Best games
Best Simulation games of 2020
The 26 best Simulation games released in 2020, ranked from 5,495 critic and player ratings.
The best Simulation game of 2020 is Crusader Kings III, with a critic score of 91/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 2020.
- 26 games are listed on this page, carrying 5,495 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 26
01
Crusader Kings III
Crusader Kings III is the newest generation in the medieval role-playing grand strategy game series Crusader Kings. Expand and improve your realm, whether a mighty kingdom or modest county. Use marriage, diplomacy and war to increase your power and prestige in a meticulously detailed map that stretches from Spain to India, Scandinavia to Central Africa.
91
/100
02
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. You can hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.
90
/100
03
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
90
/100
Crusader Kings III
Crusader Kings III is the newest generation in the medieval role-playing grand strategy game series Crusader Kings. Expand and improve your realm, whether a mighty kingdom or modest county. Use marriage, diplomacy and war to increase your power and prestige in a meticulously detailed map that stretches from Spain to India, Scandinavia to Central Africa.
91
/100
02
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. You can hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.
90
/100
03
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
90
/100
04
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2
Play the fully-remastered Tony Hawk's Pro Skater & Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 games in one epic collection, rebuilt from the ground up in incredible HD. All the pro skaters, levels and tricks are back and fully-remastered.
89
/100
05
F1 2020
F1 2020 allows you to create your F1 team for the very first time and race alongside the official teams and drivers. Alternatively, challenge your friends in new split-screen with casual race options for more relaxed racing. Compete on 22 circuits, with current and classic content.
88
/100
06
Overcooked! All You Can Eat
86
/100
07
Desperados III
The Wild West. A place where the law is made by those with a gun in their hands, and is enforced by the henchmen at their command. A place where death is no stranger and the undertakers are working overtime… especially when people start playing Desperados III. This real-time tactics game, developed by German game studio Mimimi Games (Shadow Tactics: Blades Of The Shogun), lets players command a band of Desperados led by fan-favourite gunslinger John Cooper.
86
/100
08
S
Factorio
You will be mining resources, researching technologies, building infrastructure, automating production and fighting enemies. Use your imagination to design your factory, combine simple elements into ingenious structures, apply management skills to keep it working and finally protect it from the creatures who don't really like you.
86
/100
09
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Microsoft Flight Simulator is the next generation of one of the most beloved simulation franchises. From light planes to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and stunning aircraft in an incredibly realistic world. Create your flight plan and fly anywhere on the planet. Enjoy flying day or night and face realistic, challenging weather conditions.
85
/100
10
Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer is a cozy management game about dying. You play Stella, ferrymaster to the deceased, a Spiritfarer. Build a boat to explore the world, then befriend and care for spirits before finally releasing them into the afterlife. Farm, mine, fish, harvest, cook, and craft your way across mystical seas. Join the adventure as Daffodil the cat, in two-player cooperative play. Spend relaxing quality time with your spirit passengers, create lasting memories, and, ultimately, learn how to say goodbye to your cherished friends. What will you leave behind?
84
/100
11
A
Fortnite
83
/100
12
Squad
82
/100
13
Star Wars: Squadrons
81
/100
14
Noita
80
/100
15
Townscaper
80
/100
16
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
80
/100
17
Visage
80
/100
18
Yes, Your Grace
77
/100
19
Moving Out
77
/100
20
eFootball PES 2021
73
/100
21
C
FIFA 21
72
/100
22
NBA 2K21
72
/100
23
Biped
72
/100
24
Coffee Talk
70
/100
25
State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition
68
/100
26
Totally Reliable Delivery Service
56
/100
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2
Play the fully-remastered Tony Hawk's Pro Skater & Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 games in one epic collection, rebuilt from the ground up in incredible HD. All the pro skaters, levels and tricks are back and fully-remastered.
89
/100
05
F1 2020
F1 2020 allows you to create your F1 team for the very first time and race alongside the official teams and drivers. Alternatively, challenge your friends in new split-screen with casual race options for more relaxed racing. Compete on 22 circuits, with current and classic content.
88
/100
06
Overcooked! All You Can Eat
86
/100
07
Desperados III
The Wild West. A place where the law is made by those with a gun in their hands, and is enforced by the henchmen at their command. A place where death is no stranger and the undertakers are working overtime… especially when people start playing Desperados III. This real-time tactics game, developed by German game studio Mimimi Games (Shadow Tactics: Blades Of The Shogun), lets players command a band of Desperados led by fan-favourite gunslinger John Cooper.
86
/100
08
S
Factorio
You will be mining resources, researching technologies, building infrastructure, automating production and fighting enemies. Use your imagination to design your factory, combine simple elements into ingenious structures, apply management skills to keep it working and finally protect it from the creatures who don't really like you.
86
/100
09
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Microsoft Flight Simulator is the next generation of one of the most beloved simulation franchises. From light planes to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and stunning aircraft in an incredibly realistic world. Create your flight plan and fly anywhere on the planet. Enjoy flying day or night and face realistic, challenging weather conditions.
85
/100
10
Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer is a cozy management game about dying. You play Stella, ferrymaster to the deceased, a Spiritfarer. Build a boat to explore the world, then befriend and care for spirits before finally releasing them into the afterlife. Farm, mine, fish, harvest, cook, and craft your way across mystical seas. Join the adventure as Daffodil the cat, in two-player cooperative play. Spend relaxing quality time with your spirit passengers, create lasting memories, and, ultimately, learn how to say goodbye to your cherished friends. What will you leave behind?
84
/100
11
A
Fortnite
83
/100
12
Squad
82
/100
13
Star Wars: Squadrons
81
/100
14
Noita
80
/100
15
Townscaper
80
/100
16
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
80
/100
17
Visage
80
/100
18
Yes, Your Grace
77
/100
19
Moving Out
77
/100
20
eFootball PES 2021
73
/100
21
C
FIFA 21
72
/100
22
NBA 2K21
72
/100
23
Biped
72
/100
24
Coffee Talk
70
/100
25
State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition
68
/100
26
Totally Reliable Delivery Service
56
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Simulation game of 2020?
Crusader Kings III currently tops the ranking with a score of 91/100 across 189 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.