Best Management Simulation Games That Require Deep Thinking, Ranked

Taking control of something and managing every facet of it can be incredibly satisfying, especially when everything runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Short-term and long-term planning are always crucial factors, as well as correcting problems as they arise, and making sure that the whole operation continues forward.

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There is a reason that management simulation games are so popular, giving players authority to push an organization in a certain direction, with no real-world consequences if things go wrong. It could be argued that all management simulation games require deep thinking on some level, but here are some of the most intellectually challenging titles available in a variety of fields, ranked based on a combination of deep thought required and overall game quality.

8

Big Pharma

Creating Medication And Much More

• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation4, Xbox One
• Released: 2015-08-27
• Developer: Twice Circled
• Genres: Construction and management simulation, puzzle

There is a steep learning curve in Big Pharma, a game that is mainly about creating, marketing, and selling various medications. The process can be incredibly complicated, requiring a long assembly line composed of various types of equipment that have different effects, such as adding a new material, changing the concentration of effects and ultimately forming the final product into a pill.

The wider game sees players competing with rival pharmaceutical companies for market dominance while balancing product quality with profitability and customer satisfaction. There is a lot of pre-planning required for players who want to achieve maximum success, organizing complicated production lines in the limited available space, sending out explorers to track new ingredients, and even manipulating the market to their advantage.

7

GearCity

Learn To Fail Before You Succeed

• Platform: PC
• Released: 2022-01-14
• Developer: Visual Entertainment And Technologies
• Genres: Management Simulation, Strategy

The kind of game that takes hours to learn and hundreds more to really understand, GearCity realistically depicts the automobile industry with a particular focus on the fluctuating economy and even the history of the industry. Claiming to be a game for those who find tycoon games too simple, it’s certainly as in-depth and complicated as possible.

From managing minute details on the production line to hostile takeovers of rival companies, and even using ongoing world conflicts to make a profit by selling arms to governments, there are tons of ways to try and gain an advantage. Not only do players have to contend with pesky problems like market competition, but population changes and inflation can even impact sales.

6

Democracy 4

Ruling A Country Is Not Easy

Systems

Released

October 6, 2020

ESRB

t

Developer(s)

Positech Games

While many people think they could do a good job at managing a country, Democracy 4 shows how difficult it is to enact meaningful changes while retaining enough popularity to gain re-election. Attention is demanded from all facets of government, from deciding policies and managing the national budget to monitoring opinion polls and setting up publicity opportunities.

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The fourth entry in the Democracy series features many new additions and graphical upgrades. There is potential for coalition governments and even three-party systems, and some more relevant issues at the time of release, such as cryptocurrency and social media. Thousands of citizens have been simulated, each with their own lives and opinions, and ultimately placing their votes in elections.

5

Constructor

Ridiculous And Violent Construction Company Management

Originally released in 1997 before receiving an upgrade for modern hardware two decades later, Constructor is more complicated than it first appears. Given that legendary British actor, John Challis lends his voice to narrate the game, and the generally humorous tone of proceedings, many underestimate its difficulty.

Players must monitor their opponents closely, reacting to their actions quickly, while also planning ahead to build up their city and help their own construction company prosper, even attacking rival lots. Making use of undesirable residents, like clowns and the mafia, is crucial, but players must ensure they maintain tenant happiness and enough money in the bank if they wish to aggressively remove other competitors from the map.

4

Prison Architect

Keeping Peace And Balance In A Chaotic Environment

Released

October 6, 2015

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Drug Reference, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Capable of being humorous in one moment and horrific in the next, Prison Architect tasks players with building and maintaining a prison full of dangerous criminals as they see fit. They may attempt to make their penitentiary as ethical as possible, but there are so many variables to balance that it’s never quite so easy.

Any minor tweaks to a smooth operation can have major consequences, such as a fight or a riot, so each change and decision should be thoroughly considered. Each inmate has their own individual needs in terms of things like treatment programs, and members of staff or even snitches should always be scrutinized, while also trying to find new ways to make money.

3

RimWorld

No Victory Or Defeat, Just Life

Released

October 17, 2018

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Use of Drugs, Violence

Developer(s)

Ludeon Studios

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

It’s not about winning or losing in RimWorld, but rather experiencing the ups and downs of regular people surviving and settling on an alien planet. Starting with three survivors of a crash on this planet, players must manage the health and mood of their colonists as they seek to thrive and avoid the many hostile foes coming their way.

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The clever use of one of three AI storytellers will decide the fate of these plucky settlers, analyzing the current situation and causing events to occur, adding drama, tragedy, or even comedy to the predicament. There are many aspects to monitor while building the colony, from changing seasons, adding new members to the group, and witnessing the turmoil of interpersonal relationships.

2

Factorio

Building A Factory And Fighting Monsters

Simulation

Real-Time Strategy

Systems

Released

August 14, 2020

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Blood, Violence

Developer(s)

Wube Software

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

What begins as a resource-gathering game, mining materials and chopping trees, quickly becomes a complex assembly line in Factorio. As the name suggests, players will create a factory, gradually becoming more efficient as new infrastructure is built and tasks become automated. Players are able to construct some very impressive machine empires that effectively run themselves.

While pre-planning and reorganizing are important and require much pondering, defense is also crucial, since the world is filled with monsters that can cause considerable damage to the player’s structures. While everything requires much contemplation, there are always new ways to make production more useful, and some spend months tinkering to optimize their operation.

1

Dwarf Fortress

Losing Is Fun!

Roguelike

Strategy

Simulation

Systems

Released

August 8, 2006

ESRB

t

Platform(s)

Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Defeat is inevitable in Dwarf Fortress, but each playthrough is a learning experience for next time. One of the most comprehensive simulations of a world ever created, it is unique every time with many rock types, monsters, and wildlife being randomly generated for different game worlds.

The dwarves, whose fortress players must build up and try to maintain until its eventual and inevitable decline, may possess their own personalities, and culture and can suffer mental anguish. They even create poetry and music, and speak their own Dwarvish language. This game has been constantly updated for over two decades with no end in sight and is one of the main inspirations behind behemoth titles like Minecraft and RimWorld.

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