Management simulators can feel overwhelming. With so many resources, statistics, and objectives to keep track of, it’s no surprise that new gamers may find this genre difficult to get into. However, that doesn't have to be the case. There are many management sims - and titles that contain a number of management elements - that don't have hugely complex systems to learn.

So to ease the intimidation factor, we’ve compiled a shortlist of suitable management games for beginners. Take a look at these newcomer-friendly titles if you want to try out a management sim.

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Updated on October 20, 2022, By Helen Ashcroft: In the ever-increasing sim genre management sims can feel like one of the most overwhelming types of sim game to play. Many have a reputation for being difficult or requiring huge amounts of in-depth micromanagement. However, not all management sims are the same. We've picked out some which include engaging management aspects without being overwhelming. These titles are ideal for newcomers to the genre.

10 Megaquarium

megaquarium octopus in an exhibit

Megaquarium is one of the most chilled management games you'll find. It involves building up an aquarium and ensuring all the marine life are cared for correctly. You'll need to manage tanks to make sure the fish can exist in harmony, then schedule the cleaning and feeding duties of staff.

This game is a great management sim introduction as there's quite a lot involved, yet the controls are very simple and easy to understand. Simple work areas, staff having specific duties, and other similar features help keep things manageable. The game also ramps up the difficulty quite slowly, allowing you time to adjust as you play.

9 Evil Genius 2

Evil Genius 2 Dodo Educator surrounded by minions

Evil Genius 2 is part builder, part management sim, part tower defense, and all fun. You'll build up your very own evil lair and cover operations, then you need to manage your defenses and your finances. Your minions can't make decisions on their own, after all.

There are two layers of management here, one is the campaign map. This is where you send minions to collect items you need, including money. The second is in managing the lair itself, protecting against threats, and keeping your secrets, well secret. It can feel a little overwhelming in the later game but you are eased in gently into the world of evil-doing through the campaign, and once unlocked the sandbox mode is a great way to have fun with those evil plans.

8 Two Point Campus

Two Point Campus students playing a Cheeseball match outside.

Two Point Campus allows you to take control of a range of unique university campuses, running courses as varied as Archeology, Money Wrangling, and Knight School. If you're looking for a traditional school to manage you won't find it here, but you will discover an engaging yet easy-to-master sim title that allows you to build the facilities, set the curriculum and manage staff and students alike.

Each level eases you into the game, introducing new features slowly in a way that feels natural and part of the game. There are no boring tutorials here, new features are slotted into the early levels, and new challenges are unlockable quite easily. All these combine to make it a great game for newcomers to management sims.

7 The Sims 4

Two toddlers play as an adult Sim reads to them

The Sims 4 is technically a life simulator, rather than a management one, but it does require you to manage the needs, desires, and relationships of your Sims. You can control existing ready-made families of Sims, or create your very own. Personality traits, likes, dislikes, and interactions with others will all affect how their digital lives pan out.

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The game offers an in-depth tutorial that walks you through managing your Sims basic needs, as well as showing you how to get a job, make friends, and basically stay alive. Use this information wisely, and you can create your own stories and scenarios where you manage the course of your Sim's lives.

6 Game Development Tycoon

Game Dev Tycoon Balancing employees in the office

Game Development Tycoon offers less building more management and sees you plan and produce a range of video games. You'll need to decide the platform, genre, and theme, then customize the finer details to produce a well-rounded title. You'll start in your basement and move up in the world as you create successful games.

The game offers a nice learning curve by allowing your studio to stay small with low costs until you are confident you've mastered how to make combinations that work.

5 Two Point Hospital

Two Point Hospital various rooms, staff and patiens

Two Point Hospital sees you manage a hospital with a variety of weird and wonderful patients to deal with in this spiritual successor to Theme Hospital. You'll need to build up your facilities and run your hospital well in order to diagnose and treat patients before they storm out, or worse.

The learning curve is manageable as new illnesses and challenges are introduced gradually. There are also sections of the game that can be micromanaged but don't have to be, allowing you to take your time to explore the finer details. For fans of puns, there are also plenty of those here as you tackle ailments every bit as bizarre as in Theme Hospital.

4 Rollercoaster Tycoon 3

RCT3 Switch early level

Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 was paired up with its expansions and released for Switch and PC back in 2020. The theme park management simulator falls firmly into the old classic territory. You take control of a theme park and are tasked with rebuilding, expanding, and managing the attractions.

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You'll start off with simple scenarios and as you learn more about the intricacies of theme park rides, guests' needs, finances, and more you'll be given more difficult challenges to face. It's a perfect way to ease yourself into theme park life since the learning curve is much easier and the building much more intuitive than in Frontier's other theme park franchise, Planet Coaster.

3 Jurassic World Evolution 2

JWE2 escaped t rex

If managing a theme park seems a little pedestrian for your taste then why not up the stakes by adding dinosaurs? Jurassic World Evolution 2 improves on the first game by removing many annoying micromanagement tasks and streamlining the entire park management process.

This time around you'll have the chance to learn about dinosaur care more gradually as you play through a scenario that sees you rescue dispersed dinosaurs and safely contain them. Over time this leads to managing a full park or attempting to change scenarios from the first three movies. With different ways to play and an intuitive, engaging, and informative campaign you'll be an amazing dinosaur supervisor in no time, no matter what your level of experience.

2 House Flipper

In House Flipper, you play as a real estate developer who buys, renovates, and sells houses to a panel of colorful customers with very specific requirements for their dream house. Although very far removed from its genre contemporaries in terms of theme and gameplay, it's an engaging and easy game to pick up and offers hours of enjoyment for a management sim beginner.

House Flipper is a more engaging take on management sims because as a one-person management team you interact directly with the house you are flipping. While the game gives you goals to meet while renovating, you still have full control in terms of furniture, wallpapers, gardening tools, and more, and can customize the houses you flip as you please. Likewise, you’ll also be the one mowing lawns, clearing molehills, and cleaning up broken glass.

1 Slime Rancher

Slime Rancher - a pink slime outside Beatrice's home

Slime Rancher is a cute game about slime farming in the far reaches of outer space and offers plenty of opportunities to get really, really invested in slime husbandry and the state of your facilities. You'll explore unlockable regions to collect over 20 distinct species of slimes, which you'll need to round up and bring back to your homestead.

Each species of slime has different needs that you will need to meet in order to successfully raise them. Accumulating resources, upgrading facilities, and managing your many plots of slimes will occupy the majority of your time. Slime Rancher’s art style, cute slimes, soothing music, and low-stakes gameplay are very inviting, and perfect for players who are just getting into management sims.

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