What are simulator games?
Simulator games are video games built to reproduce the behaviour, systems and decision-making of a real activity as closely as practical. Rather than pure arcade action, they ask you to operate a vehicle, machine, job or environment using believable rules, procedures, limits and consequences.
What makes a game a simulator?
A simulator is defined less by its graphics and more by what it expects from the player. If the game models real inputs, real limitations and realistic cause-and-effect, it is moving into simulator territory.
In other words, a proper sim does not just let us press accelerate and steer. It makes us think about speed, weight, braking distance, weather, traction, fuel, systems, timing, route choice or operating procedure, depending on what is being simulated.
- Realistic systems such as engines, avionics, braking, signalling, transmissions or weather.
- Believable physics so the vehicle or machine reacts in a way that makes sense.
- Procedures that matter, whether that means a checklist, a start-up sequence or correct use of controls.
- Consequences for mistakes, such as stalling an aircraft, overrunning a platform or losing control in a skid.
- Less hand-holding than an arcade game, even if the sim still offers optional assists.
That does not mean every simulator has to be brutally difficult. Many are designed on a sliding scale, with helpers turned on for newcomers and deeper realism available as we learn.
Are simulator games realistic or just game-like?
They can be either, and often both. The best way to think about simulator games is as a spectrum rather than a single category.
At one end, we have sim-lite titles. These keep the theme of realism but simplify systems so more people can enjoy them with a keyboard, gamepad or casual approach. At the other end, we have study-level or hardcore sims, where real procedures and detailed systems are the whole point.
There is also a common misunderstanding here: not every game with the word “simulator” in its title is especially realistic, and some very realistic games do not shout about it in the name. The label alone tells us very little. The systems underneath are what matter.
Common types of simulator games
| Type | What it simulates | What realism usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Flight simulator | Aircraft handling, navigation, weather, procedures | Flight model, cockpit systems, radio navigation, performance limits |
| Train simulator | Locomotive operation, signalling, braking, route driving | Traction physics, brake timing, signal obedience, speed control |
| Driving or trucking simulator | Road driving, vehicle weight, traffic, route planning | Gear use, momentum, braking distance, road rules |
| Racing simulator | Track driving and car setup | Tyre behaviour, suspension response, grip, damage and consistency |
| Bus or heavy vehicle simulator | Passenger service or commercial vehicle handling | Schedules, careful braking, passenger comfort, traffic management |
| Job or management simulator | A workplace, task chain or economic system | Process accuracy, resource limits, timing and operational decisions |
Here at Fly Away Simulation, most of our community interest sits in flight and train simulation, where realism often goes well beyond simply controlling a vehicle. The appeal is learning how the real thing works and then applying that knowledge inside the sim.
How are simulator games different from arcade games?
Arcade games are usually designed around instant action, forgiving handling and quick rewards. Simulator games are designed around believable behaviour, gradual learning and the satisfaction of getting something right.
That does not make sims better than arcade games. It just means they reward a different mindset. We are usually trading accessibility for depth, and for many players that depth is exactly the attraction.
- Arcade games often exaggerate performance so play feels fast and dramatic.
- Simulator games usually limit performance to something closer to real-world behaviour.
- Arcade games let us recover easily from mistakes.
- Simulator games often make mistakes costly, which is why learning feels meaningful.
How do you tell if a simulator game is actually good?
If we want to judge a sim properly, we should look past the screenshots. A beautiful model with weak systems is still a weak simulator.
- Check the physics. Does the vehicle feel consistent, with believable acceleration, braking, weight transfer or flight behaviour?
- Look at the systems depth. Are the controls and instruments there for a reason, or are they mostly decorative?
- See whether procedures matter. A good sim rewards correct operation instead of letting us ignore everything.
- Test the assists. Strong simulators often let beginners turn on help without removing the deeper model underneath.
- Think about the activity loop. Does the sim make normal operation interesting, or is it only exciting when something goes wrong?
For flight simulation especially, a good sim should make routine tasks feel authentic: taxiing, trimming, climbing, navigating, descending and landing. If those core phases feel believable, the simulator usually has solid foundations.
Do you need a joystick, yoke or other special controls?
No, not always. Many simulator games work perfectly well with a keyboard, mouse or gamepad, especially when we are starting out.
That said, dedicated controls can make a huge difference. In flight sims, a joystick or yoke and rudder pedals give finer control. In train and driving sims, good analogue throttle and brake input matter more than people expect. Better hardware does not automatically make a game more realistic, but it often makes the realism easier to feel and manage.
Why do people enjoy simulator games?
Simulator games appeal to players who enjoy learning, practising and improving rather than simply winning. The fun often comes from mastering a process: holding an approach speed, reading a signal, backing a trailer, managing fuel or finishing a route smoothly.
They also scratch a curiosity itch. Many of us want to understand how real machines and systems work, and a good simulator lets us explore that safely at home. That is a big reason flight and train simulation communities have lasted so long.
So what are simulator games, in plain English?
They are games that try to make us do a real-world task in a believable way. Some are light and accessible, some are deeply technical, but the core idea is the same: the rules of the simulated world matter, and learning those rules is part of the fun.
If you want examples from our corner of the hobby, our downloads library covers flight and train simulation content where this style of realism is at its strongest.