19 NEW Simulation Games of 2022

Sometimes it’s nice kicking back and playing a simulation game. Whether it’s based around different jobs, lifestyles, historical settings, or just wacky concepts, you’ll find a simulator based on it. In this list, we will highlight a few new simulation games that are slated to release this year. Don’t put too much focus on ranking here. We won’t know how these games will really rank up until they release. Some of these games might even slip past the 2022 calendar year. Regardless, check out some of these new upcoming games slated to release this year.

Disclaimer: Kerbal Space Program 2, Medic: Pacific War, and Men of War II were removed from the list.

#19 Farthest Frontier

• Release date: August 9, 2022
• Developer: Crate Entertainment
• Publisher: Crate Entertainment
• Platform: Microsoft Windows

Would you be able to rebuild your life if you had to go to the farthest parts of the map? In Farthest Frontier you’re going to find that out quite quickly.

Because in this title, you’ll be guiding a set of settlers to the edge of the known map, and asked to build a new home for yourselves there. You’ll need to get resources from the land, build farms to grow food, and develop your home from settlement, to town, to major city.

The game has some very advanced systems, including the farming system where you’ll have to pick and choose the crops you grow. As well as having your villagers live actual lives as you grow their homes.

There’s even a Pacifist Mode to ensure that combat doesn’t touch your home.

#18 Sweet Transit

• Release date: June 9, 2022
• Developer: Ernestas Norvaišas
• Publisher: Team17
• Platform: Microsoft Windows

There are a lot of city builder games, but the best ones take unique twists on how they’re allowed to go. Sweet Transit is a great example of that. In this game, you’ll start out by making a humble village, and then start making a train track so you can try and grow it.

The trains in this game are the only way for you to grow and expand, so the better the trains and system you have, the better your towns and cities will be.

And as you grow, you’ll progress through the various eras of technology to see how grand your trains, and train systems you can have.

#17 F1 Manager 2022

• Release date: August 25, 2022
• Developer: Frontier Developments plc
• Publisher: Frontier Developments plc
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows

There are a lot of sports games out there, but the manager ones are a different beast if you’ve been willing to play them.

Because a lot of us THINK we can “run the show”, but can you? For example, in F1® Manager 2022 (which is coming in late August), you’ll get to pick your own F1 team to go and control. At times, you’ll be racing in the series to try and get to the top position, or at the very least, close to it.

Then, in between the races you’ll control every single detail of your team in order to make sure it’s the best-managed F1 team out there.

So put your money where your mouth is and see if you can come out on top.

#16 WWE 2K22

• Publisher: 2K Games
• Developer: Visual Concepts
• Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, PC
• Release Date: March 2022

WWE 2K22 gives players a real sense of life as a wrestling superstar, with highly dynamic visuals and an immersive gameplay structure. An exciting and enjoyable take on the long-running wrestling game franchise, WWE 2K22 brings wrestling simulation to life with a huge (and growing) roster of superstars and legends from the world of WWE and beyond. Character models are vastly improved in this instalment of the wrestling game, which gives players a much more authentic simulation experience while playing. All in all, WWE 2K22 is a great wrestling sim game for fans of fighting games that have a strong connection with real-world entertainment.

#15 Cowboy Life Simulator

• Developer: RockGame, Oaza Games
• Publisher: RockGame
• Platform: PC
• Release: NA

Cowboy Life Simulator puts players into the 19th century, where you’re taking the role of a cowboy. Players will tend their farms, find resources, hit the saloons, gamble, fight off outlaws, and go on an adventure. This won’t surpass the Red Dead Redemption series, but we don’t get too many wild west video games. So if you enjoy the setting and theme, then this is a title to at least consider picking when it launches later on this year.

#14 Spaceflight Simulator

• Developer: Stefo Mai Moronjna
• Publisher: Stefo Mai Moronjna
• Platform: PC
• Release: 2022

Spaceflight Simulator is more focused on building up rockets and getting them out into space. It’s a bit bare-bones compared to the Kerbal Space Program franchise, but if you enjoy building up rockets and trying new designs, this might be a thrilling simulator for you. Players will build up rockets, launch them into space and attempt to get these creations to land back on the ground safely. We know that this title is launching this year, but it will launch as an early access game. Players can expect this title to receive several updates and features as the developers continue building out the game for its full launch later on.

#13 Outlaw Driver Simulator

• Developer: T-Bull
• Publisher: T-Bull
• Platform: PC
• Release: NA

Outlaw Driver Simulator throws players into a role where you’re an underground racer. You’ll be racing around the different city roads to compete against other street racers. While racing against the competition, you’ll also be attempting to escape the law if they get word of illegal activity. The development team is also focusing on players crafting up their vehicles and getting a competitive edge against the competition. Players can tweak the appearance of your vehicle and the different components that make your vehicle run. This could be swapping out entire engines, upgrading the intercooler, or the brake discs.

#12 I Am Jesus Christ

• Developer: SimulaM
• Publisher: PlayWay
• Platform: PC
• Release: 2022

I Am Jesus Christ is a simulator game that puts you into the role of Jesus Christ. This simulation title has players going through different iconic stories based within the New Testament of the Bible. Players will be going through the game performing miracles, telling the gospel, and saving souls. It’s a unique game and a new way to experience these incredible stories.

#11 Thief Simulator 2

• Developer: MrCiastku
• Publisher: Ultimate Games, PlayWay
• Platform: X/S, PS4, XBO, PC, NS, PS5
• Release: NA

You might recall Thief Simulator. The video game title tells you exactly what this game is about. Players are taking the role of a thief and must find out how to steal different items scattered around various buildings. For instance, players will wander around a neighborhood, find a house, sneak in, gather items, and leave without getting caught. However, there is a sequel coming out. Thief Simulator 2 brings out more of the same as the first installment. You’ll have more tools to help break into homes and steal valuables, along with having more settings to explore. Players will continue to plan out their attacks, take out security, upgrade tools, and quickly gather up goods to escape law enforcement hot on their trail.

#10 Not For Broadcast

• Publisher: tinyBuild
• Developer: Not Games
• Platform: PC
• Full Release: January 25th, 2022

While it’s true that video games many times follow a “basic mold”, it’s also true that sometimes they break that mold to deliver a new kind of experience. Not For Broadcast is a great example of this.

Because in this title, you’ll be in the “news box” if you will controlling a nightly news program. Your job is to keep things entertaining while also making sure you keep your higher-ups and sponsors happy. You’ll need to monitor content as it happens before you, censor what needs to be, put ads of the “best quality” forward, and to ensure you don’t lose audience interest.

The game is darkly comedic, and a great example of what it’s like to be in TV today behind the scenes in certain ways. So try it out and see if you can keep the station lights on.

#9 Slime Rancher 2

• Release date: September 22, 2022 (Early Access)
• Publisher: Monomi Park
• Developers: Monomi Park
• Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S

Slime Rancher 2 is packed full of colorful adventures as players step back into the role of Beatrix LeBeau. As the sequel to the surprise hit original Slime Rancher, players will get to enjoy the strange yet satisfying mash-up of slime collection and mystery solving. This time, Beatrix is leaving the Far, Far Range and heading over the Slime Sea to the secret-filled shores of Rainbow Island. This adventure will appeal to those who enjoy a bit of relaxing farming mixed in with their action and features a number of new and exotic slimes to add to your growing collection on the ranch. At the heart of the game lies a new island to explore and mysterious ancient technology to decode. It looks as though Slime Rancher 2 could have equal, if not greater success than its predecessor.

#8 Night is Coming

• Developer: Wild Forest Studio
• Publisher: Ravenscourt
• Platform: PC
• Release: 2022

Night is Coming has players tossed right into the fantasy world. Players control a settlement as you build up structures, find resources, recruit new settlers, create farmlands, and expand your settlement. However, since this is a game set within a fantasy world, you’ll find that there are mythical creatures to deal with as well. These behemoth beasts could pop up to destroy your structures and attack your people. So it’s up to you to continue building up new structures better defenses and figure out how to repel certain beasts from invading your area.

#7 Viking City Builder

• Developer: Roslagen
• Publisher: Roslagen
• Platform: PC
• Release: NA

Viking City Builder puts players in control of a small Vikings band that has recently pillaged a European town. Looking to settle down, players will have to build up their own Viking village on top of the ashes and ruins of the location you just destroyed. This means gathering up supplies, deciding where to build up different structures such as longhouses, and ensuring your community is well protected. Of course, there’s always the threat that the Europeans will come back and attempt to take what was once theirs. To keep your village safe, you’ll need to build up an army and prepare them for any battle that might break out.

#6 Terra Invicta

• Developer: Pavonis Interactive
• Publisher: Hooded Horse
• Platform: PC
• Release: 2022

Terra Invicta is an upcoming 4X grand strategy game. This game is based on a science fiction narrative. Humanity learns that an alien invasion is coming, and nothing is turning it around. With this news breaking, factions are quickly formed in how they will handle the situation. You have factions that are either scared and looking to flee the planet, factions that want war and fight off the invaders, or even factions that want to welcome the invasion with open arms. You’ll go through and pick one of the various factions available and attempt to keep your group on top. It will be a fight for power, resources, and even control points. A few years after a successful Kickstarter campaign, it looks like fans will finally get a chance to jump into this title within 2022.

#5 The Ranchers

• Developer: RedPilzStudio
• Publisher: RedPilzStudio
• Platform: PC
• Release: NA

The Ranchers tells a familiar premise. Players step into a protagonist who worked in the big city and decide to trade that life in for a simpler one working on a farm. Players will be building up their farms from scratch. This means gathering resources up, clearing fields, constructing buildings, laying down crops, interacting with locals, acquiring livestock, harvesting crops, and continuing to make various improvements. After all, there’s always something to be done on a farm. But, fortunately, you can join in with friends. Players will find that up to four friends total can join in and help manage a farm together.

#4 Isonzo

• Developer: BlackMill Games
• Publisher: M2H
• Platform: PC, PS5, PS4, X/S, XBO
• Release: 2022

Isonzo is actually a military war game that’s based within WWI. Set within Italy, You’ll battle against the opposing forces in different scenic locations. However, since this is a simulation game, there is more of a focus on making the game more historically accurate. Fortunately, the developers are known for bringing out historical war games, including Tannenberg and Verdun. As a result, you can expect the game to be accurate from the different uniforms, weapons, and locations. Furthermore, being a war game, you can enjoy some online PVP where players can join online for some more competitive matches.

#3 Occupy Mars: The Game

• Developer: Pyramid Games
• Publisher: PlayWay
• Platform: PC
• Release: NA

Occupy Mars: The Game will put players into an astronaut trying to colonize Mars. However, you’ll find that this will be a tough challenge. In the game, players will be diving into the planet with the need to build up structures to stay alive. This means gathering up resources and building out your base. Ultimately, this means building habitats, gathering water, capturing energy, and growing crops. That also means maintaining your builds with any problems that may pop up, threatening your supply of oxygen and food.

#2 Two Point Campus

• Developer: Two Point Studios
• Publisher: Sega
• Platform: X/S, PS4, PS5, XBO, NS, PC
• Release: 2022

Two Point Campus comes from the makers of Two Point Hospital. You’ve likely heard of this game already. Much like Two Point Hospital, players are building up and running their own unique university. However, it’s a lighthearted game where you’re building up funny makeshift schools. These schools will range from teaching students to becoming knights or excellent cooks. Then there’s the need to build up dormitories along with buildings for entertainment to those on campus. At the moment, players can expect to play the role of a school dean sometime later this year.

#1 Frostpunk 2

• Developer: 11 Bit Studios
• Publisher: 11 Bit Studios
• Platform: PC
• Release: NA

Frostpunk was a thrilling strategy game where players take control of a small group of civilians trying to survive a harsh winter storm. With humanity on its last legs, the only hope left is for these groups of survivors to build up a town surrounded by a giant coal generator. This not only powers up the town but heats it as well. With the upcoming sequel, we’ll be switching out coal with oil. This means you’ll have to scavenge for different resources nearby to acquire enough oil to run the generator while also continuing to build up new useful structures and jobs for the community. Just like with the first game, you’ll continue to make various upgrades to the town. We expect there also to be plenty of morally tough choices presented, and if the town’s approval rating of your leadership falls below standards, you might find a mutiny will spring up.