Best Simulation Games That Are Not Part Of A Franchise

Fans of simulation games will love the many series that have established a foothold in the genre. From classic titles like The Sims to Two Point Studios integrating their charming simulation gameplay in 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.

8 RimWorld

A Colony Simulation Title That Is Capable Of Telling Memorable Stories With Its Procedural Systems

RimWorld is 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 who get over this monstrous learning curve will 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 of RimWorld. 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.

7 Papers, Please

Players Simulate The Actions Of An Immigration Inspector Who Must Make Several Tough Decisions

Lucas Pope is one of the greatest indie developers of all time, and gamers need only check out Papers, Please to 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 loop is 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 try to sway their decision-making.

6 Not For Broadcast

Serving As A Broadcast Officer And Deciding The Kind Of Content That Is Shown On The Airwaves Is A Blast

• Platforms: PC, Meta Quest 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Release Date: January 25, 2022
• Developer: NotGames

Controlling the broadcast of a news channel and deciding what viewers can and cannot see makes Not For Broadcast an interesting propaganda simulator that’s unlike anything out there. The core gameplay is held up by visual novel-style mechanics, where players make critical decisions in the protagonist’s life.

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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 endings and make different choices in subsequent playthroughs.

5 BeamNG.drive

A Vehicle Simulation Game With A State-Of-The-Art Physics System

BeamNG.Drive

Systems

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Released

August 3, 2013

Developer

BeamNG

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BeamNG.drive is one of the most beloved and realistic vehicle simulation games around. 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 by BeamNG.drive doesn’t necessarily warrant a sequel.

4 Factorio

Players Must Construct A Factory On A Hostile Alien Planet And Ensure Its Successful Running At All Times

Systems

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Released

August 14, 2020

Developer(s)

Wube Software

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OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Managing a factory in a game may 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 helps Factorio stand 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.

3 Spore

An Ambitious Life Sim That Failed To Live Up To Its Lofty Promises

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Released

September 7, 2008

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Given Maxis’ stellar reputation as the developer of The Sims, it’s easy to see why its fanbase was hyped to the moon and back for Spore. The idea of creating a species and watching it rise from the amoebic stage to eventually travel in space made for an interesting pitch.

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Even though simulation games tend to emulate real-life experiences, they can be fun to play, especially the ones with a co-op mode.

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, then Spore can 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 on making The Sims better and more profitable.

2 Dwarf Fortress

A Legendary Colony Sim That Has Attracted A Dedicated Fanbase Over The Years

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Platform(s)

Linux , macOS , Microsoft Windows

Released

August 8, 2006

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Developer

Bay 12 Games, Tarn Adams, Zach Adams

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

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Dwarf Fortress is 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.

1 Stardew Valley

A Farming Sim And One Of The Greatest Indie Successes

One of the biggest indie successes of all time, Stardew Valley is one of the greatest farming sims out 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 of Haunted Chocolatier, it’s easy to see why Stardew Valley will 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.

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