The Best Simulation Video Game Franchises

Summary

Simulation games make mundane tasks exciting, ensuring players are engaged.
Quality simulation franchises like SimCity and Two Point keep fans engrossed.
From helping cities in SimCity to thrive, to designing roller coasters in RollerCoaster Tycoon, simulation games offer diverse experiences.

Simulation games are a blast to play through for players who love gamifying what seems like boring, run-of-the-mill tasks and making them critical for success at the goal they've been assigned. The magic of turning the mundane into a thrilling portion of each simulation title's gameplay has helped this genre flourish in more ways than one.

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Some of the best simulation game franchises players can check out are a joy to play, featuring quality titles that will keep fans engrossed. Making slow yet steady progress in these titles is a blast every single time and ensures that players will be enraptured by the gameplay no matter how many hours they sink into these titles.

Franchises will be ranked based on their overall quality and popularity.

8 SimCity

The Downturn Of More Modern Entries Takes Nothing Away From The Quality Of The Series

Notable Entries: SimCity, SimCity 2000, SimCity 4

SimCity is one of the most popular simulation franchises around and has enjoyed a long and celebrated run in the gaming industry. Helping a city thrive through smart infrastructure and keeping citizens happy is a core part of every title's gameplay loop.

Unfortunately, the disaster that was SimCity's 2013 launch left a lasting impression on the series, which has been largely dormant ever since. Hopefully, players will be treated to a new SimCity game in the future now that this controversy has died down, although it seems unlikely at this point.

7 Two Point

Control Businesses Across Several Industries, Ensure Customers Are Happy, And Keep The Money Flowing

Notable Entries: Two Point Hospital, Two Point Campus

Two Point Studios has done a great job positioning itself as one of the best simulation developers around. The success of Two Point Hospital established a formula that the studio has implemented in several other titles since, with varying degrees of success.

Fans of classic titles like RollerCoaster Tycoon will love how Two Point Studios uses a similar gameplay loop and implements it across different verticals. The familiarity makes each title easy to get into as players come to grips with how these games work, keeping their customers happy and helping their businesses achieve immense levels of success.

6 RollerCoaster Tycoon

Designing Epic Roller Coasters Is A Blast Every Single Time

Notable Entries: RollerCoaster Tycoon, RollerCoaster Tycoon 2, RollerCoaster Tycoon 3

A classic simulation series that fans love, the nostalgic RollerCoaster Tycoon games are still a blast to play all these years later. Creating a massive theme park and keeping visitors entertained is a simple yet compelling gameplay loop that players can't get enough of.

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Creating thrilling roller coasters or using pre-made designs is a ton of fun, but players must ensure that their park is well-maintained at all times to keep visitors satisfied with their visit to their theme park. In no time at all, a thriving amusement park can rake in a ton of profits and become wildly successful.

5 Microsoft Flight Simulator

Boasts Beautiful Visuals And Relaxing Gameplay

Notable Entries: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000, Microsoft Flight Simulator X, Microsoft Flight Simulator

One of the greatest simulation franchises of all time, Microsoft Flight Simulator's complex gameplay can make it hard for newcomers to get into the series. However, players interested in the aviation industry will find a lot of things to love about these detailed simulation games.

One thing to be noted about each Microsoft Flight Simulator game is how they have wowed players with impressive graphics in each entry. It boasts as close to a 1-to-1 simulation of the entire planet as players are likely to get in a video game, and while the action on the ground may not be all that exciting, being able to fly to even the world's most remote airports is a blast. The latest title in the series is no exception, but it requires powerful systems for players to enjoy its visuals at their highest fidelity.

4 Animal Crossing

A Zen Series With Calming Simulation Gameplay That Can Be Enjoyed With Friends

Notable Entries: Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Animal Crossing: Wild World, Animal Crossing: New Horizons

A charming simulation series where players turn a run-down location into a thriving settlement, Animal Crossing is perfect for players who want to enjoy a cozy simulation gameplay experience. Playing any game in this series feels like a warm hug, as players will feel no pressure to make breakneck progress, and can choose to interact with these settlements in whatever manner they see fit.

The best Animal Crossing games are celebrated by the masses as effective "stress-buster" gaming that fans will love. Transforming a barren location into one full of life and color is satisfying for players who put in the work and let their artistic skills flourish in this franchise.

3 Crusader Kings

A Combination Of Grand Strategy, Role-Playing, And Simulation Makes For A Winning Combination

Notable Entries: Crusader Kings, Crusader Kings 2, Crusader Kings 3

One of the best grand strategy franchises of all time, Crusader Kings features gameplay that can be complex at first glance. Managing vassals, territories, alliances, and dynasties (among other things) can be overwhelming, but games like Crusader Kings 3 do a great job of slowly familiarizing players with the basics and letting them tackle the more complex aspects of the game at their own pace.

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Crusader Kings is perfect for those who want to enjoy a complex simulation game. Players are encouraged to role-play as their chosen ruler, make smart decisions to ensure their dynasty's success and achieve as much glory as possible to give a new ruler a much-needed head start.

2 Football Manager

Notable Entries: Football Manager 2020, Football Manager 2022, Football Manager 2024

One of the most detailed and popular management sims around, Football Manager lets players fulfill their wildest dreams of being a soccer manager and helping their team achieve victory at all costs. Players can either control established teams with a ton of financial backing or try to help a squad from the lower leagues achieve numerous promotions before eventually earning the highest accolade possible.

This makes it important to understand squad tactics, form personal relationships with the team's best players, and ensure that the entire squad is harmonious at all times. With proper tactics, players can shoot for the moon and become one of the most successful teams of all time.

1 The Sims

A Legendary Life Sim Franchise That Needs No Introduction

Notable Entries: The Sims, The Sims 2, The Sims 3, The Sims 4

Most people are aware of The Sims and how lauded this franchise is. From the very first entry, players were treated to some great life sim gameplay as they controlled a family and helped their stories unfold organically.

Every game in The Sims has been lauded for letting players enjoy an addictive gameplay loop, with the latest title being privy to this praise too despite a horrendous launch. While the lack of The Sims 5 has irritated many fans, they can only hope that the potential multiplayer-focused Sims title will be a revolution for the franchise after all the years spent waiting for a follow-up to The Sims 4.