Summary
Fans of simulation games will love the many series that have established a foothold in the genre. From classic titles likeThe Simsto Two Point Studiosintegrating their charming simulation gameplayin a host of settings, fans can’t wait to see how this genre will evolve.
However, not all successful and engaging simulation games necessarily need to kickstart franchises. Sometimes, the best simulation games keep it simple and ensure that the experience they provide is loaded with so much content that fans can clock in hundreds of hours without getting bored.
RimWorldis one of the most open-ended colony simulation titles that gamers can get their hands on. The gameplay can be challenging to learn, but those whoget over this monstrous learning curvewill begin getting invested in the lives of their randomly generated colonists in no time.
The game’s emergent narratives are a huge reason why fans can’t get enough ofRimWorld. It may be a single game, but the sheer number of possible gameplay scenarios, coupled with a whole host of DLC, ensures that players can clock in a ton of hours and still find themselves enjoying new events that add to the game’s aleady remarkable entertainment factor.
Lucas Pope is one of the greatest indie developers of all time, and gamers need only check outPapers, Pleaseto find out why. On the face of it, simulating the life of an immigration officer is far from entertaining, or so players would think.
However,this simple gameplay loopis held up with gritty pixel art, the backdrop of war, and an exploration of the human condition. Players are forced to make choices that challenge their moral compass time and time again, with the game taking a particular toll during the latter stages when corrupt or desperate people attempt to sway their decision-making.
6Not For Broadcast
Serving As A Broadcast Officer And Deciding The Kind Of Content That Is Shown On The Airwaves Is A Blast
Controlling the broadcast of a news channel and deciding what viewers can and cannot see makesNot For Broadcastan interesting propaganda simulator that’s unlike anything out there. The core gameplay is held up by visual novel-style mechanics, whereplayers make critical decisions in the protagonist’s life.
With numerous DLCs to add to this game’s content, fans can only wonder if this title will be graced with the sequel it deserves. Until then,all players can do is unlock other endingsand make different choices in subsequent playthroughs.
BeamNG.driveis one of the most beloved andrealistic vehicle simulation gamesaround. The physics in this game is so complex that the title is used in academic research to carry out simulations.
Of course, those who just want to have a bit of fun can do so by slowly learning the ropes before checking out the game’s impressive selection of custom-made content. From challenge levels to hilarious custom content and everything in between, it’s easy to see why the niche occupied byBeamNG.drivedoesn’t necessarily warrant a sequel.
Managing a factory in a gamemay seem like the most boring thing in the world, but things become interesting when gamers have to do the same in an alien biome. This twist helpsFactoriostand out as one of the best management simulation games that gamers can get their hands on.
As their factories generate pollution, the player’s hard work will be targeted by hostile alien life that must be taken out by any means necessary. Protecting the factory and ensuring that its processes run smoothly can make for a huge learning curve, but those who decide to stick with this title for the long haul will enjoy one of the most complex and interesting simulation games ever made.
Given Maxis' stellar reputation as the developer ofThe Sims, it’s easy to see why its fanbase was hyped to the moon and back forSpore. The idea of creating a species and watching it rise from the amoebic stage to eventually travel in space made for an interesting pitch.
However,Spore’s ambition was held back by its rudimentary gameplay loops that failed to make the evolution of a player-created species as engaging as it should have been. If players ignore the context surrounding this game, thenSporecan be an entertaining life sim that brings some unique ideas to a table that could be perfected in a sequel, but this is rather unlikely given the dissolution of this studio and EA’s focus onmakingThe Simsbetter and more profitable.
Dwarf Fortressis one of the most legendary video games ever made, serving as a colony simulation that has slowly but steadily attracted a dedicated fanbase. As one would expect, the game is far from an easy title to get into and will force players to learn from their failures before eventually finding success.
Given that this game is regularly updated and has been around since 2002, it’s easy to see why players may find it unnecessary to release a sequel to this title. Instead, adding more content and letting players enjoy the depth of its gameplay is more than enough for some fans.
One of the biggest indie successes of all time,Stardew Valleyis one of the greatest farming simsout there, playing around with so many gameplay loops that it can honestly be mind-boggling. It helps that the game’s charming pixel art means that players looking for a zen experience can invest hundreds of hours in this title without becoming bored.
With the announcement ofHaunted Chocolatier, it’s easy to see whyStardew Valleywill eventually take a backseat to its development. However, that should take nothing away from the esteemed legacy of this title, which has received a bunch of updates to entice new fans and keep old ones happy.
