Simulation games are a blast to play through, with players loving the act of managing several facets and ensuring that everything runs smoothly and satisfactorily. These games also have a reputation for being pretty hard, with players having to be extra careful about not letting any parameters go awry so that things don’t take a turn for the worse.
RELATED:Underrated Simulation Games For Switch
Some simulation games can be really punishing if players don’t manage things properly, completely undoing everything they’ve done and making them regret their lapse in judgment. The most common way of punishing players who have made an error is to permanently kill off a character that they’ve spent a long time developing using the permadeath mechanic.
10Sunless Sea
Sunless Seais a unique game that combines many gothic and Lovecraftian influences along with a dose of simulation and RPG elements that make for a great time. Exploring harbors andfiguring out the mysteries of this endless water bodymakes for a blast that players simply can’t get enough of.
Players can establish a legacy inSunless Sea, with their previous captain either retiring if things go smoothly or dying during their adventures and encounters with various unknown monstrosities. Players need to be wary about every step they take inSunless Seasince a single mistake can prove to be quite costly indeed.
9The Sims 4
For what it’s worth,The Sims, as a whole, has eased back a bit when it comes to managing needs. The first game was notorious for keeping players on their toes and ensuring that the needs of their Sims were as high as possible.
It’s still quite possible for certain Sims tobreathe their last inThe Sims 4if their needs are neglected for too long. Of course, certain random deaths can also strike a Sim, which can be pretty jarring in its own way.
8Rimworld
Rimworldis one of the most complex yet engaging simulation games players can check out. The learning curve for this title is immense but well worth it for people who want to simulate a struggling bunch of colonists who are struggling to stay afloat.
RELATED:The Best Factory Simulation Games, Ranked
Even after learning the systems ofRimworld, a single misstep can lead to players losing their valuable colonists and watching all their hard work go to waste. Players need to be mindful of all the systems inRimworldif they wish to attain victory in this game.
7Caves Of Qud
Caves of Qudis one of the most unique roguelike simulation games out there. The visuals may not be all that impressive, but it’s the deep mechanics and systems ofCaves of Qudthat make it such a fun title.
Players will love playing as different characters from different races, struggling to survive in a world where the majority of things want them dead. Each death inCaves of Qudis a learning experience where players will slowly realize how the game works and what’s the most optimal way to attain victory in the many small battles in this game.
6Amazing Cultivation Simulator
Wuxia games are pretty rare as is, and good wuxia games are ever rarer. This is whyAmazing Cultivation Simulatorshould be checked out by those who are into in-depth simulation games that are pretty complex.
Players will need to check out several guides to get an idea of how the game works.Death can occur at a moment’s notice, and even something as simple as bad feng shui will lead to many players losing the disciples they’ve struggled to procure for so long.
5FTL: Faster Than Light
FTLis one of the first few roguelikes to attain massive worldwide popularity, and understandably so.This space flight simulation gamedid a great job of showing just how oppressing an intergalactic invasive threat can be, with players constantly on the run from a terrifying force of spaceships that can absolutely tear them apart.
Dying becomes second nature inFTL, with players slowly learning about the game with each death. Attaining victory in this title may seem impossible, but players who invest enough time into this experience will attain an immense sense of satisfaction from surviving in a game where permanent deaths are commonplace and progress resets to 0 frequently.
4Don’t Starve
Don’t Starveis a brutal survival simulation game where players have to survive every day in a harsh world. Don’t Starve’s brutality really comes out at night though, when every single misstep that the player makes is punished.
Just like most other simulation games with permadeath mechanics, death is a learning experience and also something that players will start avoiding sooner rather than later. Transforming from a beginner into a seasonedDon’t Starveplayer is fun, but players should still be ready to die when the game ramps up the difficulty after each night.
3The Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trailisone of the oldest and most popular simulation games out there. The simple act of traversing the eponymous Oregon Trail is extremely challenging and features several roadblocks that can be quite a challenge to navigate.
RELATED:The Best Real-Life Simulation Games, According To Metacritic
If the RNG gods are in the player’s favor, then they stand a slim chance of actually making it to Oregon. More often than not, the members of their caravan will simply die of dysentery instead.
2NEO Scavenger
Made by an ex-Bioware employee,NEO Scavengeris a survival simulation game where players need to think carefully about each step. Trying to bite off more than they can chew can have serious consequences.
Every death inNEO Scavengeris permanent and will set players back quite a bit. With that in mind, it’s important to educate oneself about the game as quickly as possible if players want to enjoy the slimmest chance of survival in this brutal world.
1Crusader Kings 3
Crusader Kings 3is one of the most beginner-friendly Paradox Interactive games out there, which is really saying something givenhow complex the games made by this developer are. Controlling a dynasty and watching it unfold into something spectacular is a huge reason why players love this game.
Death is a part ofCrusader Kings 3, with many rulers growing old and dying under the player’s watchful eye. Of course, some deaths are more unexpected and problematic than others, and players should ensure that their dynasty persists with a suitable number of heirs.
