in the great pirate era if it didn’t involve some bloody and fierce piracy battles on the seas. Engage in combat to protect your trade routes and become the ruler of the seven seas.
The time sink element, lies within the constant selection of intricate trade routes. Certain port towns and harbors will be better suited for certain products. Products include things like tobacco, bananas, and spices. The management also lies in keeping the townspeople content and building the towns amenities and structures that will keep them from revolting.
The naval battles are fun and involve a degree of strategy. Players can skip through the battles, but the real time consumption and enjoyment can be found after battling a pirate ship that has been harassing your trade route and regaining supremacy in the region.
Overall, Port Royale 4 like its successors creates an intricate and difficult piracy trade simulator which leaves players with the goal to conquer the seas financially and with fear.
1. Jurassic World Evolution 2

A mixture of science and park management combine to make an interesting nostalgic experience for fans of Jurassic Park/Jurassic World. The aim of the game is to run a dinosaur theme park. The encompasses all elements of park management: customer satisfaction, dinosaur satisfaction, finances and customer numbers.
The park management aspect is paired with the scientific side of things. Send teams on expeditions to retrieve fossils and work with scientists to ensure that enough DNA is extracted. The DNA helps to create the main stars of the show. DINOSAURS!
The campaign also features story challenges from the Jurassic Park movies and Jurassic World movies. This allows the player to relive some of the finer moments from the series and engage in a challenging story mode.
Overall, several hours can be sunk into it by looking after the dinosaurs, observing the dinosaurs, and spending time with the dinosaurs. Players can enjoy time exploring their park and watching everything come together. Face adversities such as weather elements, infection outbreaks, and angry dinosaurs.
Get lost in the world of simulation
Check out these five titles and let us know if there are any we have missed out. As always thank you for reading and don’t forget to check out some of the other articles from amazing authors!!
25, Indie Game connoisseur. Also a hamster mum, fiancée & working in the addiction field. Gaming and writing are my escape and comfort for when the world gets too much!