Simulation games replicate activities, be they mundane or fantastical, in ways that action or strategy games do not. Sims tend to fixate on involved, highly specialized undertakings, and making said activities as realistic and immersive as possible. With sims, the journey is just as important as the goal; it’s not just about catching fish, for example, but how you catch them that matters.
The games that fall under the simulation umbrella are broad and varied. Sims can be sports games, massive sci-fi fantasy games, bizarre niche games, or breathtaking flight recreations. Some simulation games are world-building games, a genre that challenges you to create and manage a town, city, nation, or planet.
The nature of these game, as you may suspect, play to a more niche crowd. These titles will never match, say, Call of Duty in terms of popularity or sales numbers, but their customer base keeps returning for that more measured, cerebral play.
If you're a PC gamer, you're likely playing simulation and world-building games on a Windows-based PC. In that case, simply download and install these titles. However, if you want to play these games on Steam Deck, check out Valve's game compatibility list. It showcases the PC games that work with SteamOS. Right now, there are many SteamOS-verified titles. Here's what you need to know: A green checkmark indicates that game is fully verified to run well on Steam Deck, while a yellow checkmark indicates that the game is playable on Steam Deck, “but requires extra steps or manual work from the user.” Of course, you could always install Windows on your Steam Deck. Keep in mind, games that require an online connection may not be ideal for on-the-go-Steam Deck play unless you can find a Wi-Fi signal.
As a platform, the PC hosts many simulation and world-building games. These are our favorites.
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The PCMag Steam Curator Group
Jeffrey L. Wilson contributed to this article.