The best games like the Sims to play right now

polygon.com:

There’s still not a game out there quite like the Sims.

For over 20 years, the life simulation franchise has dominated its genre. Some similar games have been in development for years (and some like Paradox’s Life By You didn’t make it), but the Sims remains the biggest life simulation series out there.

So, if you’re looking for something like the Sims, it might be a little tricky to find — which is why we recommend really zeroing in on just what it is about the Sims that you like.

Sims players tend to be drawn to one of three big tentpoles of the game:

So no matter what it is about the Sims that you love, we’ve picked out some great games for you to try next.

Where to play: Mac, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One

RimWorld is an extremely customizable game, with a storyteller that spins the tale of your colony. Your job is to help your space colony survive, which includes giving them a nice place to sleep, plenty of food to eat, and toys for entertainment. As more random events happen, and you progress through technology trees, your colonists have more involved wants and needs. You may need to hustle to amputate a limb before an infection overwhelms your colony’s doctor, or make transhumanist technology to appease an aging priest. Managing the mood of each character is crucial to success, as mental breaks can lead to major issues — and even murder. —Cass Marshall

Where to play: Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows PC

Stellaris is my big micromanaging game of choice because I like space. There is a lot to keep track of, but I like games that look like I’m opening up a work spreadsheet. In Stellaris, you basically raise a spacefaring civilization, from the moment they discover space travel to the fall of their empire. You get to pick how your aliens look like, and as you explore the vast expanse of space, you encounter other civilizations, which range from friendly to xenophobic imperialists. You create colonies on new planets, balance your economy, manage