Simulation video games or SIM games come in many forms. The most notable forms are world or nation building games, dating simulations, hybrid games, various business simulators and historical war simulations. The basic premise of SIM video games is that they simulate some part of life, even if that part of life does not yet exist or has not existed for a very long time.
With that in mind, here are a few simulation video games reviewed for passionate gamers to showcase the genre and expand your gamer knowledge.

1) The SIMS Medieval
The latest iteration of the SIMS simulation video games franchise as of the year 2011 takes place in the middle ages. This edition of the game includes a few never before used concepts in the SIMS franchise. A developed quest system, as well as an overarching kingdom motivation concept exists.
The game progresses in the normal SIMS manner for large portions of it. However, on occasion quests pop up that need to be completed. Some of these quests include preparations for a royal wedding or defeating an evil sorcerer that threatens the kingdom.
This departure from the primary life-building concept of the SIMS provides greater depth to the world via the kingdom management system and the aforementioned quests. Initially it will release on the PC and the MAC, however it is not likely that console versions of the game will take long to arrive afterward.

2) Harvest Moon 3D: The Tale of Two Towns
This delightful tale of two farming towns that begins on friendly terms then become bitter rivals is the latest iteration of the world famous Harvest Moon line of games. The entire premise of this franchise of simulation video games is farming with a side order of love just like the other games in the series. However, the addition of three-dimensional visuals and the rivalry aspect of the game make it quite interesting. Passionate gamers that are well acquainted with the franchise may find that the new visuals, music, and storyline will draw them back to the old tool shed to sharpen their hoes and fill their water cans. There is farming to do people!
Gamers that are new to the franchise might want to consider the subtlety of game play. The Harvest Moon franchise is where the farming game craze began. Many games have tried to copy it, including well-known facebook apps such as farmville. The difference is that with Harvest Moon 3D: The Tale of Two Towns, you control the ultimate destiny of your little farming world.

3) The Sims 3: Pets
The Sims genre may have calmed a bit over the years, there is still a demand for more Sims games. An example is The Sims 3: Pets that boasts the amazing customisation that you have come to expect from the series, while adding enough new content to keep long time fans happy.
The best thing about the Sims series is that you can play the game the way you want and create your own unique characters. Want to be nice and friendly? Then go ahead and do it. Want to play like a jerk? Well the game has you covered there as well. As this is called The Sims 3: Pets you would expect that there to be some kind of animal element.
Lastly, this video game is a ton of fun. The amount of tools at your disposal to create your ultimate pet is quite staggering. You can create a nice and loving dog who likes to help his owner solve mysteries. Or you can create a creepy looking cat that looks like he is after world domination. The world is really yours to do as you wish in The Sims 3: Pets.

4) Catherine
These charming little simulation video games follow the pattern of the dating SIM game. However, charming might not be the appropriate term for this video game. The titular character is part of a love triangle that includes the main character and his long time girl friend. The main character in this treacherous love triangle has to deal with his commitment issues as well as the night of drunken debauchery he embarked on with the aforementioned Catherine. The game is available on both the PS3 and the Xbox 360. Few dating SIMS make their way to American shores due to the nature of those products and SIM game reviews for them are few and far between at present. With that in mind, consider whether or not you are the kind of person that is itching to play the part of a man who is stuck in a love triangle while dealing with the 'horrors of love'. If a break from zombie hunting or farming is in order, then give Catherine a try.
These simulation video games setting combines simulation and puzzle game concepts to help showcase the confusion the main character feels. The puzzles range from sheep men nightmares to climbing a puzzle tower. The rest of the video game is a story driven concept wherein the main character has to deal with people around him.

5) Rocksmith
There are many types of simulation video games on the market. One of the best genres of SIM games to come out in recent years is the music genre. Over time, this genre developed to the point that people began to try and develop ways to use real instruments with these games.
It was not until the advent of the game Rocksmith that a true plug-in play system for learning the guitar existed in a dynamic attention-grabbing manner. While other simulation video games in the genre such as Rockband 3 have a pro mode or use a midi input for learning to play the guitar, they also used specialized guitars for that purpose. With Rocksmith videogames, any electric guitar can be plugged in and used to play or master the guitar.
Rocksmith is both a game and a guitar tutorial that allows players to actively learn the basics of playing the guitar with a real instrument. When the player steps away from SIM videogames of this type, they will have developed actual instrumental skills. The variable difficulty settings allow passionate gamers to use the video game to learn anything from the basics of fingering and frets to playing some truly awesome songs. Music on the play list varies, but some of the notable talent includes David Bowie, Nirvana, and The Rolling Stones.
One of the best features of simulation video games such as this is the ability to learn real skills. With Rocksmith, the game play learning functions are taken a step farther so that the player can learn to play without looking at the television or computer screen.

6) X-Com Enemy Unknown
Truth is that X-Com Enemy Unknown could be in the war video games genre section for the story does center on fighting off an alien invasion, but that is doing the game a huge disservice as X-Com Enemy Unknown is far more than that. Therefore is part of the simulation video games genre.
A reboot of a classic game on the PC and original Playstation, X-Com Enemy Unknown will set you up in the role of a secret organisation to fight off an alien threat threatening to destroy the whole world. How you do this is what sets this game apart.
Yes X-Com is full of action, but the simulation aspects make it a great game. You are in full control of the X-Com unit. You manage everything about it ranging from incoming attacks to dealing with countries to negotiate funding to buy and develop new weapons. It is important that you budget your resources and make crucial decisions on money spent.
You will find with X-Com Enemy Unknown that every little decisions matters. Managing your time has to be balanced with making very tough choices. If you like your Sims games to have a little action and sci-fi feel plus a challenge, then this is the game for you.

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