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Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition similar games & best alternatives

Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2020

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Quick resume

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.

Global score

79/100

Genres

Simulator

Similar games

    Pros

    • Stunning realistic graphics and world modeling
    • Highly detailed and scalable flight simulation
    • Extensive aircraft variety and customization
    • Strong community and mod support
    • Immersive and relaxing exploration experience

    Cons

    • Very large download size and long update times
    • High hardware requirements for best experience
    • Steep learning curve for beginners
    • Some ui and control setup complexity
    • Occasional bugs and performance issues

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players have extensive control over aircraft customization and can choose missions and play styles freely."

      Capsule for AX:EL - Air XenoDawn AX:EL - Air XenoDawn

      "Players have extensive control over flight planning, aircraft choice, and flying style, with scalable realism and many customization options."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      5

      "High skill ceiling with realistic flight dynamics requiring learning and mastery; trial and error learning emphasized."

      Capsule for X-Plane 10 Global - 64 Bit X-Plane 10 Global - 64 Bit

      "High skill ceiling with realistic flight physics, complex controls, and challenges; players report learning and mastering flying techniques."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -3

      "Focus is on cooperation and personal skill rather than competitive ranking or leaderboards."

      Capsule for SimRail - The Railway Simulator SimRail - The Railway Simulator

      "Focus is on personal experience and skill development rather than competitive ranking; some leaderboards exist but not central."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Many users report long playtimes and habitual engagement, with frequent updates and a variety of modes encouraging extended play."

      Capsule for Cue Club 2: Pool & Snooker Cue Club 2: Pool & Snooker

      "Many users report long playtimes and habitual engagement; the vast world and continuous updates encourage ongoing play."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      1

      "Some multiplayer interaction and community support exist, but gameplay is mostly individual piloting."

      Capsule for Liftoff®: FPV Drone Racing Liftoff®: FPV Drone Racing

      "Some multiplayer and community interactions exist, including flying with others and shared experiences, but mostly individual."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      3

      "Players can design their own airplanes and customize routes and strategies, adding creative elements to gameplay."

      Capsule for Airline Tycoon Deluxe Airline Tycoon Deluxe

      "Players can customize controls, use mods, and create flight plans; also includes building and modifying flight experiences."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -4

      "Interactions are generally respectful and balanced; no emphasis on exerting power over others."

      Capsule for Shenmue I & II Shenmue I & II

      "Interactions are generally respectful and cooperative; no emphasis on exerting power or superiority over others."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      5

      "Strong escapism through vast, immersive space exploration and relaxing gameplay."

      Capsule for No Man's Sky No Man's Sky

      "Strong escapism through immersive world exploration, stress relief, and virtual travel to real-world locations."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and passion for aviation and design, not obligation."

      Capsule for Flyout Flyout

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and passion for flying and exploration, not due to obligation."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      4

      "Players explore various aircraft, failure modes, weather conditions, and mods, encouraging experimentation."

      Capsule for X-Plane 12 X-Plane 12

      "Encourages trying new aircraft, flight conditions, and mods; players explore mechanics and test limits frequently."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      5

      "Core motivation is discovering real-world locations, revisiting familiar places, and exploring new areas virtually."

      Capsule for EarthKart: Google Maps Driving Simulator EarthKart: Google Maps Driving Simulator

      "Core motivation is discovering real-world locations, flying over cities, landmarks, and diverse environments worldwide."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      2

      "Some avatar and faction customization possible; mods enhance self-expression but base game is limited."

      Capsule for Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition

      "Some avatar and aircraft customization possible; modding community enhances self-expression but limited in core game."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      -2

      "Focus is on realistic simulation of military aviation rather than imaginative or fictional scenarios."

      Capsule for DCS World Steam Edition DCS World Steam Edition

      "Focus on realistic simulation of real-world aviation and geography rather than imaginative or fictional scenarios."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      1

      "Some community and multiplayer aspects, but mostly individual play emphasized."

      Capsule for Death Crown Death Crown

      "Some sense of community through multiplayer and shared experiences, but mostly individual play is emphasized."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      5

      "Strong emphasis on learning to fly, mastering systems, and improving skills."

      Capsule for X-Plane 10 Global - 64 Bit X-Plane 10 Global - 64 Bit

      "Strong learning component with skill acquisition, knowledge of aviation, and mastering complex controls."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

      Capsule for Borderlands 2 Borderlands 2

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related engagement."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement; not designed for passive or background play."

      Capsule for EverQuest EverQuest

      "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement; not designed for passive or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -4

      "Limited social interaction; connections are surface-level and mostly competitive or cooperative in multiplayer."

      Capsule for Swords and Sandals Immortals Swords and Sandals Immortals

      "Limited social interaction depth; connections are mostly surface-level or casual multiplayer."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -3

      "No strong leadership roles; players mostly act independently or cooperatively without formal authority."

      Capsule for Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2

      "No significant leadership roles; players mostly follow their own plans or collaborate without formal authority."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      3

      "Progression through building better vehicles and completing missions, though no traditional leveling."

      Capsule for Stormworks: Build and Rescue Stormworks: Build and Rescue

      "Progression through unlocking aircraft, completing challenges, and accumulating experience, though no traditional leveling."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      4

      "Many players find the game relaxing and meditative, balancing challenge with flow."

      Capsule for art of rally art of rally

      "Many players find the game relaxing and meditative, balancing challenge with flow in flying and exploration."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      4

      "High sensory stimulation through stunning visuals, sound design, and atmospheric music."

      Capsule for Riven Riven

      "High sensory stimulation from stunning visuals, realistic weather, and immersive audio."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -2

      "Achievements and progress are mostly personal; little emphasis on social recognition or popularity"

      Capsule for Lords and Villeins Lords and Villeins

      "Minimal emphasis on social recognition or popularity; achievements are mostly personal or community-based."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      -3

      "No overarching narrative; gameplay is context-free and emergent from player interactions."

      Capsule for Town of Salem Town of Salem

      "No overarching narrative; gameplay is context-free and focused on simulation and exploration."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      3

      "Requires planning and problem solving to manage multiple aircraft and avoid collisions."

      Capsule for Flight Control HD Flight Control HD

      "Requires planning flight routes, managing aircraft systems, and problem-solving during flights."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      2

      "Some thrill from challenging flight conditions and emergencies, but overall controlled and realistic."

      Capsule for X-Plane 12 X-Plane 12

      "Some thrill from challenging landings and flying in adverse conditions, but overall controlled and realistic."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      3

      "Generally considered worth the price with good content volume and replayability."

      Capsule for Road 96 🛣️ Road 96 🛣️

      "Generally considered worth the price with extensive content and replayability, though some complain about download times."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -5

      "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus is on constructive flying and skill development."

      Capsule for AccuRC 2 AccuRC 2

      "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus is on constructive flying and exploration."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      1

      "Some elements of avoiding failure or death, but low risk and no complex survival mechanics."

      Capsule for Heroes Rise: The Prodigy Heroes Rise: The Prodigy

      "Some elements of avoiding failure in flight and managing conditions, but low risk and no survival mechanics."

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Status, Story, Expression. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Competition, Violence.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026