You may think a simulator game is a little like busy work. But to that we say: codswallop!
Okay, sure, you could argue that we could be outside powerwashing our actual car or mowing our actual grass. But that means leaving the sofa. And we don’t get videogame style rewards for doing so. For whatever reason, doing menial tasks or carrying out a role within a video game is way more fun than doing the thing in real life. Maybe it’s because it offers a soothing repetition, or maybe it allows us to fulfil a job that we could probably never do in the real world. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of simulator games on PS5, and we’ve rounded up six of the best here.
The simulators we’ve chosen cover a variety of themes and genres. From job simulators to trucking simulators to simply letting loose with a powerwasher, there’s something for everyone. If you’re in the market for a sim, give one of these a go. We promise you won’t be disappointed.
More: The Best Simulation Games on PS4
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1. PowerWash Simulator
Who’d have thought cleaning could be so much fun? In PowerWash Simulator, you set up your own business after acquiring a basic pressure washer. Soon after, the jobs start rolling in, and you’ll be tasked with cleaning everything from a van caked in mud to an entire playground. There’s something strangely rewarding about making things look sparkly new, though the best thing about PowerWash Simulator is how it walks the fine line between realism and simply being a game. The result is something that’s actually quite therapeutic, and undoubtedly one of the best simulator games on PS5.
Read our review of PowerWash Simulator
2. Lawn Mowing Simulator
Lawn Mowing Simulator lets you live out the grass-cutting dreams you never realised you had. Or maybe you were aware: we don’t know about you but we’ve always wanted a pop on one of those ride-on mowers. That’s par for the course here, where you create your own lawn mowing company. From keeping fancy gardens tidy to doing the council’s job by trimming a local park, you’ll have to ensure every inch of a lawn is mowed. Destroy plants or ruin the grass, and you’ll find yourself being fined. It’s a cut-throat business, mowing lawns.
Read our review of Lawn Mowing Simulator
Check latest prices of Lawn Mowing Simulator
3. Arcade Paradise
Arcade Paradise is, sort of, a game of two halves. You’ll start off by running your own laundrette which has a few old arcade cabinets in the back. You’ll need to do loads of laundry – loading and unloading washers and dryers – in order to earn your keep. That earned money can then be spent on new arcade cabinets, growing your arcade and, eventually, shrinking the laundrette. After all, the arcade brings in more money. There’s not a great deal of micromanagement other than keeping your premises tidy, emptying coin collectors and taking out the trash, but it’s a lot of fun. And you can play all the arcade games when the busywork’s been done. Or, you know, just ignore all the busywork and keep playing.
Read our review of Arcade Paradise
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4. Police Simulator: Patrol Officers
Ever wanted to be a police officer on the beat? Police Simulator: Patrol Officers lets you live out that dream. Well, as long as the beat you’ve dreamt of is ticking minor traffic offences and chasing after people when they jaywalk. It’s mundane, but that’s partly why we like Police Simulator so much. You’ll need to check parking meters to make sure they’re valid, and if you’re the first to respond to a traffic accident, you’ll need to whip out your breathalyzer, check for anything suspicious, and question witnesses. Everything’s done by the book, and ticking off a do-to list of actions is strangely rewarding.
Read our review of Police Simulator: Patrol Officers
5. Snowrunner
Getting behind the wheel of a truck is very appealing to some. And while it’s challenging enough by itself, Snowrunner makes it even more troublesome thanks to its icy conditions. Master the basics though, and you’ll soon be picking up and delivering cargo like a boss, and having a lot of fun along the way. And it isn’t just trucks you’re able to take control of – Snowrunner has a whole host of vehicles for you to get behind the wheels of. Needless to say, if you’re after the best simulator games on PS5 and think you’re capable of navigating harsh terrain under less than optimal conditions, this is the game for you.
Check latest prices of Snowrunner
6. Construction Simulator
Ever wanted to take control of heavy machinery? Construction Simulator has you covered. With a story that finds you entering the industry after a storm causes massive damage, Construction Simulator has you acquiring materials, unloading them, and a whole lot more. You’ll need to master moving cranes, grabbers and loaders as you move from one contract to another, hoping to do an effective job in time and on budget. It’s not the most in-depth game, which may disappoint some players, but there’s still some enjoyment to be had here if the idea of working in construction is appealing to you.
