Fun simulation-type games?

There's a gameplay mode in Stronghold where you're not actually fighting anything, moreso managing the affairs of the keep, and parties, and making sure the manufacturing is going well and such. That's pretty entertaining.

I've also heard good things about The Guild 2. I've been meaning to play it.. as interesting as the game seems, though, I have also heard that there can be a LOT of micromanagement at times, and I'm not very good at that. That's the reason I have shied away from the game for now.

I looked those games up. I'll check them out. So many games seem to have historical elements. The Guild and Stronghold look similar to Age of Empires or 1400 AD. I never really got into those games. But I'll look into them.

Anything that's just kind of cute and fun come to mind? (I realize this forum is probably all dudes who love shooting games, but I thought it was worth asking. Maybe some of you guys have sisters, haha.) Civilization is one of those games I grew up with, going from Civ 1 and on. But I really was addicted to Rollercoaster Tycoon, SimCity and SimTower the most. Kind of lame, I know.

all those games you mentioned aren't simulation games...

they're either turn based or real-time, strategy games.

simulation games are racing games, flying games, sailing games and well, you should get the point by now.
A simulation game is a game that uses an interactive 3D environment where you control something
with a level of interactivity that mimics doing it in real life.

I looked those games up. I'll check them out. So many games seem to have historical elements. The Guild and Stronghold look similar to Age of Empires or 1400 AD. I never really got into those games. But I'll look into them.

Anything that's just kind of cute and fun come to mind? (I realize this forum is probably all dudes who love shooting games, but I thought it was worth asking. Maybe some of you guys have sisters, haha.) Civilization is one of those games I grew up with, going from Civ 1 and on. But I really was addicted to Rollercoaster Tycoon, SimCity and SimTower the most. Kind of lame, I know.

I just got the original Guild + expansion from GoodOldGames.com for $10 and it's the best simulation game I've ever played. It's nothing at all like Stronghold or AoE, it's a purely medieval economic/political simulation. You can be basically any profession whatsoever in the middle ages and you just make a name for you and your family. It has a really steep learning curve, I had to play the complete tutorial and read the entire manual whichs is like 80+ pages, but I'm so glad I did. And the replay value is extraordinary. I HIGHLY suggest you give it a try if you like simulation games.chesterocks7

[QUOTE="chesterocks7"]I just got the original Guild + expansion from GoodOldGames.com for $10 and it's the best simulation game I've ever played. It's nothing at all like Stronghold or AoE, it's a purely medieval economic/political simulation. You can be basically any profession whatsoever in the middle ages and you just make a name for you and your family. It has a really steep learning curve, I had to play the complete tutorial and read the entire manual whichs is like 80+ pages, but I'm so glad I did. And the replay value is extraordinary. I HIGHLY suggest you give it a try if you like simulation games.MyopicCanadian

all those games you mentioned aren't simulation games...

they're either turn based or real-time, strategy games.

simulation games are racing games, flying games, sailing games and well, you should get the point by now.
A simulation game is a game that uses an interactive 3D environment where you control something
with a level of interactivity that mimics doing it in real life.

F0rz4k3n

all those games you mentioned aren't simulation games...

they're either turn based or real-time, strategy games.

simulation games are racing games, flying games, sailing games and well, you should get the point by now.
A simulation game is a game that uses an interactive 3D environment where you control something
with a level of interactivity that mimics doing it in real life.

F0rz4k3n

Hm, I guess not. My thought was that Rollercoaster Tycoon is simulating building a theme park.... but I guess by that definition Halo "simulates" shooting aliens.

You guys sold me on Europa 1400, The Guild. I looked it up and sounds like something I might like. I'll start there.

So, have there not been any good, fun building-type games in a while? Looking at my favorite games, that's appears to be the common theme. The latest releases from SimCity and Rollercoaster Tycoons are so old and I've really worn out Civ 4 and the expansion packs. I wish someone would make SimTower again. Or Colonization. I know both of those games have similar gameplay and are literally just more focused pieces of larger games, but they were fun.

Thank you for the suggestions. Much appreciated.

[QUOTE="F0rz4k3n"]

all those games you mentioned aren't simulation games...

they're either turn based or real-time, strategy games.

simulation games are racing games, flying games, sailing games and well, you should get the point by now.
A simulation game is a game that uses an interactive 3D environment where you control something
with a level of interactivity that mimics doing it in real life.

chesterocks7

True, as well as false, Chester. While it is true that using the strictest sense of the word, 'simulation' is any experience where you are controlling an artificial world or sensation. A simulation, as it is, is any experience that is artificial...but is trying to simulate certain real world criteria. However, if we use that strict sense of the definition, many FPS games become simulations as well. However, those are not defined as simulations, but as FPS games. Similarly, certain RPGs would instantly become simulations if you strictly defined simulation. Which is why we have the definition of games that we do (though they are not, by any stretch, infallible).

For the most part, all the games that the TC and yourself are talking about, fall into the broad strategy category (sub-categories 'city-builder, 'turn-based strategy,' or 'real-time strategy' (as was mentioned in the TC's first post)). To state the differentiation between simulation and strategy games as mere semantics does a massive disservice to the entire endeavor to pigeon-hole define games into their respective genres.

In any case, if you're into empire building, there's Sins of a Solar Empire. If you want a game that's more light-hearted (and probably the only game that might fit the bill as being a simulation (though, to be fair, it's probably more simulation-lite)), there's The Political Machine (pick a year). And, if you want a game similar to Stronghold (but in a more tropical locale), check out the series Tropico. For a more Civilization-esque game, check out Galactic Civilization 2 Universe.

Galactic Civilizations 2

'nuf said

Oh, and Alpha Centauri for an oldie but goodie!

Also check out City Life; highly underrated, but extremely good, city builder.

Children of the Nile, Pharoh, and Caesar IV are also excellent

[QUOTE="chesterocks7"][QUOTE="F0rz4k3n"]

all those games you mentioned aren't simulation games...

they're either turn based or real-time, strategy games.

simulation games are racing games, flying games, sailing games and well, you should get the point by now.
A simulation game is a game that uses an interactive 3D environment where you control something
with a level of interactivity that mimics doing it in real life.

Ein-7919

True, as well as false, Chester. While it is true that using the strictest sense of the word, 'simulation' is any experience where you are controlling an artificial world or sensation. A simulation, as it is, is any experience that is artificial...but is trying to simulate certain real world criteria. However, if we use that strict sense of the definition, many FPS games become simulations as well. However, those are not defined as simulations, but as FPS games. Similarly, certain RPGs would instantly become simulations if you strictly defined simulation. Which is why we have the definition of games that we do (though they are not, by any stretch, infallible).

For the most part, all the games that the TC and yourself are talking about, fall into the broad strategy category (sub-categories 'city-builder, 'turn-based strategy,' or 'real-time strategy' (as was mentioned in the TC's first post)). To state the differentiation between simulation and strategy games as mere semantics does a massive disservice to the entire endeavor to pigeon-hole define games into their respective genres.

In any case, if you're into empire building, there's Sins of a Solar Empire. If you want a game that's more light-hearted (and probably the only game that might fit the bill as being a simulation (though, to be fair, it's probably more simulation-lite)), there's The Political Machine (pick a year). And, if you want a game similar to Stronghold (but in a more tropical locale), check out the series Tropico. For a more Civilization-esque game, check out Galactic Civilization 2 Universe.