Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like X-Plane 11 (2026)
Every game below overlaps with X-Plane 11 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: Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition, which both open world and atmospheric.
- X-Plane 11 is tagged Simulation, Flight, Realistic, Open World, Multiplayer, VR, Singleplayer, Physics 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
Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Flight and Realistic.
From gliders and helicopters to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and accurate aircraft in the Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Edition. The world is at your fingertips.
Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition at a glance Released 2026 Studio Asobo Studio Player sentiment 79% positive of 72,823 Price $20.99 SimulationFlightRealisticVRPhysicsFamily FriendlyBeautifulController
- 2
Universe Sandbox
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Sandbox, Simulation and Physics; released around the same time (2015).
Create & destroy on an unimaginable scale with a realistic physics-based space simulator. Explore the beauty of our universe and the fragility of our planet. Use science to bend the laws of gravity, collide planets, boil away oceans, fire epic space lasers, and customize your universe.
Universe Sandbox at a glance Released 2015 Studio Giant Army Player sentiment 96% positive of 32,082 Price $20.09 SandboxSimulationPhysicsRealisticEducationFamily FriendlyExploration
- 3
MudRunner
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and Physics; released around the same time (2017).
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 SimulationRealisticPhysicsSandboxExplorationFirst-PersonThird Person
- 4
SnowRunner
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Simulation, Exploration and Realistic; released around the same time (2021).
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 SimulationExplorationRealisticSandboxFirst-PersonThird PersonPhysics
- 5
Project CARS
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and Physics; 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 SimulationRealisticPhysicsVRFirst-PersonControllerThird Person
- 6
BeamNG.drive
Why it matched: both open world; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Physics 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 SimulationPhysicsRealisticSandboxFirst-PersonThird PersonExplorationFlight
- 7
Car Mechanic Simulator 2021
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and Sandbox; released around the same time (2021).
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 SimulationRealisticSandboxEducationFirst-PersonVR
- 8
ABZU
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Exploration, Beautiful and Family Friendly; released around the same time (2016).
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 ExplorationBeautifulFamily FriendlyThird PersonSimulationController
- 9
Ultimate Fishing Simulator
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Exploration and Realistic; released around the same time (2018).
Bored of waiting for a bite? Would you like to catch some fish? You're lucky - in Ultimate Fishing Simulator, fish bite like crazy! Spinning, float fishing, ground fishing, and more! Comprehensive fishing simulator that allows using various techniques, in different places around the world!
Ultimate Fishing Simulator at a glance Released 2018 Studio Ultimate Games S.A. Player sentiment 89% positive of 9,129 Price $19.99 SimulationExplorationRealisticFirst-PersonSandboxFamily Friendly
- 10
Euro Truck Simulator
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and First-Person; released around the same time (2013).
The original Euro Truck Simulator - the game which has become the classic of the genre and is still relevant today. The first truck simulation game in a European setting, with European long haul trucks!
Euro Truck Simulator at a glance Released 2013 Studio SCS Software Player sentiment 84% positive of 7,665 Price $4.99 SimulationRealisticFirst-PersonThird PersonExplorationSandbox
- 11
Professional Fishing
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Massively Multiplayer and Realistic; released around the same time (2018).
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 SimulationMassively MultiplayerRealisticFamily FriendlyFirst-PersonExploration
- 12
CarX Drift Racing Online
Why it matched: both open world; shares 7 player tags including Physics, Simulation and Massively Multiplayer; released around the same time (2017).
Master realistic drift physics, tune 120+ cars and drift online with up to 16 players across platforms. Compete in TOP-32, build unique setups and explore hundreds of community-made Workshop maps.
CarX Drift Racing Online at a glance Released 2017 Studio CarX Technologies, LLC Player sentiment 95% positive of 89,251 Price $16.99 PhysicsSimulationMassively MultiplayerSandboxControllerVRRealistic
- 13
Forza Horizon 5
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Realistic, Simulation and Exploration; released around the same time (2021).
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 RealisticSimulationExplorationFirst-PersonBeautifulVR
- 14
Euro Truck Simulator 2
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and Exploration.
Travel across Europe as king of the road, a trucker who delivers important cargo across impressive distances! With dozens of cities to explore, your endurance, skill and speed will all be pushed to their limits.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 at a glance Released 2012 Studio SCS Software Player sentiment 97% positive of 940,049 Price $19.99 SimulationRealisticExplorationControllerFamily FriendlyThird Person
- 15
DCS World Steam Edition
Why it matched: both open world; shares 7 player tags including Simulation, Flight and Realistic; 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 SimulationFlightRealisticVRSandboxFirst-PersonMassively Multiplayer
- 16
Steep
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Exploration and First-Person; released around the same time (2016).
Ride a massive open world across the Alps, where the powder is always fresh and the run never ends. Defy and master the mountain alone or with friends on skis, wingsuits, snowboards and paragliders. Record and share your best stunts.
Steep at a glance Released 2016 Studio Ubisoft Annecy Player sentiment 83% positive of 33,085 Price $29.99 SimulationExplorationFirst-PersonThird PersonRealisticSandbox
- 17
City Car Driving
Why it matched: both open world; shares 7 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and VR; released around the same time (2016).
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 SimulationRealisticVRFirst-PersonPhysicsFamily FriendlyEducation
- 18
The Crew 2
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Massively Multiplayer, Flight and First-Person; released around the same time (2018).
Take on the American motorsports scene as you explore and dominate the land, air, and sea across the entire USA. New: play The Crew 2 offline or online with the new Hybrid mode, available now!
The Crew 2 at a glance Released 2018 Studio Ivory Tower Player sentiment 78% positive of 99,588 Price $29.99 Massively MultiplayerFlightFirst-PersonThird PersonSimulationSandbox
- 19
Day of Dragons
Why it matched: both open world; shares 7 player tags including Massively Multiplayer, Sandbox and Realistic; released around the same time (2019).
Day of Dragons is an online creature survival game set in a large, beautiful, sandbox open world with multiple biomes and distinct creatures. Rule the world as one of several dragon species, or play as an elemental.
Day of Dragons at a glance Released 2019 Studio Beawesome Games Player sentiment 65% positive of 7,900 Price $19.99 Massively MultiplayerSandboxRealisticExplorationThird PersonFirst-PersonSimulation
- 20
SNOW - The Ultimate Edition
Why it matched: both open world; shares 7 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and First-Person; released around the same time (2019).
SNOW - The Ultimate Edition is the only open world, winter sports game. Explore a massive mountain, customize your character with clothing and equipment, compete in events to be the best. Access to all mountains, tracks, events as well including all cosmetics, ski, snowboard, drone, and snowmobile.
SNOW - The Ultimate Edition at a glance Released 2019 Studio Poppermost Productions Player sentiment 63% positive of 11,941 Price Not listed SimulationRealisticFirst-PersonVRControllerExplorationThird Person
- 21
Assetto Corsa Competizione
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Simulation, VR and Realistic; released around the same time (2019).
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 SimulationVRRealisticControllerFirst-Person
- 22
Car Mechanic Simulator 2015
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Simulation, Education and First-Person; 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 SimulationEducationFirst-PersonRealisticSandbox
- 23
Wreckfest
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Simulation, Physics and Realistic; released around the same time (2018).
Wreckfest is a demolition derby themed racing game with soft-body damage modeling, sophisticated driving dynamics and in-depth vehicle upgrading, featuring both demolition derbies and more traditional track races. It’s all about fun, breakneck racing and over-the-top crashes.
Wreckfest at a glance Released 2018 Studio Bugbear Player sentiment 88% positive of 41,452 Price $29.99 SimulationPhysicsRealisticSandboxThird Person
- 24
Thief Simulator
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Simulation, First-Person and Sandbox; released around the same time (2018).
Become the best thief. Gather intel, steal things and sell them to buy hi-tech equipment. Do everything that a real thief does.
Thief Simulator at a glance Released 2018 Studio Noble Muffins Player sentiment 88% positive of 39,806 Price $19.99 SimulationFirst-PersonSandboxExplorationRealistic
Common questions
What game is most like X-Plane 11?
Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition, 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 X-Plane 11" 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 X-Plane 11. 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.