The Sims is one of the most popular games of all time, even if it’s not talked about on the level of games like Call of Duty. It has sold over 200 million copies so far, which makes it one of the bestselling video game franchises of all time.
This simple sandbox formula has resulted in tons of replayability, and fans of the series are always experimenting with new things, especially when a new DLC comes around. The last main entry in the franchise was The Sims 4, which came out in 2013. It was the bestselling PC game in both 2014 and 2015, and the developers have released six expansion packs so far. However, we don’t know when The Sims 5 will come out. Until it does—or for those experiencing franchise fatigue—here are 10 similar games to enjoy.
10 My Time at Portia
The Sims is home to iconic locations like Willow Creek and Oasis Springs. However, My Time at Portia takes you into another town called Portia. This place is full of occupations to keep you busy. You play the new character in town, and inherit a workshop from your relative. To earn money, you can craft all sorts of things.
If that doesn’t float your boat, you can earn your keep through a myriad of other things, from cooking to farming, fishing, mining and a lot more. Portia also has a large, thriving community where you can make friends and form romances which lead to marriage and children.
9 Two Point Hospital
The Sims 4 Career expansion was one of the best in the franchise since it allowed you to delve much deeper into your Sims' professional lives. You could follow a medical career (among many other things). Two Point Hospital is like that, but with a lot more immersion.
In the game, you can craft your own hospital from scratch in a similar way to crafting homes in The Sims. You will also be responsible for growing that hospital’s reputation, managing the staff and keeping everything running well. Two Point Hospital has its own type of humor, and it’s just as addictive as any Sims game.
8 Stardew Valley
This is one of the most relaxing games you will ever play, and it’s easy to find yourself spending an entire afternoon (or day) with the game. In Stardew Valley, you play a new farmer in a pixelated farming community. You can build your farm, grow what you like, raise farm animals, go fishing, hunt in caves and more. The weather also changes according to the season.
The game also has an interesting community. You can form a relationship with every inhabitant in the Valley, and everyone has their own story. Romancing the characters is possible, of course. This is one of the most delightful games of the current generation, and it doesn’t rely on breathtaking graphics or massive budgets.
7 Cities: Skylines
In The Sims, you could control—or at least direct—the fate of your sims, whether it would end in happiness or tragedy. Cities: Skylines takes this concept to the next level. In this game, you manage a whole city, and you have the tools to make it as chaotic, peaceful or progressive as you want.
You can also design the city however you want, which can make for a lot of lost time as you experiment until you get a city that’s just right for you. The obstacles you face are also on a grand scale. They range from controlling pollution to reducing traffic jams, coping with natural disasters and more.
6 House Flipper
In The Sims, crafting your own house is one of the most satisfying parts. In fact, for some players, this is the part they do over and over again just to make different versions of their dream house. For players like these, House Flipper is the perfect alternative.
This is a realistic house renovation simulation where you buy rundown houses and rebuild them. The better your renovation, the more profits you make when you sell it. If you like DIY, you will appreciate the satisfaction that comes from turning a crumbly, cockroach-infested house into a polished one with stunning designs.
5 Graveyard Keeper
If you like the darker aspects of The Sims, like your characters falling ill or dying, and the Grim Reaper coming to collect their souls, then Graveyard Keeper was made for you. In this game, you manage a graveyard within a medieval town. As you can guess, death plays a major part of the game. But it isn’t the only thing you have to contend with.
You will also face many decisions that might have dark and morbid—sometimes even fatal—repercussions. But it’s not all doom and gloom in Graveyard Keeper. You can also craft items that will please the locals and make their lives a bit easier.
4 Jurassic World Evolution
If you like The Sims and you’re a fan of the Jurassic Park franchise, then Jurassic World Evolution is just the game for you. In this great title, you can show John Hammond—the founder of Jurassic Park—how it’s done and create your own dino theme park from scratch.
Keeping the dinosaurs secure is crucial, as they can dine on the visitors if they break free. Similarly, you should keep your visitors happy while minimizing their danger. When everything works well, you can make tons of money. But all it takes is one slip-up to turn your game into a survival horror experience for the visitors.
3 Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles
Characters in The Sims are usually limited to a town, whether it’s small or big. While the expansions can sometimes add new features, they never stretch the map by much. This is where Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles comes in.
This is a game that lets you explore an entire world called Gemea. You play as a hero who can do a lot of different tasks. Like The Sims, you can make lots of new friends, meet many residents and customize your character however you want. Additionally, you can befriend and adopt the cute animals in the game, similar to The Sims pets.
2 Fantasy Life
This game came out for the Nintendo 3DS in 2012. However, it has held up pretty well compared to other games that came out at the time, and it’s considered one of the best games on that platform.
Fantasy Life is basically The Sims in a fantasy setting. You can still make and customize your character, and you can pursue between 12 lifestyles, all with various occupations. This means you can be anything from a chef to a fisherperson or a paladin. You can also have pets, decorate your home however you want it, craft items and develop relationships.
1 Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
How similar can a mobile game be to The Sims? Pretty similar, if it’s Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. What makes this game stand out is the crazy amount of customization you get when decorating your house. This goes for everything from the wallpaper to the tea sets, furniture, drum kits and more.
In Pocket Camp, you start the game off with a camper van inside a small camp. You can decorate it just the way you want, and eventually, it will get an expansion. This is a great game for showing off your interior designer skills, and you can play while on the go!