Tabletop Simulator

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Tabletop Simulator is a game that allows you to play and create tabletop games in a virtual environment, with support for single-player, local and online multiplayer, and VR. The base game includes 15 classic games and an RPG kit, and there are thousands of community-created games on the Steam Workshop. It features ingenious mechanics, phenomenal visuals, and plenty of humor, but be aware of bugs and grinding.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
PvP Player versus Player - Fight against other players in real-time, often in arena-style combat
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 27,386 reviews

gameplay60 positive mentions

stability133 negative mentions

gameplay
267 mentions
22 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this simulator is highly versatile and engaging, allowing players to recreate a wide range of tabletop games with intuitive mechanics and a robust physics engine. While there is a learning curve to mastering the controls and some mechanics can be clunky, the ability to script and automate actions significantly enhances the experience, making it a fun platform for both casual and serious gamers. Overall, it offers endless possibilities for gameplay, especially when played with friends, and serves as an excellent tool for testing and exploring new game mechanics.
- “The mechanics are intuitive and make it very easy to play a wide range of games.”
- “Whether you're playing solo, with friends, or joining online communities to meet new players, Tabletop Simulator offers a platform where you can immerse yourself in hours upon hours of engaging gameplay.”
- “The game's physics engine and graphics can be a bit inconsistent and glitchy at times, which can be jarring during gameplay.”
- “The mechanics take some getting used to; but this is an excellent alternative to playing physical board games with your friends.”
- “It's not very easy to get into the mechanics; at first, it will be frustrating that you can't use your hands, but not to worry, you can always flip the table or cheat and blame others!”
graphics
196 mentions
36 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many users noting that while they are generally good and run well on various systems, they can also be demanding on hardware and occasionally glitchy. Some players appreciate the aesthetic and detail, especially in community-created content, while others criticize the dated visuals and performance issues, particularly on lower-end machines. Overall, the graphics are deemed satisfactory for a tabletop simulator, but there is room for improvement in optimization and visual fidelity.
- “The graphics are good too, and modeling details, even on the low end of things, are pretty fricken neat!”
- “The game's graphics and physics are also impressive, with realistic 3D models and physics-based mechanics that make the games feel incredibly immersive.”
- “Great graphics that work from low-tier to high-end computers and countless hours of fun.”
- “The interface is clunky as hell, the graphics are terrible (I know it's old, but it's been terrible for a while), and the VR implementation??”
- “The graphics are elementary.”
- “However, the graphics, sound effects, and user interface are very dated, and it just doesn't look like they've spent much effort on updating it and making it more capable.”
humor
188 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its ability to create hilarious moments, especially when played with friends. Many reviews mention the comedic potential of game mechanics, such as flipping tables and the chaotic physics that lead to unexpected and funny situations. Overall, the game is described as a source of endless laughter, making it a great choice for social gaming experiences.
- “A very funny fun game.”
- “Hilarious fun with board games with friends across the world.”
- “This game is super funny!”
- “Well, I made a review I thought was funny but was not funny at all, so here you go, I like the game.”
- “Not funny”
stability
143 mentions
6 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is frequently criticized, with many users reporting various bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these problems, others express frustration over its unreliability and the need for significant polishing. Overall, while the game offers a unique platform for tabletop gaming, its stability remains a notable concern for many users.
- “The game runs great both in VR and PC.”
- “Runs great and multiplayer is flawless.”
- “The game is rather bug free now and the server system is great.”
- “Most of the game is pretty buggy and from what I read online, the developer is inactive with this title.”
- “When joining a server, it either immediately glitches out or only partially loads, making it completely unplayable.”
- “It's a buggy, laggy mess created with some horrible spaghetti code that is gradually getting better as time goes on... I think.”
music
102 mentions
8 % positive mentions
86 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the ability to import their own songs and use an in-game tablet for streaming music, which enhances the gaming experience. However, the default in-game music, particularly the main menu track, is often criticized as annoying or unappealing. Overall, while the customizability of music is a highlight, the built-in options leave much to be desired.
- “Impossible to be sad while the menu music is playing.”
- “I just want to say that this game, in my opinion, has the greatest main menu soundtrack I have ever had the pleasure of listening to.”
- “The game allows for animated miniatures, music, all kinds of effects, and you can even drop in digital tablets to use that have full web functionality.”
- “The in-game music player will reset and require you to upload your own songs again each time you load a new game unless you saved it.”
- “Main menu music sucks. It's been quite some time since I wrote this, and I now see the immaturity of this initial review. The main menu music does not suck; it is absolute trash.”
- “Title screen music needs a change; it's way too 'royalty-free 2017 family YouTuber background' sounding.”
story
87 mentions
9 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The reviews for the "story" aspect of the game are mixed, with many users noting a lack of a traditional narrative, often describing it as having "no story" or being akin to playing games like chess without a storyline. However, some players appreciate the lore and storytelling potential within the game, highlighting its engaging graphics and the ability to create custom narratives, particularly in tabletop RPG settings. Overall, while some find the story compelling, many feel it falls short or is non-existent.
- “Come for the catgirls, stay for the story and lore.”
- “Overall just incredible gameplay, storylines, and voice acting.”
- “This game is absolutely amazing, the story is one of my most favorite parts of this wonderful epic.”
- “☑ no story”
- “The story sucks and there's no battle royale mode.”
- “If you want something more involved or story driven, then look for something else.”
optimization
79 mentions
35 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users noting significant performance issues, particularly on Mac systems and when handling numerous assets. While some players report smooth gameplay and improvements over time, others highlight frequent crashes, lag, and a need for better optimization, especially in VR mode. Overall, while the game can run adequately on various systems, it still requires further refinement to enhance the user experience.
- “Over the years, the developers have added many features and optimized the game a lot.”
- “The game runs smoothly, has many great tools, and provides the fun ability to flip the table if things are not going your way.”
- “And with the recent optimizations with the game, it has become butter smooth, no connection issues, and super fast to boot up.”
- “This game is terribly optimized and constantly crashes while also not working as intended.”
- “The game constantly lags and kicks you out if you're a Mac user, and you cannot use it and a Discord voice chat at the same time without long loading times for the Discord VC. This game needs to be optimized for macOS for real.”
- “The biggest issue I've had with the game is that it loses performance the more assets are imported into any given table.”
grinding
57 mentions
5 % positive mentions
19 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a mixed experience with grinding in the game, where automation and scripting significantly reduce tedious tasks like setup and scoring, making gameplay smoother and more enjoyable. However, some users still find certain aspects, such as navigating complex controls or dealing with uncooperative players, to be tedious and time-consuming. Overall, while the modding community enhances the experience by alleviating some grind, players may still encounter moments of frustration that can lead to burnout.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I found the game very tedious and painful to navigate; would not recommend.”
- “As a very experienced computer gamer, I found it extremely tedious to use; there's no way I'd consider introducing casual gamers to this as a mechanism to play a board game - the pandemic just won't last long enough to get a game finished!”
- “The movement of the camera is slow and tedious; you can save camera views by using the Ctrl key followed by a number (Ctrl + 1 saves camera #1), then you can quickly return to that camera view using Shift + 1.”
replayability
50 mentions
46 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, often described as "infinite" or "endless," largely due to its extensive modding community and the vast library of user-generated content available through the Steam workshop. Players can customize rules and game setups, ensuring that each session feels unique, making it an ideal platform for testing various tabletop games. While some users note potential limitations without the workshop, the overall consensus is that the replay value is remarkably high, making it a worthwhile investment for tabletop enthusiasts.
- “Furthermore, the ability to modify rules, tweak game setups, and experiment with different variations ensures that no two sessions are alike, extending the replay value significantly.”
- “The extensive library of user-generated content and the ability to import custom assets further enhance the game's replay value.”
- “Very good game and has an unlimited amount of replay value with many various games on the Steam workshop.”
- “A decent game, but after the first 10 hours or so, there isn't much replay value.”
- “I will say that its replay value, without the workshop, has potential to be limited, but overall I can highly recommend playing this with a few friends.”
- “The mods in the Steam workshop give this game a lot of variety and replayability as well as the tools for anyone to create their own games.”
emotional
18 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of nostalgia, humor, and community connection, with players expressing joy and heartwarming experiences while engaging in board games. Many reviews highlight the wholesome nature of the community, contrasting it with the potential for emotional turmoil, as some players reflect on personal struggles and past memories. Overall, the game fosters a sense of camaraderie and fun, making it a meaningful outlet for social interaction, especially during challenging times.
- “This however gave me an existential crisis and I cried, and then I remembered my girlfriend left me and I cried more, and now I’m writing this review at the top of my roof.”
- “I'm writing this because anyone who has played this 'game' knows how heartbreaking that above line of text is, and how anyone considering buying this needs to know this isn't just a physics sandbox.”
- “It's been a long time since a game has genuinely made me feel happy.”
atmosphere
16 mentions
44 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its ability to recreate the feel of in-person tabletop gaming, offering a variety of environments and backgrounds that enhance the experience. Users appreciate the cozy and welcoming ambiance, which is particularly valuable for connecting with friends during lockdowns. While it cannot fully replace the physical experience, it provides a strong alternative for enjoying board games and RPGs online, with user-friendly features that contribute to an engaging and atmospheric gameplay experience.
- “The game also provides a variety of different environments and tabletop backgrounds, allowing players to enjoy different atmospheres and visual experiences.”
- “With its user friendliness, endless variety of DLC and workshop content, and superb physics, it is as close as you can get to the atmosphere and general feel of a true board game session.”
- “The game can never replace the atmosphere of playing at a real table with your friends around you, hanging out, eating snacks and socializing.”
- “The atmosphere is what I would say is the only real benefit to playing this way over playing a physical game.”
- “Overall, the atmosphere of the game is very cozy, and you don't really feel unwelcome.”
monetization
15 mentions
13 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
87 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn mixed reviews, with some users appreciating the availability of free DLC and the potential for advertising licensed games, while others criticize the frequent in-app purchases and perceived cash grabs. Many feel that the lack of quality control and transparency in advertising leads to a frustrating experience, especially when it comes to accessing previously purchased content. Overall, while the game serves as a platform for playing various board games, its monetization practices may alienate some players.
- “There are other options for playing games online, of course: most games have dedicated app versions these days, but if you've already paid for the physical game, the idea of effectively buying the game all over again is frustrating, especially with the frequent implementations of in-app purchases for expansions and extra content that may or may not carry over between platforms.”
- “They're also gradually locking people out of playing certain games via microtransactions, which is a significant concern for the future of this application.”
- “The game is lit af but the DLC policy definitely feels like a capitalist cash grab.”
- “There are other options for playing games online, of course: most games have dedicated app versions these days, but if you've already paid for the physical game, the idea of effectively buying the game all over again rankles (not to mention the frequent implementations of in-app purchases for expansions/extra art/etc, which may or may not carry from one game platform to another).”
- “They're also gradually locking people out of playing certain games via microtransactions, which is the cancer that's going to kill this lousy application.”