Anyone from the millennials grew up playing the early versions of The Sims. To be honest, the Sims is one of the most memorable and nostalgic games for players. Simulating things that cannot happen in real life is what helped The Sims series to be famous.
Disclaimer, the games mentioned below will have something in common with the Sims but will not be exactly the same as the Sims. The listed games will have unique features for you to freely experience and enjoy your freedom. If you’re tired of looking after Sims, here are the Top 10 similar games to The Sims you should try. Without further ado, open your heart and let’s get ready for new virtual simulation worlds.
1. My Time at Portia
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
- Genres: Action RPG, simulation
- Mode: Single player
Although inspired by popular 2D-format games of the same genre such as Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley, the 3D graphics of My Time at Portia make the development of the factory extremely satisfying when you witness your workshop scale grow daily. Combined with bright colors and melodious sounds, living in the city of Portia sometimes makes you forget reality, forget the worries and immerse yourself in virtual jobs in a virtual world.
With a depth of play and many new functions constantly updated by the publisher, My Time At Portia is the ideal game if you want to temporarily leave reality and start a virtual life in the beautiful city of Portia.
2. Stardew Valley
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita
- Game genres: Simulation, RPG
- Game modes: Single player, multiplayer
In indie games launched in 2016, Stardew Valley – a game inspired by Harvest Moon from independent developer Eric Barone. No noisy advertising, no complicated plot, no epic graphics, Stardew Valley still has a strong attraction that makes players forget to eat, sleep to immerse into the world of the game. And then when you exit the game, there will be something clinging.
Stardew Valley gives you so much to do, so many goals to achieve, sometimes it makes it difficult to decide what to do first, what to do next. There are times, players will want to replay from the beginning because of the wrong choice they made. However, because there is no time limit to finish the game, you can slowly correct it and keep pace with the game.
3. Two Point Hospital
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Classic Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, Linux
- Genre: Simulation
- Mode: Single player, multiplayer
In Two Point Hospital, players will design and operate a private hospital of their own. The goal is still to cure patients with humorous fictional situations. In addition, as a hospital director, you also have to manage troublesome employees on the path to developing a new health organization in Two Point County.
Hospital employees – including doctors, nurses, nurses, janitors, accountants, receptionists, etc. – each have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. You need to know who is competent and who does not work effectively. Human resource balance is also an important factor for sustainable hospital development.
4. Cities: Skylines
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux
- Game genres: city-building game, construction and management simulation
- Game mode: Single player
City building and management simulation has never been an easy-to-play genre for any player, whether you are a newcomer to the series for the first time or have experienced many titles in the genre.
The characteristic of this genre is that players have to manage many aspects, from people’s issues such as housing and meeting the needs from the minimum to the high of the people, to macroeconomic issues. or policies for the overall development of the whole city with certain milestones.
5. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
- Genre: Social simulation
- Modes: Single player, multiplayer
You know why self-help books that say “Take charge of your life” are selling so well? That’s because most people can’t “control” their life. Animal Crossing helps balance this inability.
In the game, you can choose everything about yourself, and every little effort you make gradually makes the island more beautiful. In the end, you can finally control everything in your life. We hope the virtual world of the game will help you be more motivated to overcome difficulties that exist in real life.
6. Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
- Genre: Adventure
- Mode: Single player
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles is an adventure story where players can play as a boy or girl. The game has very funny and cute graphics. But not only that, the developer also built a large open world in the game with an exceptionally rare formula. You will never have to worry about promotions. The character has no health bar so you have to worry about those painful “game over” screens. Even the Yonder doesn’t have any time limits. And above all, you can do almost everything in the beautiful Gemea world except killing, or experimenting in any way you like, without any rules.
7. Fantasy Life
- Platform: Nintendo 3DS
- Genres: RPG, life simulation
Mabinogi: Fantasy Life is based on the famous MMO of Nexon Mabinogi. Of course this mobile version also slightly changed as it will focus on exploiting social aspects as well as interaction between players together with the standard gameplay of the MMORPG series.
If you’re tired of farming monsters, you can focus on building a virtual life for your character including being a chef, singer, dancer and even a DJ in the world of Mabinogi – nothing is limited at all. There are interesting social activities like camping, concerts for you to express yourself by your character with other players.
8. Jurassic World Evolution
- Publisher: Frontier Developments
- Genre: Business Stimulation
- Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows Microsoft
Jurassic World Evolution is set in the isolated Muertes Islands off Costa Rica. In the uninhabited archipelago, you will become an employee under Dr. John Hammond (who also founded the “dinosaur park” in the classic film of the same name) with the task of finding Genetic resources and help him complete the unfinished park.
And not only encapsulated in the source of DNA, Jurassic World Evolution also helps you create your dream dinosaur. Hybrid and combined mechanics will help you create a new species superior to the old one, such as the monster Indominus Rex in the first Jurassic World movie or the intelligent dinosaur Indo Raptor in the second movie.
9. Graveyard Keeper
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Android, Xbox One, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, MacOS
- Genres: Simulation, RPG
- Mode: Single player
Graveyard Keeper begins with a family story, and the protagonist is suddenly transported to an unknown village.He asked himself questions like “Where is this? Why am I here?” You have to overcome all difficulties to find your way back to your loved ones.
All ingame things were built with a diagonal top-down perspective on a pixelated background that was so detailed and beautiful. We were even impressed with the evening scenery. We could say the whole space is dark, only the rare lights make a little creepy feeling when you wander between wheat fields or pass by the cemetery next to the church.
Management simulation games are a big part of the market, but most are just as relaxing or entertaining as managing a farm or store. Graveyard Keeper is a similar management simulation game, with a unique topic: managing cemeteries and caring for the dead.
10. House Flipper
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Classic Mac OS, Linux
- Genres: Simulation
- Mode: Single player
The interior is the soul of the house. You can decorate your house the style you want. With hundreds of unique and free items, House Flipper allows you to freely choose all kinds of tables, chairs, cupboards, kitchen cabinets, beds … to create a complete home and show your own personality.
The ultimate goal of the House Flipper game is profit. The game is suitable for anyone who wants to invest, especially in real estate. You need to balance spending and calculate reasonably all expenses. Try to find affordable but potential old houses. Repair and decorate to “makeover” the house, then sell to make a profit.
Summary: Top 10 Games Like The Sims
- My Time at Portia
- Stardew Valley
- Two Point Hospital
- Cities: Skylines
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles
- Fantasy Life
- Jurassic World Evolution
- Graveyard Keeper
- House Flipper
