Simulators are incredibly popular and we see quite a few versions on the market quite regularly. However, finding free alternatives is a bit difficult. Nonetheless, we have managed to select a few simulation titles that we think are worth checking out today that will cost you nothing more than your time. Check out our choices below.
# 6 Fallout shelter
Platform: PC, PS4, XBOX ONE, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
Release Date: June 14, 2015
iOS June 14, 2015
Android August 13, 2015
CP July 14, 2016
Xbox One February 7, 2017
PS4, Nintendo Switch June 10, 2018
Genre: Simulation
Fallout Shelter is a bit of a uniquely styled simulation management video game. While Bethesda has made a name for itself for the Fallout franchise since the release of Fallout 3, the studio has taken a surprising turn. In Fallout Shelter, players get a different kind of Fallout experience, because instead of going through a big RPG, you instead take on the role of an overseer. Being an overseer gives you control of your own safe, which means deciding where to place which rooms, how you expand, and keep those who live in the safe alive.
Players build the safe by placing a variety of coins which include coins that provide electricity, water, and food, not to mention quarters for those who live in the safe to sleep in. You will need to make sure that the employees in each room have the skills required to be effective. Then you have the problem of raiders or other hostile enemies breaking in, which means your civilians need to be armed and ready to defend the vault. Likewise, the inhabitants of the chests can be sent to explore the wasteland in search of additional resources. It is a game that you can easily launch to kill time every day.
# 5 World of Warships
Platform: PC, PS4, XBOX ONE, iOS, Android
Release Date: September 17, 2015
Genre: MMO / Vehicular Fighting Game / TPS
Although this is a free to play video game, it is not strictly a simulation game where you will take control of a warship. Here, players dive into a naval combat title that includes over 350 ships. Being strictly a naval fighting game, players will be controlling a ship, in which case you will have to venture out to the high seas in an attempt to sink opposing players. The ships are all designed to be true to their historical counterparts, so you’ll see ships that would have been used during WWI and WWII.
Likewise, these ships will behave realistically, so the weapons that are attached to their operation should hopefully provide ideal simulation fun. Not to mention that as you progress through the game there are options to further customize these ships, including various camos, flags, and ship mods. Unfortunately, not all ships are available as there are packs that players can purchase separately. For example, the Anshan, a ship related to the Soviet destroyer Gnevny, which comes with 130mm guns and torpedoes, will cost you around $ 25.
# 4 World of Tanks
Platform: PC, PS4, XBOX ONE, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360,
Release Date: August 12, 2010
CP September 6, 2011
Xbox 360 February 12, 2014
Xbox one July 28, 2015
PS4 Jan. 19, 2016
Nintendo Switch Aug 26, 2020
Genre: vehicular combat, massively multiplayer online
Again, coming out of World of Warships, you probably already have a good idea of what World of Tanks has to offer. The game has been around for several years, with players having been able to engage in different skirmishes against other players in a wide variety of tanks. Much like World of Warships, World of Tanks offers players a wide range of tanks of different styles that should react realistically to their real-life counterparts.
It’s a fun game but unfortunately it’s not strictly a simulation title. Here you have to fight against other players or the AI. There are a few different game modes that will restrict some of the tanks you can play with. However, being a completely free-to-play title with options to purchase in-game content, it’s a game that won’t hurt players to try out today.
# 3 Thunder of War
Platform: PC, PS4, XBOX ONE, PS5, XSX | S, Linux
Release date : December 21, 2016
computer Aug 15, 2013
PS4 June 3, 2014
OS X April 17, 2014
Linux November 6, 2014
Android June 2, 2015
Official release
December 21, 2016
Xbox one June 19, 2018
Genre: Action, vehicular combat, combat flight simulator
This will be the last vehicle simulator piece here, but we can’t help but mention War Thunder. Again, there are tons of simulators that cost, so if you want a flight simulation game, the choices are slim for the free alternatives. Having said that, there is War Thunder which is a military fighting game that has warships, helicopters, tanks, and airplanes.
For this point, we wanted to highlight the aircraft since the last two points were dedicated to a specific type of combat vehicle. Similar to the last two points mentioned, this is a game that features a wide range of realistic planes that players can take control of. Meanwhile, the title focuses on MMO combat gameplay so that players can move around the skies using these large war-friendly planes and fight against others in certain skirmishes.
# 2 Investopedia
Here’s a bit of a simulation game that may have become popular thanks to the latest stock market fiasco. If you are already in the actions, chances are you won’t find much use for it or you are already going through the simulator. Here, players are given $ 100,000 of virtual money which you can trade in the stock market. It really is a tool to see how well you would do in the stock market if you put money into it. This is something you would do with a variety of online courses to introduce the different strategies as well as the general workings of the stock market.
However, as mentioned, due to GameStop Online’s recent out of stock earlier this year, many new investors are playing with their money in the hopes of getting a nice little profit. Newcomers are usually encouraged to try out these different simulators before risking their own money. While not really a video game, it is a decent tool that can help you hone your skills.
# 1 Office management 101
Platforms: PC, Linux
Genres: Indie, Simulation, Strategy
Finally, there’s an indie title coming out called Office Management 101, but it’s currently offering an alpha demo through Itch.io. This is an isometric business simulator in which you will start a business and try to make a profit.
However, that does mean designing your office, hiring employees, performing upgrades, and maintaining productivity in order to earn enough money to stay competitive. As mentioned, this is a game that is still in development with no word on when we can expect the title to hit the Steam market. However, if you want to try the alpha version, it’s fully available again right now.
