While there are many sim games with great world-building there are only a few that feels truly realistic. Players can get fully immersed in action-filled and history-inspired games and roam with dinosaurs, fly some of the fastest planes of all time, or help cute aliens explore the galaxy. Thanks to these fun educational games, builders, and racers, players can learn new things about their favorite hobbies while also improving their gaming skills.
These realistic sim games have gorgeous graphics, and players can test their gaming knowledge during intense battles, adrenalin-boosting races, or just relax and get lost in beautiful and peaceful open-world games. Just because a game is realistic it doesn't necessarily mean it must be difficult as well. So fans can easily find entertaining beginner-friendly realistic sims that are just as thrilling for newbies as they're for experienced gamers.
8 Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is one of the most realistic sim games about flying. This war game is not just for those who like shooters but for all players who're interested in aircraft and would love to experience what it's like to pilot one of these mighty jets.
It's one of the most fun and surprisingly story-rich realistic sims with a gorgeous design. Players will learn about real-life jets and air battles while learning how to fly these planes and then test their new skills during difficult battles while also enjoying full 360-degree movement as well as photorealistic skies.
7 Cities: Skylines
Cities: Skylines is not only one of the most realistic city builders but also one of the most popular ones that's beloved by millions of gamers all over the world. Thanks to this relaxing yet challenging builder game players can experience all the hardships and joys that come with building and managing a modern city.
This game can be a bit difficult for complete beginners, so it's a good idea to check out some useful beginner tips for Cities: Skylines. However, it's also one of the most thrilling and creative realistic sims in which players will have to manage all aspects of their city including its education system, healthcare, and policies during the day and night.
6 The Isle
The Isle is one of the most fun and realistic survival sim games in which players can become one of the many unique dinosaurs of the game. This early-access sim game has a fascinating open world and players will have a chance to explore its beautiful living prehistoric ecosystem either as prays or as hunters.
Players will have to learn how to stay alive, hunt, and grow into adult dinosaurs in a rather difficult and dangerous environment. It's a multiplayer sim and can be a bit overwhelming for casual gamers, so it's a good idea to check out some useful tips and learn how to grow faster in the game before getting started. However, players also have the option to skip the survival part and just relax, enjoy, and explore this gorgeous world as gigantic adult dinosaurs.
5 Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 is one of the most thrilling racing sim games with a meticulously detailed and realistic open world. Thanks to this gorgeous racer, players can drive some of the most beautiful cars while competing against other players and exploring Mexico's breathtaking landscapes, historic cities, ruins, and jungles.
Players not only get to drive some of the most fun cars but have to deal with the ever-changing environment too and overcome the challenges of gigantic dust storms as well as tropical storms. However, beginners and casual gamers can also get started in a single-player mode and get lost in the game's deeply atmospheric world and just enjoy the ride.
4 Planet Coaster
Planet Coaster is easily one of the most vibrant and fun sim games that's especially a great choice for those who can't get enough of amusement parks. However, this unique management sim game is also a great choice for those who love fun city builders since this game lets its players create their very own coaster park empires.
Players will have to use their creativity and strategic thinking to build and manage every aspect of their park and create realistic and unique rides for their visitors. One of the best aspects of this game is that players not only have to build and manage the parks but that every single visitor has a unique personality that players have to keep in mind while creating their empires. While it's a more complex sim there are great beginner tips for Planet Coaster that'll make things easier for casual gamers.
3 Planet Zoo
Planet Zoo is another widely celebrated family-friendly sim game for animal and nature lovers. This relaxing zoo game is one of the most realistic and fun sim games with a gorgeous open world and some of the cutest video game animals of all time.
Players will get to use their creativity while building the habitats for their favorite animals, managing all aspects of the zoo, and getting to know the animals who inhabit their creations. The animals each have their very own personalities and looks, and they will act and react differently while exploring their habitats just like real animals do in the real world.
2 The Sims
The Sims is the single most popular life sim game of all time that lets its players create a fully realistic virtual life. Players can choose to go on their adventures in a single or multiplayer mode and use their creativity to customize every single detail in this vibrant and fun world.
Players can create their unique Sims, build and design their homes and even travel and visit other Sims just like in real life. Gamers can explore many unique locations while also managing the Sims' life and going on realistic or fantasy-inspired adventures. It's one of the most creative and relaxing sim games that'll be entertaining for complete beginners as well as more experienced gamers who haven't tried this iconic life sim yet.
1 Kerbal Space Program
Kerbal Space Program is one of the most realistic science space sim games that takes its players on an unforgettable adventure. Players will have to help the mischievous green alien race, called the Kerbals, by managing their space program.
Gamers will get a chance to learn about real-life orbital physics while building functional spaceships and rockets. However, players will have to manage all aspects of this space program including training the crew, developing new technologies, and sending the little Kerbals on thrilling exploratory adventures. It's a more difficult game but also a unique and hilarious one that's not only entertaining but educational.