Simulator games are all the rage these days. These games, which closely mimic real-life situations are entertaining, relaxing and educational at the same time. Such games are more about the experience itself and pay close attention to small details.
In a simulator game, you can be anything. You can run a restaurant, fly a plane, become a farmer or even pretend to be a goat. Sounds fun? Then check out our list of the best simulator games to play. Get into the world of intensely realistic to the most bizarre simulator games on your PC, Android or Roblox.
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What are Simulator Video Games?
Simulator games are a type of video games that simulate real-world activities and projects. They heavily emphasize realism in terms of graphics, accuracy and fundamental ideas. Therefore, while they may be designed for fun, simulation games can also be used as educational and training material.
Simulation games enable the player to freely control a character or environment. They are generally more about the experience and, therefore, may not have a set story or objectives.
Such games have been steadily gaining popularity in the past few years and now different types of simulator games such as life simulation, animal simulation and sports simulations are regularly played on PCs, iPhones and Android devices.
Top 8 Simulator Games for PC
PowerWash Simulator
Released: 2021
Developer: FuturLab
PowerWash Simulator’s name makes it totally clear as to what it is. Yes, it is a chore turned into a game but it is a surprisingly compelling game. You see the endless miles of dirt and grime and just itch to pick up the machine and get down to business. This is a good simulator game to live out your fantasy of being a water gun for hire blasting down all the dirt.
PowerWash Simulator is a particularly therapeutic game as you clean up the mess while building up your small business by taking up requests. The game may be low on challenge but it’s highly satisfying watching the filthy roof become an immaculately clean slate.
Airplane Mode
Released: 2020
Developer: Hosni Auji, Bacronym
Ever thought what a flight simulation game would be like if you were the passenger instead of the pilot? Well, Airplane Mode is here to satisfy that curiosity. Described as one of the most realistic flight simulations, you can get the whole experience of a long-haul flight here.
Sit in your economy class seat, look out the window, solve a crossword puzzle, watch movies or read a book like you would on an actual flight.
The best part though is that you can pull shenanigans here that you wouldn’t dream of on a real flight. No one here is going to kick you off for reclining your seat all the way, unbuckling your seat belt or dropping tissues into the toilet in the bathroom.
Airplane Mode has randomized events each time you play and this may include enduring the troubles of bad Wi-Fi, take-off delays and the horrors of a crying baby on the flight. It gives you the opportunity to create your own fun and is pleasantly reminiscent of long-haul rides.
Cities: Skylines
Released: 2015
Developer: Colossal Order, Tantalus Media
Cities: Skylines is, simply put, a city-building simulation. It is an open-ended game where you are responsible for all aspects of urban planning- road placement, taxation, public transportation and zoning. You also have to manage other elements of the city such as budget, health, employment and pollution levels.
Cities: Skylines gives you the satisfaction of seeing your city expand and thrive in real-time. It nurtures your creativity in a way no other game does.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Released: 2020
Developer: Asobo Studios
Microsoft Flight Simulator is the path to fulfill your pilot dreams. It simulates the Earth’s topography with data from Bing Maps and uses AI and cloud computing to render and enhance visuals. This game is a visual marvel with next-level realism. It even uses real-time data to create real-time weather and other effects.
Microsoft Flight Simulator offers an extensive tutorial that helps you learn about basic controls, flight instruments and a take-off and landing test. It is a highly polished game with an unprecedented level of realism.
Even if you don’t want to pilot much and just sightsee, just switch on all the assists to sit back and enjoy pretty sights as a tourist.
Bee Simulator
Released: 2019
Developer: Varsav Game Studios
Ever thought about what it would be like to be a bee? Yes, the kind that lives in hives and makes honey. Bees are important for our ecosystem and you get first-hand experience of this with Bee Simulator. There are six modes, all of which are enjoyable in various degrees.
In this game, you have to fly through various hoops to collect pollen from flowers. There is an event-style battle with wasps who are rather nasty creatures. You may also have to help other bees and animals to advance the storyline.
It’s a straightforward game that you can easily play with your family.
Car Mechanic Simulator 2021
Released: 2021
Developer: Red Dot Games
Car Mechanic Simulator is about all things car as you step up to run your own car repair business. You have to take up jobs fixing vehicles and invest in junk vehicles to fix and flip with the difficulty level gradually increasing. As time goes by, you will find yourself rebuilding cars from scratch and selling them in the open market.
The 2021 iteration of the game has upgraded graphics and heavily emphasizes realism in the gameplay. Hence, it would be good to have some basic knowledge of how car parts are taken out and reassembled.
It is the game of choice for car enthusiasts as they get to go under the hood of more than 70 cars and 4,000 unique parts.
PC Building Simulator
Released: 2019
Developer: Claudiu Kiss, The Irregular Corporation
Nothing could be more satisfying for a gamer than building a gaming PC. While the real experience is something else, PC Building Simulator comes even closer to delivering that satisfaction than anyone could’ve predicted.
The game centers around owning and running a PC building workshop, particularly the ones meant for gaming. So, get ready with that thermal paste, anti-static armband and can of pressurised air to sort your customers’ hardware problems. It captures the experience of working as a PC repair technician as you undo screws and untangle wires before getting to the more exciting stuff.
In addition, PC Building Simulator offers a wide range of real-life hardware components and an option to build your dream gaming PC.
The Sims 4
Released: 2014
Developer: Maxis
Like the previous titles in the series, you can create and dress characters called ‘Sims’ and simulate their life. It offers an interactive and engaging environment where you are encouraged to make choices for your characters directing their actions, building houses for them and helping them achieve their goals.
The Sims 4 has a custom game engine with deeper simulations for the emotions and personalities of the characters. You can build a home, live by the beach or even raise a family of vampires. You can simply enjoy the lifestyle aspect of it or go for the objective-based gameplay if you want something more.
5 Best Simulator Games for Android
Stardew Valley
Released: 2016
Developer: Eric Barone, The Secret Police Limited, ConcSickhead Games
Stardew Valley might be old by video game standards but it is no less captivating than the ones being released these days. It is a farm life simulator where you have to take the role of a character who inherits a dilapidated farm left behind by their grandfather.
The farmland is full of boulders, weeds and stumps and you have to work to clear the debris to grow crops and raise livestock. Stardew Valley is an open-ended game allowing players to socialize with townspeople while working on the farm, engage in relationships and even marry and have children.
The game’s charming and immersive world along with its attention to detail make it an exceptional play. It has a cozy and relaxing vibe that draws the players in.
Stardew Valley also offers a clear sense of progression as you discover new crops and animals, upgrade your tools and build relationships with a diverse cast of characters. Thus, there is always something new to find in this simulation game.
Pocket City
Released: 2018
Developer: Codebrew Games
One of the best simulation games for Android, Pocket City can keep you engrossed for hours. It features a city with all the amenities of a modern metropolis such as buildings and homes, businesses, schools and parks. Like a real city, traffic jams and natural calamities coexist with festivals and block celebrations.
You are responsible for maintaining the order in this city. Engage with your world, customize your avatar and build a unique city in Pocket City. There are various quests and challenges throughout the city that you can complete to increase your level and earn rewards.
You can try out Pocket City for free and unlock offline play with a one-time payment.
RFS- Real Flight Simulator
Released: 2019
Developer: RORTOS
Do you like flight simulator games? If the answer is yes, then you must check out RFS- Real Flight Simulator. It is a realistic and immersive game where you get to pilot different planes- from small propeller aircraft to commercial jets. You get the full aviation experience as you fly in various weather conditions, environments and sceneries.
Apart from that, you can also join other pilots in multiplayer and interact with ATC controllers in RFS- Real Flight Simulator. Its realistic cockpit view and detailed plain models contribute significantly to the immersive experience. This realism makes it stand out and firmly establishes its place as the best flight simulator game.
Sims FreePlay
Released: 2012
Developer: EA Mobile, Firemonkeys Studios
Who doesn’t know the Sims? It’s a classic game and for good reason. It is a fun life simulation game where you create virtual people called Sims, design and customize their appearance, build and furnish their houses and engage in different activities.
The Sims FreePlay is an open-ended game that runs in real time. You progress through 55 levels to unlock content to be purchased with virtual currency. In addition, the game offers a complex and unique virtual world where you get to witness your Sims’ growth and development over time.
Hence, there is a strong sense of progression as you shape your Sims’ lives and personalities and make decisions about their career, relationships and overall well-being.
Goat Simulator
Released: 2014
Developer: Coffee Stain Studios, Coffee Stain North, Double Eleven
Would you like to try an animal simulation game? Then Goat Simulator should be on the top of your list. It’s a dumb but fun game. There are no rules to follow and no goals to achieve. It is all just about exploring the environment and wrecking stuff. No kidding, the game rewards you for headbutting objects, licking things and doing backflips.
Goat Simulator encourages you to push the boundaries of what’s possible and fully enjoy your freedom as a goat. It has an intentionally glitchy physics engine that adds to the charm of the game. The goat’s movements and wreckage lead to some hilarious moments that will have you laughing on the floor.
5 Best Simulator Games on Roblox
Adopt Me!
Released: 2017
Developer: Uplift Games
One of the best simulator games on Roblox, Adopt Me! enables you to enjoy the pleasures and pains of raising a pet. Here, you get a Starter Egg when you begin the game. This egg hatches only a dog or a cat. After hatching, these pets grow from newborns to juniors, pre-teens, teens, and post-teens and then become full adults.
Different eggs hatch different types of pets and you are responsible for nurturing them and creating your dream home. Robux is used to make purchases within the game. Adopt Me! also has a virtual currency known as “Bucks” that can be earned by fulfilling the needs of a pet.
The game is frequently updated and gives you access to new creatures and features.
Arm Wrestle Simulator
Released: 2023
Developer: Kubo Games
Arm Wrestler Simulator was released in 2023 and has quickly gone on to become a classic Roblox game. The goal here is to train and fight to become the best arm wrestler.
Arm Wrestler Simulator owes its success in large part to its simplicity. It has easy-to-understand goals and they are easy to accomplish as well. There are codes that you can use to increase your bicep power, hand strength and cardio ability. Apart from that, you can also raise pets on the Arm Wrestler Simulator.
Mining Simulator
Released: 2018
Developer: Rumble Studios
Ever dreamed of picking up a shovel and digging up minerals from the earth? If yes, then Mining Simulator is here to fulfill all your dreams.
In this game, you take on the role of a miner dedicated to gathering rich minerals. There are various tools and equipment that you can use to develop your business and improve the overall mining experience. Therefore, if you like discovering treasures, Mining Simulator might be the perfect game for you.
Farm Factory Tycoon
Released: 2022
Developer: Casual Games for Fun
For farming games on Roblox, there is nothing better than Farm Factory Tycoon. Here, you are the owner of a farm and are responsible for establishing and expanding the estate. The goal is to build and run an agricultural empire by improving structures and unlocking and raising new farm animals.
Farm Factory Tycoon closely mirrors real farm life with harsh sunlight, incessant rain, hard labor and low prices for crops that took a long time to grow. There are various modes in the game and you can also choose scenarios where you have specific goals to achieve.
It may be a little basic but is a highly addicting simulator game nonetheless.
Tower Defense Simulator
Released: 2019
Developer: Paradoxum Games
Tower Defense Simulator is one of the best and most popular games on Roblox. Launched in 2019, it now has over three billion visits. In this game, you have to team up with other players to fight different enemies until they are either overrun or win over that particular map. You can also build towers to keep off the horde of zombies.
Like other defense simulator games, you earn rewards for damaging the enemies and beating the rounds. The coins and gems can then be used to buy new towers, skins and emotes. You can also raise the difficulty level of the quests if you think you need something more challenging.
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