Who needs the real world? Our favorite simulation games of 2022

There’s just something that feels better about performing even the most tedious jobs in video games rather than in real life. Could we ever pull off being a farmer in real life? Or a train conductor? Probably not! In games, though, we can be anything we want. Sometimes that means taking on the role of a bloodthirsty space marine, and other times maybe we just want to see what it’s like living the life of an underpaid guard at a security checkpoint. Here are our favorite simulation games of 2022.

Number 5: This Is the President

Of course, I’ve always wanted to be president! What better way to pass an amendment making myself immune from prosecution for any past crimes I’ve done. Okay, maybe not... Nevertheless, This Is the President is an exciting choose-your-own-adventure style interactive story where strategy and management are crucial to keeping the people happy and keeping you safe. Not only were the choices fun and interesting, but building my administration and being the president was as fulfilling as it was challenging. -@StaggerLee

Number 4: Slime Rancher 2

Slime Rancher 2 plays much like its predecessor and that’s a good thing. Between the beautiful new world and some key quality-of-life improvements, this sequel from Monomi Park is already giving us everything we’d want from a follow-up, even in early access. On top of the gorgeous world to explore there are also a plethora of cute new slimes to collect and more mysteries to solve. Bring on those slimes! -@JB

Number 3: Two Points Campus

I’ve never particularly liked school. I mean, who enjoys doing homework? Not me, that’s for sure. That said, surely managing one is a different story, right? In this immersive and deep business sim, players build and manage a hopefully successful university, while navigating all the necessary and important aspects of providing education to students—which oddly enough was a lot more fun than I expected. -@Jay Hunter

Number 2: Disney Dreamlight Valley

Disney Dreamlight Valley let me live out my dreams of building the perfect enchanted realm. This life-simulation adventure game features town-building elements, exploration, and some of the most iconic characters from Disney and Pixar movies. If that’s not enough to pull you in all on its own, you probably aren’t the target audience, but if you appreciate great, chill life-sims with a touch of cartoon chaos, it’s must-play. -@Jay Hunter

Number 1: Papers, Please

Call it cheating if you must. Technically Papers, Please first released in 2013, so putting it on our list of best games of 2022 may seem strange. But the game just hit mobile devices this year with an excellent port, and it remains a stunning, vital achievement. As a guard hired to inspect documents at the border of a fictional dystopian, authoritarian nation, things start slow and mundane but quickly progress toward making tense, difficult decisions that will affect the lives of you, your family, and innocent strangers just looking for a new life. Absolute masterpiece. -@Kef