Best simulation Games

NXTO's catalog has 1,585 simulation games. These 30 rank highest once player ratings, Metacritic scores and Steam reviews are combined. The top three: Stardew Valley, Papers, Please and RimWorld.

How it's ranked: a blend of RAWG player ratings, Metacritic and Steam reviews, adjusted so games with very few ratings can't outrank well-proven ones. Times are average player-reported playtime, so treat them as rough guides.

1. 1
   

   Stardew Valley

   2016Indie, RPGPC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.5/5⏱ ~53.4 h to beat
2. 2
   

   Papers, Please

   2013Educational, IndiePC ★ 4.5/5⏱ ~5 h to beat
3. 3
   

   RimWorld

   2016Strategy, IndiePC ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~65.6 h to beat
4. 4
   

   Factorio

   2020Casual, StrategyPC, Switch ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~53.1 h to beat
5. 5
   

   HUMAN FALL FLAT!

   2019Adventure, Simulation ★ 4.4/5
6. 6
   

   Hypnospace Outlaw

   2015SimulationPC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.4/5~3 h avg. playtime
7. 7
   

   Dwarf Fortress

   2006Strategy, IndiePC ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~48 h to beat
8. 8
   

   SpaceEngine

   2019Casual, IndiePC ★ 4.4/5~1 h avg. playtime
9. 9
   

   Ostriv

   Strategy, SimulationPC ★ 4.4/5~4 h avg. playtime
10. 10
    

    VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action

    2016Adventure, SimulationPC, PS4, Switch ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~11.1 h to beat
11. 11
    

    Minecraft

    2009Action, ArcadePC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~65.3 h to beat
12. 12
    

    Dave the Diver

    2023Adventure, ActionPC, Switch ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~25.1 h to beat
13. 13
    

    FTL: Faster Than Light

    2012Strategy, IndiePC ★ 4.4/5⏱ ~12.1 h to beat
14. 14
    

    People Playground

    2019Casual, IndiePC ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~3.7 h to beat
15. 15
    

    Against the Storm

    2023Strategy, SimulationPC ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~37.5 h to beat
16. 16
    

    Door Kickers 2: Task Force North

    2020Strategy, IndiePC ★ 4.3/5
17. 17
    

    Crusader Kings III

    2020Strategy, RPGPC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~72.6 h to beat
18. 18
    

    Kerbal Space Program

    2015Indie, SimulationPC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~110.2 h to beat
19. 19
    

    Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades

    2016Indie, ActionPC ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~35 h to beat
20. 20
    

    Animal Crossing: New Horizons

    2020SimulationSwitch ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~60.8 h to beat
21. 21
    

    Caesar 3

    1998Strategy, SimulationPC ★ 4.3/5~1 h avg. playtime
22. 22
    

    Creeper World 4

    2020Action, CasualPC ★ 4.3/5~7 h avg. playtime
23. 23
    

    PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo

    2023Casual, AdventurePC, Switch ★ 4.3/5~3 h avg. playtime
24. 24
    

    Dyson Sphere Program

    2021Strategy, IndiePC ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~67.5 h to beat
25. 25
    

    Opus Magnum

    2017Indie, SimulationPC ★ 4.3/5~3 h avg. playtime
26. 26
    

    Frostpunk

    2018Strategy, SimulationPC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~10.7 h to beat
27. 27
    

    ROME: Total War

    2004Strategy, SimulationPC ★ 4.3/5~2 h avg. playtime
28. 28
    

    FAR: Lone Sails

    2018Indie, AdventurePC, Xbox One, PS4 ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~3.1 h to beat
29. 29
    

    Bully

    2006Adventure, ActionPS4 ★ 4.3/5
30. 30
    

    Oxygen Not Included

    2017Strategy, IndiePC ★ 4.3/5⏱ ~104.7 h to beat

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