My love for simulation games began with the satisfaction of being able to control everything—starting from a barren land, gradually building, managing, and developing until finally creating an empire of my own. Whether it’s city construction, resource management, or business operation, simulation games bring me not only tests of strategy and patience but also an immersive sense of accomplishment. This sense of achievement isn’t just about winning numbers; it’s about personally crafting a living, breathing world and witnessing its transformation from nothing to something
Over the past few years, I have tried many new and popular simulation games. Among them, Cities: Skylines II, the Life Simulation expansion for Forza Horizon 5, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons have left a deep impression on me. These games not only inherit classic gameplay but also add a wealth of innovative content, making it nearly impossible to stop once I start. Through enhanced detail and depth, they make me feel less like a mere “player” and more like a city planner, entrepreneur, or even a decision-maker concerned with ecological and social development.
- The Art of Building from Scratch — Cities: Skylines II
Cities: Skylines II is one of the most immersive city simulation games I have played in recent years. Compared to its predecessor, it has made a significant leap in graphics and detail simulation. The game offers players a high degree of freedom—from planning roads and building residential areas to managing transport networks, public facilities, and even environmental policies. It does not hand you fixed tasks; instead, you define the city’s development direction yourself.
What fascinates me most is the economic system and policy-making aspect of Cities: Skylines II. As mayor, I need to adjust tax policies according to the city’s actual needs and balance the budget. Excessive taxes cause businesses and residents to leave, while taxes too low strain finances. Once, I implemented an environmental tax policy in a mid-sized city. Though it reduced funds in the short term, the environment improved significantly, residents’ health increased, and in the long run, the city’s attractiveness grew substantially. Cities: Skylines II is more than just a building game; it’s a comprehensive simulation of resources, environment, and social management. Every decision I make affects the lives of countless citizens, and as the decision-maker, I must find balance to let the city truly thrive.
- Crafting a Dream Home: New Horizons in Life Simulation — The Sims 4 and Its Expansions
Although The Sims 4 was released years ago, its constantly updated expansions and content continue to captivate me. The charm of life simulation games lies not only in building structures but in detailed simulation of “life” itself. It lets me feel that the game world is no longer cold numbers and buildings but a vivid reflection of real life, with joys, sorrows, and complexities.
What I like best is the emotional system of characters, which makes each simulated citizen a living, breathing individual with emotions, complex relationships, and career development. For example, once my character was betrayed by a friend, falling into a deep depression that affected her job performance and social interactions. This detail made me truly understand life’s complexity and brought the game closer to reality.
The latest expansions have added more career options and social activities. For instance, I once had my character open a café, personally designing the layout, hiring staff, setting business hours, and even participating in local festivals. Over time, the café became a community hotspot, attracting diverse customers and allowing me to experience the joys and challenges of running a small business. Watching satisfied customers leave gave me an indescribable sense of accomplishment.
Additionally, The Sims 4 expansions introduced travel, parties, and pet raising, enriching my life simulation experience. The game not only satisfies my creativity but also lets me experience the diversity and unpredictability of life. Every playthrough tells a unique story.
- The Perfect Blend of Strategy and Management — Crusader Kings III and Civilization VI
Simulation games are not only about building cities and managing lives; strategy and management titles have also deeply engaged me. Crusader Kings III excels at combining role-playing with dynasty management. It lets me experience the complexity of politics and power struggles, where every decision directly influences the rise and fall of families. Marriage alliances, political intrigue, and military expansion are all full of uncertainty.
I recall once misjudging the intentions of hostile forces, triggering internal conflict within the dynasty and nearly facing extinction. That crisis gave me a profound understanding of the ruthlessness of power games and the importance of political balance. The game’s dynamic character relationships and event chains make me feel like I’m running a real, variable-filled political drama every time I play.
Civilization VI lets me experience the grand progress from prehistoric times to future civilizations. Every founding of a new city, research into new technologies, and formulation of diplomatic strategies challenges my resource and time management to the extreme. I enjoy promoting civilization’s progress through science and culture while cleverly using diplomacy and military to safeguard national interests. The game offers high freedom, with no fixed winning formula, making each attempt a new adventure.
The common appeal of these two games is that they elevate simulation to a strategic level. Management is no longer simple resource accumulation but involves complex games of hearts, power, culture, and war. Every successful empire expansion condenses my wisdom and patience.
- Emerging Simulation Gems
In recent years, the simulation game market has seen many noteworthy new titles that break new ground in gameplay and immersion.
- Dyson Sphere Program 2: A sci-fi industry chain themed game where players build complex automated factories in space, designing and maintaining energy systems. It’s packed with technological flair and complex management logic, perfect for mechanical and strategy enthusiasts.
- Stardew Valley 2: A sequel to the classic farming simulation game, inheriting and enriching the life simulation elements of the original. New storylines, characters, and farm facilities bring both nostalgia and freshness, offering cozy moments in leisure time.
- Forza Horizon 5 Life Simulation Expansion Pack: This racing game’s life simulation expansion breaks traditional racing gameplay by adding rich character development and social systems. Players can enjoy thrilling speed while immersing themselves in virtual social and professional life.
These games not only offer diverse gameplay but also deliver strong immersion and freedom. They prove that the boundaries of simulation games go far beyond traditional building and management and continue to expand into all aspects of life.
- Why Simulation Games Are So Addictive
For me, the charm of simulation games lies in the power they give players to control everything and the limitless possibilities they offer. There is no fixed path to victory, only one’s own plans and attempts. Whether building a bustling city from an empty plot or managing a complex royal dynasty, every step is filled with challenges and achievements.
The generally slower pace of simulation games allows me to find relaxation and reflection amid the fast pace of real life. That blend of “sense of control” and “creative fulfillment” makes me not just an operator in the game but a creator and manager.
Every construction from scratch, every resource allocation, every crisis response is a story I write with my own hands. What simulation games give me is not just entertainment but a true sense of satisfaction in shaping worlds with wisdom and patience. This unique experience is what makes me unable to stop once I start playing.
