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Simulation
OpenGames using
28
Median complexity
2.20
0–5
Median rating
6.20
bayes
Tabletop fit
0.678
weight-controlled
Definition
From BoardGameGeek
Simulation is not a specific mechanism, but more of a property of a game and its mechanisms. Simulation games attempt to create a realistic model of actual events or situations. Often, but not always, this means that some aspects of the situation are worked out in detail.
Top games using this mechanism
By BGG bayes rating, top 50.
| Game | Year | Rating | Wt | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twilight Struggle#14 | 2005 | 8.04 | 3.6 | 180m |
| Heat: Pedal to the Metal#47 | 2022 | 7.79 | 2.2 | 60m |
| Pax Pamir: Second Edition#53 | 2019 | 7.77 | 3.8 | 120m |
| Pandemic#171 | 2008 | 7.40 | 2.4 | 45m |
| Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game#204 | 2012 | 7.36 | 2.5 | 45m |
| Endeavor: Age of Sail#206 | 2018 | 7.36 | 2.9 | 90m |
| This War of Mine: The Board Game#213 | 2017 | 7.34 | 3.3 | 120m |
| Memoir '44#220 | 2004 | 7.33 | 2.3 | 45m |
| Captain Sonar#245 | 2016 | 7.29 | 2.2 | 60m |
| Commands & Colors: Ancients#250 | 2006 | 7.28 | 2.7 | 60m |
| Combat Commander: Europe#279 | 2006 | 7.23 | 3.3 | 180m |
| Flamme Rouge#288 | 2016 | 7.22 | 1.7 | 45m |
| Indonesia#318 | 2005 | 7.18 | 4.0 | 240m |
| 1960: The Making of the President#332 | 2007 | 7.17 | 3.2 | 120m |
| Nemo's War (Second Edition)#402 | 2017 | 7.09 | 3.3 | 120m |
| Maria#431 | 2009 | 7.06 | 3.6 | 210m |
| Star Wars: Armada#467 | 2015 | 7.03 | 3.2 | 120m |
| Hannibal: Rome vs. Carthage#484 | 1996 | 7.02 | 3.5 | 150m |
| Millennium Blades#523 | 2016 | 6.98 | 3.6 | 120m |
| Civilization#527 | 1980 | 6.97 | 3.6 | 360m |
| Evolution: Climate#532 | 2016 | 6.97 | 2.7 | 60m |
| Flash Point: Fire Rescue#538 | 2011 | 6.97 | 2.2 | 45m |
| Here I Stand#539 | 2006 | 6.97 | 4.2 | 360m |
| Mythic Battles: Pantheon#540 | 2017 | 6.96 | 3.1 | 90m |
| Commands & Colors: Napoleonics#551 | 2010 | 6.96 | 2.7 | 90m |
| Fire in the Lake#555 | 2014 | 6.95 | 4.2 | 180m |
| Advanced Squad Leader#576 | 1985 | 6.94 | 4.7 | 480m |
| A Few Acres of Snow#584 | 2011 | 6.93 | 3.0 | 90m |
| Space Empires 4X#633 | 2011 | 6.89 | 3.4 | 240m |
| Labyrinth: The War on Terror, 2001 – ?#645 | 2010 | 6.88 | 3.7 | 180m |
| 1775: Rebellion#651 | 2013 | 6.87 | 2.3 | 120m |
| Star Trek: Ascendancy#714 | 2016 | 6.83 | 3.2 | 180m |
| Pax Porfiriana#726 | 2012 | 6.82 | 3.6 | 120m |
| Formula D#770 | 2008 | 6.79 | 2.0 | 60m |
| Evolution#776 | 2014 | 6.78 | 2.4 | 60m |
| The Bloody Inn#781 | 2015 | 6.78 | 2.4 | 60m |
| Hammer of the Scots#785 | 2002 | 6.78 | 3.0 | 180m |
| D-Day at Omaha Beach#817 | 2009 | 6.76 | 3.5 | 480m |
| The Republic of Rome#824 | 1990 | 6.75 | 4.4 | 300m |
| Pax Renaissance#835 | 2016 | 6.74 | 4.5 | 120m |
| Arkwright#854 | 2014 | 6.73 | 4.6 | 240m |
| Diplomacy#873 | 1959 | 6.72 | 3.3 | 360m |
| Wir sind das Volk!#874 | 2014 | 6.72 | 3.7 | 150m |
| Empire of the Sun: The Pacific War 1941-1945#895 | 2005 | 6.71 | 4.4 | 360m |
| Leaving Earth#922 | 2015 | 6.70 | 3.8 | 180m |
| The Pursuit of Happiness#941 | 2015 | 6.69 | 2.6 | 90m |
| Wallenstein#961 | 2002 | 6.67 | 3.3 | 150m |
| Hannibal & Hamilcar#999 | 2018 | 6.65 | 3.9 | 200m |
| Squad Leader#1012 | 1977 | 6.65 | 4.0 | 60m |
| Up Front#1036 | 1983 | 6.63 | 3.4 | 60m |
Frequently combined with
Other mechanisms that show up in the same games. Click to drill in.
Related deep dives
Long-form design analysis on games using this mechanism.