10 – Game Dev Tycoon
In Game Dev Tycoon you start as a small indie game developer and work your way up to create a successful game development company across several consoles and computer generations. Research new technologies, develop innovative games (or try and recreate the ones from your childhood), manage staff, and navigate the evolving trends of the gaming industry. Game Dev Tycoon is such a relaxing and simple title to play around with. The development process reminds me a lot of that entry scene from Powerpuff Girls with the scientist mixing up different ingredients and hoping that something right comes out of it. Oh, and Game Dev Tycoon has some of the most memorable sound effects you can find in gaming, just try and have your team squash bugs and listen to those satisfying plops.
The game is so cheap that you have no excuse not to experience the challenges and rewards of building a game empire from scratch.
9 – Powerwash Simulator
Try and describe to someone that’s a normal, functioning human being how powerwashing can be an entertaining concept for a videogame and you’ll be sure to find frowning eyebrows and mouths agape at the stupid thing you just try to convince them of.
Well, PowerWash Simulator has a user rating of 97% with more than 30.000 reviews and is just as satisfying as you imagine it to be. There’s really nothing much to it, just pick up your powerwasher and get on cleaning. There are some special nozzles that are better suited for some materials and harder to get out… gunk. It’s a simple premise that just works. There are also a lot a ton of locales and buildings to clean. The only thing missing is a modding scene so content is even more abundant.
8 – RollerCoaster Tycoon® 3: Complete Edition
Don’t wonder too much why isn’t the classic Roller Coaster 1 and 2 on this list! I’ll explain! That’s because it’s summertime and no other videogame that I know of, other than Roller Coaster Tycoon 3: Complete Edition with its Soaked expansion gives me the possibility of creating waterparks! Sure, rollercoasters are amazing, they are indeed. But even more, amazing-er is the ability to create a waterpark with your very own custom-made rides and see how far you can push the limits of physics while keeping everyone safe. RTC3 is also a great tycoon game in its own right, and while it may not have the timeless pixelated look of its ancestors, it more than makes up for its content.
7 – Diesel Railcar Simulator
Diesel Railcar Simulator offers a captivating and realistic experience for rail enthusiasts and simulation game lovers alike. Step into the shoes of a train conductor and embark on a journey through picturesque landscapes, as you navigate the challenges of operating diesel railcars.
One of my favorite games to boot up during vacation time because, unlike other games in the genre, it doesn’t assume you’re an actual Railcar driver, and tries its best to ease you into its systems with a fantastic set of helping tips, going as far as indicating which button to press, and at what time to do so. It can be played as a relaxing and serene experience, or you can test your skill as a railcar conductor by trying to keep up with timetables, make designated stops, and keep electricity usage to a minimum. It’s one of those rare gems that give you the tools to create your own fun, striking a great balance between offering a realistic and immersive rail journey experience for enthusiasts seeking a true-to-life simulation game and the casual enjoyed that just wants to push up and down at the right moment to make the railcar move while listening to its audiobook or podcast. I cannot recommend it enough.
6 – EuroTruck Simulator
11 years after its debut, Euro Truck Simulator remains a remarkable tycoon and simulation game, providing an immersive experience that captures the essence of trucking across Europe, all the way from Lisbon to Saint Petersburg.
With its attention to detail, realistic driving mechanics, and the opportunity to explore diverse European landscapes, this game is a must-play for fans of the … Trucking genre? Everybody has memmed this game to death, but there’s just something special about zoning out and just enjoying a lonely night drive across 600 miles with music blaring in the background. There’s also the whole aspect of managing a business but that’s neither here nor there in the game’s appeal for me, personally.
For our American friends, American Truck Simulator is also running a huge discount. So, hop behind the wheel, start the engine, and embark on your own trucking journey today.
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