Best Simulation Games on Steam
Steam currently has 48,464 Simulation games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Simulation game rankings were last updated on 3/20/2026.
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1. Stardew Valley
You've inherited your grandfather's old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home?
Stardew Valley holds the #1 spot for "best Simulation game on Steam" with a Player Score of 98. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 989,396 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 974,273 positive reviews and 15,123 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $7.49 to play and 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.
- Price:$7.49
- Release Date:2/26/2016
- Developer:ConcernedApe
- Publisher:ConcernedApe
- Last Updated:3/20/2026
- Steam App Id:413150
2. People Playground
Shoot, stab, burn, poison, tear, vaporise, or crush ragdolls in a large open space.
People Playground has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 307,990 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 303,290 positive reviews and 4,700 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play People Playground on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Price:$9.99
- Release Date:7/23/2019
- Developer:mestiez
- Publisher:Studio Minus
- Last Updated:2/24/2026
- Steam App Id:1118200
3. Schedule I
From small-time dope pusher to kingpin - manufacture and distribute a range of drugs throughout the grungy city of Hyland Point. Expand your empire with properties, businesses, employees and more.
Schedule I has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 285,032 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 279,094 positive reviews and 5,938 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $13.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Schedule I on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
4. RimWorld
A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more.
RimWorld has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 235,955 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 231,003 positive reviews and 4,952 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $27.99 to play and 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.
- Price:$27.99
- Release Date:10/17/2018
- Developer:Ludeon Studios
- Publisher:Ludeon Studios
- Last Updated:3/24/2026
- Steam App Id:294100
5. Euro Truck Simulator 2
Travel across Europe as king of the road, a trucker who delivers important cargo across impressive distances! With dozens of cities to explore, your endurance, skill and speed will all be pushed to their limits.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 905,459 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 882,491 positive reviews and 22,968 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and 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.
- Price:$4.99
- Release Date:10/12/2012
- Franchise:SCS Software
- Developer:SCS Software
- Publisher:SCS Software
- Last Updated:3/26/2026
- Steam App Id:227300
6. Balatro
The poker roguelike. Balatro is a hypnotically satisfying deckbuilder where you play illegal poker hands, discover game-changing jokers, and trigger adrenaline-pumping, outrageous combos.
Balatro has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 186,923 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 183,030 positive reviews and 3,893 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $11.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
- Price:$11.99
- Release Date:2/20/2024
- Franchise:Playstack
- Developer:LocalThunk
- Publishers:
- Last Updated:3/21/2026
- Steam App Id:2379780
7. Slime Rancher
Slime Rancher is the tale of Beatrix LeBeau, a plucky, young rancher who sets out for a life a thousand light years away from Earth on the ‘Far, Far Range’ where she tries her hand at making a living wrangling slimes.
Slime Rancher has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 151,117 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 148,083 positive reviews and 3,034 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Slime Rancher on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Price:$4.99
- Release Date:8/1/2017
- Franchise:Monomi Park
- Developer:Monomi Park
- Publisher:Monomi Park
- Last Updated:3/19/2026
- Steam App Id:433340
8. MiSide
Let's imagine that you have a game in which you care for a character. But could you imagine one day getting into that game yourself?
MiSide has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 136,738 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 133,831 positive reviews and 2,907 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $13.49 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play MiSide on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
9. Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
Be the leader of wobblers from ancient lands, spooky places, and fantasy worlds. Watch them fight in simulations made with the wobbliest physics system ever created, make your own wobblers in the unit creator and send your army off to fight your friends in multiplayer.
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 146,169 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 142,964 positive reviews and 3,205 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $1.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
- Price:$1.99
- Release Date:4/1/2021
- Franchise:Landfall Games
- Developer:Landfall
- Publisher:Landfall
- Last Updated:3/23/2026
- Steam App Id:508440
10. VPet-Simulator
Feeling like the computer desktop is too dull? Need something cute to heal oneself? Come and try this new completely free and open source V-Pet simulator. A cute and adorable pet that supports various feeding interactions to accompany you in game learning is definitely your best choice!
VPet-Simulator has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Simulation games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 50,451 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 49,598 positive reviews and 853 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run VPet-Simulator on the Steam Deck.
More Simulation Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Simulation games available on Steam.
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews 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. (2026, March 20). Steam Store. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 20). Stardew Valley on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/413150
- Valve Corporation. (2026, February 24). People Playground on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1118200
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 26). Schedule I on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3164500
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 24). RimWorld on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/294100
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 26). Euro Truck Simulator 2 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/227300
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 21). Balatro on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2379780
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 19). Slime Rancher on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/433340
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 25). MiSide on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2527500
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 23). Totally Accurate Battle Simulator on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/508440
- Valve Corporation. (2026, March 18). VPet-Simulator on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1920960