Simulation Games With The Best Story Modes

Most games that serve as detailed simulations of acts that may seem regular or mundane end up being highly engrossing for players who love the accuracy of these experiences. Of course, some simulation games can take it easy and let players enjoy a laid-back time too.

However, the last thing players expect in a simulation game is a story that is genuinely captivating and will keep players engaged for hours on ends. However, in some instances, simulation games boast detailed narratives that have a lot of thought and care put into them.

8 F1 23

The Return Of Braking Point Is A Huge Improvement

Braking Point was a great addition in F1 21, but the cliched nature of the narrative coupled with paper-thin characters meant that players didn’t have too much of a reason to invest themselves in an experience that felt phoned in. Codemasters took this feedback to heart and ensured that the story mode in F1 23 was anything but one-dimensional.

Characters feel real, the writing is genuinely captivating, and the intense racing simulations ensure that players will have a great time mastering the art of perfecting their laps around certain circuits. If players want to enjoy a racing simulator with an authentic story mode, then F1 23 is perfect for them.

7 Yes, Your Grace

A Kingdom Management Simulator With A Captivating Story

• Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Release Date: March 6, 2020
• Developer: Brave at Night

Yes, Your Grace is an underrated kingdom management and simulation title where players must hear the pleas of their subjects and prepare for any conflicts. The Kingdom of Davern is vulnerable to numerous threats, making it important for King Eryk to ensure high supplies, gold, and contentment.

This can be challenging, but players won’t mind braving the gameplay loop since the narrative is quite captivating. The importance of family is stressed heavily in this title, with players trying their hardest to keep these bonds safe while ensuring that their kingdom is safe from whatever threat may await them.

6 Spiritfarer

For A Game About Guiding Spirits To The Afterlife, The Journey Is Oddly Charming

Spiritfarer is a cozy management simulation game where players ferry spirits to the afterlife on a boat that must be decked out at all times. For a game with such a heavy premise, it’s impressive how Spiritfarer keeps things light-hearted without losing sight of its core gameplay loop.

It’s easy to form bonds with the other passengers as Stella, with players being rewarded with a beautiful conclusion to the tale as long as they make an effort to keep every spirit happy. Unlocking new areas to acquire more valuable resources is something players won’t tire of, especially when the list of buildings on their ship keeps increasing.

5 Suzerain

Players Must Manage A Struggling Government In A Great Political Thriller

Controlling a government may not sound like fun, but Suzerain‘s plot is captivating enough for players to slowly start caring about the Republic of Sordland. Trying to stabilize the country’s economy and manage policies can be tough when the nation is in such a state of unrest.

Thankfully, the gameplay mechanics are drip-fed to players so that they don’t feel overwhelmed. By the time the full picture comes to light, players should be adept enough to manage this government efficiently and keep citizens as happy as possible.

4 Not For Broadcast

Players Dictate The Fate Of A Nation And Its Government Based On What They Show

The idea of managing a TV feed and choosing what kind of news should feed the population is a huge part of what makes Not for Broadcast such a unique simulation title. Players can choose to either feed people propaganda or air the message of the resistance while several events play out in the background.

The branching narratives of Not for Broadcast are pretty engaging and make multiple playthroughs viable. It helps that the story retains a sense of goofiness to ensure that its message doesn’t feel too heavy-handed.

3 Papers, Please

Being An Immigration Officer Is More Harrowing Than Players Would Assume

Lucas Pope is an indie legend, letting players enjoy two of the most innovative video games of all time. One of these titles is Papers, Please, a game where players simulate the actions of a border control officer.

It may seem simple and rigorous, but the tense political climate ensures that players must make tough decisions and decide whether their moral compass is worth the struggles their family must go through. The game slowly becomes darker as people get more desperate and bribes become bigger, making Papers, Please an excellent title that fans of narrative-heavy simulation games should check out.

2 VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action

Players Make Drinks And Interact With A Wealth Of Interesting Characters

The simple act of bartending may not be enough to carry a simulation title, which is why VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action dresses it up with a tantalizing cyberpunk world with unique characters. Interacting with each character is tantalizing and makes it worthwhile to nail a person’s drink.

As long as players don’t mess up too much, they’ll familiarize themselves with a whole host of engaging characters who are a joy to interact with. The rich conversations, an atmosphere dripping with style, and some fun bartending gameplay ensure that VA-11 Hall-A will be a memorable experience that fans can enjoy.

1 Dredge

A Fishing Simulator With A Sinister Plot That Lurks In The Background

Combining Lovecraftian horror with a fishing simulator is something that could’ve only been possible with the rise of indie gaming. The town of Greater Marrow is full of horrors that surround the waters of this small settlement.

Every time players head out to fish and make progress, they’ll uncover new information to slowly help them get to the bottom of a tantalizing mystery. What makes Dredge more palatable is that its horror is on a slow burn instead of constantly trying to shock players, which makes it a surprisingly relaxing title at times, until it’s not.