Best Simulation Games Exclusive To PC

Highlights

Simulation games have expanded from PC to mainstream console accessibility, but not all of them.
Some simulations require complex keybindings beyond controller capabilities.
Games like Oxygen Not Included, Spore, and Dwarf Fortress offer in-depth, immersive experiences.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that these simulators are as diverse as they come! From the microscopic organisms of Spore to the mighty trucks of American Truck Simulator, and even delving into the complex depths of Dwarf Fortress, there’s a world (or several) to explore in each one.

Initially confined to enthusiasts, simulation games have broken free from the orbit of personal computers and become widely accessible due to console adaptations and multiplayer functionality. These games offer players a chance to authentically explore different lifestyles, careers, or perspectives. They are often rich, intricate, and information-dense, demanding precise keyboard shortcuts, accurate mouse control, and customizable screen layouts for smooth operation.

While skilled UI/UX designers have perfected the craft of menu navigation and rapid button presses akin to gaming controllers, enabling them to transition to PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms, certain simulations surpass what joysticks and trigger buttons can manage effectively. These simulation games were selected for their exceptional quality and exclusivity to personal computers (or lack of console adaptation, a less frequent occurrence in modern video game industry). To put it simply, “PC” is frequently used to denote Windows systems; however, many of these games are also compatible with Mac and Linux devices.

Oxygen Not Included

An Accessible But Deep Colony Sim

System: PC
Platform: PC
Released: 2017-05-18
Developer: Klei
Genre: Survival / Management Simulation

Oxygen Not Included – A Unique Take on Colony Building

1. In Oxygen Not Included, the graphics are lively, amusing, and enticing, from the cheerful sounds during resource collection confirmation to the adorable animations that occur as your characters relieve themselves in the outhouse. The game’s charming and cartoony visuals ensure that both failure and success are equally engaging, helping to soften the learning curve often found in complex simulations of human colonization within an alien ecosystem. Although the graphics may appear whimsical, the simulated systems in Oxygen Not Included are surprisingly detailed (albeit not entirely realistic), demonstrating the developers’ commitment to accurately representing many real-world sciences to create a compelling simulation.

Spore

A Light Vertical Slice Of A Simulated Universe

System: PC
Platform: PC
Released: 2008-09-07
Developer: Maxis
Genre: Life Simulation

In a simpler and more conversational tone:

In simpler terms, players who opt to conquer the world through military means in the game resembling Civilization will have distinct characteristics and skills compared to those who employ religion or technology for the same purpose. Spore is one of the least intricate and easiest sim games due to its straightforward gameplay and interface, though it was never adapted for consoles. Spore makes an excellent introduction for creatively inclined beginners looking to explore this genre, but not necessarily delve into the detailed aspects of simulation.

Viscera Cleanup Detail

A Painfully Accurate Procedural Sim About The Morning After The Battle

System: PC
Platform: PC
Released: 2015-10-23
Developer: RuneStorm
Genre: Procedural Simulation

In contrast to many first-person simulation games that prioritize realism and immersion, Viscera Cleanup leans towards the quirky and absurd, offering an unexpected level of engagement. This game seems to have been as enjoyable for its creators to design as it is for players to experience. You’ll be stepping into the shoes of a space janitor on a day following an intense altercation with bloodthirsty adversaries. Your tasks include cleaning up (in a much grimmer manner than Power Wash Simulator), fixing gun turrets and other machinery, and restocking supplies.

During their work hours, potential candidates should be mindful to avoid accidents such as spilling buckets of viscera and soiled water, or tracking blood onto recently sanitized floors. For those who have pondered the cleanup tasks following the carnage left by video game characters like Doomslayer, this job offers a realistic chance to clean up gruesome items such as organs, teeth, and alien tissue while discovering who restocks the mysterious crates with ammunition and health packs (a hint: it’s an extraterrestrial janitor).

American Truck Simulator

The Goods-Hauling Sim That Never Made The Trip To Console Town

System: PC
Platform: PC
Released: 2016-02–02
Developer: SCS Software
Genre: Vehicle Simulation

In the game American Truck Simulator, much like its trucking counterparts, players can escape, find tranquility, and become engrossed in the open road, occasionally encountering a surreal, hypnotic sensation reminiscent of a prolonged night drive where darkness is your only company and static from the radio serves as background noise. Just as good games should, it presents occasional challenging decisions, such as whether to opt for the shorter route to save on fuel (without getting lost or delayed) or bypassing checkpoints to save time at the risk of being apprehended and penalized. Reminiscent of other well-acclaimed work-oriented games, it also incorporates elements of business simulation by providing players with opportunities to advance through earning experience points or financial savings.

Once the player has grasped the skill of handling cargo, they can move on to business-style gameplay within a truck simulator by acquiring their own legendary American truck. Over time, they can expand their empire by buying more trucks and workers to transport them between one of the 150 virtual cities featured in the game. Unlike other simulation games that primarily use mouse and keyboard, the Truck Simulator series is optimized for play with a steering wheel (though additional accessories like a shifter, pedals, and a worn trucker hat can enhance the experience). Since the distance between a sofa and a TV doesn’t accurately replicate a truck dashboard, none of the games in this series have been adapted for consoles.

Dwarf Fortress

A Sim As Robust And Deep As The Dwarves Themselves

System: PC
Platform: PC
Released: 2006-08-08
Developer: Bay 12 Games
Genre: Simulation, Strategy, Roguelike

As a gamer, I can attest that while Dwarf Fortress might not boast the highest resolution or sleekest design among other simulation games, it stands out as the deepest game in the world of video entertainment. It’s not just about dwarves; every detail, from the cleanliness of a tavern floor to the intricate thoughts swirling in the mind of the tipsy dwarf at the bar, is meticulously coded and considered.

When you begin playing Dwarf Fortress, an entirely new universe with its own history is created for you to explore. You can delve into the details of this world whenever you wish, either as a strategist planning a fortress or as an individual adventurer navigating it. With its intricate layers of menus and vast amounts of data that would make a data analyst envious, it’s no surprise that Dwarf Fortress is best played using a mouse and keyboard. This is why Dwarf Fortress has found its niche on personal computers.

2024-08-08 13:34