Free Simulation Games on Steam
Steam currently has 40,646 Simulation games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best free games ranked by popularity and ratings. Data for this list is calculated from reviews and player counts reported directly by Steam and will be updated in real-time. Free Simulation game rankings were last updated on 4/23/2025.
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1. Dota 2
Every day, millions of players worldwide enter battle as one of over a hundred Dota heroes. And no matter if it's their 10th hour of play or 1,000th, there's always something new to discover. With regular updates that ensure a constant evolution of gameplay, features, and heroes, Dota 2 has taken on a life of its own.
Dota 2 holds the #1 spot for "best free Simulation game on Steam" with a Player Score of 81. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,472,363 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,015,406 positive reviews and 456,957 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Dota 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
2. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, the high-stakes winner-take-all shooter that started the Battle Royale craze, is free-to-play! Drop into diverse maps, loot unique weapons and supplies, and survive in an ever-shrinking zone where every turn could be your last.
PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has achieved a Player Score of 59, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,538,798 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,507,140 positive reviews and 1,031,658 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on the Steam Deck.
- Release Date:12/21/2017
- Franchise:KRAFTON, Inc.
- Developers:
- Publisher:KRAFTON, Inc.
- Last Updated:4/16/2025
- Steam App Id:578080
3. Bongo Cat
Bongo cat needs your help. Bongo cat needz more hatz!!! Every time you press a key, Bongo cat will punch your taskbar. Type, click, play, work to collect more points. Which hats will you find?
Bongo Cat has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 12,230 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 11,956 positive reviews and 274 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
- Release Date:3/5/2025
- Developer:Marcel Zurawka
- Publisher:Irox Games
- Last Updated:4/24/2025
- Steam App Id:3419430
4. Banana
Banana is a clicker Game, in which you click a Banana! In Banana you click the Banana to gain even more Bananas! Every 3 hours, you get dropped a banana. Each banana is also made by the community in discord. Come hang out with us and let's grow into something awesome !
Banana has achieved a Player Score of 81, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 88,487 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 73,010 positive reviews and 15,477 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
- Release Date:4/23/2024
- Developers:
- Publishers:
- Last Updated:4/24/2025
- Steam App Id:2923300
5. War Thunder
War Thunder is the most comprehensive free-to-play, cross-platform, MMO military game dedicated to aviation, armoured vehicles, and naval craft, from the early 20th century to the most advanced modern combat units. Join now and take part in major battles on land, in the air, and at sea.
War Thunder has achieved a Player Score of 73, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 615,157 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 449,723 positive reviews and 165,434 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It 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.
- Release Date:8/15/2013
- Franchise:Gaijin Network Ltd
- Developer:Gaijin Entertainment
- Publishers:
- Last Updated:4/25/2025
- Steam App Id:236390
6. Once Human
Once Human is a multiplayer open-world survival game set in a strange, post-apocalyptic future. Unite with friends to fight monstrous enemies, uncover secret plots, compete for resources, and build your own territory. Once, you were merely human. Now, you have the power to remake the world.
Once Human has achieved a Player Score of 73, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 126,042 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 93,129 positive reviews and 32,913 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Once Human on the Steam Deck.
- Release Date:7/9/2024
- Developer:Starry Studio
- Publisher:Starry Studio
- Last Updated:4/24/2025
- Steam App Id:2139460
7. Waifu - Kawaii Idler & Clicker
💗 Idler Clicker + Dating Sim 💗 Earn rare Waifus in daily drops, win their love, and trade on Steam Community Marketplace
Waifu - Kawaii Idler & Clicker has achieved a Player Score of 65, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 228 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 157 positive reviews and 71 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Waifu - Kawaii Idler & Clicker on the Steam Deck.
- Release Date:12/3/2024
- Developer:Team Waifu
- Publisher:Team Waifu
- Last Updated:4/21/2025
- Steam App Id:3188910
8. VRChat
Join our growing community as you explore, play, and help craft the future of social VR. Create worlds and custom avatars. Welcome to VRChat.
VRChat has achieved a Player Score of 75, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 237,915 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 179,834 positive reviews and 58,081 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
- Release Date:2/1/2017
- Developer:VRChat Inc.
- Publisher:VRChat Inc.
- Last Updated:4/24/2025
- Steam App Id:438100
9. The Sims™ 4
Play with life and discover the possibilities. Unleash your imagination and create a world of Sims that’s wholly unique. Explore and customize every detail from Sims to homes–and much more.
The Sims™ 4 has achieved a Player Score of 86, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 167,802 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 146,514 positive reviews and 21,288 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play The Sims™ 4 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Release Date:6/18/2020
- Franchise:The Sims
- Developer:Maxis
- Publisher:Electronic Arts
- Last Updated:4/24/2025
- Steam App Id:1222670
10. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel
Yu-Gi-Oh! MASTER DUEL is the ultimate free-to-play cross-platform strategy card game with fast-paced Duels, stunning HD graphics and a new, dynamic soundtrack! Get ready to challenge Duelists around the world!
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel has achieved a Player Score of 74, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 85,343 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 63,525 positive reviews and 21,818 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
- Release Date:1/19/2022
- Franchise:Yu-Gi-Oh!
- Developers:
- Publishers:
- Last Updated:4/25/2025
- Steam App Id:1449850
More Free Simulation Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free Simulation games available on Steam.
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Player counts 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. (2025, April 23). Steam Store. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 23). Dota 2 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/570
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 16). PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/578080
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 24). Bongo Cat on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3419430
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 24). Banana on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2923300
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 25). War Thunder on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/236390
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 24). Once Human on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2139460
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 21). Waifu - Kawaii Idler & Clicker on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3188910
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 24). VRChat on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/438100
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 24). The Sims™ 4 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1222670
- Valve Corporation. (2025, April 25). Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1449850