2023 promises to be an exciting year for simulation game fans. Enthusiasts of the genre are eagerly awaiting the latest launches that will take them into new realms of virtual reality. But which titles are really generating the most excitement and waiting to make their grand entrance into the market?
- Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life
- Thief Simulator 2
- Cities: Skylines 2
- Alaskan Truck Simulator
- Hometopia
- House Flipper 2
- SimRail: The Railway Simulator
- I am Jesus Christ
- The Bus
- Paralives
In our article, we present an overview of the most anticipated simulation games of 2023 that are sure to electrify gamers worldwide. Get ready for an experience you will never forget with these gems of the simulation genre.
Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life
- Release date: 27 June 2023 (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch)
- Developer: Marvelous Interactive
- Publisher: XSEED Games
Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is a remake of the 2004 farming RPG previously known as ‘Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life. Players are transported to the picturesque Forgotten Valley, where they inherit a farm founded by their father and his friend. As well as running and expanding the farm, they must get to know the valley’s inhabitants and become involved in the local community.
The game begins with the creation of a character and the choice of gender and appearance. Our main task is to farm the land, raise animals, crossbreed plants and animals, and expand the farm. In our spare time, we can try to cook, fish or go treasure hunting.
Taking part in the life of the community is also important, as you can meet your other half and look forward to having children. The remake features new events, festivals, recipes and plants. A photo mode has also been introduced. The graphics have been updated, but retain the cartoon style of the original.
Thief Simulator 2
- Release date: 2023 (PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch)
- Developer: MrCiastku
- Publisher: Ultimate Games
Thief Simulator 2 is the sequel to the popular Polish game from 2018, in which we play the role of an experienced thief. The game allows you to carry out robberies in a large, open world full of different places to rob, such as houses, shops or even banks.
The first person perspective (FPP) allows you to explore several large locations. Before each robbery, players must prepare by using a variety of tools, from crowbars to high-tech gadgets. Players will also have to evade guards, solve simple logic puzzles and steal cars ranging from basic SUVs to luxury sports cars.
As we sell our loot to fences and become wealthy, we develop our hero’s skills by teaching him new techniques. Thief Simulator 2 features a single-player mode that focuses on an extensive campaign. The game has an attractive three-dimensional graphic design.
Cities: Skylines 2
- Release date: 2023 (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S)
- Developer: Colossal Order
- Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Build Cities: Skylines 2 is an advanced city-building simulator with a complex simulation system and dynamic economy that will test your decision-making skills and allow you to build the metropolis of your dreams.
Like the previous instalment in the series, the game allows us to build our own city from scratch. We have to build roads and place residential, commercial and industrial areas along them. Everything has to be designed in such a way as to maintain financial liquidity. Citizen satisfaction also plays an important role in production. To keep them happy, you need to provide services and security.
Alaskan Truck Simulator
- Release date: 2023 (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- Developer: Road Studio
- Publisher: Movie Games
“Alaskan Truck Simulator is an addictive game that combines a realistic truck simulator with survival elements. The game is licensed from Discovery, the popular producer of programmes and documentaries.
The action of Alaskan Truck Simulator takes place in the frosty state of Alaska in the USA. Our job is to complete a variety of tasks that require us to travel to hard-to-reach and potentially dangerous locations. Unlike other driving simulators, the gameplay is not limited to driving. Sometimes we have to leave the vehicle and fight for survival on foot, using various tools, including firearms.
In Alaskan Truck Simulator we can only play in single player mode. The game features three-dimensional graphics.
Hometopia
- Release date: 2023 (PC)
- Developer: Hometopia Inc.
- Publisher: Hometopia Inc.
Hometopia is a simulation game that puts you in the role of an architect or interior designer. The player can observe the action from both a bird’s eye view and a first person perspective. The player’s task is to design, build and finish houses and renovate existing buildings. We can decide on the layout of rooms, the position of doors and windows, the colour and finish of walls, the type of flooring and the positioning of furniture.
There are two modes in the game: campaign and sandbox. The campaign offers 30 houses to renovate, located on five different estates. In Sandbox mode, you can create any design you like, with no economic constraints. The game allows you to play alone or collaborate with other players to create entire neighbourhoods. Hometopia also supports fan modifications and allows projects to be shared with the community.
House Flipper 2
- Release date: 2023 (PC)
- Developer: Frozen District/Empyrean
- Publisher: Frozen District/Empyrean
House Flipper 2 is a construction simulator, a sequel to the 2018 game House Flipper. In the game, we once again play the role of an investor who renovates bought apartments with his own hands. The mechanics of the game involve buying old, dilapidated houses, renovating them and reselling them at a higher price.
As in its predecessor, the gameplay is based on taking orders from customers and satisfying their needs. Customers have different preferences for the layout of rooms and the decoration of their homes. Using tools such as hammers and brooms, we are tasked with bringing dilapidated or neglected homes back to life.
The work includes cleaning, demolishing walls, installing electrical appliances and buying and setting up new furniture. The better we do, the more the client will pay us. Many boards contain secrets or unique objectives that change the gameplay. The game offers more than a dozen story-driven jobs and a free-play mode.
SimRail: The Railway Simulator
- Release date: 2023 (PC)
- Developer: SimRail
- Publisher: PlayWay
SimRail: The Railway Simulator is a railway simulator that allows us to take on the role of both train driver and traffic controller.
In this title we have at our disposal about 500 km of railway lines, including Upper Silesia, developed on the basis of real geodetic data. We can drive modern long-distance and commuter trains, as well as diesel and steam locomotives during the game. An advanced physics system, using technology straight out of train driving simulators, ensures that the trains behave correctly on the tracks. The experience of travelling across Europe is enhanced by variable weather conditions.
The game offers both single player and multiplayer co-operative play. Coordination between drivers and traffic officers is made possible by the game’s built-in communication system.
I am Jesus Christ
- Release date: Q4 2023 (PC)
- Developer: SimulaM
- Publisher: PlayWay/SimulaM
The controversial game from Polish studio SimulaM I Am Jesus Christ was announced several years ago. At the end of last year, the developers released the title’s prologue, which contains elements of the full version of the game.
The simulator is based on events from the Bible and allows you to take on the role of Jesus Christ. During the game, players will find themselves in an open world where needy and suffering people will be waiting for them. There will be no shortage of miracles – more than 30 are expected – including walking on water, turning water into wine, battling Satan and the Last Supper. The simulator will allow players to experience the life of Christ from his birth to his crucifixion and resurrection.
The Bus
- Release date: 2023 (PC)
- Developer: TML-Studios
- Publisher: Aerosoft
The Bus is an extensive city bus simulator that allows players to take on the role of a driver and manage their own fleet of buses. In the game, we explore Berlin on a 1:1 scale, where we find authentic bus stops, monuments and other landmarks of the city.
While driving, players must follow the route and timetable, paying attention to traffic signs, traffic lights and other road users. At the stops, passengers are served by selling tickets and checking their validity.
The game offers two main control modes: realistic for experienced drivers and arcade for beginners. In addition, The Bus allows players to create their own bus company in a special economic mode where players earn money by selling tickets.
The Bus can be played in single or multiplayer mode, and also features a photo mode for personalised screenshots.
Paralives
- Release date: Coming Soon (PC)
- Developer: Paralives Studio / Alex Massé
- Publisher: Paralives Studio / Alex Massé
Paralives is a simulation game where the player focuses on building houses and managing the daily lives of characters in an open world. Players create characters, take care of their needs and help them achieve their hopes and dreams.
Although inspired by The Sims series, Paralives differs from it primarily in its advanced house building and interior design system. It allows you to freely build walls, adjust the size, colour and texture of furniture and add accessories.
Building houses is an essential part of the gameplay, but managing the lives of the characters also plays an important role. Players have a say in how their charges live and what they do, and can explore the surrounding areas with parks, shops and lakes.
The game also allows players to create and share their own furniture or accessories. Paralives is kept in a pastel style and presents an idyllic view of the world with different seasons.