Simulation games are a ton of fun to play in their own right, with the act of micromanaging actions being a blast if carried out properly. No game nails this gameplay mechanic better than The Sims, with this series allowing players to essentially become gods of a virtual world as they govern the actions of a household and help them to either attain massive success or let them fail as everything good about their life absolutely crashes and burns.
However, regardless of how tragic things may get in The Sims, there's no denying that the game carries with it a sense of levity and humor that always leads to even the most traumatic moments around feeling pretty lighthearted in the grand scheme of things. Players who want their simulation gameplay to be darker than what The Sims allows should definitely check out the following titles that will be right up their alley.
7 Rimworld
Rimworld tasks players with managing a colony in a hostile world, with players scrounging for supplies as one of three storytellers mess around in the game and either help the player out or cause numerous bad things to happen to them. The game is definitely pretty complex and a few playthroughs will be required to get a hang of the basics.
It's when players start interacting with the unique mechanics of Rimworld that they'll realize just how deep and engaging this title really is. The game can throw some truly vicious curveballs, but players who are willing to roll with the punches and set up adequate defenses beforehand will find themselves relishing the prospect of tackling another threat and helping their colonists get over their traumas more often than not.
6 Amazing Cultivation Simulator
Many fans of Rimworld find Amazing Cultivation Simulator to be a great game that scratches the itch left behind by this deep colony simulator. Here, players have to build up a sect and train their disciples, all while ensuring that they've kept the feng shui balance in mind and prepared for any adverse events that are to come.
If Rimworld has a steep learning curve, then Amazing Cultivation Simulator has a downright vertical slope that players need to conquer before understanding what the game is all about. This can take a substantial time investment, but fans of the game are adamant that this time sink is worth it for players to enjoy one of the more unique simulation games out there.
5 Crusader Kings 3
The Crusader Kings series was pretty alluring for its storytelling potential, but many players found the games in the series to be a bit too obtuse to get into. Thankfully, this changed with the advent of Crusader Kings 3, which is easily one of the most beginner-friendly games Paradox Interactive has ever made.
Controlling a dynasty and helping its ruling members attain the highest levels of success makes for a great time indeed. Crusader Kings 3's storytelling potential coupled with its intense realism during a pretty dark and morbid time in history that was full of warfare makes it the perfect recommendation for fans of The Sims who are looking for a more mature simulation game.
4 Reigns
The idea of using the swiping mechanics of Tinder to create a game is a pretty unique prospect that would've been an absolute failure if it wasn't executed properly. Thankfully, Reigns hit the ground running and has become one of the most popular kingdom simulation titles on mobile devices despite being so deceptively simple.
Reigns wastes no time in ensuring that players come to grips with its mechanics, introducing a delicate balancing act that will force players to make several unethical and tough decisions despite the game using simple swipes to carry out these decisions. It's the amazing depth Reigns adds to such a simple mechanic that makes it a must-play game for fans of dark simulation titles.
3 Second Life
The only multiplayer game on this list, Second Life can take quite a while to get into. The game seems pretty simple at first glance, but it's the only title on this list that genuinely lets players create a virtual life from the ground up.
There's a reason why this game has such an active player base, with Second Life allowing players to deliver a baby while interacting with midwives as well! The community is truly massive and may take some time to wrap one's head around the mechanics, but players who choose to get immersed in this in-depth life simulation will love the immersive interactions they can have with the people around them.
2 Kenshi
Kenshi is an open-world sandbox that prioritizes player freedom over everything else. The only narrative present in the game is the one players create for themselves, and the possibilities are endless.
Players can take on the most boring jobs in the world or become an exciting bounty hunter... although the world of Kenshi is not kind to people who explore the lands without understanding the implications of the same. A bunch of horrifying fates can meet the player if they get captured by a particularly messed-up faction, leading to everything from torture to dismemberment.
1 This War Of Mine
This War of Mine takes a dark and jarring look at the life of people during war, with people being displaced from their homes and forced to scavenge around for supplies. The toughest thing in This War of Mine is the very concept of morality itself, with players having to carry out some truly horrible things to save the people they love.
The anti-war message of this title is clear as day, showing how people who have no relation to this conflict end up suffering the most. This War of Mine is a tough title, and certainly not for the faint of heart who can't bear to see characters they've formed bonds with suffer cruel and sudden deaths.
The Sims 4 is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.