Simulation
Description
Simulation games are created with the goal of putting the player in control of a certain activity while attempting to make it as realistic as possible.
In the strictest sense of the word, all electronic games are simulations, since they cannot exist without simulating aspects of real life. However, simulation genre only includes games that
focus (entirely or mostly) on imitating real-life activities. That does not mean that simulation games must be completely realistic; for example,
space combat simulation games simulate an activity that is (yet) unknown to human beings. The distinguishing feature of simulation games is their emphasis on realism and detail comparable to those encountered in real life.
Most simulation games are not story-driven, since they concentrate on describing general activities, not concrete situations. Among notable exceptions are
Wing Commander games, which combine space combat simulation with a continuous narrative.
Simulation themes vary greatly; theoretically, they are limited only by the amount of activities known to human beings. Simulation themes include, for example,
traffic networks,
medical care,
romance,
music, and many others.
Simulation games can be roughly divided into five main groups:
- Managerial simulations put the player in a position of a manager or a similar role.
- Construction simulations primarily involve building, for example cities.
- Life simulations may deal with human life or life in general.
- Professional / Social simulations are dedicated to specific social activities and professions.
- Vehicle simulations allow the player direct control of a vehicle with a certain sense of realism, for example plane, space ship, tank, etc.
Simulation can also be used as a modifier for other genres, for example Strategy (realistic re-creation of historical battles), Racing / Driving (particularly realistic vehicle-handling, tuning, repair, etc.), or Sports (team management, training, trading, etc.).
 Game Title |
Genesis (1991) This simulation puts you in the cockpit of the F-22. You can choose from 3 difficulty settings and fly strike... |
Windows (1999) Take to the skies with NovaLogic's latest version of their best-selling flight sim F-22 Lightning 3. Connect and play with... |
Windows (1996) and DOS (1996) Yet another simulation of the yet to enter service F-22, probably the most advanced fighter of the world. As with... |
Windows (1997) F-22 is another sim-lite game, as it was made for non-simmers. The game lets you fly missions in various areas... |
DOS (1990), Atari ST (1990), Amiga (1989), PC-98 (1992) and FM Towns (1993) This flight simulator puts you in the cockpit of either the F-22 or the fictional F-29.Choose from four campaigns with... |
Dreamcast (2000) and PlayStation 2 (2002) Get behind the wheel of one of the most worlds most prestigious cars, the F355 Ferrari, in this conversion of... |
Windows (2008) F-4F Phantom: Ultimate Edition is an add-on to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 and Microsoft Flight Simulator X. It is modeled... |
Windows (2000) Take the F/A-18E Super Hornet to the skies in this detailed carrier aircraft simulation. Fully clickable cockpit, accurate avionics suite,... |
Windows (2000) Compilation including Digital Integration's F/A-18E Super Hornet + Add-On:
F/A-18E Super Hornet
F/A-18E Super Hornet: The Albanian Campaign |
Windows (2000) A mission pack for the F/A-18E Super Hornet, adding a campaign consisting of 20 missions taking place in Balkan country,... |
Macintosh (1993) The first of the "F/A-18 Hornet" series, this flight simulator was among the most realistic available for the Macintosh at... |
Macintosh (1995) F/A-18 Hornet 2.0 is a realistic jet fighter simulation of the Navy and Marine Corps F-18A built by McDonnell Aircraft.... |
Windows (1997) and Macintosh (1997) F/A-18 Hornet 3.0 is a serious simulation of the figther's capabilities: Air Superiority and Ground Attack from both land and... |
Amiga (1988) F/A-18 Interceptor is a flight simulator in which you can fly either a F-16 Falcon or a F/A-18 Hornet jet.... |
Windows (1997) and Macintosh (1998) F/A-18 Korea is the successor of F/A-18 Hornet 3.0 and simulates the F/A-18C/D Hornet dual-purpose fighter and strike aircraft. The... |
Macintosh (2005) and Windows (2005) F/A-18 Operation Desert Storm is the successor to F/A-18 Korea. It features a campaign with 27 unrelated missions set in... |
Windows (2001) F/A-18 Precision Strike Fighter puts you in the cockpit of a tough and powerful plane, armed from a wide selection.... |
Commodore 64 (1983) You're just cruising along one day in your space ship when you are contacted by some security guy who demands... |
CD-i (1992) Face Kitchen allows players to cook up faces. In Uby the French chef's kitchen players will find an abundance of... |
Amiga (1991) and Atari ST (1991) The action in this ice hockey game is viewed from a side-scrolling perspective with a semi-3D effect. The puck loosely... |
DOS (1991) Facing the Empire is an interstellar space war simulator. As a Lyran you must protect your Star Bases from the... |
Amstrad CPC (1986), ZX Spectrum (1986) and Commodore 64 (1986) F.A. Cup Football is officially licensed by the English F.A, and lets you lead your English club side to the... |
Windows (2008) This driving simulator lets players take three different cars to the streets of a fictitious German city and its surroundings.... |
Windows (2003) Fly six different combat helicopters: the American AH-64A Apache, the American RAH-66 Comanche, the French/German PAH-2 Tiger, the Russian KA-50... |
Macintosh (2007) and Windows (2007) The legendary Fairy Tower stood silent since ancient times in its site, with four gates for water, earth, light and... |
