Management games commonly focus on allowing players to simulate controlling a part of life, no matter how realistic or artistic it is. This includes titles that allow players to build cities or entertainment such as Cities: Skyline or Zoo Tycoon, as well as more business managing games such as Cultist Simulator.
It may come as a surprise to many players that these somewhat simple titles that allow a player to enjoy managing casually hold deeper stories inside them. Many of the worlds portrayed exist in their own little worlds that contain deep lore that many players are surprised to find. These titles are not only enjoyable to play but also have unusually interesting lore.
8 I Was A Teenage Exocolonist
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Besides the captivating story that both sets and grows as the player ages with others attempting to survive on an entirely new planet, the lore behind why this is the case may intrigue players. Throughout the gameplay in this card strategy meets management game there is a focus on memory and remembering the past through paying attention to warnings.
The lore in this game follows how the original planet the player is from was destroyed by elements such as global warming and pollution. These issues will be discussed continuously as the player hopes to not make the same mistake as their ancestors.
7 The Sims 2
Life Simulators like The Sims 2 also fit this genre as players manage their sims' lives, the lore of this title is less obvious than the others but still interests players to a point that theories have been formed. One that has lost players for generations was in The Sims 2 where players were uncovering the disappearance of Bella Goth and her possible abduction by aliens.
Every single family included in a game has its own description, and they are also reoccurring characters throughout the franchise. The Sims' lore runs so deep that timelines have been created to pinpoint exactly the events that have occurred in each title.
6 Stardew Valley
Although a casual farming simulator title, Stardew Valley may appear to just be a way for the player to run their own farm with a chance of finding their true love in a quaint little town. However, there is a lot more going on in the world of Stardew than people may at first realize.
For example, the war that Sam's dad, Kent, was once a part of. When Kent finally arrives in Pelican Town the player can get to know him and learn about this war between the two Nations of Ferngill Republic and the Gotoro Empire. Although the player will never experience this war it's interesting to know that there are other things going on outside this town.
5 Rimworld
The lore is commonly left up to the interpretation of the player in many management games and this top-down construction title set on distant planets is no different. A lot of what has been discovered in the lore for Rimworld has been strung together by the players as they have encountered not only peculiar mech-like creatures but also run-down facilities.
Besides inhabiting these long abandoned shells, players may find them less empty than expected as the mostly unexplained machinery or alien creatures have made them their homes also. A lot of the lore focuses on the planets that characters have previously inhabited or what a Rimworld is.
4 Slime Rancher
Even cute and colorful games like Slime Rancher have surprisingly deep lore to them that players may have not at first considered. Besides being seemingly alone on this island with a variety of wondrous slimes as friends, the biggest questions of the lore that is explained involves The Tarr.
These sludgy slimes are commonly seen as an infection that ruins other slimes, this is only a bit of what can be discovered in Slime Rancher. While exploring the island, players will find bits of lore hidden in green orbs that explain past discoveries of people that were once on the island, though where they are now is unknown.
3 Frostpunk
Frostpunk's lore is interesting to delve into, especially as it is based on the real world through an alternate timeline. The year in which the game is based is 1886, though the changes in technology and people that can be seen in Frostpunk may mean that the timelines started to divulge on their own paths as early as 1822.
While running against time itself to find a way of surviving the apocalyptic winter that is approaching, players will learn more about the world and city they are trying to help survive. Players will discover more about the approaching storm and the inventions that hope to prevent its destruction.
2 Cultist Simulator
Cultist Simulator has a long line of lore to uncover while playing, each attempt to run a cult may focus on a different overlord to follow and each has its own lore to uncover. Learning is a vital part of becoming a successful cult leader and therefore the game itself has lore fragment cards that may not give actual lore but are needed to improve the player's cult.
One of the most entertaining things is learning about the Hours, the gods that the cults commonly follow. They each have their own specific paths to take to unlock them as well as their own lore behind each god and what they are worshiped for.
1 Oxygen Not Included
Although quite an intimidating game for some that enjoy the management genre due to its challenging survival mechanics. Oxygen Not Included has by far some of the deepest lore that can be found naturally while attempting to keep the colonists alive.
While exploring the chosen planet of the player, players will uncover the ruins of past expeditions. Inside these buildings, players can inspect certain documents such as emails, log entries, research notes, and much more that will gradually explain the lore of these planets as well as log past colonies' downfalls.