The best simulation and management games on sale

Few genres reward patience and tinkering like simulation and management. These four let you build, rule and micromanage to your heart's content, and most drop nicely in sales.

Rule your own island

Tropico 4 casts you as El Presidente of a Caribbean banana republic, juggling the economy, politics and your own ego. It's warm, funny and deep enough to keep you scheming for hours. As an older title, it's usually only a few dollars.

Live a second life

The Sims 3 remains a beloved life simulator, letting you guide households through careers, relationships and beautifully chaotic everyday drama across an open neighbourhood. It's frequently discounted, so watch for a dip near its all-time low.

Build a metropolis

Cities: Skylines II is the modern go-to city-builder, with detailed traffic, zoning and economy systems for players who love watching a metropolis grow from a single road. Check its current price and all-time low on its page before buying.

Evolve a species

SPORE is a wonderfully ambitious oddity, taking you from a single cell to a spacefaring civilisation across distinct gameplay stages, with a delightful creature creator that lets you shape your species along the way. No single stage is as deep as a dedicated sim, but the sheer sweep of it is unlike anything else. It's an older game, so it's often heavily discounted.

Buying tips

• Older sims discount hard — patience pays off here.
• Always check the current price and all-time low before buying.
• Watch for complete or deluxe editions that bundle in expansions.

In the mood for something gentler? See our best cozy relaxing games, and for wider bargains, our best PC game deals right now. Browse everything on our live deals page.