Simulation

Simulation Japanese Role-Playing Games
ConsoleNameReleaseDeveloperLucca's Notes
VitaA.W.: Phoenix Festa (delisted)2016Aplus/Bandai NamcoBased on the anime adaptation of the Asterisk War light novel series, is more of a 3D anime arena fighter/visual novel hybrid
JP Mega DriveBahamut Senki1991SegaA fantasy war simulator with 8 different armies to choose from; units can rank up and become stronger, combat is both turn-based and real-time
PS4Beastie Bay DX (DL only)2022KairosoftSee Switch
SwitchBeastie Bay DX (DL only)2021KairosoftAn island conquering/development sim with beastly allies to recruit and train
SwitchBurger Bistro Story (DL only)2022KairosoftAnother management sim with staff that can level up, but this one has burgies
SwitchCresteaju (DL only)2021Shou/PLiCyA remastered JP-only indie PC game that shows its age
PS4Doraemon: Story of Seasons (DL only)2020Brownies/MarvelousAs the title states, a Story of Seasons game with appearances by Doraemon and his friends where upgrading tools is crucial to farm life
SwitchDoraemon: Story of Seasons (DL only)2019Brownies/MarvelousSee PS4
PS5Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom (DL/Asia English)2022MarvelousSee Switch
SwitchDoraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom (DL/Asia English)2022MarvelousGrow crops and use gadgets with Doraemon and pals- good vibes abound
SwitchDungeon Village (DL only)2018KairosoftA simple village management sim where you send out townspeople to obtain money and items as well as defend the town (and hopefully level up doing so)
SwitchDungeon Village 2 (DL only)2022KairosoftVery similar to the first game, but adds some layes of complexity to the town management-sim
3DSFantasy Life2014Brownie Brown/Level-5Pick a profession in a fantasy world and increase your ranks in order to help save the world!
PSPFavorite Dear: Enkan no Monogatari (PSone Classics)2013NEC InterchannelSee PS3
VitaFavorite Dear: Enkan no Monogatari (PSone Classics)2013NEC InterchannelSee PS3
PS3Favorite Dear: Enkan no Monogatari (PSone Classics)2013NEC InterchannelAvailable in NA Playstation Store, but untranslated - a dating sim/JRPG hybrid with lots of angels
VitaFavorite Dear: Jyunpaku no Yogensha (PSone Classics)2013NEC InterchannelSee PS3
PS3Favorite Dear: Jyunpaku no Yogensha (PSone Classics)2013NEC InterchannelAvailable in NA Playstation Store, but untranslated - more dating sim/JRPG gameplay where you send out other heroes to do the work for you
PSPFavorite Dear: Jyunpaku no Yogensha (PSone Classics)2013NEC InterchannelSee PS3
WiiFinal Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King (WiiWare)2009Square EnixA cute town-building simulator/RPG with the Final Fantasy trappings
SwitchHarvestella2022Square Enix/Live WireA meatier storyline than the usual farming sim, competent combat and a solid score
N64Harvest Moon 641999Victor Interactive SoftwareInherit a farm, level up your tools, and manage time wisely!
Wii UHarvest Moon 64 (VC)2017Victor Interactive SoftwareSee N64
WiiHarvest Moon: Animal Parade2009Marvelous EntertainmentAll the farming you'd expect, but with a bigger variety of animals (many of them rideable)!
GameCubeHarvest Moon: Another Wonderful Life2005MarvelousLike A Wonderful Life, but with a female player character
GameCubeHarvest Moon: A Wonderful Life2004Victor Interactive SoftwareWatch your child grow to adulthood as you grow crops (including hybrid ones!) and farm your heart out (with upgradeable tools)- but don't get divorced!
PS2Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life Special Edition2005MarucomeGoes back to a male player character and adds gameplay updates such as dog training, a new marriage candidate, and free-play after the game concludes
PS4Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life Special Edition (DL only)2017MarucomeSee PS2
PS3Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life Special Edition (DL only)2012MarucomeSee PS2
PSXHarvest Moon: Back to Nature2000Victor Interactive SoftwareDo ALL the farming!
VitaHarvest Moon: Back to Nature (PSone Classics)2012Victor Interactive SoftwareSee PSX
PSPHarvest Moon: Back to Nature (PSone Classics)2011Victor Interactive SoftwareSee PSX
PS3Harvest Moon: Back to Nature (PSone Classics)2011Victor Interactive SoftwareSee PSX
PSPHarvest Moon: Boy & Girl2007Marvelous EntertainmentCombines the original version of Back to Nature with the previously JP-only female protagonist version
GBAHarvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town2003MarvelousLevel up your tools and grow your farm (and find a nice girl to settle down with)
SwitchHarvest Moon: Light of Hope2018TabotSee PS4
PS4Harvest Moon: Light of Hope2017TabotMore farm raising, developed by a different studio than Story of Seasons- and it shows; gameplay loop is the same (tool leveling, crop growing) with little innovation
GBAHarvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town2005MarvelousFemale protagonist version of Friends of Mineral town with a few added QoL changes
SwitchHarvest Moon: One World2021NatsumeSee PS4
PS4Harvest Moon: One World2021NatsumeAdds a new portable farm mechanic, but removes the soul of the series
DSHarvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns2010MarvelousYou're now both a farmer and ambassador!
WiiHarvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility2008Marvelous EntertainmentLevel your tools, grow your crops, and restore a nature deity- all in a day's work!
DSHarvest Moon DS2006ToseClassic farming gameplay, lots of harvest spirtes to rescue- and crops themselves level up!
DSHarvest Moon DS: Cute2008MarvelousAn alternative version of Harvest Moon DS that makes some QoL changes and allows you to play as a female protagonist
DSHarvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar2010MarvelousStill farming, but done under the pretense of pure capitalism by selling your goods at a weekly marketplace
DSHarvest Moon DS: Island of Happiness2007ToseSame farming, but now on a deserted island! Limited to touchscreen controls
DSHarvest Moon DS: Sunshine Islands2008MarvelousResembles Island of Happiness, but reliance on the touchsreen is removed
PSPInnocent Life: A Futuristic Harvest Moon2007ArtePiazzaHas more of a centralized storyline than other Harvest Moons, no marriage system, more adventuring elements (though farming is still a thing to do)
PS2Innocent Life: A Futuristic Harvest Moon Special Edition2008ArtePiazzaHarvest Moon gameplay with more of a focused quest
PS3Innocent Life: A Futuristic Harvest Moon Special Edition (PS2 Classics)2012ArtePiazzaSee PS2
PS4Kairobotica (DL only)2021KairosoftCultivate your planet and send your bot buddies out on missions (and upgrade them after) in this sim/RPG combo
SwitchKairobotica (DL only)2020KairosoftSee PS4
WiiLittle King's Story2009Cing/TownfactoryCombination RTSRPG/town builder/management sim; explore and expand your rapidly growing reign as king
DSMagician's Quest: Mysterious Times2009AquriaIf Animal Crossing went to Hogwarts, this would be the adorable result
DSMonster Rancher DS2010CingMonster raising and battling, now on two screens! Utilizes the microphone and touch screen to create monsters
GenesisNew Horizons1994KoeiAKA Uncharted Waters: New Horizons; hope you like boats! Better sound on SNES than this version
SwitchNew Pokemon Snap2021Bandai NamcoIt's a stretch, but there are courses to level up which unlock new routes and Pokemon to candidly capture on camera
SwitchPocket Academy 3 (DL only)2023KairosoftVery much like Pocket Academy Zero, but with a greater range of activities and facilites for students to thrive in
SwitchPocket Academy Zero (DL only)2023KairosoftSee PS4
PS4Pocket Academy Zero (DL only)2023KairosoftIntended to be an entry point into Kairosoft's titles- a game in which you build a school and level up its faculty to help your students flourish
3DSProfessor Layton and the Last Specter2011Level-5/Brownie BrownIncluded due to Professor Layton's London Life, a cute life sim with minimal stats, many (re)quests, and jobs to rank up in
3DSReturn to PoPoLoCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale2016Marvelous/EpicsCombines the light turn-based combat of PoPoLoCrois with the farming of Story of Seasons, resulting in a shallow, modest (but adorable) mix of both
JP FCRPG Jinsei Game1993TakaraMake the correct life choices to increase your stats and achieve your career dreams!
SwitchRPG Time: The Legend of Wright (DL only)2022DeskWorksSee XS
Xbox OneRPG Time: The Legend of Wright (DL only)2022DeskWorksSee XS
PS4RPG Time: The Legend of Wright (DL only)2022DeskWorksSee XS
Xbox SeriesRPG Time: The Legend of Wright (DL only)2022DeskWorksA literal pen-and-paper JRPG with fun gameplay gimmicks of a variety of genres
DSRune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon2008NeverlandGrow your farm and level up, and befriend monsters to hire them as farmhands!
DSRune Factory 3: A Fantasy Harvest Moon2010NeverlandLike the others, but villagers now have a dynamic AI schedule and the ability to delve into dungeons with the player
3DSRune Factory 42013NeverlandThe farming/dungeon exploring/marriage sim returns; crafting new equipment is essential to improving stats, your child can also join you in combat
SwitchRune Factory 4 Special2020Hakama/NeverlandAdds a new difficulty mode and event scenes for your marriage partner of choice post-matrimony; QoL changes present
PS4Rune Factory 4 Special (DL only)2021MarvelousSee Switch
Xbox OneRune Factory 4 Special (DL only)2021MarvelousSee Switch
Xbox SeriesRune Factory 4 Special (DL only)2021MarvelousSee Switch
SwitchRune Factory 52022MarvelousInteresting characters and fun farming/adventuring/courting/crafting gameplay hooks, but poor performance
DSRune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon2007NeverlandNow you get to raise crops and slay monsters!
WiiRune Factory: Frontier2009NeverlandHarvest and dungeon delve, all while trying to prevent a whale island from crashing to the ground!
WiiRune Factory: Tides of Destiny2011NeverlandMore farming and fighting, with some seafaring sprinkled in!
PS4Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin2020EdelweissPart rice-farming simulator, part side-scrolling ARPG, all charm and pretty visuals
SwitchSakuna: Of Rice and Ruin2020EdelweissSee PS4
VitaSarara's Little Shop (PSone Classics)2012Kinotrope/SiestaSee PS3
PSPSarara's Little Shop (PSone Classics)2014Kinotrope/SiestaSee PS3
PS3Sarara's Little Shop (PSone Classics)2014Kinotrope/SiestaAvailable on NA PSN, but left untranslated - combines shop management and dungeoneering elements akin to Recettear
DreamcastSeventh Cross Evolution2000Atypical Alchemists AssociateSpore before Spore - gain evolution points and make your creature!
PSPShepherd's Crossing2010SuccessAdds a few QoL changes but otherwise spiffs up the visuals of the original
PS2Shepherd's Crossing2008SuccessA game much like Harvest Moon in terms of farming, RPG elements are present in the raising and skill-learning of hunting dogs
PS2Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 42008AtlusThe RPG/life sim (of sorts) series continues, this time with a murder mystery theme and an obsession with the color yellow
SwitchStory of Seasons: A Wonderful Life2023MarvelousSee XS
PS5Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life2023MarvelousSee XS
Xbox SeriesStory of Seasons: A Wonderful Life2023MarvelousA remake of Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life with new events, non-gender-locked marriage candidates, tools to upgrade and new ways to farm
Xbox OneStory of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town2021Bullets/MarvelousSee Switch
SwitchStory of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town2020Bullets/MarvelousA remake of Harvest Moon: (More) Friends of Mineral Town with different choices for both male/female protagonists; farming/courtship as usual otherwise
PS4Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town2021Bullets/MarvelousSee Switch
SwitchStory of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town2021MarvelousThe true heir to the Harvest Moon name; this time you help develop a whole town and learn new recipes by increasing your gathering skills
PS4Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town2022MarvelousSee Switch
JP GB+GBCSylvania Families: Otogi no Kuni no Pendant1999EpochMore of a life-sim featuring overly cutesy characters based on a series of animal figurines
PSXTail of the Sun1997ArtdinkBe caveman. Go hunting. Build tower of mammoth bone. More of a life-sim really
SwitchThe Good Life (DL only)2021White Owls Inc.See XS
Xbox OneThe Good Life (DL only)2021White Owls Inc.See XS
Xbox SeriesThe Good Life (DL only)2021White Owls Inc.A Swery jam with murder mysteries, animal transformation, debt to juggle, and personal stats to monitor
PS4The Good Life (DL only)2021White Owls Inc.See XS
Xbox OneThe Smile Alchemist (DL only)2023AsoboxSee XS
Xbox SeriesThe Smile Alchemist (DL only)2023AsoboxKemco comes at you with an alchemy simulator, sans combat, heavy menu-based gameplay with some gathering and support minigames
PS4The Smile Alchemist (DL only)2023AsoboxSee XS
SwitchThe Smile Alchemist (DL only)2023AsoboxSee XS
PS5The Smile Alchemist (DL only)2023AsoboxSee XS
SwitchTumbleweed Destiny (DL only)2023Kimidori SoftYou play as a tumbleweed- and through attacking cacti gain enough TP to increase stats like rolling speed
GenesisUncharted Waters1992KoeiHistorical JRPG
NESUncharted Waters1991KoeiDo you like micromanagement? Capitalism? Minimal fantasy? This may be for you!
SNESUncharted Waters: New Horizons1994Koei6 different protagonists with different careers to balance the books with in a mercantile JRPG
Xbox 360Unholy Heights (DL only)2013Petit DepottoAn insane cross between a tower defense and an apartment manager sim, where you manage an abode for monsters that have their own lives
3DSUnholy Heights (DL only)2017Petit DepottoSee 360
PS4Unholy Heights (DL only)2016Petit DepottoSee 360
JP SFCWonder Project J: Kikai no Shounen Pino1994AlmanicRaise your robo-boy to follow commands, improve his stats, and rescue his creator (Think Pac-Man 2)
SwitchWorldNeverland: Elnea Kingdom (DL only)2018AlthiA slice-of-kingdom-life sim with dungeons to explore and very large amounts of townspeople to talk to/marry; skills can be leveled to make kingdom life easier
SwitchYumeiri (DL only)2021AffilitySimple visuals but challenging text-heavy gameplay with heavy real-life subject matter