Hey there, gaming dads! Welcome to a virtual haven where leisure seamlessly intertwines with pixels, and the excitement of exploration dances hand-in-hand with the tranquility of managing a thriving farm. In the vast realm of simulation games, finding that perfect sweet spot between entertainment and relaxation becomes paramount, especially when time is a rare luxury.
Today, we’re on a quest to unveil the best 15 simulation games crafted specifically for the casual gaming dad. From navigating the icy challenges of city survival to immersing yourself in the enchanting world of magical farms, these games promise a delightful escape. Picture this: engaging gameplay that effortlessly slots into the pockets of our busy lives.
So, without further ado, grab your favorite cup of coffee, kick back, and join us as we embark on a digital journey through city planning, space exploration, and the blissful art of building your dream PC. Let the simulation adventure unfold!
15. Harvestella
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
- Steam Deck: Playable
- Rating: 4/5
- Embark on a relaxing journey to Harvestella, where casual gaming dads can enjoy the joys of farming without the stress. Grow crops, raise magical creatures, and unwind in this charming and magical farming simulation.
- Pros:
- Perfect for a laid-back gaming session.
- Perfect mix of JRPG and farming sim, reminescent of the Rune Factory series
- Cons:
- Overall difficulty and sense of urgency could be higher
14. The Tenants
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Deck: Playable
- Rating: 4.1/5
- Become the ultimate property tycoon in The Tenants. Juggle quirky tenants, tackle unexpected challenges, and build your rental property empire in this casual and unique simulation game.
- Pros:
- Easy to pick up and play.
- Humorous interactions with tenants.
- Cons:
- Quite repetitive on the long run
13. Dinkum
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Deck: Playable
- Rating: 4.2/5
- Step into the shoes of a casual farmer in Dinkum. Experience the simple pleasures of rural life, tend to your crops, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of this delightful farming simulation.
- Pros:
- Relaxing gameplay for casual enjoyment.
- Charming rural setting.
- Cons:
- TBD
12. Barotrauma
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Deck: Playable
- Rating: 4.2/5
- For casual gaming dads seeking a cooperative adventure, dive into the depths of Europa in Barotrauma. Manage a submarine with friends, overcome challenges, and experience thrilling underwater exploration.
- Pros:
- Co-op gameplay for shared adventures.
- Unique setting and challenges.
- Cons:
- Way better with 2-4 players, a bit hard to play solo
11. SnowRunner
- Platforms: PC, XBox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch
- Steam Deck: Playable
- Rating: 4.2/5
- Enjoy a leisurely off-road experience in SnowRunner. Navigate challenging terrains, complete missions, and unwind with the variety of powerful vehicles available in this relaxing yet exciting simulation.
- Pros:
- Relaxing exploration in an open world.
- Diverse range of vehicles for every mood.
- Cons:
- Don’t expect a lot of action inside this game
10. PC Building Simulator
- Platforms: PC, XBox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch
- Steam Deck: Verified
- Rating: 4.3/5
- For casual gaming dads interested in tech, dive into PC Building Simulator. Experience the intricacies of building and upgrading PCs in a relaxing environment with realistic components.
- Pros:
- Educational and entertaining for tech enthusiasts.
- Realistic and satisfying building mechanics.
- A lot of real brand names used in the game (Intel, AMD, Corsair, etc…)
- Cons:
- Can become a bit repetitive
9. Planet Zoo
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Deck: Playable
- Rating: 4.3/5
- Unleash your inner zookeeper in Planet Zoo. Perfect for casual gaming dads, this simulation game allows you to create and manage a world-class zoo with adorable animals and charming exhibits.
- Pros:
- Family-friendly and visually appealing.
- Engaging management without overwhelming complexity.
- Cons:
- Online features are a bit half-baked…
8. Planet Coaster
- Platforms: PC, XBOX, Playstation
- Steam Deck: Playable
- Rating: 4.4/5
- Craft the theme park of your dreams in Planet Coaster. Casual gaming dads can enjoy creating thrilling rides, managing staff, and delighting virtual visitors in this entertaining and accessible simulation.
- Pros:
- Wholesome and creative amusement park management.
- User-friendly design tools.
- Cons:
- As per its sister game Planet Zoo, online features are a bit half-baked…
7. Cities: Skylines
- Platforms: PC, XBox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch
- Steam Deck: Playable
- Rating: 4.4/5
- For the casual gaming dad with city-planning dreams, Cities: Skylines offers a relaxing city-building experience. Create and manage your own city without the stress of complicated mechanics.
- Pros:
- Easy to pick up and play.
- Relaxing city-building without overwhelming details.
- Cons:
- Traffic management can become overwhelming
6. Kerbal Space Program
- Platforms: PC, XBox, Playstation
- Steam Deck: Playable
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Embark on a space adventure in Kerbal Space Program. Casual gaming dads can design and pilot spacecraft, exploring the wonders of space with a light-hearted and educational touch.
- Pros:
- Educational and entertaining for all ages.
- Charming and humorous space exploration.
- Cons:
- Very brain-intensive game if you want to get anywhere. Difficulty is high
5. 7 Days to Die
- Platforms: PC, XBox, Playstation
- Steam Deck: Verified
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Experience the thrill of survival in a post-apocalyptic world with 7 Days to Die. Casual gaming dads can enjoy the unique blend of survival horror and exploration in this open-world adventure.
- Pros:
- Engaging survival mechanics.
- Open-world exploration with friends.
- Cons:
- Outdated graphics
4. Frostpunk
- Platforms: PC, XBox, Playstation
- Steam Deck: Playable
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Navigate the icy challenges of survival in Frostpunk. Casual gaming dads can lead their citizens through tough decisions and resource management in this intense city-building and survival simulation.
- Pros:
- Immersive and challenging gameplay.
- Unique setting and atmosphere.
- Cons:
- Survival is very harsh, needs a lot of micromanagement to survive
3. Prison Architect
- Platforms: PC, XBox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch
- Steam Deck: Playable
- Rating: 4.5/5
- TBD
- Pros:
- Very nice city builder style game but in a prison
- Very deep features to manage the prison and its inmates
- Cons:
- Very basic 2D graphics
2. Factorio
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
- Steam Deck: Verified
- Rating: 4.8/5
- TBD
- Pros:
- Very deep production chain management game
- possibilities to program automated buildings to let the game work for you
- Cons:
- Graphics are an aquired taste
- enemies are annoying when you just want to build (can be turned off in the options)
1. Stardew Valley
- Platforms: PC, XBox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch, Mobile
- Steam Deck: Verified
- Rating: 4.8/5
- TBD
- Pros:
- Available on ALL platforms
- Very deep farming simulation game
- easy to lay on the go in small bursts
- Nice 2D pixel art graphics
- Cons:
- Can be grindy at times
Conclusion
These 15 roguelite games offer a perfect blend of challenge and accessibility, making them ideal for Casual Gaming Dads. Whether you have a few minutes or a couple of hours, these titles provide a gaming experience that fits seamlessly into your busy lifestyle. Grab your controller, embrace the challenge, and enjoy the world of roguelite gaming!
