5 Best Simulation Games on PlayStation Plus (April 2024)

Simulation games are flagship products in the PlayStation Plus catalog, as they have been since the platform’s inception. The question is, with so many of them to choose from, which of them are actually worth playing, and which are better left in the bargain bin? Let’s talk.

5. Evil Genius 2: World Domination

Evil Genius 2: World Domination is the culmination of just about every good cop/bad cop cartoon merging together to create one singular product. Unlike a lot of “superhero” toons, however, this bout sees you taking on the role of the villain in an underground facility that’s under the guise of a typical casino resort. It’s a sandbox game at heart, and so, naturally, it’s all about building a criminal enterprise from the ground up, and finding new ways to exploit the vulnerabilities of your enemies, both down below and up on the surface.

In Evil Genius 2, you get to play the puppeteer in a world that acts on the commands that you bark. It’s your goal, as the all-being tyrant, to funnel coin into daring endeavors, and build an organization that’ll make even the most powerful leaders quake in their boots. There’s building, crafting, and even vaporizing, of all things. Simply put, it’s a solid simulation and business management game, and arguably one of the best attempts at recreating the highlights of a traditional network series.

4. Teardown

Teardown just goes to show that not every sandbox game needs a few sturdy building blocks to make the experience come across as complete. In this case, there isn’t any major blueprint to feed out of, as it’s more or less the case of having to destroy things and have a bit of fun whilst doing it. And that, weirdly enough, is what Teardown is all about: annihilating maps and blowing their quarters into smithereens. There is, of course, a purpose to all of this, though it doesn’t necessarily count for much, seeing as the bulk of the experience is all about, you know, blowing off some steam, per se.

As a thief in this highly destructible world, you must figure out how to manipulate the bones of each map before digging in to locate a relic of some sort. The only issue is, you must also use the leftovers that have been buried in the wake of your exploits to then escape. It isn’t all that complicated, but it’ll definitely get the cogs in your head cranking over, that’s for sure.

3. Planet Coaster

If you’re aiming to get ahead of the curve in Frontier Developments’ Planet Zoo, which has only recently arrived on Xbox and PlayStation, then you’ll want to consider spending a bit of time with its twin, Planet Coaster. The game, which takes a few lines out of Bullfrog Productions’ Theme Park World’s book, invites you to build your own amusement park from the ground up—a monumental process that involves having to manage employees, attractions, and of course, guests’ well-being and all-round happiness. Easier said than done, mind you — especially if you’re one for striving for perfection.

Planet Coaster comes bundled with a campaign mode and a sandbox mode, with the latter being deemed as the slightly less demanding of the two. Whichever one you opt for, the objectives more or less stay the same: devise a way to conjure supporters, and utilize your profits to explore new technologies and slideshow attractions. There’s a whole lot to wrap your head around, for sure, but if you’ve the creative energy to build unfathomable attractions that defy the laws of physics, then there’s a good chance that you’ll do remarkably well at playing the connoisseur of coasters.

2. Lake

On paper, it’s easy to discard Lake as just another courier simulator — and it is that, in all fairness. Having said that, there’s also a bit more to it than that; it contains a cozy lakeside world to explore, and a genuinely heartwarming storyline that’s teeming with relatable characters, too. Its gameplay, on the other hand, isn’t all that difficult of a cookie to crack, mainly doe to the fact that, even during the “toughest” portions of the campaign, your only real objective is to deliver mail and get acquainted with the locals over the course of several weeks. And that’s it.

Lake isn’t the lengthiest game in the world, but it is a memorable one, nonetheless. So, if you’re all for the idea of hopping aboard a van and shipping out to deliver cargo over a series of idyllic locations for a week or two, then be sure to show this indie creation some support the next time you’re scraping the barrel for some wholesome content.

1. Car Mechanic Simulator

If you’ve ever found yourself slumped beneath the hood of an old junker, then there’s a good chance that you’ll know what to expect in Car Mechanic Simulator. Sure enough, it isn’t all that different in a virtual environment, minus the fact that, if an issue does arise, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to make the necessary repairs. The only downside to all of this, of course, is that if you don’t know a thing about the automotive industry, then there’s a strong chance that you’ll struggle to make heads or tails of, well, just about anything that makes up Car Mechanic Simulator’s relatively short campaign.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what the game entails; it’s practically etched into the plate, even. To cut a long story short, you own a garage, and are the go-to mechanical engineer in a small town that’s absolutely bursting with rugged vehicles and scrap junkers. Your goal, in a true rags-to-riches fashion, is to evolve your assets, and gradually work your way up as a fledgling technician. It isn’t an easy ride, for sure, but if you know how to change an oil filter, then you’re as good as golden. Don’t take our word for it, though.

So, what’s your take? Will you be picking up any of the above five simulation games on PlayStation Plus this month? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.