Simulation games
The genre that tries to recreate a real job, vehicle or system as closely as possible.
What is the simulation genre?
The goal of a simulation game is not to make you win but to let you feel how something really works. It can be an aircraft cockpit, a farm, a hospital, a railway line or a person's daily life; what they share is the effort to keep the rules true to reality. That is why many simulations have no win screen in the classic sense.
The genre covers a wide range. At one end are games that follow real procedures line by line and take weeks to learn; at the other are games that simplify the same idea into relaxed and sometimes funny experiences. Both live under the same roof.
What defines it?
Physics, economics or procedures are modelled as close to their real counterparts as possible.
Instead of a win condition, the point is to build a system that keeps running.
Controls and menus are crowded, and mastery comes with time.
Mods and expansions keep simulation games alive for years.
Landmark games
Well-known examples often used to explain the genre. For the list on our site, see the games section below.
At a glance
Simulation games (136)
Rise of Industry 2 TR
Stardew Valley TR
inZoi TR
Blacksmith Master TR
Jurassic World Evolution TR
Planet Coaster TR
7
Planet Coaster 2 TR
The Sims 4 TR
WWE 2K25 TR
Wanderstop TR
Sugardew Island: Your Cozy Farm Shop TR
Sports: Renovations TR
Hollywood Animal TR
Two Point Museum TR
Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition TR
Tales of the Shire TR
Latest stories on simulation games
Frequently asked questions
Is there such a thing as winning in a simulation game?
In most of them, no. You usually set the goal yourself: A profitable farm, a flight without incidents or a city that works. Some games add measurable tasks through scenario modes.
Do I need special hardware to play simulations?
No, but a steering wheel or a joystick clearly changes the feel of flight and driving simulators. Almost every title can also be played with a keyboard or a controller.