Economy simulation and city management may not be the first thing most people think of when they think about video games. But it is one of the most longstanding genres in gaming, going all the way back to the 1980's. And if you've been looking to get into the genre or just check something new out, now's a great time with an entire sale highlighting some of the most noteworthy modern simulation games.
From the beloved Cities: Skylines to obscure stuff like Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale, there's a little something for everyone in this sale. As my expertise in game genres is more blowing stuff up than planning economies; I'll instead be going through a sampler platter and determining the best games in the sale based on reviews, how interesting it looks to me, and how good a deal it is.
It should be noted these aren't games that optimally fit into the Steam Deck's normal control format, but we'll list Deck support anyway.
Cities Skylines ($29.99 $8.99) 
Steam Deck Playable / Native Linux Support
RollerCoaster Tycoon: Deluxe ($5.99 $2.99) Steam Deck Playable / ProtonDB Gold
Travellers Rest - EARLY ACCESS ($14.99 $11.24) 
Steam Deck Verified / ProtonDB Platinum
Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale ($19.99 $3.99) 
Steam Deck Unsupported/ ProtonDB Gold
Anno 1800 ($59.99 $14.99) Steam Deck Playable / ProtonDB Gold
Like I've said, my economy simulator knowledge isn't great. So I welcome any additional game suggestions in the comments I might have missed that you love. You can check out the sale here and keep in mind that it runs until January 15 at 10 AM PST / 6PM UTC.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
I'm surprised Two Point Hospital (which is also a great game) isn't included - it seems like it would have been a good fit.
I have Megaquarium and Prison Architect (native / Deck Playable for both) but I've not actually got around to playing either of those, so I can't specifically recommend them.
Quoting: CatKillerI'm surprised Two Point Hospital (which is also a great game) isn't included - it seems like it would have been a good fit.I'd guess that it's Steam being too strict with its criteria for the Fest. I noticed it with the upcoming Dinos vs. Robots Fest, for example - just having robots or dinosaurs isn't good enough for inclusion, a game has to go in-depth into the societal implications and so on, so I wouldn't be surprised if something similar was going on here, too.
Quoting: PenglingI'd guess that it's Steam being too strict with its criteria for the Fest. I noticed it with the upcoming Dinos vs. Robots Fest, for example - just having robots or dinosaurs isn't good enough for inclusion, a game has to go in-depth into the societal implications and so on, so I wouldn't be surprised if something similar was going on here, too.They've got plenty of similar games in there. I'd expect Sega just didn't opt in for some reason.
Quoting: CatKillerI have Megaquarium and Prison Architect (native / Deck Playable for both) but I've not actually got around to playing either of those, so I can't specifically recommend them.
I can vouche for Megaquarium, it's delightful. The ability to free-build (glaring at you, TPH), a wonderful progressive campaign, active pause, the ability to save at any time, a responsive dev, and money is really just a means to an end (which is to buy more fish!). Gotten my partner addicted to it, too.
redneckdrow Jan 10
Gameplay loop is buy items/find in dungeons → choose items for sale → haggle → sell for a decent profit → repay debt → don't wind up in a cardboard box → repeat.
Also, your creditor is a literal money fairy. In the story mode, you have 36 days to pay the debt off. If you lose, you can restart with most of your stuff intact. After beating the game, you can play endless mode without the debt. Or survival mode, if you hate yourself and like soul-crushing debt.
Also, I hate Euria.
It really is a warm-fuzzies type of ruthless tycoon game.
Capitalism, ho!
StoneColdSpider Jan 10
robertosf92 Jan 10
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