Life simulation games are among some of the most unique games out there. Many people forget the incꦜredible depth and complexity that goes into an effective life sim. The genre has several similar entries, so a casual gamer might look at a dozen games and be unable to differentiate one from the other. On one hand, this means that the games are effectively offering players their chance of escape, to leave their lives behind and live a fantasy.

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But that doesn't mean all life-sims are created equal. Some are bland and boring, while others exceed your expectations. But the best? Which are they? For those unfamiliar with online simulation games looking to get into the genre, here are among the best - the list of essential online life sim games you need to play.

Updated September 26, 2022 by Jacqueline Zalace: We've updated this list with even more life simulation games that you can play today. Additionally, we've added another Two Point game, so you can manage both a hospital and a campus.

22 Spore

Spore gameplay building colony on island interface

Birthed from an era where Will Wright's Sims franchise—and other user-generated games—saw a boom in popularity, the Sim creator's hyped new title proved divisive and underwhelming for many. Some critiqued it for its strict tethering to DRM as well as a lack of depth; especially in the late game.

Still, when judged on its own merits, there is much to appre꧂ciate in this deep, intergalactic take on the God game. You can work on your micromanaging skills and tactical plotting while simultaneously flexing y🌜our creativity using an impressive palette of tools, buildings, and custom creatures at your disposal.

21 Farm Together 🌌

Farm Together standing on wooden path

In Farm Together, you can join up with friends and family to tend to the virtual land in this charming 2019 farm sim by Milkstone Studios. The game takes a low-key, whimsical approach in its presentation and gameplay, making for 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:a great introduction for new si𝄹m players.

At the same time, there's ample depth for those who seek it, as the gameplay offers a rewarding progression system and plenty of freedom to grow different crops, plant trees, and take care of various cute animals.

20 Two Point Games 💜

Two Point Hospital staff ability

Two Point Games is a life-sim developer, responsible for bringing us Two Point Hospital and Two Point Campus. With its charming aesthetic, deep-yet-accessible gameplay, and a light sense of humor, Two Point games grab ahold of players and rarely let's go.

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In both of these games, the amount of freedom and variety is impressive, to say the least. In Two Point Hospital, yoꩵu will tackle various tasks ranging from patient care to building expansion to wealth and employee well-being. In Two Point Campus, you will need to manage everything from classroom setups and lessons to janitorial work.

19 Parkitect

parkitect space-themed rollercoaster

If you played Roller Coaster Tycoon and enjoyed the intricacies of building y🌜our own theme park and, more importantly, epic roller coasters, then you should look into buying Parkitect. Between Parkitect and Planet Coaster, Parkitect is the more highly-praised of the two.

Many players have said that Parkitect gives you more to do and more room to work with than Planet Coaster, plus it helps that this satisfying romp is available on multiple operating systems. It's very similar to Roller Coaster Tycoon, but it introduces some new amenities like staff-only areas and buildings. It also includes an elaborate branching map system.

18 ♔Cooking Simulator

Cooking Simulator sprawling kitchen with various dishes

If you love cooking, or you just love cooking games like Cooking Mama, then you should definitely try your hand at Cooking Simulator. It's available on Steam and has great reviews from gaming critics and players.

The game offers a realistic and life-like experience in the kitchen as you make more than 80 different recipes and try to maintain your kitchen while keeping things clean and orderly. There are different modes depending on your playstyles and more than 140 different ingredients that you'll need to chop, stir, sauteé and more.

17 Kim Kardashian: Hollywo♑od

Kim Kardashian Hollywood store Kim message prompt

Even if you're not a Kardashian fan, you should consider checking out this Hollywood life simulation game that allows players to try and build their celebrity status from the ground up.

The game is free and involves some role-playing elements as you navigate the celebrity world as an E-lister, with your eventual goal being to make it to the top of the A-list. You'll need to gain fans by booking jobs, building relationships, making appearances, and much more.

The game released several years ago but is still quite popul𝓀ar.

16 💯 Animal Crossing🎀: New Horizons

Animal Crossing New Horizons - Player character with Villager NPCs inside Phototopia
via u/J__dot on Reddit

168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Animal Crossing became an instant sensation when it was first released on GameCube, now all these years later, it is a global phenomenon. The newest game in the Animal Crossing series further builds on the appealing foundation of the series while maintaining a simplicity that's accessible and fun.

New Horizons on Switch tasks players with setting camp on a deserted land and building up their own island paradise, all while gathering goodies, decorating their homes, and socializing with villagers as well as friends. The game proves simultaneously passive and in-dꩲepth, offering endless replayability with its real-time gameplay and customization.

You can show off your creativity by sprucing up your is🐓land with an endless range of items and decorations in addition to terraforming your land.

15 🌸 Story Of Seasons

Story of Seasons fenced farm with sheep and cows

The 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Story of Seasons games, which were formally known as Harvest Moon, became very popular thanks to the creativ🎉e freedom granted to players as they navigated running their own farm and trying to settle down with their bachelor or bachelorette of choice.

Over the last few years, the franchiseꦰ has become less popular, especially with new games like Stardew Valley being released which many people feel is a bette🅺r game overall. However, if you ever get tired of Stardew Valley there are numerous Story of Seasons games for you to check out.

14 ꦺ The Sims (Series) ⛦

The Sims original game with a Tragic clown pop up

When anyone asks for a recomme♒ndation for a life simulation game, the definitive answer is . Later Sims games allow you to play online, so this absolutely counts as an online sim🅠ulation game.

Whenever talking about anything simulation-related, this groundbreaking series remains one of the most important games in the gaming c🧔ulture. Chances are, you already know all you need to know about this life simulation game, so it might seem redundant wasting too much time discussing it.

Especially when there are so many other games out th𒉰ere offe♏ring players a different experience.

13 VRChat

VRChat Gameplay sitting around gambling table social gathering

VRChat is the new kid on the block, but arguably the most immersive online simulation game around. The reason for this? Virtual Reality. The game allows you to create a digital avatar that you then enter via your headset and motion tracking devices, and interact in real-time with other players in their own digital avatars (most of which are characters from some form of pop culture). RELATED: 16🧜8澳洲幸运5开奖网:Games With Dating Sim Mechanics Like Persona

The surreality of VRChat, however, can only be experienced if you have a VR Headset of some kind🍬. Meaning you need to spend a pretty penny to get your hands on this game. Once you have it, however, you can expect an immersive, incredible experience.