Best Simulation Games of 2013

One of my favorite types of game is the simulation game. I’ve played this type of game for over 20 years and continue to enjoy the genre. Whether I’m creating a city, building a roller coaster, managing a soccer team or simply trying to build a ‘Sim’ I always find these games compelling and challenging.

With the advent of superb graphics and sound, and a far deeper strategy element to many of these games, the simulation game of 2013 is far more demanding but also far more rewarding. It’s an exciting year for this genre with several top franchises releasing new or updated games.

The original and the best city simulation is back and is better than ever. Every decision you make as you build your city will have varying consequences – build industry and you’ll increase pollution – combat this buy being green and you’ll get higher taxes. The subtleties of the game are far more deep and intricate than ever before and make the game very compelling.

The latest version has several features not seen in a SimCity game before: the people talk to you – this changes the dynamic of being a leader; multi-player option – you can challenge your friends to dominate a region, or collaborate to improve each other’s cities. This is the most complex and challenging SimCity of all time and gives you the ability to micro or macro-manage everything.

I played the original game – it was written in basic and I was able to edit the code, add myself as a player and amend all the stats so I had the most successful team without having to do any work! Today’s Football Manager game is vastly different than the original ‘simple’ game.

Essentially you can manage everything in a football club from the creation of new facilities, the scouting of new players, the training etc. Football Manager 2013 is the deepest most detailed soccer management simulation game to date. The realism of the game gives you an insight into what it takes to run a real football club. With much improved graphics, much deeper player analysis, interaction with staff and the media and the excitement of 3D soccer this game is a must have for sports fans.

If you’re interested in how airports run then this simulation in for you. You are tasked with running the day to day operations of a busy airport. Whether you are handling catering or cargo, or ensuring the jets are refueled, you’ll find that every aspect of running a busy airport will keep you busy for hours.

With decent graphics an intuitive control system and the mayhem of trying to run a busy airport you’ll find this game to be difficult and yet rewarding.

Cities in Motion II, the sequel to the popular mass transit simulation game, allows you to manage and build a modern transit system in a large city. With enhanced game play such as day night modes, multi-player modes and campaign modes this game will be challenging and rewarding.

While the concept may sound easy trying to balance the need for different types of transit such as buses, trams, ferries etc. isn’t as easy as it sounds – every choice you make will have consequences – perhaps you’ll increase population but also increase pollution.

**NOTE – you must have the original Sims 3 game to enjoy this expansion pack**

The Sims 3 franchise is one of the most successful simulation franchises of all time. Electronic Arts are constantly updating the game, improving the mechanics and introducing new scenarios. University Life allows you to create and control a Sim, control what they look like and where they live; most importantly you can send them away to college where they will create social links and career opportunities.

The game takes every aspect of college life and allows you to participate in it – whether you attend lectures, play juice pong, go for burgers or join a protest is up to you. It’s a fun game that gives a great glimpse into real university life.