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.
 Game Title |
 Windows (2009) In City Bus Simulator 2010: New York the player takes control over Carlos who is a bus driver who just... |
 PlayStation 2 (2001) City Crisis is a helicopter rescue game. Your goal in this game is to move your chopper from accident to... |
 Windows (2006) City Life is another take on the old city building genre. Like SimCity, it requires you to build a functioning... |
 Nintendo DS (2008) City Life DS is the Nintendo DS version of the City Life Windows game, a city building game similar to... |
 Windows (2007) In this second expansion of City Life, 60 new buildings and 10 new maps are added. In addition, real satellite... |
 Windows (2006) This first expansion to the game City Life includes a few extras. In addition to the 100 new buildings and... |
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 Browser (2010) CityVille is a social game on Facebook. The goal in the game is to found and grow a city. The... |
Browser (2012) CityVille 2 is a social game on social networks, a sequel to CityVille. The goal in the game is to... |
Browser (2014) A minimalist mash-up between Candy Clicker and Civilization, this game tasks the player with building a triumphal society by clicking... |
 Windows (2005) Civil Air Patrol is an add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004.It adds the following aircrafts:Cessna... |
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 Windows (1999) Civilization 2 returns with all new adventures to complete. Included is the original Civilization 2, which now extends into the... |
DOS (1983) and Commodore PET/CBM (1978) Civil War is a war strategy simulation. You play as the confederacy in the American Civil War, and need to... |
Browser (2007) The only game that Homestar Runner is allowed to play, Clapping Party made its debut in the Strong Bad e-mail... |
Gizmondo (2005) This is the first of two board game compilations released for the Gizmondo. It contains five traditional board games: Chess,... |
Gizmondo (2005) The second collection of board games for the Gizmondo. This one has a more eastern approach than the first one.... |
 Apple II (1982), Atari 8-bit (1982) and TRS-80 (1982) From a time when the best graphics a computer game offered were on the front cover of the box, Avalon... |
 Windows (1999) Yet another Real Time Strategy game... Yet another WWII game... but unlike most WWII games, this one takes place on... |
 Windows (2000) On June 6th, 1944 the combined forces of the United States, Great Britain, Canada and France launched the greatest amphibious... |
 Windows (1999) Relive the infamous Battle of the Bulge as the Germans or Americans. This entry, fourth in the Close Combat series,... |
 Windows (2005) Have you ever wanted to fly amongst the clouds? In the skies above a series of small islands you will... |
 Commodore 64 (1984), ZX Spectrum (1984), MSX (1986), Amstrad CPC (1986) and BBC Micro (1986) Cluedo is a version of the popular Waddington's board game known as Clue in the U.S.A.The game is a detective... |
 DOS (1994), Amiga (1994) and Amiga CD32 (1994) You play Matt Stuvysant, a man of Polish descent and criminal persuasion. You arrive in London with nothing but the... |
MobyRank
Top games by as rated by the press:
- 97 Alter Ego
- 95 Wing Commander
- 95 Gran Turismo
- 92 Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger
- 92 Slam Tilt
- 92 Rock Band
- 92 Guitar Hero II
- 92 Guitar Hero
- 92 Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec
- 92 Gran Turismo 2
Games must have at least a MobyRank of 80 to be considered.
MobyScore
Top games by as rated by our users:
- 5.00 1942: The Pacific Air War Scenario (1995)
- 4.72 Aces: The Complete Collector's Edition (1995)
- 4.61 Air Warrior (1990)
- 4.61 Air Warrior (1992)
- 3.71 A-Train (1990)
- 5.00 A-Train (1995)
- 5.00 Bassin's Black Bass (1994)
- 5.00 Best Before (2010)
- 5.00 BFRIS Zero Gravity Fighter Combat (1999)
- 4.56 Black Gold (1991)
Games must have at least 1 votes and a MobyScore of 4.0 to be considered.
Basic Genres
Simulation is part of Basic Genres. This group of genres contain:
