simulation games Archives

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

I’m finally getting married in Fields of Mistria when its 1.0 update launches in August

The 1.0 update for Fields of Mistria will be released on August 5, introducing features such as marriage, children, and various enhancements. The update will include marriage ceremonies, the ability to name children, 10 heart friendship events with villagers, new vendors at the Saturday Market, and a quest line to elevate the town's renown level to 100. A giant, rideable chicken will also be added. The game is currently priced at , with no planned price increase upon full launch.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

Haptics make racing games feel so real that I can’t believe I was actually indoors using a PC and not on a racetrack.

The MTC-P Extreme is a haptic seat insert designed for sim-racing enthusiasts, offering haptic feedback based on telemetry data from supported racing games. It is compatible with titles such as Assetto Corsa, iRacing, F1 25, and others, but not Forza Horizon 6. The device features 14 actuators and connects to a PC via USB, with an accompanying app for tuning. It provides a visceral experience that enhances the realism of racing simulations. Sensit Haptics aims to deliver an exceptional sim-racing experience and offers a more accessible option compared to full motion platforms.

AppWizard

May 29, 2026

Paralives received ‘over 100,000 big reports’ in less than a week, as its creator reminds us that life sims are really hard to make

The life simulation game market is experiencing a scarcity of titles, acknowledged by industry veterans from games like The Sims and Life by You. Developing a life simulation game is complex due to the intricate interactions among characters and their environments. Alex Massé, the creator of Paralives, highlighted the challenges of game development, noting that even simple tasks can be complicated. Paralives has received over 100,000 bug reports, and the development team consists of just 15 members. Despite being in early access, the game has shown a commendable level of polish. Massé prefers to keep the team small for a focused development process, although there may be slight expansions in the future. Players currently enjoy the game's build mode, reflecting the team's commitment to quality.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

Cities Skylines may get the Lego treatment, as Korean ratings for new Paradox game, Persona 4 Revival, and more appear online

The Cities Skylines series has experienced mixed reception, with the original game being well-received and its sequel earning a score of 7/10. Developer Colossal Order has handed development responsibilities for the sequel to Iceflake Studios. A new title, Lego Skylines, is anticipated, as indicated by the Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea (GRAC). This game aims to combine Cities Skylines mechanics with Lego's charm, reminiscent of earlier Lego simulation games. The last significant Lego construction game was Lego City Undercover in 2013. The development landscape for Lego games is fragmented, with major studios tied to larger corporations, leaving Paradox Development Studio as a potential candidate for the project. Other titles revealed by GRAC include Gears of War: E-Day, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, and Persona 4 Revival, with the gaming community looking forward to announcements during the Summer Game Fest.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

Paralives charmed me on day one, but the roadmap outlines the real life sim of my dreams

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 26, 2026

Paralives has done the one exact thing I was begging life sims for

Paralives allows players to customize difficulty settings from the start, offering various storytellers that adjust gameplay elements. Players can create their own storytellers, modifying parameters like time ratios and life stage durations. The game incorporates strategy into social interactions, requiring players to consider character traits and relationship dynamics when choosing conversation options. Additionally, personality traits and simulated events, such as a child character getting sick, impact gameplay and require strategic management. The design encourages critical thinking about characters' moods and actions, making the experience engaging and challenging.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Paralives launch times and release date

Paralives will launch in early access at 10 am Eastern on May 25, 2026, and will be available for purchase on Steam. The game will not support preloading, and players will need to download it on launch day. The installation size is approximately 7.62GB, requiring 8GB of storage space.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Paralives is the very definition of early access, but it’s already a promising Sims rival

Paralives Studio is set to launch its life simulation game in early access on May 25, after nearly seven years of development. The game is still a work in progress, featuring various bugs, an incomplete feature set, and a cluttered user interface. Players may experience unresponsive menus and character issues, such as stuck personality development loops. The autonomy of the game's characters, known as Parafolks, is limited, requiring more direct management than other life simulation games. However, character interactions are engaging, and players can complete townie requests that encourage exploration. Despite its current imperfections, the game shows potential for growth and may appeal to fans of interior decorating and character creation.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Paralives looks packed with tiny features I’ve been desperately wanting in The Sims for years

Paralives will launch in early access on May 25, following a delay last year. A nine-minute gameplay video showcases features such as adjustable height sliders for character creation, a build/buy mode that allows scaling and stacking objects without cheat codes, and snap-free clutter decorating for easier placement of items. Gameplay elements include flexible job scheduling, the ability to drag and select groups of characters, integration with Steam Workshop for custom content, distinct character "vibes," and a vegetarian toggle for dietary preferences.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

Steampunk colony sim Steel Artery is here, and it’s “emergent chaos” aboard a giant train

Steel Artery is a train city-building simulation game set in a moving city called Steelpolis, developed by SoulAge23. It combines elements from colony simulation games and features fully autonomous citizens with their own needs and desires. Players manage the population, production chains, and resources while navigating challenges and social tensions. The game has stunning pixel artwork and offers a unique experience with each playthrough. It is available on Steam with an 89% positivity rate from initial reviews, highlighting its complexity and management challenges. The game is priced at .24 during a promotional period, with a 10% discount until May 22.