Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Shift 2 Unleashed (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Shift 2 Unleashed 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: Project CARS, which made by the same studio, Slightly Mad Studios.
- Shift 2 Unleashed is tagged Racing, Automobile Sim, Simulation, Driving, Multiplayer, Realistic, Singleplayer, First-Person 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.
- 1 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
- 2 are from the same studio: Project CARS, Project CARS 2.
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
Project CARS
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Slightly Mad Studios; shares 6 player tags including Racing, Simulation and Automobile Sim; released around the same time (2015).
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 RacingSimulationAutomobile SimDrivingRealisticFirst-Person
- 2
Project CARS 2
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Slightly Mad Studios; shares 6 player tags including Racing, Driving and Automobile Sim.
THE ULTIMATE DRIVER JOURNEY! Project CARS 2 delivers the soul of motor racing in the world’s most beautiful, authentic, and technically-advanced racing game.
Project CARS 2 at a glance Released 2017 Studio Slightly Mad Studios Player sentiment 81% positive of 18,429 Price Not listed RacingDrivingAutomobile SimSimulationRealisticFirst-Person
- 3
DiRT Rally 2.0
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Racing, Automobile Sim and Simulation; published by the same company.
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 RacingAutomobile SimSimulationDrivingRealisticFirst-Person
- 4
BeamNG.drive
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Driving and Realistic; released around the same time (2013).
A dynamic soft-body physics vehicle simulator capable of doing just about anything.
BeamNG.drive at a glance Released 2013 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 97% positive of 416,293 Price $24.99 SimulationDrivingRealisticAutomobile SimRacingFirst-Person
- 5
Car Mechanic Simulator 2015
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Automobile Sim, Simulation and Driving; released around the same time (2015).
New cars, new tools, new options, more parts and much more fun in the next version of Car Mechanic Simulator! Take your wrench! Create and expand your auto repairs service empire. Car Mechanic Simulator 2015 will take you behind the scenes of daily routine in car workshop.
Car Mechanic Simulator 2015 at a glance Released 2015 Studio Red Dot Games Player sentiment 92% positive of 14,625 Price $19.99 Automobile SimSimulationDrivingRacingFirst-PersonRealistic
- 6
RaceRoom Racing Experience
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Racing, Automobile Sim and Realistic; released around the same time (2013).
RaceRoom is free to download and built on true-to-life physics and Force Feedback. Drive DTM, FIA WTCC, WTCR and a huge library of cars and tracks—including the most up-to-date Nordschleife. Jump in, race instantly, and expand your garage with a massive selection of content.
RaceRoom Racing Experience at a glance Released 2013 Studio KW Studios Player sentiment 76% positive of 28,036 Price Free RacingAutomobile SimRealisticDrivingSimulationFirst-Person
- 7
Car Mechanic Simulator 2021
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Automobile Sim and Realistic.
Work your way to a service empire. Get your hands dirty in a highly realistic simulation game that pays major attention to details. Pay a visit to a new Auction house and buy cars in various conditions. Expand your range of services by investing in a new work space and equipment.
Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 at a glance Released 2021 Studio Red Dot Games Player sentiment 96% positive of 38,510 Price $24.99 SimulationAutomobile SimRealisticDrivingRacingFirst-Person
- 8
My Summer Car
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Automobile Sim, Simulation and Driving.
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 Automobile SimSimulationDrivingRealisticFirst-PersonRacing
- 9
F1 2020
Why it matched: shares 5 player tags including Racing, Simulation and Automobile Sim; published by the same company.
F1® 2020 allows you to create your F1® team for the very first time and race alongside the official teams and drivers. Alternatively, challenge your friends in new split-screen with casual race options for more relaxed racing. Compete on 22 circuits, with current and classic content.
F1 2020 at a glance Released 2020 Studio Codemasters Player sentiment 94% positive of 39,931 Price Not listed RacingSimulationAutomobile SimDrivingRealistic
- 10
Assetto Corsa Competizione
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Racing, Automobile Sim and Simulation.
Assetto Corsa Competizione, the official GT World Challenge videogame. Thanks to the extraordinary quality of simulation, you will experience the atmosphere of the GT3 championship. Compete against official drivers, teams, cars and official circuits reproduced to the highest quality ever seen.
Assetto Corsa Competizione at a glance Released 2019 Studio Kunos Simulazioni Player sentiment 93% positive of 48,018 Price $39.99 RacingAutomobile SimSimulationDrivingRealisticFirst-Person
- 11
Car Mechanic Simulator 2018
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Automobile Sim and Driving.
Build and expand your repair service empire in this incredibly detailed and highly realistic simulation game, where attention to car detail is astonishing. Find classic, unique cars in the new Barn Find module and Junkyard module. You can even add your self-made car in the Car Editor.
Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 at a glance Released 2017 Studio Red Dot Games Player sentiment 91% positive of 56,552 Price $19.99 SimulationAutomobile SimDrivingRealisticRacingFirst-Person
- 12
Forza Horizon 4
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Racing, Driving and Automobile Sim.
Dynamic seasons change everything at the world’s greatest automotive festival. Go it alone or team up with others to explore beautiful and historic Britain in a shared open world.
Forza Horizon 4 at a glance Released 2021 Studio Playground Games Player sentiment 91% positive of 303,167 Price Not listed RacingDrivingAutomobile SimRealisticSimulationFirst-Person
- 13
Forza Horizon 5
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Racing, Driving and Automobile Sim.
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 RacingDrivingAutomobile SimRealisticSimulationFirst-Person
- 14
F1 23
Why it matched: shares 5 player tags including Racing, Driving and Automobile Sim; published by the same company.
Be the last to brake in EA SPORTS™ F1® 23, the official video game of the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship™. A new chapter in the thrilling "Braking Point" story mode delivers high-speed drama and heated rivalries.
F1 23 at a glance Released 2023 Studio Codemasters Player sentiment 86% positive of 17,621 Price Not listed RacingDrivingAutomobile SimSimulationFirst-Person
- 15
City Car Driving
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Driving and Automobile Sim.
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 SimulationDrivingAutomobile SimRealisticRacingFirst-Person
- 16
RIDE 4
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Racing, First-Person and Simulation.
Are you ready to live the best gaming experience that a motorcycle fan can get? RIDE 4 will spark your competitive soul with hundreds of bikes, dozens of tracks and a whole new level of realism.
RIDE 4 at a glance Released 2020 Studio Milestone S.r.l. Player sentiment 83% positive of 12,391 Price $39.99 RacingFirst-PersonSimulationAutomobile SimDrivingRealistic
- 17
DiRT 4
Why it matched: shares 5 player tags including Racing, Automobile Sim and Simulation; published by the same company.
DiRT 4 is all about embracing fear. It’s about the thrill, exhilaration and adrenaline that is absolutely vital to off-road racing. It’s about loving the feeling of pushing flat out next to a sheer cliff drop, going for the gap that’s too small and seeing how much air you can get. Be Fearless.
DiRT 4 at a glance Released 2017 Studio Codemasters Player sentiment 80% positive of 16,257 Price Not listed RacingAutomobile SimSimulationDrivingRealistic
- 18
Need for Speed
Why it matched: shares 5 player tags including Racing, Driving and Automobile Sim; published by the same company.
Ready to own the streets? Get behind the wheel of iconic cars and floor it through Ventura Bay, a sprawling urban playground. Explore overlapping stories as you build your reputation – and your dream car – and become the ultimate racing icon.
Need for Speed at a glance Released 2020 Studio Ghost Games Player sentiment 69% positive of 29,486 Price $29.99 RacingDrivingAutomobile SimSimulationFirst-Person
- 19
Forza Motorsport
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Racing, Automobile Sim and Simulation.
Compete in over 500 cars on 30 world-famous tracks – now featuring the legendary Fujimi Kaido! Play the new 20th Anniversary Tour and obtain special rewards.
Forza Motorsport at a glance Released 2023 Studio Turn 10 Studios Player sentiment 51% positive of 12,730 Price $27.99 RacingAutomobile SimSimulationDrivingFirst-PersonRealistic
- 20
MudRunner
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Automobile Sim and Driving.
MudRunner is the ultimate off-road experience putting the players in the driver seat and dares them to take charge of incredible all-terrain vehicles, venturing across extreme Siberian landscapes with only a map and compass as guides!
MudRunner at a glance Released 2017 Studio Saber Interactive Player sentiment 92% positive of 44,003 Price $19.99 SimulationAutomobile SimDrivingRealisticRacingFirst-Person
- 21
SnowRunner
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Automobile Sim and Driving.
Get ready for the next-generation off-road experience! Drive powerful vehicles and overcome extreme open environments to complete dozens of challenging missions solo or with up to 3 friends!
SnowRunner at a glance Released 2021 Studio Saber Interactive Player sentiment 90% positive of 55,755 Price $29.99 SimulationAutomobile SimDrivingRealisticFirst-PersonRacing
- 22
The Long Drive
Why it matched: shares 6 player tags including Driving, Automobile Sim and First-Person.
Random generated open world semi-post apocalyptic survival car driving game.
The Long Drive at a glance Released 2019 Studio Genesz Player sentiment 88% positive of 56,256 Price $15.99 DrivingAutomobile SimFirst-PersonRacingSimulationRealistic
- 23
GRID Autosport
Why it matched: shares 5 player tags including Racing, Automobile Sim and Simulation; released around the same time (2014).
It’s all about the teams, the rivals and the race as you become driver for hire, specialising in your favourite disciplines or conquering them all in an intense world of professional motorsport.
GRID Autosport at a glance Released 2014 Studio Codemasters Racing Player sentiment 78% positive of 8,728 Price Not listed RacingAutomobile SimSimulationDrivingRealistic
- 24
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Why it matched: shares 4 player tags including Racing, Driving and Automobile Sim; published by the same company; released around the same time (2012).
The open-world action in Need for Speed Most Wanted gives you the freedom to drive your way. Hit jumps and shortcuts, switch cars, lie low or head for terrain that plays to your vehicle’s unique strengths. Fight your way past cops and rivals using skill, high-end car tech and tons of nitrous.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted at a glance Released 2012 Studio Criterion Games Player sentiment 77% positive of 27,838 Price $19.99 RacingDrivingAutomobile SimFirst-Person
Common questions
What game is most like Shift 2 Unleashed?
Project CARS, on the evidence we have. It made by the same studio, Slightly Mad Studios. 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 Shift 2 Unleashed" 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 Shift 2 Unleashed. 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.
What else did the makers of Shift 2 Unleashed do?
Project CARS, Project CARS 2 are also from Slightly Mad Studios, and appear in the list below for that reason as well as on tag overlap.
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.