10 – Game Dev Tycoon

In Game Dev Tycoon you start as a small indie game developer and work your way up to create a successful game development company across several consoles and computer generations. Research new technologies, develop innovative games (or try and recreate the ones from your childhood), manage staff, and navigate the evolving trends of the gaming industry. Game Dev Tycoon is such a relaxing and simple title to play around with. The development process reminds me a lot of that entry scene from Powerpuff Girls with the scientist mixing up different ingredients and hoping that something right comes out of it. Oh, and Game Dev Tycoon has some of the most memorable sound effects you can find in gaming, just try and have your team squash bugs and listen to those satisfying plops.

The game is so cheap that you have no excuse not to experience the challenges and rewards of building a game empire from scratch.

9 – Powerwash Simulator

Try and describe to someone that’s a normal, functioning human being how powerwashing can be an entertaining concept for a videogame and you’ll be sure to find frowning eyebrows and mouths agape at the stupid thing you just try to convince them of.

Well, PowerWash Simulator has a user rating of 97% with more than 30.000 reviews and is just as satisfying as you imagine it to be. There’s really nothing much to it, just pick up your powerwasher and get on cleaning. There are some special nozzles that are better suited for some materials and harder to get out… gunk. It’s a simple premise that just works. There are also a lot a ton of locales and buildings to clean. The only thing missing is a modding scene so content is even more abundant.

8 – RollerCoaster Tycoon® 3: Complete Edition

Don’t wonder too much why isn’t the classic Roller Coaster 1 and 2 on this list! I’ll explain! That’s because it’s summertime and no other videogame that I know of, other than Roller Coaster Tycoon 3: Complete Edition with its Soaked expansion gives me the possibility of creating waterparks! Sure, rollercoasters are amazing, they are indeed. But even more, amazing-er is the ability to create a waterpark with your very own custom-made rides and see how far you can push the limits of physics while keeping everyone safe. RTC3 is also a great tycoon game in its own right, and while it may not have the timeless pixelated look of its ancestors, it more than makes up for its content.

7 – Diesel Railcar Simulator

Diesel Railcar Simulator offers a captivating and realistic experience for rail enthusiasts and simulation game lovers alike. Step into the shoes of a train conductor and embark on a journey through picturesque landscapes, as you navigate the challenges of operating diesel railcars.

One of my favorite games to boot up during vacation time because, unlike other games in the genre, it doesn’t assume you’re an actual Railcar driver, and tries its best to ease you into its systems with a fantastic set of helping tips, going as far as indicating which button to press, and at what time to do so. It can be played as a relaxing and serene experience, or you can test your skill as a railcar conductor by trying to keep up with timetables, make designated stops, and keep electricity usage to a minimum. It’s one of those rare gems that give you the tools to create your own fun, striking a great balance between offering a realistic and immersive rail journey experience for enthusiasts seeking a true-to-life simulation game and the casual enjoyed that just wants to push up and down at the right moment to make the railcar move while listening to its audiobook or podcast. I cannot recommend it enough.

6 – EuroTruck Simulator

11 years after its debut, Euro Truck Simulator remains a remarkable tycoon and simulation game, providing an immersive experience that captures the essence of trucking across Europe, all the way from Lisbon to Saint Petersburg.

With its attention to detail, realistic driving mechanics, and the opportunity to explore diverse European landscapes, this game is a must-play for fans of the … Trucking genre? Everybody has memmed this game to death, but there’s just something special about zoning out and just enjoying a lonely night drive across 600 miles with music blaring in the background. There’s also the whole aspect of managing a business but that’s neither here nor there in the game’s appeal for me, personally.

For our American friends, American Truck Simulator is also running a huge discount. So, hop behind the wheel, start the engine, and embark on your own trucking journey today.

5 – This War of Mine

I’m still considering if placing This War of Mine on a “Management and Simulation” games list is a good or a bad thing, but other than describing it as a “brutal survival sim”, I can’t think of any place else to put it.

The game came out almost a decade ago, but with the war in Ukraine still raging, it’s as actual as it will ever be. War of Mine offers a captivating and emotionally charged gaming experience that sheds light on the civilian side of war. Be it that, rather than playing as a soldier, you assume the role of ordinary people trying to survive in a nameless war-torn city, by experiencing the challenges, hardships, and moral dilemmas of war from a perspective rarely explored in video games at the time the game released and since.

I don’t really want to reveal that much, so as to not ruin the impact of the experience. The gameplay takes place on a 2D plane and most of the time you’ll be managing scarce resources, scavenging for supplies, taking care of the people in your group, and constructing your makeshift shelter. One of my most memorable experiences with the game was finding out a couple in a house I was looting, and the rest… well, you’ll have to give it a go.

4 – Mini Motorways

Another great game to pick up and play, get addicted for a couple of hours, and completely forget about it for months at a time. Mini Motorways is a refreshing and engaging “city-building” experience that revolves around the art of road network management in a very arcadey and simplistic way while trying its best to keep the fundamentals very solid -your goal is to construct and optimize efficient transportation by placing buildings, shops, and roads in the most optimal way possible to keep everything running smoothly. Fail to keep your traffic flowing and it’s game over. You’ll do that by strategically planning and placing roads, intersections, and roundabouts (and bridges) to ensure that congestion is down to a minimum.

As the city grows, so does the complexity of managing traffic. Monitor the flow of vehicles, identify bottlenecks, and make adjustments to alleviate congestion. Plan ahead, anticipate the city’s needs, and continuously optimize your road network to accommodate the growing demands of the population.

With its randomized maps and challenging gameplay, Mini Motorways offers endless replayability by testing your skills against yourself or friends to achieve high scores and create the most efficient road networks.

3 – Assetto Corsa

What can I say about Assetto Corsa that hasn’t already been said everywhere else? It’s the premier racing simulation game. One that delivers an unrivaled experience for motorsport enthusiasts and newbies alike. With its focus on realism, diverse car selection, customization options, and multiplayer, the game offers endless hours of diesel-fueled excitement. If you have a steering wheel and some pedals, do yourself a favor and grab the thing for so ridiculously cheap it’s almost insulting.

Oh, and there are so many mods for Assetto Corsa that it’s probably the biggest racing game in terms of content. Just have in mind that quality may vary and there’s no Steam Workshop integration.

2 – Microsoft Flight Simulator

The reason it isn’t in the first place is mainly because of its price. Microsoft Flight Simulator is THE flying sim you want to have if you’re a newcomer to the genre. I really don’t have a lot to say about it other than no other flying sim can even compare to the amount of detail Flight Simulator has. Continuous updates have been steadily improving and adding even more detail to certain parts of the globe. However, the game’s AI still does a good job interpreting the data it’s given and manages to produce somewhat realistic and true-to-life results. Check out my “How accurate is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 to Real Life” article.

1 – Cities: Skylines

Cities: Skylines is THE city-building simulation game to have if you’re into urban planning or just miss the good old days of SimCity 4. It’s a game that empowers players to unleash their creativity and embark on the journey of building whatever city, small village, or seaside hamlet pleases them. With one of the largest modding scenes in gaming (available through the Steam Workshop), the possibilities are endless. It also features gaming’s most realistic traffic simulation mechanics, if you’re one of those people that fail to see how that can be engaging, then it’s your time to give Cities: Skylines a whirl and test your planning mettle as you watch your vision come to life in this highly acclaimed (highly, highly acclaimed) city-building game.

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