Rule the World: which simulators are worth paying attention to
Simulations as a genre allow you to escape from everyday worries for at least a short time, even if they sometimes replace them with problems of virtual life. The last few years have been particularly successful for this category of games, and recognized classic projects continue to actively develop thanks to regular updates. Izvestia has compiled a selection of both the best simulators of the decade and the underrated games that many have already forgotten about.
Farming Simulator 25
When it was released: 2024
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Many farming games belong to the "cozy" subgenre — they come to relieve tension, not to plow in the literal sense of the word. The Farming Simulator series, on the contrary, has always relied not on a relaxing atmosphere, but on the most reliable simulation of hard farming work. The 2024 game, like the previous parts, reproduces with great accuracy all the stages of agriculture: sowing seeds, organizing logistics, building supply chains necessary to make a profit from the harvest. Gamers will have to grow 25 different crops, raise a variety of livestock and take into account many factors, including changes in soil topography, weather conditions and other realistic elements.
Cities: Skylines
When it was released: 2015
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
The first Cities: Skylines is a deep and highly polished urban planning simulator with many interconnected systems. Having mastered the basics of urban planning, you should definitely pay attention to custom modifications — there are already a huge number of useful mods for the game. The project is considered one of the best urban planning simulators today. The second part of the game may be of interest to those who want even more complex mechanics.
Two Point Museum
When it was released: 2025
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
The project has become one of the most notable gaming innovations of March 2025. Users especially noted the branded humor of the series, this time aimed at the world of museum business. If you like to collect dinosaur skeletons, open souvenir shops and come up with unusual exhibitions for visitors, then as a museum director you can embody the most daring ideas here. Players will have to send expeditions around the world in search of new exhibits, monitor their safety during delivery and gradually turn their museum into a major urban attraction.
Jurassic World Evolution 2
When it was released: 2021
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
The game takes place after the movie "Jurassic World: Domination". The user heads a park inhabited by dinosaurs, works side by side with the heroes of the movie franchise and tries to keep these creatures under control. It is not easy to find a balance between the needs of prehistoric giants and the safety of visitors. Any mistake can lead to the escape of predators and a real disaster. The storyline campaign offers a variety of challenges, forces you to constantly make difficult management decisions and does not allow you to relax for a minute.
Kerbal Space Program
When it was released: 2015
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
The Kerbal Space Program leaves hundreds of other simulations behind even years later. Thanks to numerous updates, improvements, and the release on consoles in 2016, the project has only gotten better over time. At first glance, it looks like a frivolous game about little green men, but it hides one of the most realistic space simulators in the industry. Kerbal Space Program 2 develops the ideas of the original, offers an improved scientific system, a deeper career mode and modern graphics.
Planet Coaster 2
When it was released: 2024
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
If you want to add a little thrill to the measured gameplay, Planet Coaster 2 is a great choice. Here you can create an amusement park of your dreams, a perfectly organized commercial complex and a completely insane attraction that violates all the laws of common sense and physics. After the construction of roller coasters and other large attractions, you can fine-tune the park: place decorations, green the territory, decorate locations and monitor the comfort of visitors. Compared to the first part, Planet Coaster 2 has received several important innovations. Among them are full—fledged water attractions, as well as a cooperative mode that allows you to build a location with your friends. The created parks can be shared online so that other players can evaluate them.
Football Manager 2026
When it was released: 2025
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
This sports simulator has one striking distinctive feature — here you can not only assemble a dream team and watch matches, but also fully manage the club's life: work in the transfer market, develop the skills and psychology of football players, allocate a budget and make decisions that affect the success of the national team. In Football Manager 2026, the developers have redesigned many key mechanics — one of the main changes is the updated tactical system.
House Flipper 2
When it was released: 2023
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
A simulator that organically combines creativity, renovation and cleaning, just like in a TV show about the transformation of houses. The player gets access to different properties. Some buildings require only minor cosmetic repairs, while others look very neglected. Armed with a variety of cleaning, construction and finishing tools, the user gradually transforms old rooms into cozy modern homes. The game has two modes — career and creative. In the first case, the path begins with the fulfillment of small orders and gradually leads to the creation of your own successful real estate renovation company. The second one allows you to independently design houses, decorate interiors, arrange furniture, and then sell finished objects.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
