The 17 Best Games Like Sims To Play Right Now
The Sims, arguably the most loved life simulation video game series out there, has been enjoyed by many since back in the day when it was first released in February 2000. In total, there are four games in the main series, titled in numerical order – The Sims, The Sims 2 (released 2004), The Sims 3 (2009) and The Sims 4 (2013). But there are many games out there that are like The Sims series, with a twist.
Here is a pick of 17 games like The Sims, ranked from good to best.
17. 7 Sins
7 Sins is a life simulation games that sees the player control a male character who lives in a city ruled by sex, fame and wealth. The aim of the game is to become famous in the fictional Apple City, whilst making decisions related to the seven deadly sins, such as greed and lust. Thus, there are seven chapters to play through.
7 Sins is rated 18, and it is very clear why, due to the naughty touch it has. Though some of the dialogues can be very unusual, it is interesting to see how your choices influence the game.
So if you fancy a Sims game which is more adult-rated, then 7 Sins is a good choice for you.
My rating: 5/10
Can he conquer one of the sins over a candlelit dinner? (Probably, yes!)
There are over 100 non-player characters with which you can interact
16. IMVU
IMVU (short for “Instant Messaging Virtual Universe”) is a social networking virtual world which was released in 2004, and you can see the Sim-like elements due to the 3D avatars players must create to be able to play. It is available online for free through a standard browser, and there are also some mobile apps for iOS and Android available.
On IMVU, members firstly create their own 3D avatars and they can meet other members, create items and participate in games with that avatar. The biggest difference to The Sims is the multiplayer capability that IMVU offers. You can connect with players from all over the world, talk to them and walk around the 3D virtual world with them.
Though I personally prefer playing The Sims single player and focusing more on building my own family and buildings, IMVU is a must for players who prefer the multiplayer side of games and meeting different players from all around the world.
My rating: 5/10
The room decorating possibilities are endless!
You can enjoy a relaxing boat ride while chatting to other online players
15. Kudos
Kudos, a life-simulation game developed by Positech Games, was released in 2006. Its sequel, Kudos 2, was released two years later. The gameplay of Kudos is quite similar to that of The Sims, in that the player controls a character’s life. However, in Kudos, the player can only control their character’s life for ten virtual years, from the character being 20 years old and ending when the character turns 30.
The game focuses a lot more on the character’s life itself, and less so on the 3D-aesthetics like in The Sims, with it being based on 2D character art. The player, during each turn (which is counted as a single day, or a half-day at weekends), chooses from a range of activities which shapes the character’s life in terms of their personality, mind and body.
Whilst playing the game, I did miss the ability to build things for my character, such as a house or a restaurant, but, nevertheless, it is very interesting how the game focuses purely on one character, and the slightest choice can change the path of the character’s life. So if you fancy a game that focuses on choices which affects a virtual character’s life, and you wouldn’t miss the building-side, then Kudos is a good game for you.
My rating: 6/10
Who is the best person to socialise with?
NPC also send you social invites – will you accept?
14. Life Quest
Life Quest, as with Kudos, focuses a lot more on your character’s life and less so on the 3D-aesthetics that The Sims offer. Nevertheless, the style of it is somewhat charming.
The idea behind Life Quest is actually quite simple – you create a character and help shape his or her life, starting from when they graduate from high school. You have to find your character a job and keep an eye on the amount of money they have, all whilst completing goals.
It isn’t exactly the most challenging game out there, however this can be an advantage if you’re looking for a nice and simple game to sit down and play with, without going into so many details that The Sims goes into.
My rating: 6/10
The element of competition can also be found in this life-simulation game
And the bonuses you get if you win are well worth it!
13. Singles: Flirt Your Life Up
Singles: Flirt Up Your Life was released in 2003 and has a very Sim-like feeling. You control a couple who are both single and live in the same apartment. Whilst keeping an eye on their wants, such as hunger and energy (just like in The Sims), your aim is to basically ‘hook up’ the two singles in your flat. They must first become friends and then eventually start a romantic relationship.
The game isn’t exactly quest-driven, but there is an end goal in sight (i.e. hook up the two characters in the game). This game is perfect for those who love The Sims, but prefer to have some form of end goal to the game, compared to the open-end kind of game like The Sims.
My rating: 6/10
Looks like those two are getting on just fine!
A bit of flirting never hurt nobody!
12. Virtual Families 2
Virtual Families 2 is similar to The Sims in that players control a character and help them through their virtual life, from finding a job to starting and raising a family. The player is faced with a variety of random events along the way to keep them on their toes. Players can praise or scold their characters to shape and adapt their personalities, giving a nice personalisation touch to the game.
An interesting difference to The Sims is that Virtual Families 2 runs in real-time – every minute in-game is equivalent to a minute in real life. So if you decide to play at night, it will be night in-game, too! This makes gameplay quite exciting, and prevents the possibility of the game becoming too repetitive, as I sometimes find is the case with The Sims after playing several in-game days in it.
Virtual Families 2 is a nice game for those who want to try something outside of The Sims, whilst not wandering too far away from the idea behind it – controlling the life of a virtual character.
My rating: 7/10
That kid’s room is a bit of a mess!
The whole family sits down to enjoy a meal together
11. Habbo
Habbo, which was previously named Habbo Hotel, is an online social network service. The online community was launched in 2000 and now has users in over 150 countries.
The pixel-style of the game gives it a very unique feel, and players can create an avatar and design their own hotel rooms, from walls and floors to adding different pieces of furniture, as well as meet and interact with other players. It is estimated that 90% of users are aged between 13 and 18, which is no surprise with the slogan “Hangout for teens”.
Habbo is free to play, with the possibility of buying virtual currency – credits – with real currency. It is a good game for players who like the social element of game and meeting people from around the world online.
My rating: 7/10
A kissing booth! That’s one way to decorate your room!
And here, somebody has built an airport – the possibilities are endless!
10. The Sims: Life Stories
The Sims: Life Stories is the first game in The Sims Stories series (which also includes The Sims: Pet Stories and The Sims: Castaway Stories), and it was released in 2007. It uses the same mechanics as The Sims 2, but the game has two ready-made scenarios that players can play through.
It is basically The Sims for those who like to have some kind of goal or storyline, as it also includes scripted sequences with events and situations that are pre-defined. Players can also unlock an open-ended Classic mode, similar to The Sims 2, after they have completed both of the available pre-made stories.
So if you like the addition of having a pre-made storyline to follow and influence through your choices, then The Sims: Life Stories is a good choice for you!
My rating: 7/10
First things first – build a Sim!
You’ll feel right at home if you’re used to The Sims 2 controls
9. Tomodachi Life / Miitomo
Tomodachi Life is a life simulation game for the Nintendo 3DS, and it was also developed by Nintendo. Though it is a lot simpler than The Sims, it is not too dissimilar, with the game giving the player the opportunity to edit their virtual player’s clothes and more.
Players can also decide on the personality of their character, and the little virtual people can perform several actions, from eating and trying on different clothes, to falling in love with someone and creating a family.
Miitomo, a mobile app for iOS and Android, is also made by Nintendo and has a very similar, but slightly watered down feel compared to Tomodachi Life. It is free to download and play, with the ability to add friends and interact with their characters. Miitomo has a virtual currency, with which you buy more things, such as clothes. Virtual currency can be earned either by asking and answering questions with your added friends in-game, or by purchasing it with real money.
All in all, the two games are a joy to play, albeit rather simple, and they are both great for those who want a Sims-like game to play when out and about and not sat in front of a computer.
My rating: 7/10
It’s somewhat like a soap on TV!
Answer this and get points to spend on furniture and clothes – it’s that simple!
8. Second Life
Second Life is an online virtual universe that can be accessed through any standard browser. It was launched in 2003 and within ten years it accumulated approximately 1 million regular users.
Players create a 3D avatar and interact with a variety of things, from places and objects to other avatars. The game has its own virtual currency, the Linden Dollar, which can actually be exchanged with real world currency.
There is no set objective in Second Life, leaving the options open to players as to what they want their avatar to experience. As it is also free to play, Second Life is a great game for those who enjoy The Sims and fancy branching out to other games with the social aspect added to it.
My rating: 8/10
That’s a pretty stylish room!
Meet up with friends and toast some marshmallows at a campfire
7. Dream House Days
Dream House Days is available for Android and iOS, and was developed by Kairosoft. The idea behind the game is that you are the landlord of several apartments and you manage the apartments by furnishing them according to what your tenants want.
Though you don’t directly control the characters themselves, like you do in The Sims, this game is very interesting due to there being a right and a wrong as to what your tenant wants, and you can gain points, or “tickets”, if the tenants are happy enough when they eventually move out.
I personally love the pixel-like graphics, as well as the catchy music. It is a great game for those who enjoy a Sims-like game when they are out and about, with it being an app for Android and iOS.
My rating: 8/10
There’s a lot going on in your apartments – make sure all your tenants are happy!
Build furniture according to your tenants’ wants
6. Animal Crossing
Animal Crossing is another Nintendo game, and the most recent game in the series, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, was released for Nintendo 3DS in 2013.
The game sees the player move into a little village inhabited by animals. It is up to you what you do – concentrate on paying your rent, style your house with trendy furniture, design your own clothes, do some gardening, hunt for fossils, do quests for your animal neighbours… there are countless possibilities! There is also a multiplayer option where you can visit your friends’ villages and they can come and visit you.
Animal Crossing is a real-time game, so you will get a slightly different feel depending on what time of day you play. Certain places are open and closed at certain times, so you have to time your playing session carefully, depending on what you want to try and do.
All in all, it’s a great game, and a good choice for all Sims lovers out there who fancy having a Sims-like game out and about on their Nintendo 3DS.
My rating: 8/10
Congratulations, Oliver! Now – what’s the first thing on your to-do list as mayor?
You can donate your fish, fossils and other things to the museum to add to the exhibitions
5. GTA 5
Probably not a game you would expect in this list, Grand Theft Auto 5 is an action-adventure game which was published by Rockstar Games in 2013. Though there is a single-player storyline to follow, the game boasts an open world design that lets players freely roam the fictional city of Los Santos.
Though players are unable to build their own buildings as in The Sims, it is possible to edit the clothes of the three main characters, as well as own a car and earn money in a variety of different ways. The game is rated 18, giving it more of an adult-twist compared to The Sims.
So if you are looking for a game similar to The Sims with a little more violence, as well as a compelling storyline, Grand Theft Auto 5 is the perfect choice for you.
My rating: 9/10
Time to leave the house – where to first?
The map is huge! Maybe you need something quicker than a bike…
4. The Movies
The Movies is perhaps a game you also didn’t expect to find on this list. It was created by Lionhead Studios and released in 2005, and it focuses on life at a movie studio. As a Hollywood film mogul, players have to run their movie studio and create films which are put up at award ceremonies against competition studios, which are controlled by the computer.
As you hire actors and actresses, as well as directors, you have to keep an eye on their satisfaction with their job. Make sure they don’t get too stressed from making too many movies at once, but also not too bored from sitting round and doing nothing! Players have to pick and mix between various sets to properly hit the nail on the head when making a certain genre – be it comedy, action, sci-fi and more. For example, a set of a creepy cellar isn’t exactly the best set for a romantic movie, but would score you lots of points if you are filming a horror movie.
This game is brilliant for those who enjoy The Sims, but enjoy having a specific goal in mind – releasing films and being the best movie studio there is!
My rating: 9/10
Train your actors to make them look and feel great
Design the most beautiful movie studios!
3. This War of Mine
This War of Mine isn’t exactly the light-hearted game you would expect to appear in this list. It is a war survival game, and the player can pick and mix from a variety of civilians and try to help them survive living through a war.
During the day, all characters stay in their shelter, out of harm’s way. The player has to make sure that all characters get well fed and don’t get ill by making them take medicine or use bandages. During the night, the player can choose one of their characters to go hunting for valuable items – from medicine and bandages, to food and weapons. Though they have to be careful not to come across enemies, as this could lead to the character’s death and thus one pair of hands less to help survive the way.
Civilians have certain traits that make them useful. Some, for example, a good at running fast – perfect for a quick getaway when looting, whereas others may be able to make traps which catch animals – food – a lot faster, which is also critical for collecting food to prevent the characters from starving.
For players who prefer more serious games, this is the one for them. The heart-breaking storylines and eerily creepy graphics keep you on your toes throughout the entire game.
My rating: 9/10
The graphics are gloomy and help with the eerie feel to the game
Plan the night – go scavenging or stay and guard?
2. The Sims Medieval
The Sims Medieval is a video game in The Sims series and it is based on The Sims 3 Engine. Developed and published by Electronic Arts themselves, it was released in 2011.
In The Sims Medieval, you create various Sims with specific jobs, also known as ‘heroes’ – from kings and queens, to wizards and spies, and more! As you play through the game, you gain points which allow you to buy more buildings and thus create more heroes.
After you create a hero, you begin to unlock various quests which you can pick and choose from. For example, you may receive the quest of finding your king or queen a partner so that they can produce their next heir. Instead, you may decide to choose a spy quest to poison the king after he has been up to no good – it’s an extremely varied game, and you can control what happens through the quests you choose to complete.
This game is perfect for all Sim lovers who would like a bit of action on top of the standard Sim game, whilst still keeping the wonderful Sim charm we all know and love.
My rating: 9/10
Any Sims-lover will love this game!
There are lots of fun additions, from religious belief to interesting traits
1. Youtuber’s Life
Youtuber’s Life was officially released into Steam Early Access in 2016. It offers the player a perfect mix of life simulation and tycoon videogame. Players create their character, and the aim is to make them become the world’s greatest video blogger, meaning there is definitely a goal in sight when playing.
However, though the main aim is to become Youtube’s biggest personality, players also have to manage their character’s social life and education, as well as the character’s employees and growing content network. Through a variety of activities, such as creating videos through advertising agreements, players can buy upgrades, including new equipment and housing.
I personally love this game. It gets very addictive as you try and make your way up the popularity ladder. It’s perfect for those players who like to have a goal that they can aim for, whilst still having the creative element that The Sims offers.
My rating: 10/10
Right, what’s on the to-do list?
Shh! Recording in process!
So there you have it! 17 games that are like The Sims, ranked from good to best. There is certainly a wide range of games out there which share similarities to the beloved The Sims series, but it’s interesting to see how the life-simulation genre can vary so greatly. Have fun finding your new favourite game!
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