11 Games Like The Sims for Simulation Fans in 2015
Games like The Sims offer something different from the usual action-packed, linear, and competitive games released today. These simulation games provide a relaxing, open-ended experience where creativity and personal expression take center stage. Players can customize characters, build and decorate homes, and manage daily life tasks, letting them create and control the virtual lives of their dreams.
Unlike traditional games that push you toward a final objective, these life sims let you set your own goals – whether that’s designing the perfect home, building relationships, or just causing a little chaos. They offer a unique kind of escapism, giving you full control over a world that reacts to your choices.
From managing a bustling farm to running a city or even flipping houses, games like The Sims cater to all kinds of players. Some games on this list focus more on storytelling and character interactions, while others lean into creativity and world-building. No matter your playstyle, these games provide endless possibilities to shape your own virtual life at your own pace.
Our Top Picks for Games Like The Sims
For games like The Sims and life simulators in general, players will always want a large degree of freedom to pursue what they find most fun in the game. So the fantastic titles on this list feature mechanics and features that provide a creative sandbox for everyone to explore. With that in mind, here are our top choices:
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020) – Escape to a deserted island paradise and create your own tropical getaway. Customize your island, interact with animal villagers, and explore at your own pace.
- Two Point Hospital (2018) – Run your own hospital, diagnose bizarre illnesses, and manage your staff. The game combines humor with strategic management to keep you entertained.
- Stardew Valley (2016) – A farming simulation game where you can plant crops, raise animals, and build relationships with the quirky villagers in a charming rural town.
- House Flipper 2 (2023) – Buy, renovate, and sell houses in this addictive game. Clean, repair, and decorate to transform rundown properties into beautiful homes.
- Planet Zoo (2019) – Build and manage your own zoo, focusing on animal welfare and conservation. Create detailed habitats and watch realistic animal behaviors in a stunning environment.
Like what you see so far? Continue reading to sell the full review and the rest of the games!
11 Best Games Like The Sims in 2025
These are our twelve picks for life simulator games that any Sims player would love. Even though there are different genres like management simulators, farming sims, and cozy games, they all have a few features and mechanics from The Sims that could pull you into its world.
1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| Nintendo Switch | 2020 | Nintendo |
This is a charmingly cozy game where you can build and manage your own island paradise. Unlike other games like The Sims, you have free range to design the whole neighborhood. The game has a social aspect of inviting these quirky animal villagers to live on your island, develop friendships, and make sure they have a good time in your neighborhood.
It’s not as easy as it sounds as each villager has a personality type that might not work that well with others on the island.
When you’re not helping with their errands or paying off your massive debt to the town mayor, New Horizons keeps you busy filling the museum. But what initially seems like an easy task, quickly becomes an engaging obsession to collect every fish, bug, fossil, and artwork available.
Despite all the busy work, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is meant to be enjoyed leisurely solo or, you betcha, it is also one of the cutest multiplayer games to enjoy with friends. At your own pace, on your time, perfect for the Nintendo Switch.
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2. Two Point Hospital
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| Linux, macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | 2018 | Two Point Studios |
It’s a strategy management simulator where you take on the role of a hospital administrator. You’ll have to manage the day-to-day operations of a bustling healthcare facility. This includes constructing treatment rooms, hiring staff, and ensuring patients receive the care that they need. Balancing budgets, expanding the hospital, and dealing with quirky diseases make it feel like a top notch strategy game with all these elements you have to juggle.
Two Point Hospital strikes a balance between accessibility and depth, with a user-friendly interface and simple controls for smooth onboarding. Sim fans will enjoy creating efficient builds in this game.
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3. Stardew Valley
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| Windows, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita, iOS, Android | 2016 | ConcernedApe |
What to say about Stardew Valley that hasn’t been said before? This indie farming had millions hooked to the farming genre, single-handedly causing a resurgence in games like Stardew Valley in recent years. It has all the elements you’re familiar with: farming, fishing, mining, collecting, and socializing with villagers. Yet it has a certain charm and genuine heart that you can’t help but fall in love with this world the sole developer created.
Much like games like The Sims, Stardew Valley offers a level of personal customization and freedom that draws players in. There’s a general goal that guides you towards exploring more content, but how you choose to live it up on your farm is all up to you.
Grab a copy of Stardew Valley >
4. House Flipper
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| Windows, Xbox Series X/S | 2023 | Frozen District, Empyrean |
House Flipper is an oddly satisfying renovation sim that matches some elements of The Sims. You become a handyman, transforming rundown houses into beautiful homes through various tasks like cleaning, painting, and decorating. In games like The Sims, you’ll do these tasks with a simple click of a button, but House Flipper immerses you in each laborious detail.
The gameplay loop is simple but satisfying – buy a rundown property, fix it up, and flip it for cash. The more you play, the better your tools get, letting you renovate faster and take on bigger projects. It’s not all smooth sailing, though. Some of the mechanics, like cleaning, can feel repetitive, and the lack of character interactions makes the world feel a bit empty compared to life sims.
That said, if you love design, management, or just the thrill of flipping a disaster into a masterpiece, House Flipper offers a relaxing grind that keeps you coming back for “just one more job.”
Grab a copy of House Flipper >
5. Planet Zoo
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S | 2019 | Frontier Developments |
Planet Zoo is a detailed simulation game that lets you create and manage your dream wildlife park. Planet Zoo focuses heavily on the welfare and conservation of the animals, and tasks you with the upkeep of many small elements that are important for a zoo’s day-to-day operations. Instead of spending time creating one house usually found in games like The Sims, you’ll have free range to design intricate habits, ensuring each species has the right environment to thrive.
The extensive customization options allow players to create unique, elaborate zoo layouts and landscapes. Additionally, the game features a robust community where players can share their creations and learn from others. You can download their elaborate exhibits and make them your own!
Grab a copy of the Planet Zoo >
6. Coral Island
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S | 2023 | Stairway Games |
Coral Island takes the farming sim formula and gives it an immersive open-world game twist with a stunning tropical setting and a strong focus on environmental conservation. Instead of just tending crops and fishing, you’re also helping to clean up the ocean, restore coral reefs, and bring the island back to life. It’s a fresh take that adds real purpose to every action – making your impact on the world feel meaningful.
The game is packed with a diverse cast of characters, each with unique stories and personalities, making the social and romance aspects feel more engaging than just another checklist of interactions. And if farming gets repetitive, there’s plenty to do – exploring underwater, hunting for hidden treasures, and discovering rare marine life.
It might not reinvent the genre, but Coral Island has a ton of heart, a gorgeous world to explore, and enough charm to keep you coming back for more.
7. Traveller’s Rest
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| Microsoft Windows, Linux | 2020 | Isolated Games |
Set in a pixelated fantasy world, Travellers Rest is a management game where you’ll transform a run-down tavern into a bustling social hub. You’ll make everything you serve from scratch, including brewing beer and harvesting ingredients from the farm. Keep the beer and food flowing, the service quick, and the bar cozy so you’ll have less troublesome customers (but never zero).
Every major update on this early access title is a significant improvement over the last, and it’s slowly shaping up to be one of the most immersive indie games in this genre. If you love all the small goals and steady progression in games like The Sims, you’ll find no dull moment as an innkeeper.
Get your copy of Traveller’s Rest >
8. RimWorld
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| Linux, macOS, Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | 2018 | Ludeon Studios, Double Eleven (consoles) |
RimWorld is a difficult colony simulation game where you manage a group of survivors on a distant planet. The game combines elements of strategy, survival, and complex systems to create emergent narratives with infinite replayability. Players must navigate the challenges of the hostile environment, manage resources, and deal with the unique personalities and backstories of their colonists.
Always expect unexpected disasters because multiple things will go wrong, as the game’s AI storytellers are there to make each run spicy. The community has no shortage of darkly funny ways their colonies were eradicated. Players who love games like The Sims, but are fond of overcoming brutal challenges will lose thousands of hours in RimWorld.
9. I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| PC | 2023 | Mandragora |
For players who love games like The Sims, I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival has a unique setting that’s uncommon in the genre. Set in a post apocalyptic world, you’re the last person alive and isolated on an abandoned rooftop. However, don’t let that stop you from keeping yourself fed and comfortable.
There’s something relaxing about true solitude and the complete absence of other NPCs that can slow your workflow with requests and romance.
There are also no other people to rely on so you’ll have to craft what you need and scavenge for the rest. Manually disassembling old gadgets for scrap becomes a zen-like activity, and you’ll soon fall into the groove of your paradise at the end of the world. I Am Future is for Sims fans who love the busywork and wish there was nothing else distracting them from it.
Grab a copy of I Am Future:: Cozy Apocalypse Survival >
10. Disney Dreamlight Valley
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| iOS, macOS, tvOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | 2023 | Gameloft Montreal |
Disney Dreamlight Valley is a magical life-simulation game that brings together beloved Disney and Pixar characters in its enchanting world. Players help restore the once-idyllic Dreamlight Valley, which has been cursed and forgotten. By completing quests, forming friendships, and exploring various biomes, you can bring back the magic and memories lost to the Night Thorns.
Compared to other simulation games like The Sims, the game offers tons of quests given by iconic characters, making it one of the best open-world games in the simulation genre. Both Disney enthusiasts and cozy sim gamers will love the unique experience from Disney Dreamlight Valley.
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11. Tiny Glade
| Platforms | Year of release | Developer |
| Windows, Linux | 2024 | Pounce Light |
All of these games like The Sims stand out with their dozens of features, but Tiny Glade removes so many gameplay burdens to focus on its innovative building mechanics. This beautiful sandbox game simplifies overbearing menus to a few, easy-to-understand building blocks.
Making these medieval structures come to life is as effortless as dragging these presets around and letting their procedural generation take over.
The intuitive design allows players to experiment freely, turning every corner of the world into a canvas for their imagination. Bask in Tiny Glade’s soothing atmosphere, unwind, and let your creativity flow.
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More Simulation Games
Aside from spectacular simulation games that are already available, there are two upcoming direct life sim competitors for The Sims:
- InZOI (developed by Krafton) offers players a highly customizable experience with characters known as Zois. The developers promised three open worlds on launch, inspired by real-life cities of Seoul, Los Angeles, and Indonesia. You’ll have to manage neighborhoods and engage with their karma system. The game features over 250 customization options and allows for extensive cityscape modifications. InZOI is notable for its realistic graphics and comprehensive daily life simulation, pushing the graphical limits of this genre.
- Paralives (developed by Paralives Studio) emphasizes socialization and building your character as they play. At the moment, Paralives is heavily inspired by The Sims, down to the same art style. Compared to The Sims, the game puts more emphasis on the act of socialization itself. Mechanics like “together cards” and “together bar” let you navigate group conversations with finesse. Additionally, the early trailers showed off how you’re able to walk around the town, interact with the shops, and even work a job to earn money. The best part is that the developers promised free expansions and DLCs! Yes, you read that right. You won’t need to take your wallet out just to buy a new pet or location.
It’s exciting to see if InZOI and Paralives can live up to their hype. In the meantime, The Sims players can try modded gameplay to keep them busy until these games come out later this year.
FAQs
Is there a game like The Sims on mobile?
Yes, games like The Sims FreePlay and The Sims Mobile offer a similar life-simulation experience. Other alternatives include Stardew Valley, Avakin Life and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp for more social and creative gameplay.
Who is the competitor of The Sims?
All the games on this blog match the feel of The Sims, but it’s most direct competitors are InZOI and Paralives. Both of these titles offer features and life simulation and gameplay elements to match.
What is the difference between The Sims and Virtual Families?
The Sims offers extensive customization and sandbox gameplay, while Virtual Families is more casual, focusing on managing a pre-made family with simpler controls.
How is Paralives different from The Sims?
Paralives stands out from The Sims with its gridless building system, offering more flexibility in house design. Its open world with various activities and events sets it apart, making the world feel much more alive.
Is House Flipper like The Sims?
Yes, in some ways. House Flipper shares some similarities with The Sims in home customization but it focuses more on renovating and flipping houses rather than life simulation.
