Trailmakers

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 • 2019

2019

Quick resume

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.

Global score

92/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie, Racing, Simulator

Similar games

Pros

Extensive creative building and vehicle customization
Engaging physics and engineering challenges
Multiplayer and community sharing
Long playtime and habitual engagement
Accessible for beginners yet deep for advanced players

Cons

Some bugs and physics glitches
Grindy progression in newer updates
Limited map variety
Dlc pricing and content fragmentation
Ui changes unpopular with some longtime players

Motivations

Autonomy

Game with the same Autonomy vibe

5

"Players have full freedom to design and build their own vehicles with a huge variety of parts and weapons, allowing unique and creative builds."

Crossout
"Players have full freedom to build and customize vehicles with a wide range of parts and mechanics, enabling personal creative expression and decision-making."
Competence

Game with the same Competence vibe

4

"The game challenges players to master complex physics and engineering concepts, with a steep learning curve and skill-based vehicle building."

Dream Car Builder
"The game challenges players to master physics, vehicle design, and control mechanics, with a learning curve from simple to complex builds and racing."
Competition

Game with the same Competition vibe

2

"Includes multiplayer modes with leaderboards and PvP events, but many players also enjoy solo and casual play without heavy competition."

Forza Horizon 5
"Includes racing modes and PvP combat where players compete on leaderboards or against friends, but also supports casual and solo play."
Continuation

Game with the same Continuation vibe

4

"Players report long-term engagement with hundreds to thousands of hours, habitual play, and strong attachment."

The Lord of the Rings Online™
"Many players report long playtimes and habitual engagement, with some spending hundreds or thousands of hours, indicating strong attachment."
Cooperation

Game with the same Cooperation vibe

3

"Supports multiplayer cooperation and social play, including split-screen and online modes, fostering teamwork and shared experiences."

Wild Animal Racing
"Supports multiplayer modes with friends, cooperative sandbox play, and community sharing of blueprints, fostering teamwork and social play."
Creativity

Game with the same Creativity vibe

5

"Core gameplay revolves around building, modifying, and programming custom vehicles and machines."

Stormworks: Build and Rescue
"Core gameplay revolves around building and customizing vehicles and machines, encouraging extensive creative experimentation."
Domination

Game with the same Domination vibe

1

"Some players engage in PvP and faction warfare, but interactions are often balanced with cooperation and mutual respect."

Space Engineers
"Some PvP combat elements exist with weaponized vehicles, but interactions are generally balanced with shared play rather than domination."
Escapism

Game with the same Escapism vibe

3

"Players use the game as a challenging distraction and creative outlet, escaping real life through strategic and building gameplay."

The White Laboratory
"Players use the game as a creative outlet and distraction, enjoying imaginative vehicle building and exploration away from real life."
Expectation

Game with the same Expectation vibe

-3

"Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation; some mention frustration but mostly intrinsic motivation."

Eternal Return
"Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation; some frustration with updates but mostly intrinsic motivation."
Experimenting

Game with the same Experimenting vibe

5

"Strong emphasis on trying new builds, testing gear ratios, and exploring vehicle mechanics."

Screw Drivers
"Strong emphasis on trying new vehicle designs, testing physics, and tinkering with mechanics to solve challenges or create unique builds."
Exploration

Game with the same Exploration vibe

3

"Large sandbox maps encourage exploration of environments and multiple paths."

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts
"Sandbox maps and campaign encourage discovering new areas and secrets, though some maps are limited in variety."
Expression

Game with the same Expression vibe

4

"Players customize vehicles extensively, expressing creativity through design and paint."

SimplePlanes
"Players customize vehicles extensively with parts, decals, and designs, expressing personal style and creativity."
Fantasy

Game with the same Fantasy vibe

2

"While grounded in realistic physics, the game allows imaginative scenarios and creative space missions."

Spaceflight Simulator
"While grounded in physics, the game allows for fantastical and imaginative vehicle creations beyond realistic constraints."
Fellowship

Game with the same Fellowship vibe

3

"Community and multiplayer servers foster a sense of belonging and shared interest among players."

Pyroworks
"Community sharing, multiplayer servers, and social interactions create a sense of belonging among players."
Growth

Game with the same Growth vibe

4

"Players develop engineering skills, understanding of physics, and problem solving through gameplay."

Besiege
"Players develop engineering skills, understanding of physics, and building techniques through gameplay and experimentation."
Health

Game with the same Health vibe

-5

"Sedentary gameplay focused on screen interaction with no physical activity."

Cats and Seek: Kyoto
"Sedentary gameplay focused on screen interaction with no physical activity elements."
Idle

Game with the same Idle vibe

-3

"Requires focused attention to driving and signals; not designed for passive or background play."

TramSim Vienna - The Tram Simulator
"Requires focused attention for building and driving; not designed for passive or background play."
Intimacy

Game with the same Intimacy vibe

1

"Some social interaction with friends and community, but limited evidence of close emotional relationships."

Shredders
"Some social interaction with friends and community, but limited evidence of deep emotional or close relationship building."
Leadership

Game with the same Leadership vibe

1

"Some players lead teams or coordinate in multiplayer, but no strong emphasis on leadership roles."

Contractors
"Players can lead in multiplayer sessions or coordinate builds, but no strong emphasis on leadership roles."
Progression

Game with the same Progression vibe

3

"Players collect upgrades and unlock new game modes, showing progression."

The Eternal Castle [REMASTERED]
"Campaign and survival modes involve collecting parts and unlocking upgrades, showing clear progression mechanics."
Relaxation

Game with the same Relaxation vibe

3

"Many players find the driving and scenery relaxing and immersive, though some mention tension from physics or weather."

Truck World: Australia - First Haul
"Many players find the building and driving experience relaxing and satisfying, though some tension arises from physics challenges."
Sensation

Game with the same Sensation vibe

3

"Enjoyable visual style and satisfying physics feedback provide sensory pleasure."

Lonely Mountains: Downhill
"Enjoyable physics-based feedback, vehicle movement, and visual effects provide sensory stimulation and fun."
Status

Game with the same Status vibe

1

"Leaderboards and community recognition exist but are not the primary focus for most players."

White Knuckle
"Leaderboards and community recognition exist but are not the primary focus for most players."
Story

Game with the same Story vibe

1

"Campaign mode offers some narrative structure but overall story is minimal and secondary to gameplay."

Hearthlands
"Campaign offers some narrative elements, but overall story is minimal and secondary to gameplay."
Strategy

Game with the same Strategy vibe

3

"Players must plan vehicle approach, gear use, and path to overcome obstacles, requiring problem solving and strategy."

Offroad Mania
"Players engage in problem solving and planning vehicle designs to overcome challenges and optimize performance."
Thrill

Game with the same Thrill vibe

2

"Some moments of tension and excitement in racing and challenging weather, but generally controlled experience."

eSail Sailing Simulator
"Some excitement from racing, combat, and physics-based vehicle failures, but generally moderate tension levels."
Value

Game with the same Value vibe

2

"Players find good value in gameplay length and content, though some criticize DLC pricing."

Digimon Story Time Stranger
"Players feel the game offers good value for time spent, though some criticism exists about DLC pricing and grind."
Violence

Game with the same Violence vibe

1

"Combat and destruction occur but are minor parts of gameplay; more focus on building and managing."

The Universim
"Combat and destruction elements are present but not central; building and creativity dominate gameplay."
Survival

Game with the same Survival vibe

1

"Some game modes involve survival elements but overall low threat and risk environment."

Ancient Warfare 3
"Survival and resource gathering modes exist but are not the main focus; low risk compared to typical survival games."

Analysis

Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Domination, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Relaxation, Creativity, Expression.

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

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Last update: 30/04/2026

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