Some of us play video games to escape our reality and forget about some of the issues that taunt us in the real world. Well, playing some good ol ‘simulation games is a great way to get those sweet hours of chill out and chill out. But thEnough talking, let’s jump right into this selection of amazing simulation games available on Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass service.
1. Frostpunk
Starting with a survival simulation staple, we have 11-bit studios’ Frostpunk.
Released in April 2018 for Windows and in October 2019 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the game takes place in an alternate reality, where unknown factors led to a global cataclysmic event, a volcanic winter. The player, known as “the captain”, must control and manage a small group of survivors as they fight for their lives and attempt to build a city from scratch.
The aim is to survive as long as possible, bringing together many different resources, such as wood, charcoal and steel, and to build the necessary infrastructure to maintain the livelihoods of the entire population.
In Frostpunk, the player is allowed to pass certain laws to regulate worker productivity and have access to better infrastructure upgrades. However, these laws can create discontent among the population, which can be worrying. If the discontent values reach a certain level, the player is banished from the city.
On August 12, 2021, a sequel was announced, named Frostpunk 2. Set in New London 30 years after the events of the first game, this new entry focuses on the aftermath of the oil industry in the region.
2. Microsoft flight simulator
Continuation of the years 2006 Microsoft Flight Simulator X, Microsoft Flight Simulator is the 11th installment in the series which began in November 1982.
Developed by Asobo Studio and published by Xbox Game Studios, the game was released on August 18, 2020 for Windows and July 27, 2021 for the Xbox Series X / S. The classic Microsoft Flight Simulator the experience everyone knows and loves is back with this new entry, with a few upgrades and a new feature worth considering.
The game now has an improved physics engine that provides realistic flight control surfaces. Microsoft Flight Simulator The AI also incorporates real-time elements, like real-world weather and air traffic. The new installment also includes landing challenges, wizards and photographic safaris, which can be seen from the air.
The player can choose any plane of his choice, with precise cockpits, and fly over the city of his choice, passing by all the monuments and famous places of his trip.
With access to over 20 flyable planes in the Standard Edition, the Deluxe Edition offers the player an increased catalog of planes, with 5 additional planes added. When playing the Premium Deluxe Edition, this number increases to 10.
3. Two-point hospital
Developed by Two Point Studios and published by Sega, Two-point hospital is a business simulation game where players build and run a hospital empire.
Released in August 2018 on PC and in February 2020 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, the game is a spiritual successor from 1997 Hospital Theme, where players were also placed in command of a hospital.
As a hospital manager, your duties revolve around building rooms and new medical areas to meet patient needs, as well as hiring and managing every member of your staff, ranging from doctors, nurses, janitors, etc. skills that can be upgraded and improved in a certain department.
Each hospital the player passes through also has a tier system, determined by the number of rooms and staff in a certain hospital. Each level adds a layer of difficulty to the game, with more patients and more challenges, but also access to more qualified staff.
With the addition of cooperative and multiplayer modes, the game features online leaderboards that add an extra layer of fun and competitiveness for those looking for a bigger challenge.
4. Cities: horizons
A classic of the city-building genre, Cities: horizons was developed by Colossal Order and published by Paradox Interactive.
Cities: horizons released on PC in March 2015, for Xbox One in April 2017, for PlayStation 4 in August 2017, and for the Nintendo Switch in September 2018. At the start of the game, the player is assigned a relatively small piece of land, with access to the freeway and some in-game money. From there, the objective is to build a functional city, with all the amenities. related services, such as water, electricity, sanitation, etc.
As the population of the city increases, the player will unlock improvements to the city, such as police stations, schools and more, which can be used to improve the living conditions of the city and attract more more people.
An interesting feature of the game allows the player to divide their city into districts, with each district having its own set of permits and regulations. Some of these regulations include sectors specific to agriculture, free public transport, increased or reduced taxes, etc.
Cities: horizons also allows the addition of user-generated content, via the Steam Workshop. These mods can add different layers to the base game, such as increased difficulty, increased map area, and unlimited backgrounds.
5. Prison architect
Last but not least is a prison building and management game, developed by Introversion Software and also published by Paradox Interactive.
Prison architect released in October 2015 on PC, in June and July 2016 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One respectively, and for the Nintendo Switch in August 2018. Played from a top-down perspective, players will take on the role of a prison warden tasked with building and managing the facility. This duality allows the player to take control of the prison at an architectural and managerial level, building facilities and at the same time managing the staff team.
The player also controls the finances of the prison, while meeting a minimum level of inmates’ needs, such as sanitation, food, recreation, etc. Another aspect of the game is that it allows the player to build a women’s prison, where additional facilities such as nursing and day care are available for construction and management.
In Prison architect, the player can also be fired from his position as prison warden, for a bunch of different reasons. These reasons include massive riots, where the National Guard must be involved; bankruptcy, when the prison has a negative bank balance and is unable to improve its financial situation; and wrongful executions, where death row inmates with a high “leniency” rate are executed.
If you’re a big fan of the simulation genre, you’ve probably heard of every game on this list. If you are just a video game lover looking for a new game to spend your hours in, then this list will definitely help you.
Do you like to play simulation games? Do you agree with this selection? What are your favorite simulation games? Let me know in the comments below!
