19 Best New Simulation Games 2023

Real life. It sucks at times. Not the least of which is that you often get curious about certain things, but you aren’t in a position to actually do them! Thankfully, video games are here to give you simulation experiences so you can enjoy those experiences right from their own home!

#19 Disney Dreamlight Valley

Platform: PS4 PS5 Xbox One XSX|S PC Switch
Release Date: December 05, 2023

Steam | PlayStation | Xbox | Nintendo

Are you ready to head into the valley? Don’t worry; this isn’t a bad valley. This is Disney Dreamlight Valley! 

What’s that? Why, it’s a magical place where all sorts of wondrous things happen. Or, at least, it was until certain things happened to it. The characters of Disney and Pixar stories lived here, and they fled to their homelands when a spread of dark thorns wrecked the valley!

But that’s where you come in! You can help free the valley and bring the characters back to not only live in it but be your friends and traveling partners! Plus, the game is always updating with new content, so what’s not to love?

#18 Stronghold: Definitive Edition

Platform: PC
Release Date: November 07, 2023

Steam

You might not remember this title in its original form, depending on your age. But we assure you, it’s a big strategy game from generations gone by, and Stronghold: Definitive Edition will allow players to dig deep into the world of creation to make something special.

In this case, you’ll be a part of medieval England and attempt to retake a kingdom by taking out those who have rebelled against it!

Alongside incredible battles, you’ll need to rebuild the kingdom to be as special as it was! Do you have what it takes to deliver justice and rebuild what was lost? You’re about to find out!

#17 F1 23

Platform: PC PS4 PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: JUNE 16, 2023

Steam | PlayStation | Xbox

There are many racing titles for you to enjoy, but few will have you going as fast as the cars in F1 23.

The official game of the Formula One World Championship will have you racing in some of the fastest cars on the planet and trying to come out on top of the most intense races.

But it’s not just racing you need to worry about. The game is authentic from top to bottom. You’ll need to ensure your car is as good as your driving skills, and when you partake in the story mode, you’ll need to overcome numerous obstacles thrown in your way.

But if you can endure them, you might just come out on top.

#16 Dredge

Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S Switch 
Release Date: March 30, 2023

Steam | Playstation | Xbox | Nintendo

It’s time to go fishing! Who doesn’t love to do that? In Dredge, you’ll go to a set of islands full of history and mystery and must try to fish what you can to grow your craft.

Specifically, you’ll meet quotas and then use your earnings to outfit your boat so you can go to bigger catches and make more money.

But as noted, there’s a mystery within this island chain, and you’ll be guided to figure it out. But what is the mysterious truth that you’ve been sent to find? What does it have to do with the creatures of the depths? Hope in your vessel and find out!

#15 Big Ambitions

Platform: PC
Release Date: March 10, 2023

Steam

Many simulator games let you do jobs you couldn’t do before. But how about one that lets you build a business empire that will sprawl across New York City? Big Ambitions is that title. You’ll work your way through the business world and see the ups and downs of trying to make businesses succeed. Start a small company, then make more, or take the one you have to unprecedented heights! The game has near-infinite possibilities for you. You simply have to be willing to try them out and the business savvy to make them succeed. So do you have it within you to make a massive business empire?

#14 House Flipper 2

Platform: PC
Release Date: 2023

House Flipper might have been a surprising hit for some players. Fans enjoyed becoming a contractor as they built up and fixed properties. Now a sequel is in the works to give players a more refined experience with several tweaks to the mechanics while adding a few new tools into your arsenal. Players will once again take on jobs to make different home repairs and buy properties to fix or build a home from the ground up.

#13 The Sims 4 Growing Together Expansion Pack

Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One
Release Date: March 16, 2023

Everyone knows about The Sims franchise. This IP has continued to thrive for ages now, and we’ve seen a few main installment interactions launch into the marketplace. The latest mainline installment, The Sims 4, has recently transitioned into a free-to-play experience. Likewise, the next mainline installment is already in the works. However, that doesn’t mean the development team is done with providing content for The Sims 4. This year we received the Growing Together expansion pack. This brought a bit more content into the game, including decor. But the focus here is family ties as players build a family up and continue to strengthen the bond between family members. 

#12 Plasma

Platform: PC
Release Date: March 30, 2023

If you love to tinker around with electronics and mechanical devices, then Plasma might be the game for you. This video game offers an engineering playground title where you build up anything you can imagine. Developers give you robust tools to build robots, factories, arcade machines, and everything in between. The game is available to check out right now, and you can get into the nitty gritty of your builds. Figure out the physics and decide how to improve your builds with the different components powering the device up. Currently, the game is in early access, so you can expect some additional features or items to be added as the developers continue to work at a full launch for this game.

#11 Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 6

Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One XSX|S PS5
Release: March 09, 2023

While Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 6 is a mouthful to say, the game is easily one of the best of its kind due to everything it offers you and the customizable options you have.

For example, you can customize just about everything you do in the game. From your look to your bike, to how you race, the tracks you’re on, etc.

If that’s not enough for you, you can be taught by Jeremy McGrath! One of the best to ever do it. After you get through the basics, take on the career mode, or battle it out in custom wars or even a rhythm attack game!

Either way, race your heart out!

#10 Undisputed

Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One XSX|S PS5
Release: 2023

Are you ready to prove that you’re the best in the ring, no matter the era? If so, get into the boxing zone with Undisputed, a game touted as one of the most realistic and authentic boxing games ever.

The title will let you pick from over 50 fighters from history and use their style and moves to see if you can overcome anyone put in front of you. The game dares you to learn the ins and outs of boxing and see if you can learn fast enough to dodge a punch or ten.

Whether each bout like a title fight, always prepare for the things you’ll never see coming!

#9 The Riftbreaker: Into The Dark

Platform: PC
Release: 2023

If you’ve been enjoying the main game, but want more content for you to take on, then get The Riftbreaker: Into The Dark. The title puts you on a quest to seek out the source of a major threat. The world is slowly being infected by a crystalline substance that is transforming everything it touches. As you investigate, you realize that the source is deep underground.

You’ll soon see how deep the underground world goes and enact new gameplay strategies and abilities to crush this threat and save the day!

So dive in, and be mindful of everything around you. You never know what lurks under the surface.

#8 Hello Engineer

Platform: PC
Release: 2023

Just when you thought you had dealt with your creepy neighbor, he goes and decides to infiltrate an amusement park and build traps and courses for you to get caught up in! They’re such a mean person, wouldn’t you agree?

In Hello Engineer, you and your friends will take to the park that your creepy neighbor built and attempt to overcome his traps by making contraptions of your own. Of course, it’s up to you to make everything work and test them against various obstacles and courses.

Get victory where you can, and keep building what you need to escape their clutches!

#7 Sengoku Dynasty

Platform: PC
Release: 2023

One of the things that video games love to do is give you numerous choices for your character and see where you take those paths.

In Sengoku Dynasty, you’ll play a father who wants to provide a good life for his daughter. Four unique paths await you with different fates at the end of each. Will you become a leader and help grow the village you live in? Will you take up the blade and fight for the freedom of those around you? Will you learn a trade and provide for your daughter through commerce? Or shall you take the path of the gods and seek their divine blessings?

Jump into the game and find out!

#6 WWE 2K23

Platform: PC XSX|S PS5 PS4 Xbox One
Release: March 17, 2023

Are you ready to take your place on top of one of the wrestling world’s biggest brands? If so, WWE 2K23 is here to restore your faith in the company’s gaming exploits. The title builds upon the rebirth title from last year and gives you so much more to do.

The MY GM mode is back and expanded, so you can do even more to control the brand you love. You can also do more with customization as you make your character stand out and control their destiny as they work through the WWE ranks!

The matches are bigger, the options are grander, and you’ll soon be on top if you work at it.

#5 Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life

• Publisher: Xseed Games
• Developer: Marvelous
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch
• Release date: 2023

There are plenty of farming games out there for you to do should you want to partake in them. But with Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life, you’ll get one that might honestly be one of the most fulfilling of the bunch.

For example, in the game you’ll inherit a farm from your father, and as a result, you’ll need to need to tend to it, its crops, and it animals in order to make it blossom.

Along the way, you’ll get to know the people of the Forgotten Valley, and possibly meet your partner in life. Of whom you’ll not only grow old with, but get to have children with. Then your children will grow as you do and your decisions will guide their life.

A wonderful life, indeed.

What will you be in the end? That’s up to you.

#4 Hometopia

• Release date: September 27, 2023
• Genres: Simulation video game, Casual game, Simulation
• Developers: The Isn’t Company, Giant Junior
• Platform: Microsoft Windows
• Publishers: The Isn’t Company, Giant Junior

Alright, you want something less stressful, is that it? Fine. Hometopia might be something you’ll enjoy then.

Because in this game, you’ll get to build a bunch of houses across a set of 5 different neighborhoods. The best part? You’ll get to have complete control over every aspect of the houses you make. Make them big and striking, or simple and homey, it’s your call from the walls, to the carpets, the furniture, the colors, and so on.

You can do the game in career mode and try to “elevate” the neighborhood. Or, go Sandbox Mode and just build to your hearts content. Go nuts, and see what houses you make.

#3 Passpartout 2: The Lost Artist

• Publisher: Flamebait AB
• Developer: Flamebait AB
• Release date: April 4, 2023
• Platform: Microsoft Windows

The life of an artist is literally one of the hardest out there. Because you will live and die by the art that you make. Passpartout 2: The Lost Artist showcases this as the once famous artist has now been kicked onto the streets, and must fight for the right to be called a successful artist once again!

In the game, you’ll go around a small town and work with the townspeople to do jobs, get money to buy more art supplies, and draw your heart out for pleasure and profit.

You’ll literally be drawing things yourself here, so be crafty, be artsy, and be famous by the time all is said and done.

#2 Thief Simulator 2

• Developer: MrCiastku
• Release date: October 4, 2023
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5
• Publishers: Ultimate Games, PlayWay

Not every simulation game is one where we tell you to “not try this at home”, because most of you wouldn’t naturally or not have the ability to enact these activities. But with Thief Simulator 2, we very much tell you to NOT try this at home.

Because as the game’s name implies, you’ll be a thief scouting a neighborhood for things to rob. You’ll wait for night to fall and then hit your targets. Try and steal everything in sight to make a profit. But remember, you don’t want to get caught! Fight or flee when your target returns home, and ensure you get away with your loot and not into the hands of the cops!

#1 Kerbal Space Program 2

• Release date: 2023
• Publisher: Private Division
• Developers: Intercept Games, Take-Two Interactive
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5

Yes, it’s true, the Kerbals are back! Years after they made their epic arrival in Kerbal Space Program, you’ll get the chance to help them reach the stars once again in Kerbal Space Program 2! Such a great naming thing, wouldn’t you say?

The game is just like the first, but with some key advancements. You will indeed be building a new space program for the Kerbals. BUT, you’ll have new and advanced technologies to not just use, but strive for. We’re talking new kinds of ships, space stations, interstellar travel, and so much more!

So if you want to launch the Kerbals even farther than before, then pick up a copy of Kerbal Space Program 2!

Disclaimer: This article was updated on 11/2/23 as we continue to adjust this list with new entries or remove games due to delays or failure to captivate audiences.