Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: X-Plane 11, which both open world and atmospheric.
- Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition is tagged Simulation, Flight, Realistic, Multiplayer, Open World, VR, Singleplayer, Real-Time by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
- 2 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
X-Plane 11
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Flight and Realistic.
The future of flight simulation is now! X-Plane 11 is the detailed, realistic, and modern simulator you’ve been waiting for. Intuitive user interface, 3-D cockpits, new effects, 3-D sound, living airports and world-wide scenery.
X-Plane 11 at a glance Released 2017 Studio Laminar Research Player sentiment 93% positive of 20,259 Price $29.99 SimulationFlightRealisticVRPhysicsFamily FriendlyBeautifulController
- 2
City Car Driving
Why it matched: both open world, horror and psychological; shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and VR.
City Car Driving – realistic car driving simulator, which will help you master the basic skills of the car driving in various traffic conditions, with plunging into the environment most closely resembling the real one.
City Car Driving at a glance Released 2016 Studio Forward Development, Ltd. Player sentiment 83% positive of 36,073 Price $24.99 SimulationRealisticVRPhysicsFamily FriendlyPsychological Horror
- 3
Professional Fishing
Why it matched: both open world, horror, psychological and atmospheric; shares 4 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and Family Friendly.
Are you falling asleep with a rod? Never again! Professional Fishing will never let you fall asleep! Play an amazing fishing simulator and feel like a real angler! Create your own fishing club and compete with others!
Professional Fishing at a glance Released 2018 Studio MasterCode Player sentiment 76% positive of 4,260 Price Free SimulationRealisticFamily FriendlyPsychological Horror
- 4
Outer Wilds
Why it matched: both open world, horror, psychological and atmospheric; shares 4 player tags including Beautiful, Psychological Horror and Epic.
Named Game of the Year 2019 by Giant Bomb, Polygon, Eurogamer, and The Guardian, Outer Wilds is a critically-acclaimed and award-winning open world mystery about a solar system trapped in an endless time loop.
Outer Wilds at a glance Released http Studio Mobius Digital Player sentiment 96% positive of 107,214 Price $14.99 BeautifulPsychological HorrorEpicSimulation
- 5
Only Up
Why it matched: both open world, horror, psychological and atmospheric; shares 3 player tags including Psychological Horror, Physics and Simulation; released around the same time (2023).
You are a young teenage Jackie from the ghetto who wants to get out of poverty and embark on a journey of learning about the world and yourself. The world has definitely gone crazy, though it has never been normal, but maybe now is the chance for you. Crisis is a time for action and decisive steps...
Only Up at a glance Released 2023 Studio Indiesolodev Player sentiment 73% positive of 14,972 Price Not listed Psychological HorrorPhysicsSimulation
- 6
GhostWire: Tokyo
Why it matched: both open world, horror, psychological and atmospheric; shares 3 player tags including Surreal, Realistic and Psychological Horror; released around the same time (2022).
Tokyo's population has vanished, and deadly supernatural forces prowl the streets. Use an arsenal of elemental abilities to unravel the truth behind the disappearance and save Tokyo.
GhostWire: Tokyo at a glance Released 2022 Studio Tango Gameworks Player sentiment 83% positive of 21,047 Price $59.99 SurrealRealisticPsychological Horror
- 7
ABZU
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Colorful, Beautiful and Family Friendly.
From the art director of Journey®, ABZÛ is a beautiful underwater adventure that evokes the dream of diving. Immerse yourself in a vibrant hidden world bursting with color and life as you descend into the heart of the ocean. But beware as you swim deeper as dangers lurk in the depths.
ABZU at a glance Released 2016 Studio Giant Squid Player sentiment 93% positive of 27,628 Price $19.99 ColorfulBeautifulFamily FriendlyShortSimulationController
- 8
Hand Simulator
Why it matched: both open world, horror, psychological and atmospheric; shares 3 player tags including Simulation, VR and Psychological Horror.
There are many different levels where you can play with spinners, plunge into the subtleties of handling weapons, milk a cow, take part in a Mexican duel with your friends, have a good time fishing, play chess or simply chat in an anonymous club.
Hand Simulator at a glance Released 2017 Studio HFM Games Player sentiment 84% positive of 36,213 Price $1.49 SimulationVRPsychological Horror
- 9
Project CARS
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and Physics.
THE ULTIMATE DRIVER JOURNEY delivers the soul of motor racing in the world’s most beautiful, authentic, and technically-advanced racing game.
Project CARS at a glance Released 2015 Studio Slightly Mad Studios Player sentiment 79% positive of 14,438 Price Not listed SimulationRealisticPhysicsVRControllerTrackIR
- 10
CONTROL Ultimate Edition
Why it matched: both open world, horror, psychological and atmospheric; shares 3 player tags including Surreal, Psychological Horror and Epic.
Winner of over 80 awards, CONTROL is a visually stunning third-person action-adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
CONTROL Ultimate Edition at a glance Released 2020 Studio Remedy Entertainment Player sentiment 86% positive of 63,191 Price $3.99 SurrealPsychological HorrorEpic
- 11
Minecraft Legends
Why it matched: both open world, horror and psychological; shares 3 player tags including Family Friendly, Controller and Psychological Horror; published by the same company; released around the same time (2023).
Discover the mysteries of Minecraft Legends, a new action strategy game. Explore a gentle land of rich resources and lush biomes on the brink of destruction. The ravaging piglins have arrived, and it’s up to you to inspire your allies and lead them in strategic battles to save the Overworld!
Minecraft Legends at a glance Released 2023 Studio Mojang Studios Player sentiment 58% positive of 2,865 Price $39.99 Family FriendlyControllerPsychological Horror
- 12
Stray
Why it matched: both open world, horror, psychological and atmospheric; shares 2 player tags including Beautiful and Colorful; released around the same time (2022).
Lost, alone and separated from family, a stray cat must untangle an ancient mystery to escape a long-forgotten cybercity and find their way home.
Stray at a glance Released 2022 Studio BlueTwelve Studio Player sentiment 97% positive of 177,458 Price $14.99 BeautifulColorful
- 13
DREDGE
Why it matched: both open world, horror, psychological and atmospheric; shares 2 player tags including Psychological Horror and Simulation; released around the same time (2023).
DREDGE is a single-player fishing adventure with a sinister undercurrent. Sell your catch, upgrade your boat, and dredge the depths for long-buried secrets. Explore a mysterious archipelago and discover why some things are best left forgotten.
DREDGE at a glance Released 2023 Studio Black Salt Games Player sentiment 96% positive of 56,620 Price $10.79 Psychological HorrorSimulation
- 14
My Summer Car
Why it matched: both open world, horror and psychological; shares 3 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and Psychological Horror; released around the same time (2025).
My Summer Car is the ultimate car owning, building, fixing, tuning, maintenance AND permadeath life survival simulator. You start the game with hundreds of loose parts and assemble both car and engine.
My Summer Car at a glance Released 2025 Studio Amistech Games Player sentiment 95% positive of 117,158 Price $14.99 SimulationRealisticPsychological Horror
- 15
Townscaper
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Short, Simulation and Family Friendly.
Instant town building toy. Place housing blocks and watch them transform, piece by piece, into idyllic ocean-side towns, pastoral gardens, or sweeping cities on the sea.
Townscaper at a glance Released 2021 Studio Oskar Stålberg Player sentiment 95% positive of 21,622 Price $2.39 ShortSimulationFamily FriendlyColorfulController
- 16
OMSI 2: Steam Edition
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and TrackIR.
Off to the next round! Experience a new omnibus simulator with OMSI 2 and start discovering Spandau while driving the omnibus. OMSI 2 is the successor of the well-known and awarded omnibus simulator "OMSI - The Bus Simulator".
OMSI 2: Steam Edition at a glance Released 2013 Studio MR-Software GbR Player sentiment 86% positive of 14,844 Price $29.99 SimulationRealisticTrackIRFamily FriendlyPhysics
- 17
A Game About Digging A Hole
Why it matched: both horror, psychological and atmospheric; shares 3 player tags including Simulation, Colorful and Physics; released around the same time (2025).
A minimalist game about digging a hole in the garden of a newly purchased house. Collect resources, sell them, upgrade your equipment and discover a mysterious secret. Costs you only one coffee!
A Game About Digging A Hole at a glance Released 2025 Studio DoubleBee Player sentiment 89% positive of 20,050 Price $4.99 SimulationColorfulPhysics
- 18
Resident Evil Village
Why it matched: both open world, horror, psychological and atmospheric; shares 2 player tags including Psychological Horror and VR.
Experience survival horror like never before in the 8th major installment in the Resident Evil franchise - Resident Evil Village. With detailed graphics, intense first-person action and masterful storytelling, the terror has never felt more realistic.
Resident Evil Village at a glance Released 2021 Studio CAPCOM Co., Ltd. Player sentiment 96% positive of 153,329 Price $39.99 Psychological HorrorVR
- 19
Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria Simulator
Why it matched: both horror, psychological and atmospheric; shares 3 player tags including Simulation, Psychological Horror and Family Friendly.
Start your own Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria with Freddy Fazbear Pizzeria Simulator!
Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria Simulator at a glance Released 2017 Studio Scott Cawthon Player sentiment 94% positive of 33,261 Price Free SimulationPsychological HorrorFamily Friendly
- 20
Labyrinthine
Why it matched: both horror, psychological and atmospheric; shares 3 player tags including Psychological Horror, Controller and Realistic; released around the same time (2023).
A co-op horror game like no other... Play with 1-8 players online as you solve puzzles, collect items and run from the horrors that lie within. Follow in the footsteps of Joan in the story mode or tackle procedurally generated maps that scale with your level and bring a fresh experience each game..
Labyrinthine at a glance Released 2023 Studio Valko Game Studios Player sentiment 84% positive of 17,459 Price $9.99 Psychological HorrorControllerRealistic
- 21
Limbo
Why it matched: both horror and atmospheric; shares 4 player tags including Surreal, Short and Physics; published by the same company.
Uncertain of his sister's fate, a boy enters LIMBO
Limbo at a glance Released 2010 Studio Playdead Player sentiment 92% positive of 62,016 Price $12.49 SurrealShortPhysicsController
- 22
Firewatch
Why it matched: both open world, horror, psychological and atmospheric; shares 2 player tags including Short and Colorful.
Firewatch is a single-player first-person mystery set in the Wyoming wilderness, where your only emotional lifeline is the person on the other end of a handheld radio.
Firewatch at a glance Released 2016 Studio Campo Santo Player sentiment 91% positive of 99,328 Price $19.99 ShortColorful
- 23
Forza Horizon 5
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 4 player tags including Realistic, Simulation and Beautiful; published by the same company.
Explore the vibrant open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in the world’s greatest cars.
Forza Horizon 5 at a glance Released 2021 Studio Playground Games Player sentiment 89% positive of 279,979 Price $23.99 RealisticSimulationBeautifulVR
- 24
DiRT Rally 2.0
Why it matched: both open world; shares 6 player tags including Simulation, VR and Realistic.
DiRT Rally 2.0 dares you to carve your way through a selection of iconic rally locations from across the globe, in the most powerful off-road vehicles ever made, knowing that the smallest mistake could end your stage.
DiRT Rally 2.0 at a glance Released 2019 Studio Codemasters Player sentiment 89% positive of 48,388 Price $19.99 SimulationVRRealisticControllerFamily FriendlyTrackIR
Common questions
What game is most like Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition?
X-Plane 11, on the evidence we have. It both open world and atmospheric. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.