Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like SimplePlanes (2026)
Every game below overlaps with SimplePlanes 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: Kerbal Space Program, which both open world and strategy.
- SimplePlanes is tagged Flight, Sandbox, Automation, Physics, Building, Exploration, Racing, Automobile Sim 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
Kerbal Space Program
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Sandbox, Physics and Building; released around the same time (2015).
In Kerbal Space Program, take charge of the space program for the alien race known as the Kerbals. You have access to an array of parts to assemble fully-functional spacecraft that flies (or doesn’t) based on realistic aerodynamic and orbital physics.
Kerbal Space Program at a glance Released 2015 Studio Squad Player sentiment 96% positive of 146,438 Price $39.99 SandboxPhysicsBuildingModdableExplorationFunnyStrategy
- 2
Car Mechanic Simulator 2018
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Automobile Sim, Building and Racing; released around the same time (2017).
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 Automobile SimBuildingRacingSandboxModdablePhysicsStrategy
- 3
BeamNG.drive
Why it matched: both open world; shares 8 player tags including Physics, Automobile Sim and Sandbox; 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 PhysicsAutomobile SimSandboxRacingModdableExplorationFunnyFlight
- 4
Forts
Why it matched: both war and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Physics, Strategy and Building; released around the same time (2017).
Unleash your creativity and strategic prowess in Forts, the exhilarating physics-based RTS! Design, construct, and customize imposing fortresses, bristling with devastating firepower, and blast your opponent’s buildings to rubble!
Forts at a glance Released 2017 Studio EarthWork Games Player sentiment 92% positive of 25,318 Price $14.99 PhysicsStrategyBuildingModdableSandboxMilitaryFunny
- 5
Construction Simulator 2015
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Building, Automobile Sim and Strategy; released around the same time (2014).
In Construction Simulator 2015, you take the controls of 16 realistic construction machines made by LIEBHERR, STILL and MAN with high-quality 3D graphics.
Construction Simulator 2015 at a glance Released 2014 Studio weltenbauer. Software Entwicklung GmbH Player sentiment 82% positive of 6,852 Price $14.99 BuildingAutomobile SimStrategySandboxControllerModdable
- 6
X4: Foundations
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Sandbox, Flight and Exploration; released around the same time (2018).
Your journey to building a vast space empire begins behind the controls of a single ship. Explore, trade, fight, and build as you rise to command fleets, stations, and entire economies in a living, fully simulated universe that reacts to every decision.
X4: Foundations at a glance Released 2018 Studio Egosoft Player sentiment 80% positive of 30,064 Price $49.99 SandboxFlightExplorationStrategy3DBuilding
- 7
Gold Mining Simulator
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Sandbox, Building and Exploration; released around the same time (2017).
Become a gold miner. Work hard, dig deep, explore the world, and you’ll become the wealthiest person in Alaska. Use a variety of specialist machines to find as much gold as you can.
Gold Mining Simulator at a glance Released 2017 Studio Code Horizon Player sentiment 73% positive of 16,382 Price $19.99 SandboxBuildingExplorationStrategyAutomobile SimFunny
- 8
Ravenfield
Why it matched: both war and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Military, Sandbox and Funny; released around the same time (2017).
Fight upon the Ravenfield together with your Blue allies! Take down those pesky Reds using helicopters, tanks, guns, and active ragdoll physics!
Ravenfield at a glance Released 2017 Studio SteelRaven7 Player sentiment 97% positive of 79,971 Price $17.99 MilitarySandboxFunnyModdableStrategyPhysics
- 9
TerraTech
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Building, Sandbox and Exploration; released around the same time (2018).
TerraTech is an open-world, sandbox adventure game, where you design and build your own creations through a mix of crafting, combat and discovery. Design vehicles from a huge library of blocks. Scavenge, craft and buy new parts to survive and become the ultimate planetary prospector.
TerraTech at a glance Released 2018 Studio Payload Studios Player sentiment 91% positive of 24,934 Price $6.24 BuildingSandboxExplorationStrategyVehicular CombatPhysics
- 10
ARMA 3
Why it matched: both open world, war and strategy; shares 4 player tags including Military, Strategy and Sandbox; released around the same time (2013).
Experience true combat gameplay in a massive military sandbox. Deploy with a wide variety of single- and multiplayer content, a massive arsenal of modern weapons and vehicles, and limitless opportunities for content creation. Authentic, diverse, open - Arma 3 sends you to war.
ARMA 3 at a glance Released 2013 Studio Bohemia Interactive Player sentiment 90% positive of 294,969 Price $29.99 MilitaryStrategySandboxModdable
- 11
Car Mechanic Simulator 2021
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Automobile Sim, Sandbox and Moddable.
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 Automobile SimSandboxModdableRacing3DStrategy
- 12
Need for Speed Payback
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Racing, Combat Racing and Controller; released around the same time (2017).
Set in the underworld of Fortune Valley, you and your crew were divided by betrayal and reunited by revenge to take down The House, a nefarious cartel that rules the city’s casinos, criminals and cops. In this corrupt gambler’s paradise, the stakes are high and The House always wins.
Need for Speed Payback at a glance Released 2017 Studio EA Gothenburg Player sentiment 85% positive of 32,277 Price $29.99 RacingCombat RacingControllerSandboxStrategyVehicular Combat
- 13
DCS World Steam Edition
Why it matched: both open world, war and strategy; shares 4 player tags including Flight, Military and Sandbox; released around the same time (2013).
Feel the excitement of flying the Su-25T "Frogfoot" attack jet and the TF-51D "Mustang" in the free-to-play Digital Combat Simulator World!
DCS World Steam Edition at a glance Released 2013 Studio Eagle Dynamics SA Player sentiment 85% positive of 41,014 Price Free FlightMilitarySandboxStrategy
- 14
Arma: Cold War Assault Remastered
Why it matched: both open world, war and strategy; shares 4 player tags including Military, Strategy and Sandbox; released around the same time (2011).
The genre-defining military sim that began as Operation Flashpoint (2001), now a modernized, 64-bit, cross-platform build for Windows and Linux, with its engine released as open source. Over 2 million copies sold. The Cold War battlefield of Everon and Nogova, remastered for today's hardware.
Arma: Cold War Assault Remastered at a glance Released 2011 Studio Bohemia Interactive Player sentiment 80% positive of 6,445 Price $4.99 MilitaryStrategySandboxModdable
- 15
Factorio
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 5 player tags including Automation, Sandbox and Strategy; released around the same time (2016).
Factorio is a game about building and creating automated factories to produce items of increasing complexity, within an infinite 2D world. Use your imagination to design your factory, combine simple elements into ingenious structures, and finally protect it from the creatures who don't really like you.
Factorio at a glance Released 2016 Studio Wube software Player sentiment 98% positive of 233,978 Price $35.00 AutomationSandboxStrategyBuildingModdable
- 16
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Why it matched: both war and strategy; shares 5 player tags including Strategy, Sandbox and Exploration; released around the same time (2012).
Command a space-faring empire in Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, the new stand-alone expansion that combines 4X depth with real-time strategy gameplay.
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion at a glance Released 2012 Studio Ironclad Games Corporation Player sentiment 93% positive of 16,339 Price $19.99 StrategySandboxExplorationMilitary3D
- 17
Farming Simulator 15
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 5 player tags including Automobile Sim, Moddable and Physics; released around the same time (2014).
Welcome to the new generation of Farming Simulator!With a brand new graphics and physics engine, Farming Simulator 15 offers an immense open world, filled with details and visual effects transporting the Farming Simulator franchise to a new era.
Farming Simulator 15 at a glance Released 2014 Studio GIANTS Software Player sentiment 93% positive of 15,855 Price $12.99 Automobile SimModdablePhysicsSandboxStrategy
- 18
Transport Fever 2
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 5 player tags including Strategy, Sandbox and Building; released around the same time (2019).
The classic transport simulation genre has a new gold standard with Transport Fever 2. Discover a whole new world by navigating transport routes through land, water and air. May progress and prosperity find their way!
Transport Fever 2 at a glance Released 2019 Studio Urban Games Player sentiment 90% positive of 32,509 Price $39.99 StrategySandboxBuildingModdableFlight
- 19
Transport Fever
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 5 player tags including Flight, Sandbox and Building; released around the same time (2016).
Transport Fever is a railroad-focused tycoon game. Players start in 1850 and build up a thriving transport company. As an emerging transport tycoon, the player constructs stations, airports, harbors and makes money by connecting areas requiring transport services. Build up your own Empire!
Transport Fever at a glance Released 2016 Studio Urban Games Player sentiment 83% positive of 10,841 Price $29.99 FlightSandboxBuildingStrategyModdable
- 20
Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead
Why it matched: both open world, war and strategy; shares 4 player tags including Military, Strategy and Moddable.
Three years after the conflict in Chernarus, portrayed in the original Arma 2, a new flashpoint explodes in the Green Sea Region. Coalition forces led by the US Army are deployed to Takistan to quickly restore peace and prevent further civilian casualties.
Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead at a glance Released 2010 Studio Bohemia Interactive Player sentiment 92% positive of 22,247 Price $3.99 MilitaryStrategyModdableSandbox
- 21
Gear Up
Why it matched: both open world, war and strategy; shares 4 player tags including Building, Sandbox and Strategy; released around the same time (2015).
Feel the adrenaline as you control your unique tank in multiplayer arcade action! Build your ultimate war machine from over a million different combinations. Now, will you go for the rumbling caterpillar tracks or the crawling spider legs?
Gear Up at a glance Released 2015 Studio Doctor Entertainment AB Player sentiment 75% positive of 8,339 Price Free BuildingSandboxStrategyFunny
- 22
ARMA 2
Why it matched: both open world, war and strategy; shares 4 player tags including Military, Strategy and Moddable.
Building on 10 years of constant engine development, ARMA II boasts the most realistic combat environment in the world. It models real world ballistics & round deflection, materials penetration, features a realtime day/night cycle and dynamic wind, weather and environmental effects.
ARMA 2 at a glance Released 2009 Studio Bohemia Interactive Player sentiment 84% positive of 2,114 Price $2.59 MilitaryStrategyModdableSandbox
- 23
VTOL VR
Why it matched: both war; shares 6 player tags including Flight, Military and Vehicular Combat; released around the same time (2017).
VTOL VR is a near-futuristic combat flight game built for Virtual Reality. Pilot advanced multi-role jets, using your hands to flip switches, press buttons, and manipulate the virtual flight controls.
VTOL VR at a glance Released 2017 Studio Boundless Dynamics, LLC Player sentiment 98% positive of 21,763 Price $29.99 FlightMilitaryVehicular CombatPhysicsArtificial IntelligenceSandbox
- 24
Trailmakers
Why it matched: both open world; shares 6 player tags including Building, Racing and Sandbox; released around the same time (2019).
Build the ultimate vehicle and explore a vast open world filled with challenges and adventure. Play solo or team up with friends in multiplayer to conquer the toughest obstacles. With a thrilling campaign mode and endless creative possibilities, Trailmakers is the ultimate sandbox for adventurers.
Trailmakers at a glance Released 2019 Studio Flashbulb Player sentiment 92% positive of 38,871 Price $24.99 BuildingRacingSandboxVehicular CombatExplorationPhysics
Common questions
What game is most like SimplePlanes?
Kerbal Space Program, on the evidence we have. It both open world and strategy. 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 SimplePlanes" 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 SimplePlanes. 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.