life sim

AppWizard
June 26, 2026
The annual Steam Summer Sale is currently ongoing, offering discounts of up to 80% on various video games until July 9. Notable deals include: - The Witcher III: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition: List Price: .99, Sale Price: .99. - Star Wars Jedi: Survivor: List Price: .99, Sale Price: .99. - Titanfall 2: List Price: .99, Sale Price: .49. - Burnout Paradise Remastered: List Price: .99, Sale Price: .99. - Risk of Rain 2: List Price: .99, Sale Price: .24. - Stardew Valley: List Price: .99, Sale Price: .99. - Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter: List Price: .99, Sale Price: .99. - Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana: List Price: .99, Sale Price: .99. - Hotline Miami: List Price: .99, Sale Price: [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: If you own a gaming PC, Steam Deck, or a new Steam Machine, you're in for a treat. The annual Steam Summer Sale has commenced, offering discounts of up to 80% on a plethora of beloved video games. Running from now until July 9, this sale presents an excellent opportunity to expand your gaming library without breaking the bank. For those who prefer not to sift through the extensive Steam catalog, I've curated a selection of ten standout deals that span various genres, each one a personal favorite of mine. The Witcher III: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition Geralt is a cool guy. Credit: CD Projekt Red/Steam List Price: .99 Sale Price: .99 Chances are, you may already own The Witcher III, which has sold over 65 million copies since its 2015 release. If not, now is the perfect time to join the ranks of its fans. This RPG is widely regarded as one of the best ever made, featuring an open-world design that is both engaging and emotionally resonant. The Complete Edition includes all expansion packs, with a third expansion set to release in 2027, making it a must-have for any gamer. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Cal Kestis is also a cool dude. Credit: Respawn/Steam List Price: .99 Sale Price: .99 Among the many Star Wars titles available during this sale, Jedi: Survivor stands out as an exceptional deal. This sequel to Jedi: Fallen Order follows the charming protagonist Cal Kestis as he navigates the challenges posed by the Galactic Empire. With engaging combat mechanics and a compelling narrative, this game is a steal at just .99. Titanfall 2 One of the best shooter campaigns ever. Credit: Respawn/Steam List Price: .99 Sale Price: .49 Titanfall 2 has consistently been one of the most affordable games on digital platforms, yet many have yet to experience its brilliance. This title features one of the most creative and exhilarating single-player campaigns in the first-person shooter genre. Set aside an afternoon to immerse yourself in its thrilling gameplay. Burnout Paradise Remastered Racing games don't get much better than this. Credit: Criterion/Steam List Price: .99 Sale Price: .99 Burnout Paradise is often hailed as one of the finest games from the Xbox 360/PS3 era, and its remastered version retains all the charm of the original. With all online modes and DLC included, it redefined open-world racing long before others followed suit. It's an exhilarating experience, perfect for both short bursts and extended play sessions. Risk of Rain 2 One of the best co-op roguelikes out there. Credit: Hopoo/Steam List Price: .99 Sale Price: .24 Risk of Rain 2 is a roguelike shooter best enjoyed with friends. Players select characters and traverse procedurally generated levels, battling enemies while collecting upgrades. The difficulty ramps up over time, making for a rewarding experience, especially when you manage to create an overpowered build. Stardew Valley Cozy. Credit: ConcernedApe/Steam List Price: .99 Sale Price: .99 As one of the most successful indie games of the last decade, Stardew Valley remains a top choice in the farming/life simulation genre. With its charming characters, delightful music, and numerous activities to engage in, it's easy to lose hours in this enchanting world. The vibrant modding community adds even more replayability for PC players. Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter Some of the best RPG combat around. Credit: Falcom/Steam List Price: .99 Sale Price: .99 This remake of the first game in the acclaimed Trails series is a fantastic entry point for newcomers. With a rich narrative and engaging combat, it sets the stage for a sprawling interconnected story that spans multiple titles. The game eases players into its world beautifully, making it an excellent choice for RPG enthusiasts. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana I can hear this screenshot. Credit: Falcom/Steam List Price: .99 Sale Price: .99 This vibrant RPG is an inviting entry point for those new to the Ys series. With its colorful world, engaging combat, and a soundtrack that energizes the gameplay, it offers a satisfying experience that appeals to both veterans and newcomers alike. Hotline Miami I can also hear this screenshot. Credit: Dennaton/Steam List Price: .99 Sale Price: [cyberseo_openai model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Rewrite a news story for a business publication, in a calm style with creativity and flair based on text below, making sure it reads like human-written text in a natural way. The article shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. The article shall NOT start from a title. Response language English. Generate HTML-formatted content using tag for a sub-heading. You can use only , , , , and HTML tags if necessary. Text: Do you like Star Wars? We have good news.  By  Alex Perry Alex Perry Tech Reporter Alex Perry is a tech reporter at Mashable who primarily covers video games and consumer tech. Alex has spent most of the last decade reviewing games, smartphones, headphones, and laptops, and he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. He is also a Pisces, a cat lover, and a Kansas City sports fan. Alex can be found on Bluesky at yelix.bsky.social. Read Full Bio  on June 25, 2026 This game rules. Credit: CD Projekt Red/Steam If you have a gaming PC, a Steam Deck, or even a brand new Steam Machine, you can currently get a whole lot of great video games for almost no money right now.That's because the annual Steam Summer Sale kicked off on Thursday, with offers lasting until July 9. That means you have a couple of weeks to get as much as 80 percent off on some of the best games ever made. But if you don't feel like combing through the entire Steam interface to find deals, I've curated 10 of them that I think are definitely worth checking out. These range from mainstream hits to smaller indie games across a variety of genres, but one constant is that I've played and adore all of them. Recommended deals for you Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $179.00 (List Price $249.00) Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds With Active Noise Cancellation — $148.99 (List Price $179.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB Wi-Fi Retina Tablet (Silver, 2025 Release) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $279.00 (List Price $399.00) Samsung Galaxy S26 256GB Unlocked Phone (Black) — $669.99 (List Price $899.99) Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones — $378.00 (List Price $459.99) 55" Amazon Ember 4-Series 4K HDR10+ Smart Fire TV (2025 Model) — $279.95 (List Price $459.99) Fire TV Stick 4K Plus Streaming Player With Remote (2025 Model) — $24.99 (List Price $49.99) Meta Quest 3S 128GB With 3-Month Trial of Meta Horizon+ — $296.79 (List Price $349.99) Products available for purchase through affiliate links. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. Here are 10 of the best deals in the Steam Summer Sale. You May Also Like SEE ALSO: 'Star Fox' for Nintendo Switch 2 is a magnificent Hollywood take on a classic The Witcher III: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition Geralt is a cool guy. Credit: CD Projekt Red/Steam List Price: $49.99Sale Price: $9.99There's a decent chance you already own The Witcher III, given that it's sold 65 million units since its launch in 2015. But if you don't, there really is no better time than now to hop on the bandwagon.This is, without sugarcoating it, one of the best RPGs ever made, and you can enjoy it just fine even if you never played its two predecessors or read any of the Polish fantasy novels on which the game series is based. It combines some of the best open-world quest design ever with an emotional, mature story that's more about being a good father than saving the world (though there's some of that, too). The Complete Edition comes with both existing expansion packs, which are 100 percent worth playing, and there's actually a third expansion coming out in 2027 to look forward to, as well. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Cal Kestis is also a cool dude. Credit: Respawn/Steam List Price: $69.99Sale Price: $13.99There is a litany of Star Wars games available in the Steam sale, but Jedi: Survivor is probably the best deal here, for my money. The sequel to 2019's Jedi: Fallen Order follows surprisingly endearing protagonist Cal Kestis and friends as they search for safe haven from the evil Galactic Empire. It's got great combat, compelling level design, and honestly one of the best stories in any Disney-era Star Wars production. For $13.99, this is a must-buy, as far as I'm concerned.Titanfall 2 One of the best shooter campaigns ever. Credit: Respawn/Steam List Price: $29.99Sale Price: $4.49Titanfall 2 has been one of the most perpetually dirt-cheap games on digital storefronts for the past decade, but somehow, there are still people who have never played it. Don't be one of them.Put simply, this is one of the greatest first-person shooter single-player campaigns ever made. Every moment of it oozes with creativity and excitement, making the best out of extremely fun shooting and traversal mechanics in every mission. You should seriously just block out an entire Saturday afternoon and play it in one sitting. Mashable Top Stories Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news. Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter Use this instead By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up! Burnout Paradise Remastered Racing games don't get much better than this. Credit: Criterion/Steam List Price: $19.99Sale Price: $3.99Burnout Paradise has a real argument as being one of the four or five best games of the entire Xbox 360/PS3 era, and it's held up beautifully. The remastered version includes all online modes, as well as all of the DLC that was made for the original game. Paradise redefined what an open-world racing game could be, years before games like Forza Horizon carried the torch for the genre. It's simply a lot of fun and very easy to pick up and play in short bursts or long sessions.Risk of Rain 2 One of the best co-op roguelikes out there. Credit: Hopoo/Steam List Price: $24.99Sale Price: $8.24Risk of Rain 2 is a shooter roguelike that can be enjoyed solo, but is best played with up to three friends in co-op fashion. You choose from one of several characters and run around procedurally generated levels killing enemies and collecting a wide variety of stacking upgrades, all while contending with a mechanic that increases enemy difficulty the more time elapses. It can get extremely challenging, but also very rewarding, especially if you manage to make a super broken build that basically plays the game by itself.Stardew Valley Cozy. Credit: ConcernedApe/Steam List Price: $14.99Sale Price: $8.99One of the biggest breakout indie hits of the last decade, Stardew Valley is still maybe the very best farming/life sim game in a market full of them. Filled to the brim with charming characters, great music, and a large variety of ways to spend your precious time (be it in solo play or multiplayer), it's shockingly easy to lose dozens of hours to this game without even thinking about it. It's also got a vibrant mod scene on PC, if you're into that sort of thing.Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter Some of the best RPG combat around. Credit: Falcom/Steam List Price: $59.99Sale Price: $29.99Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter made it onto Mashable's best games of 2025 list because I made sure it did, and I'm going to evangelize it here, too, especially now that it's half off. It's a spiffy new remake of the first game in the long and storied Trails series of Japanese RPGs. There are 13 games in total, with more to come, and all of them are part of a big, sprawling, interconnected story with hundreds of characters spread across a huge, lore-rich continent. But you don't need to worry too much about that with this game, since it's the first one. It eases you into the setting beautifully and will leave you very excited for the remake of the second game in the series, due out this September. The combat is also incredibly fun. One word of warning, though: You need a healthy tolerance for anime to enjoy this series.Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana I can hear this screenshot. Credit: Falcom/Steam List Price: $39.99Sale Price: $19.99Ignore the roman numerals in title for this game. Yes, it's the eighth entry in the long-running Ys series, but it's also a perfect entry point for newcomers with minimal narrative connection to any other entries. Do you like running around a vibrant, colorful world while hitting monsters with a sword and listening to some of the most energetic, catchy music in video game history? Do you like RPGs where you don't spend a lot of time in menus and every system fits together cleanly to produce a super satisfying experience? Even if you don't think you like those things, this is really one of the most newcomer-friendly (and also best) RPGs ever made. Hotline Miami I can also hear this screenshot. Credit: Dennaton/Steam List Price: $9.99Sale Price: $0.99Once a pillar of trendy indie game success, Hotline Miami's zeitgeist nonetheless ended many years ago. Still, for less than a dollar, you really have no choice but to at least try it out, especially if you missed it in 2012. Hotline Miami is a super fast and twitchy top-down action game filled with pixelated hyper-violence and one of the best video game soundtracks ever. It's like playing through a drug-fueled murder haze, but, you know, a fun one. It's really good, I swear.American Truck Simulator Sometimes this country is beautiful. Credit: SCS Software/Steam List Price: $19.99Sale Price: $4.99American Truck Simulator is, indeed, an in-depth simulation of long-haul trucking in the United States. If you want to customize every part of your rig, you can do that. But if you just want to vibe out and listen to internet radio country music stations while driving across Kansas (do not drive across Kansas, it's so boring), you can also do that. It's best played on a racing wheel accessory, but a controller or even keyboard and mouse will do the job, too. As a bonus, developer SCS Software has developed literally dozens of expansions to add new states to the game over the years. You can get just the base game for $4.99, but if you want to spend as much as $43.85, you can get a bundle that includes everything. Topics Video Games Alex Perry Tech Reporter Alex Perry is a tech reporter at Mashable who primarily covers video games and consumer tech. Alex has spent most of the last decade reviewing games, smartphones, headphones, and laptops, and he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. He is also a Pisces, a cat lover, and a Kansas City sports fan. Alex can be found on Bluesky at yelix.bsky.social. " temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" ].99 Despite its past prominence in indie gaming, Hotline Miami remains a must-try title, especially at its current price point. This fast-paced action game combines pixelated violence with an unforgettable soundtrack, creating an experience that is both thrilling and unique. American Truck Simulator Sometimes this country is beautiful. Credit: SCS Software/Steam List Price: .99 Sale Price: .99 Offering a detailed simulation of long-haul trucking across the United States, American Truck Simulator allows players to customize their rigs or simply enjoy the scenery while listening to music. With numerous expansions available, the base game is a great entry point at just .99, while a comprehensive bundle is also available for those looking to dive deeper." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].99. - American Truck Simulator: List Price: .99, Sale Price: .99.
AppWizard
June 12, 2026
The Retro Arcade Shop Simulator, developed by Alt Tab Game, will debut on PC with a demo available on June 11. The full version is expected in 2026/2027, with a console release in 2027. The game allows players to build and manage their own retro arcade, featuring 28 types of entertainment options and interactive machines. The demo includes four progression levels, six types of attractions, and customization options for layout and decor. Players can manage a cafeteria and hire staff. The minimum system requirements for the PC demo include Windows 10 (64-bit), Intel Core i3-14100F or AMD Ryzen 5 5560U, 8 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 5600, and 8 GB of available SSD space.
AppWizard
May 27, 2026
Paralives is currently in early access and offers a variety of features aimed at enhancing the life simulation gaming experience. Paramaker Features: - Voice pitch sliders for character voices - Enhanced search and filter options for clothing and accessories - Improved skin tone color wheel - Ability to create pets (dogs, cats, horses) - Wider selection of clothing, items, hairstyles, and accessories - Adjustable character heights - Body and facial sliders for customization - Options for heterochromia and intricate hair color wheels - Layering clothing and outfit saving - Tattoo options with recolor and placement tools - Genetics system for creating new characters Build Mode Features: - Broader range of objects and decorative items - Support for doors and windows on curved walls - Customizable pools and related tools - Basement creation and enhanced stair functionalities - Advanced terrain tools for lakes and ponds - Improved town design capabilities - Options to create vehicles, boathouses, and roads - Effortless room management - Flexible object placement with grid snapping - Basic terrain editing tools Live Mode Features: - Dynamic weather and seasonal changes - Comprehensive gardening system - Objects influencing character lives - System for defining sexual orientation and preferences - New characters moving into the player's town - Story progression for nearby characters - Unique story cards for storytellers - Expanded gameplay and difficulty options - New shops and town activities - Communication options for characters - Calendar menu for managing schedules - Ownership and use of vehicles General Features: - Photo mode for character movement and pose adjustments - Access to mods via Steam Workshop - In-game mod management tools - Cheat options for money, character editing, and item manipulation
AppWizard
May 25, 2026
Paralives has launched into early access, entering the life simulation genre alongside The Sims 4. The game is currently in a rough state with bugs such as menu glitches and unresponsive buttons, but overall performance on desktop PCs is satisfactory despite lengthy load times. It offers a unique take on life simulation, reminiscent of earlier games in the genre, and has a promising roadmap for updates over the next two years, including features like seasons, weather, pets, and improved building tools. Dedicated life sim enthusiasts may find it worthwhile to engage now, while casual gamers might prefer to wait due to its buggy state and steep price. Live Mode players will find intriguing elements but may desire more gameplay variety.
AppWizard
May 2, 2026
A total of 27 cozy games are set to be released in May, with a focus on simulation games. Notable upcoming titles include: - Thrifty Business: Release Date: May 18 | Shop organizing sim - Greenhearth Necromancer: Release Date: May 11 | Balcony garden sim - Paralives: Release Date: May 25 | Sims-like life sim - OddFauna: Secret of the Terrabeast: Release Date: May 13 | Creature collecting and crafting - Wax Heads: Release Date: May 5 | Record store narrative sim Three of these titles have experienced delays.
AppWizard
April 22, 2026
Ubisoft has canceled an unannounced life simulation game called Alterra, which had been in development for nearly three years. The development team was informed of the cancellation on April 21st and has the option to transition to other projects within the company. The cancellation is part of a broader restructuring at Ubisoft, which has included project discontinuations and layoffs, including the closure of the Tom Clancy studio, Red Storm, resulting in 105 job losses. Earlier in January, Ubisoft also canceled the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake and five other titles.
AppWizard
April 22, 2026
Ubisoft has canceled Project Alterra, an original game described as an "Animal Crossing-inspired social sim" with Minecraft-like elements. The decision was communicated to the development team on April 21st, resulting in an early dismissal for staff, although no layoffs were reported. The project had been in development by Ubisoft Montréal for nearly three years, led by creative director Patrick Redding and lead producer Fabien Lhéraud. Employees involved in Alterra have been reassigned to other projects within the company. Ubisoft stated that it continuously assesses projects to ensure they align with strategic priorities and quality standards, leading to the discontinuation of those that do not meet expectations.
AppWizard
April 4, 2026
HoYoVerse will conduct a closed beta test for its upcoming game, Petit Planet, starting on April 21. Players will assume the role of a world creator and engage in activities such as farming, fishing, cooking, relaxing, making friends, and forming galaxies. The beta test, called the Stardrift Test, will introduce new Neighbors and enhance experiences at the Galactic Bazaar. Interested players can sign up at planet.hoyoverse.com, with a selection gaining access and unlocking exclusive rewards upon the game's launch. The game is in its final stages of development, but a confirmed release date has not been announced.
AppWizard
February 20, 2026
Jake Solomon, founder of Midsummer Studios, announced the studio's closure and shared a gameplay video of "Burbank," a life simulation game. The game aimed to empower players as storytellers and was described as a blend of "Life Sims + The Truman Show." Despite receiving an 88% review score and being a Game of the Year runner-up for "Midnight Suns," the studio struggled with sales. Midsummer Studios had secured funding from various venture capital partners and Krafton but was seeking additional funding rounds. The gameplay footage of Burbank featured a polished aesthetic, with plans to use generative AI for character voices while ensuring visual art was created by human artists.
AppWizard
January 18, 2026
Heartopia, a life simulation game, has gained over five million players on mobile but has struggled to resonate with the Steam audience after its PC release. The game launched on Steam with vague announcements about its availability and received nearly 1,000 reviews shortly after, though feedback has been mixed. Players feel the PC version seems like an afterthought, with issues related to control schemes and the absence of controller support. The development team is engaging with the community but has provided generic responses regarding improvements. Despite these challenges, 69% of Steam reviews are positive, with players appreciating the game's charm, although frustrations about camera controls persist. Heartopia is available for free on Steam.
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