Simulation gamesare generally about emulating a real-life activity, so it should be no surprise that these games tend to have a lot of depth to get players fully-immersed in the objective. However, there are some experiences in the genre that only provide a couple of scenarios to work with.
Related:The Best Real Life Simulation Games, According To Metacritic
That’s why making asimulation game that has a lot of replay valueis important. This can be done by adding a randomized element to the game or by giving players option to change up how they initial approach the gameplay. Either way, there are a selection ofsimulation games with a lot of replayability.
7Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
Some simulators are not meant to be taken seriously, but they also can have enough going on that it is impossible to put down. This is the case withTotally Accurate Battle Simulator, aragdoll physicsgame that is all about pitting random beings against each other to see if they win.
Totally Accurate Battle Simulatordoes have a main campaign that challenges the player to figure how the best way to challenge certain combinations of opposing armies. But the depth of this experience is in its sandbox where players can spend hours creating matches with individuals listed under dozens of classes.
6Microsoft Flight Simulator
Learning how to fly a plane may feel impossible to most people, butMicrosoft Flight Simulatoroffers players the ability to experience controlling an aircraft without the dangers of actually being behind the wheel of one.
Microsoft Flight Simulatorlooks to immerse to pilot by having Earth completed generated thanks to technologies such as Microsoft Azure and Bing Maps. Players can see themselves taking off fromnumerous airports, flying dozens of aircraft, and taking on a bevy of different challenges and modes.
5Stardew Valley
Farming simulators have become a lot more popular in recent years. One of the biggest reasons for this is the rise ofStardew Valley, a beloved indie title that broke away from other farming games to be a truly unique and deep experience, an impressive feat considering the game was made by one individual.
Stardew Valleyallows players tobuild their farmfrom scratch while also spending time with the people of Pelican Town. There is so much to do in the game that there isn’t really a true ending, but one way to have different experiences in multiple replays is changing the starting point each time, or jumping in with a friend.
4Two Point Campus
Some of the best old school simulation games have players taking on the role of a higher being building and managing the world they are creating from above. A more modern version of that isTwo Point Campus, which focuses on building a dream school.
Related:Simulation Games That Have Great World Building
Players can choose to either build a school with little restrictionin sandbox modeor take on a challenge with different scenarios that force the creator to try specific methods to make a school that will be most successful under that category.Two Point Campusalso has a hilarious vibe to it, with silly characters and over-the-top courses.
3Planet Coaster
In a similar vein toTwo Point Campus,Planet Coasteralso features the player looking from a top-down perspective at the structures they are building. But instead of the creation being an academic institution, it is a beautiful amusement park.
Players can go back toPlanet Coastermany times to create a new theme park of their dreams, and the game has a lot of extra content that can be purchased and used to add to the specific theme the player may be going for. Of course, those who want a challenge can also take on specific park scenarios thatrequire certain goalsto be met.
2Cities: Skylines
From campuses and theme parks, why not attempt to take control of an entire city?Cities: Skylinesreally pushes the player to the limit of trying to manage many elements of the society, such as infrastructure and policies that change the way the city is run.
There is an array of options to choose from, allowing players to build what they would like to see in the city and paired with a simulation that is as realistic to life as it can get. The replayability ofCities: Skylinescomes in especially when considering the community with plenty of cities to download as well asfun mods to tryout.
1The Sims 4
Life is what one makes of it, andThe Sims 4is the best video game example of that. The latest iteration in one of the most popular simulation series of all-time,The Sims 4is all about creating characters,building their homes, and spending a lifetime there before starting new soon after.
The game has recently gone free-to-play, allowing new players to jump in to get an idea of what the standard experience is before they may look into buying one of the many expansions. It is encouraged that players return to the game often to start new lives and take a Sim down a new path to see where it goes.
