At long last, it’s finally here – the weekend! The sun is shining (hopefully), you’ve got a kitchen full of tasty gaming snacks, and you’re looking for the next great game to play. That’s where we come in!
Life Sims are the perfect way to escape your everyday and that’s why we can’t think of a better way to spend this weekend other than losing yourself in some relaxing, vibrant life sim gameplay. To spark your inspiration, we’ve put together this list of our favourite life sims, along with our top PC and laptop recommendations to match.
The Sims 4:
Let your imagination run wild in The Sims 4. Everyone’s favourite life sim franchise, The Sims allows you to freely create and customise the look, house, and life experiences of your Sims. Regret how your real life turned out? Well, now you can create yourself and live out your criminal mastermind, celebrity, or interstellar dreams. The possibilities are endless.
Official PC System Specifications:
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel 3 3220 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 |
| Memory | 4GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 6600 or AMD Radeon X1300 | NVIDIA GTX 650 or AMD Radeon 7750 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Network | Broadband Internet Connection required | Broadband Internet Connection required |
| Storage | 26GB available space | 26GB available space |
Top PC to Play The Sims 4:
OcUK Gaming Firefly Plus Configurable PC:
The OcUK Gaming Firefly Plus comes packed with all the essential gaming hardware you need to enjoy playing The Sims 4. This includes an Intel i5 12400F CPU, for fast processing speeds and multitasking. The NVIDIA RTX 3060 GPU renders all your favourite life sims in stunning realistic quality with smooth frame rates for greater immersion. Plus, with a 500GB SSD and optional add-on drive, you’ll have plenty of storage space for your gaming library, creative projects, and much more!
Since this PC is completely configurable, you can adjust the base hardware specification to ensure it meets your individual preferences, favourite games, and gameplay style. This includes customising the PC case, CPU, memory, graphics card, operating system, and adding up to two SSDs.
OcUK Gaming Firefly Plus
- Configurable gaming PC
- As standard includes an Intel i5 12400F CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3060
- Up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM
- Flexible storage options available
Coral Island:
Currently in early access, Coral Island is a brand-new life sim all about starting over on an idyllic island. Become your true self by creating the farm of your dreams, tending crops and raising animals, along with building bonds with the natural world. You must help to re-build the nearby town, protect its vital coral reefs, and forge relationships with the island inhabitants. Who knows you might even find your special someone.
Official PC System Specifications:
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel i3 or equivalent | Intel i7 or equivalent |
| Memory | 6GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or equivalent | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or equivalent |
| DirectX | Version 10 | Version 10 |
| Storage | 8GB available space | 8GB available space |
Top PC to Play Coral Island:
OcUK Gaming Kalis Configurable PC:
Become transported to the vibrant coral reefs in Coral Island with the OcUK Gaming Kalis PC. Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 5500 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3060, enjoy seamless performance in both single- and multi-threaded tasks, along with enhanced Ray Tracing and AI capabilities. Plus, with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, wave goodbye to pesky slow loading times and enjoy near-zero input lag.
What’s more, as the OcUK Gaming Kalis is a configurable PC, you can upgrade the graphics card, opt for further storage drives, or even add a Wi-Fi adapter card.
OcUK Gaming Kalis
- Configurable gaming PC
- As standard includes an AMD Ryzen 5 5500 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3060
- 16GB of DDR4 RAM
- Flexible storage drives available
Disney Dreamlight Valley:
Disney Dreamlight Valley is a magical life simulator in which you can become your dream Disney princess or villain. The once idyllic Dreamlight Valley has become corrupted by the Forgetting, wiping all traces of magic and harmony. It’s up to you to uncover the mystery of what happened, solve puzzles, work to restore the Valley, and forge new friendships with your favourite Disney and Pixar characters.
Disney Dreamlight Valley gets new and exciting updates released regularly, including adding Mirabel from Encanto and Simba from The Lion King!
Disney Dreamlight Valley was fully released December 2023, with a new DLC to boot! Check out our in-depth look into the whole game.
Official PC System Specifications:
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel i3 540 or AMD Phenom II X4 940 | Intel i5 4690 or AMD Ryzen 3 1300X |
| Memory | 6GB RAM | 6GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT or AMD Radeon HD 6570 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon R9 380 |
| DirectX | Version 10 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 10GB available space | 10GB available space |
Top PC to Play Disney Dreamlight Valley:
Refract Gaming Jade Pre-built PC:
A part of the Refract Gaming range, the Jade pre-built system has been designed for mid-tier gaming and budding content creators. Built with only high-quality cherry-picked hardware, this PC comes equipped with both an AMD Ryzen 7 7700 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti GPU. Utilise the Zen 4 architecture for blisteringly-fast performance and seamless multitasking. What’s more, the RTX 4060 Ti will render all your magical adventures across the Valley in stunning photo-realistic quality, with buttery-smooth frame rates.
In addition to all of this, every PC in the Refract Gaming range includes a three-year warranty, which covers parts and labour. Whilst this won’t cover any accidental losses caused by a deep sea Ursula curse or a tight fitted glass slipper, it will protect your PC in case of any much-needed repairs.
Refract Gaming Jade
- Pre-built gaming PC
- Designed for mid-tier gaming and budding content creators
- Includes an AMD Ryzen 7 7700 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti GPU
- 32GB DDR5 RAM
Stardew Valley:
Everyone’s favourite farming and life simulator, Stardew Valley transports players to the once prosperous Pelican Town. Escape from the hustle and bustle of the Joja Corporation by restoring your Grandpa’s Farm. Tend crops, raise animals, explore a vibrant natural world, build friendships with the local villagers, and help rebuild the valley back to what it once was.
Official PC System Specifications:
| Minimum | |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows Vista or higher |
| Processor | 2GHz CPU |
| Memory | 2GB RAM |
| Graphics | GPU with at least 256MB video memory |
| DirectX | Version 10 |
| Storage | 500MB available space |
Top PC to Play Stardew Valley:
Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop:
The Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop is perfect for playing Stardew Valley and all your other favourite life sims on the go! Harness the AMD Ryzen 7 6800H CPU, for ultra-fast performance in single- and multi-threaded tasks alike, perfect for both high-speed work and play! Plus, unlock stunning realistic graphics and immersive gameplay, thanks to the NVIDIA RTX 3060 GPU. This is enhanced further by the 15.6’’ FHD display, with refresh rates of up to 165Hz. Enjoy silky-smooth frame rates and high-res visuals.
Lastly, with a 512GB M.2 SSD, and an additional spare slot, you will have all the storage space you need for your favourite life sims, music, videos, and much more!
Lenovo Legion 5
- 15.6” FHD display
- Up to 165Hz refresh rates
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800H CPU
- NVIDIA RTX 3060 GPU
- 16GB of DDR5 RAM
My Time at Portia:
In My Time at Portia, kickstart your new tranquil life in the town of Portia. Tasked with restoring your Pa’s neglected workshop, you must grow crops, tend animals, fulfil commissions, and befriend the vibrant locals. However, that’s not all. There are huge deep ancient ruins and dungeons waiting for you to explore and gather resources but be sure to bring a weapon with you!
The sequel to Portia, My Time At Sandrock, was fully released in November 2023. We got a review copy of the game and had oodles of fun playing the next instalment of the My Time Series.
Official PC System Specifications:
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7-10 | Windows 7-10 |
| Processor | Intel i3 CPU or equivalent | Intel i7 CPU or equivalent |
| Memory | 6GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or AMD 7770 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or equivalent |
| DirectX | Version 10 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 6GB available space | 10GB available space |
Top PC to Play My Time at Portia:
ASUS ROG Strix G15 Gaming Laptop:
With the ASUS ROG Strix G15 Laptop, you’ll have everything you need to enjoy tending animals and raising crops in My Time at Portia. This includes an AMD Ryzen R7 6800HS, up to 16GB DDR4 RAM and NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU. Enjoy high-speed performance, reliable loading times, seamless multitasking, and immersive gameplay thanks to built-in support for Real-Time Ray Tracing and AI DLSS. All of which is kept cool and quiet by the integrated ASUS ROG Intelligent Cooling thermal system. A blend of liquid metal and fans help to effectively dissipate heat away from the vital components, keeping temperatures down to a minimum.
Lastly, take advantage of the 15.6’’ FHD display with refresh rates of up to 144Hz, for buttery-smooth frame rates and fast response times.
ASUS ROG Strix G15
- 15.6” FHD display
- Up to 144Hz refresh rates
- AMD Ryzen R7 6800HS CPU
- NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU
- Up to 16GB DDR4 RAM
Your Weekend Plans?
What are you getting up to this weekend? Will you be relaxing with any of these life sims? Be sure to let us know in the comments down below.
PC specs are subject to change.
- 8 min read
Ruth Rowley
Author
Ruth has been with Overclockers UK for over a year and has gone on to write about everything ranging from in-depth hardware guides to monthly game releases.
Outside of writing blog posts, she can be found wrapped in a blanket with her black cat, engrossed in a book or playing life-simulation games such as The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing.
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