Video games often enable us to do things outside the normal realms of possibility - from battling dragons and racing space rockets tobuilding cities and commanding armies.
However, there is a rapidly growing genre of immersive job sim games, which often seek to replicate fairly ordinary tasks by comparison.
Immersion is often considered one of the most important factors in gaming these days, especially when it comes to self-proclaimed simulators.
Over the past few years, the indie scene has been on fire witha plethora of unique and interesting job simulatorsranging from the mundane to the ridiculous.
So, if you’re looking for a career change but don’t want to take any real-world risks, these following simulators could be just the ticket.
10PowerWash Simulator
Deep Clean Satisfaction
PowerWash Simulator
How fun can it really be, power washing inside a video game? As it turns out - incredibly fun indeed! This highly acclaimed simulator focuses on the rather menial task of power washing dirty areas and restoring them to mint condition.
It is hard to explain just how satisfying the gameplay truly is, but don’t simply take my word it - the game has received overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam from 97% of over 42,000 players.
So, if you’ve always longed for that sweet satisfaction of power washing a dirty drive or rooftop - PowerWash Simulator has got you covered. It alsoruns particularly well on Steam Deck.
9Tavern Manager Simulator
Fantasy Pub Builder
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to run your own medieval tavern? Well, wonder no more, Tavern Manager Simulator is the ultimate game when it comes to running a medieval BnB.
From serving customers to scrubbing floors, chopping meat to pouring drinks, there’s a lot to keep on top of in thisunique and immersive fantasy experience.
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Hours will fly by without you even realizing it, and considering how mundane some of the tasks are, it never feels tedious to complete them.
The game keeps things interesting and enjoyable by breaking down tasks into minigames, with the ultimate objective being to keep customers happy and create the most beautiful tavern possible.
8Drug Dealer Simulator 2
Move Aside, El Chapo
Drug Dealer Simulator 2
We’ve all dreamed of setting off to the Caribbean and starting our own illicit cannabis factory, right? Okay… maybe not. But what’s the harm in playing a sim version? Drug Dealer Simulator 2 can make this dream a reality - complete with all the stress, anxiety, and tension you might expect such a ‘job’ entails.
As a follow-up to thehighly memed and streamed Drug Dealer Simulator, this sequel significantly improves the gameplay aspects and takes place in the new setting of Isla Sombra.
The upcoming Casino DLC also promises to introduce some interesting new money-making activities to the game.
So, if you’re looking to start your very own narco empire, look no further than Drug Dealer Simulator 2. At least this way, you can experience the Escobar lifestyle without any risk of being arrested.
7Ranch Simulator: Build, Hunt, Farm
Every Cowboy’s Dream
Ever dreamed of just giving it all up and retreating to a farm in the countryside? Ranch Simulator: Build, Hunt, Farm lets you do just that, with the goal of turning a dilapidated old homestead into a thriving farm community.
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From building barns to tending chickens, Ranch Simulator: Build, Hunt, Farm has it all, just as the name suggests. One way in which the game differentiates itself from many other immersive job sims isthe ability to play in co-op with friends.
The game is equally fun solo, though, and combines elements of construction, farming, and maintenance sims together seamlessly.
6Firefighting Simulator - The Squad
Heroic and Challenging Work
Firefighting Simulator - The Squad
Most kids dream of being a firefighter at one time or another, but the reality of the job is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea. Fortunately, Firefighting Simulator - The Squad lets us experience the trials and tribulations of one of the world’s truly heroic jobs from the comfort of our chairs.
Extinguishing blazing infernos is just the start in this game, as you’ll also have to retrieve trapped victims, break through obstacles such as locked doors, tend to your equipment and drive the fire truck itself between incidentsacross a large open world.
Firefighting Simulator - The Squad might not be the most accurate job simulator in the world, but it is definitely one of the most fun to play. The creators, Astragon Entertainment, have also produced several other high quality job simulators including Construction Simulator, Police Simulator: Patrol Officers and Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop.
5Contraband Police
Corrupt Border Guard Simulator
If you’ve ever played Papers Please, you’ll know just how enjoyable (and eventful) it can be totake on the role of a Soviet border guard. Contraband Police provides a much more realistic first-person simulation of exactly this role.
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From inspecting passports and taking bribes to fighting off gangs of traffickers, Contraband Police provides a trully comprehensive experience of one of the toughest and most corruption-rich jobs possible.
Want to frame an innocent merchant to meet your quota? Go ahead. Want to serve justice and be an honest worker? Good luck.
4Crime Scene Cleaner
Cleaning Sim With A Twist
Crime Scene Cleaner
Most of the time, in video games, we create a mess, not clear it up. In Crime Scene Cleaner, the roles are reversed, and players have to sweep up the carnage after some admittedly grizzly affairs have taken place.
Indebted to a fearsome mafia boss, you have little choice other than to dispose of the evidencethroughout a series of interesting levels and environments.
Taking inspiration from PowerWash Simulator, Crime Scene Cleaner goes one step further by adding another layer of intrigue and mystery to each job.
One of the most popular and unique sims to release in recent years, Crime Scene Cleaner offers addictive gameplay along with a fairly complex and interesting story given the genre.
3TCG Card Shop Simulator
Don’t Go Bankrupt!
TCG Card Shop Simulator
If you’re a compulsive hoarder who likes collecting things, more specifically, unique playing cards,TCG Card Shop Simulator will be right up your street.
The game lets you design your store, display rare cards, collect your own, and make an absolute fortune while doing so.
The main challenge is to avoid going bankrupt by taking all the best cards for yourself - after all, you will need a customer base to keep the shop afloat.
NPCs can even duel each other with their collected cards, and you’ll sometimes have to intervene to spray the smellier ones with deodorant… No, I’m not joking; that is actually part of the game!
2Thief Simulator
Intense and Addictive Fun
Thief Simulator
Hey, we never said this list was a guide to morality… Thief Simulator certainly isn’t either, but it’s damn good fun. Although stealth and stealing are nothing new for gamers, this game certainly has a uniquely criminal atmosphere about it.
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Hunting Simulator 3 takes you to Colorado and Texas to hunt over 40 animal species.
Although the game is relatively clunky, it doesfeature several cool mechanics,including the ability to upgrade your getaway vehicle, select different targets, and use a range of different tools to get the job done.
A follow-up title, Thief Simulator 2, was released in 2023 with a variety of gameplay and graphical improvements and is worth checking out as well.
1House Flipper
A Highly Satisfying and Popular Sim
House Flipper
House Flipper is arguably one of the most popular job simulators to release in recent years, and for very good reason. Taking a property from a dilapidated old ruin and renovating it into a livable, even aesthetically pleasing space is extremely satisfying and rewarding.
The game has really developed into being much more than a niche property simulator - now there are pet and farm DLCs, restaurants, and luxury properties that can also be accessed through DLC, and there are tonnes of different environments and property types to explore.
In addition to being one of the more accessible job simulators,House Flipper is also one of the most popular.
