The most interesting simulation games released in 2015
All the best and most popular games of the year, upcoming releases, and hits from the past. Use filters to narrow down search.
The Sims 4: Outdoor Retreat
Simulation
January 13, 2015
The first paid DLC for the 2014 game The Sims 4 by Maxis. The so-called “game pack” is located half-way between accessory packs, known from the previous installments, and the classic “big” expansions. The most important aspect of Outdoor Retreat is the new mountainous location called Granite Falls. It's an clean place, where the tired Sims can find respite from the problems of their daily lives. In Granite Falls, they can participate in a range of new activities, such as sleeping in a tent, playing camping games, roasting sausages over a bonfire, and gathering herbs (which also involves a brand new Herbalism skill). There are also several smaller novelties, e.g. the bear costume and the NPC wearing them, who annoys the vacationing Sims.
Digital Combat Simulator: C-101 Aviojet
Simulation
January 21, 2015
Another module created for Digital Combat Simulator World, an advanced flight simulator. This time, aviation fans can use the CASA C-101 – a Spanish jet that was first put into service in 1975. The jet is available in two versions: traditional trainer and the more advanced ground attack variant. This machine wasn't very popular and currently is only used by the Spanish Air Force's national acrobatic team. The jet is recreated with attention to smallest details – both in its looks, construction (e.g. electric components, navigation, fuel and hydraulics systems) as well as its behavior in the air. In addition to that, accordingly to the rules of DCS World platform, players get access a fully interactive cockpit which can be customized. The module also supports online flights with other members of DCS World community.
Island Flight Simulator
Simulation
February 6, 2015
Island Flight Simulator combines elements of a simple flight and economy simulation games. It was developed by Caipirinha Games. The game takes us to a tropical area, where we assume the role of a small transport plane pilot. The gameplay boils down to transporting various goods, including those commonly considered illegal, between twelve exotic islands. The campaign consists of over a hundred challenges which involve very simple and quick jobs as well as high-risk missions. There are three aircraft at the player’s disposal, each different in terms of performance and appearance. The money we earn are spent on fuel, repairs, and modifications that increase our airplane’s capabilities and, by extension, our chance of succeeding in subsequent missions. The flight model used in the game isn’t too challenging – the developers decided to make a sort of compromise, thanks to which beginner gamers can also enjoy the game.
The Escapists
Simulation
February 13, 2015
A prisoner simulator that combines features of many genres. It was developed by Mouldy Toof in cooperation with Team 17 Software. The player assumes the role of a prisoner who leads a “normal” life in one of several available penitentiary facilities. The main objective of the game is to plan a way of escaping from the prison. In addition to participating in a series of daily activities like various works, workouts, meals, walks and interactions with other prisoners, the player is also gathering seemingly useless items, looking for allies and observing his surroundings in order to find weak points of security systems. The final phase is to use the previously prepared plan and escape. The Escapist offers great freedom of acting and many ways of escaping depending on prison style (among which there is for example a military prison camp). The game offers retro pixel-art two-dimensional graphics presented from a top-down perspective.
European Ship Simulator
Simulation
February 20, 2015
A new simulation from Excalibur Publishing, the authors of the popular Euro Truck Simulator. European Ship Simulator is a maritime simulator in which the player assumes the role of a captain given numerous assignments taking place all over Europe. The career mode offers the ability to control a number of diversified vessels, from small trawlers and tugboats, up to powerful liners. Each ship has been faithfully recreated, including all characteristic details such as size or specs. These parameters influence the navigation style and responsiveness of the vessel. Aside from sailing mechanics, the authors have introduced dynamic weather conditions and a mod-friendly architecture.
Digital Combat Simulator: Mig-15bis
Simulation
March 13, 2015
Digital Combat Simulator: Mig-15bis is another installment in the advanced flight simulator series Digital Combat Simulator developed by the Belarussian studio Belsimtek and the Russian studio Eagle Dynamics. The "protagonist" of this game is the legendary single-engine jet fighter plane Mig-15bis, which entered service in 1949. This model gained its glory and legendary status during the Korean war, being the equivalent and rival of the American F-86 Sabre. Digital Combat Simulator: Mig-15bis continues the tradition of the previous games of the series and offers realistic recreation of the titular plane's flight model, giving players the possibility of experiencing the actual thing as close as possible. The developers, in cooperation with renowned experts on the topic, have reconstructed not only the plane's weaponry, but also technical parameters and all of the Mig's on-board systems. We will also find a highly detailed, interactive 6-DOF cockpit in the game. We will operate it with our mouse. The game offers a series of single player scenarios and is compatible with the Digital Combat Simulator: World platform.
The Sims 4: Get to Work
Simulation
March 31, 2015
The Sims 4: Get to Work is the first big expansion to the fourth game in The Sims series owned and developed by EA Maxis since 2000. Just like the add-ons to the previous games from the series, Get to Work introduces new features to the base game, focusing on the work aspect of our Sims' life. There are three possible career paths available: police officer, scientist, and a doctor. Like in real life, we begin as a regular employee and climb the career ladder until we get what we want. Along with the new professions, EA Maxis introduced new buildings, like the hospital, police station, or a laboratory. Two new skills for our Sims were also added (photography and baking), which we can use, for example, to start our own business. The presence of Aliens makes the game a bit more interesting. They hide among the Sims, and when we discover their real identity, we can travel to a mysterious world.
Grass Simulator
Simulation
April 1, 2015
Another unusual simulation game, inspired by such productions as Goat Simulator or Rock Simulator 2014 and developed by indie studio RezineGames. The grass has been faithfully recreated in different landscapes and weather conditions. The gameplay is shown from a first-person perspective and is set in a fully open world, which you freely roam among the landscapes, trees, other plants, and animals. Like in Rock Simulator 2014, Grass Simulator features arcade elements. The player character is equipped with a gun, which allows them to “interact” with various objects. The game also features a multiplayer mode, which allows the players to make use of their own creativity.
Car Mechanic Simulator 2015
Simulation
April 2, 2015
A sequel to the unique simulation game developed by Polish studio Red Dot Games, whose first edition, released for PC and mobile devices, proved to be a big commercial success. Once again, we assume the role of an owner of car workshop, and our task is to build a good reputation by repairing customers’ machines. Unlike the previous installment, this game offers randomly generated missions, and limits the amount of time we are given to complete them. 16 car models are available in the game, each of them consisting of more than 200 interactive parts that need to be checked to identify the fault. In addition to the typical repair jobs, we can also carry out tasks encompassing visual and mechanical tuning, as well as - a new addition to the series - renovation. The cars we acquire on special auctions can be restored and either sold for profit, or kept for our own use, thus building our own unique collection of vehicles.
I Am Bread
Simulation
April 9, 2015
Yet another joke simulation game, a genre which, contrary to any logical reasoning, keeps gaining crowds of fans. The hero of this game, developed by an independent team at Bossa Studios, is a slice of bread, and the player’s job is to take it all the way to a toaster. Gameplay mechanics in I Am Bread are pretty complex, the biggest difficulty being controlling all four corners of the toast separately. With these mechanics the “hero” can perform simple moves on any flat surface. The game is played in various rooms, and in order to get the toast to its ultimate destination you can make use of various types of house equipment, e.g. a fan, which makes for an excellent catapult. While playing, you must also supervise two essential statistics of the bread: its edibility and deliciousness. Too much dirt can make the toast completely inedible.
Helicopter: Natural Disasters
Simulation
April 16, 2015
An unusual rescue helicopter simulator developed by PlayWay. We are left without any form of storyline or a plot, instead taking part in a number of unconnected rescue operations. The game takes place on an expansive world spanning 100 km2 that contains various settlements, locations, and other elements which are a background to thirty varied assignments that see us fight against numerous natural disasters including great fires or earthquakes. The player is given five helicopters that are characterized by their specialization and different behavior in flight, as well as a few land vehicles and speedboats that received their separate segments. Helicopter: Natural Disasters is governed by a realistic physics engine that offers realistic flight, as well as controls a number of smaller factors such as the weight of the transported cargo or changing weather conditions.
Construction Machines 2016
Simulation
April 16, 2015
Another simulator created by Gamecask and published by PlayWay. In the game, the player assumes the role of a construction company president with a goal to achieve financial success. Construction Machines 2016 is based on two main aspects, the first one being the strategy – in this case, one gets to manage an entire enterprise, sign new contracts, and invest the money one has earned in order to unlock more profitable undertakings and some new locations. The second aspect is the simulation itself, where the players can operate numerous construction machines and construct, demolish, or maintain buildings with their own hands. Among other things, the players get at their disposal excavators, huge construction cranes, and dump trucks. What is worth mentioning, the player has to maintain and improve the aforementioned machines – in total, the game offers 40 upgrades to install on the vehicles. The entire experience becomes even more interesting with all the available tools, such as wrenches, hammers, and even some explosives. Construction Machines 2016 is based on a new technology and the 3D visuals present a relatively high-quality execution – especially the dynamic demolition system, which delivers satisfying animations of collapsing structures and other elements from the environment.
Truck Mechanic 2015
Simulation
April 16, 2015
A simulation game in which the players work as a car mechanic that is specialized in repairing the titular vehicles. The game, created by PlayWay, has no story mode – instead of that we take jobs. A conversation with a client that happens before the repairs allows us to learn what needs to be done. There are eight cars in the game – each of them was designed with a lot of details and because of that the cars consist of hundreds of parts. In Truck Mechanic Simulator 2015 we can fix brakes, gearboxes or various engine components. The controls are arcade – we use mouse and keyboard to control the movements of our mechanic. Our job is rewarded with money – we can spend them on parts and repair manuals but also we can develop our workshop.
Kerbal Space Program
Simulation
April 27, 2015
This is the debut from the independent developer Squad. The game is an unusual simulator requiring the player to develop their own space program from scratch. Kerbal Space Program combines features of many genres, but the most important part here is an extensive ship editor, which allows the player to design and build their own, unique spacecraft. The ship is then supposed to fly and land safely on a moon of the Kerbin planet. The spaceship is built from various elements - each of them affects it in flight and serves a specific purpose. Thanks to a realistic flight model, the player is capable of observing the effects of their work and monitoring a set of parameters describing the ship. Apart from the basic, sandbox mode, the game offers a set of story missions requiring the player to recruit a team, conduct research, build bases and visit dozens of planets.
Euro Truck Simulator 2: Scandinavian Expansion
Simulation
May 7, 2015
The second large expansion to a popular economic game simulating truck driving, created by Czech studio SCS Software. As the title suggests, the add-on expands the game’s map by three Scandinavian countries: Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, and their respective road networks. During your career as a virtual driver you can visit such cities as Copenhagen, Oslo, Bergen, Malmo, and Karlskrona. The locations were recreated based on authentic maps and photos. There are many other landmarks, including the headquarters of the famous car manufacturers Scania and Volvo. The game also introduces new types of roads and crossroads, and since most of Scandinavian trade is moved by sea, you will be visiting several well-known harbors. Finally, you get to admire the beautiful mountain landscapes and have to deal with tough weather conditions typical of this part of the continent.
Airport Firefighters: The Simulation
Simulation
May 13, 2015
Airport Firefighters: The Simulation is the third game in the Airport Firefighters series developed by the German studio Visual Imagination Software GbR. We play as a member of the elite firefighting unit that fights with fires on an airport. We observe the game from the first-person perspective. As we play, we control one character who has to get to the fire location by, for example, driving a fire truck. Then, we get the necessary tools and do our job. We will have to not only extinguish fires, but also move around burning buildings, watch out for many obstacles, move objects, or force our way through ventilation systems. In case of emergency, we can use an axe to clear our path. We fight fire with a fire extinguisher and a sprayer. We will have to take down fires in different parts of the airport, like the passenger terminal, inside of a plane, or the office. The game offers many different fire trucks.
Trainz Simulator: A New Era
Simulation
May 15, 2015
Trainz Simulator: A New Era is another game from the popular simulator series, Trainz that, as its title suggests, opens a new era in the history of the series. The game was developed by N3V Games, a studio created by the series' original developers from Auran. A New Era uses a brand new engine. Thanks to that, gameplay is more realistic and the visuals are of the highest quality. Both the train models and the environment have more details to them, and thanks to the improved physics, visuals, and dynamic weather the game is even closer to reality. Introduction of the new game engine brought many changes, but the gameplay mechanics remain intact. We still design our own railways and test them. Traditionally, there is a set of pre-made routes available and many highly detailed railway engine models.
Rescue 2: Everyday Heroes
Simulation
June 3, 2015
The second installment of the Rescue series, developed by Fragment Production, a Finnish studio responsible for the previous installment, as well as Roadside Assistance Simulator. When it comes to mechanics, Rescue 2: Everyday Heroes is a strategy game that attempts to simulate typical assignments of firefighters. Our job is to coordinate the units, choose the equipment, employ new firefighters, or exchange vehicles between individual departments. In case of dealing with fire, we need to remember about choosing the right extinguishing agents, finding water sources, and aiming the water stream at the right locations. The game contains a story campaign, but we can also respond to daily assignments. Rescue 2: Everyday Heroes uses up-to-date three-dimensional graphics, but the quality is decent at best.
Farm Expert 2016
Simulation
June 19, 2015
A production of the popular agricultural simulation genre. The game was developed by PlayWay, a studio known for such titles as Professional Farmer and Farm Machines Championship. After splitting from the former publisher, the developer decided to continue the series under a completely new brand – Farm Expert. Similarly to many games in this genre, you are in control of a farmer who plants various crops and fruits, rears livestock, buys new machines and agricultural equipment, and finally manages and expands the business, thus the gameplay offers elements of both simulation and economy. There are more than 170 licensed and accurately reproduced machines designed for different agricultural purposes.
Vector Thrust
Simulation
July 2, 2015
An arcade flight simulator, inspired by popular console series such as Ace Combat. The game offers several story campaigns which are focused around dynamic aerial rivalry. The developers decided to recreate 200 authentic aircraft, including serial models, as well as prototypes. The flight model is definitely arcade, but the game boasts an advanced AI module, which gives the AI pilots the ability to adapt to our playstyle and cooperate with each other. The game employs cel-shading technology, which is an unusual visual style for the genre, giving the game a bit of a cartoonish feel. Vector Thrust is characterized by a wide range of customization, allowing the players to modify practically every aspect of the gameplay, while the open file structure makes the game very modder-friendly.
Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop?!
Simulation
July 13, 2015
Simple simulation game with elements of economic strategy, in which the player's task is to manage the title gun shop. In the course of the game, he hires employees and improves their skills, acquires new equipment for the workshop and obtains designs of other types of weapons, which are then sent to the heroses that he supplies.
The Sims 4: Spa Day
Simulation
July 14, 2015
The second game pack for the fourth installment of the wildly popular game series, The Sims. The expansion adds four new buildings, in which your Sims may relax a bit. The include the Aham Ashram Yoga Studio, where your Sims may learn yoga, the Center of Center Massage, offering various massaging services, the Perfect Balance Spa, featuring a sauna and a meditation spot, and a gym, where your Sims may work out their tension. You can also create your own relaxation center. Spa Day features also the new Inner Harmony ability, allowing your Sims to control their body and mind better. The expansion adds also some lesser novelties, such as the New Age radio station, new outfits and hairstyles, mud baths, and also a new way to die — death by overheating in a sauna.
Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer
Simulation
July 30, 2015
A spin-off of the popular Animal Crossing series by Nintendo. Unlike the other titles in the franchise, Happy Home Designer is not a life simulation game, but a software for designing interiors of the virtual characters' houses. In the game you find a range of options and items allowing you to customize the house according to the character's desires. On the floor you can place carpets, while the rooms can be furnished with bookshelves, benches, tables, wardrobes, or other objects. The gameplay mechanics are very simple, focusing on choosing objects and placing them at the desired spot. The game supports the amiibo cards, which you can scan and invite other characters to the house to chat or to play. The game features the same visual style as the latest Animal Crossing productions.
Cosmonautica
Simulation
July 31, 2015
A space sandbox from a group of developers known for the arcade racing game called Pressure. Cosmonautica allows us to become a captain of a spaceship, his objective being to build a small trading company. The player can explore the galaxy, comprised of randomly generated star systems, and search for various goods that are capable of bringing a profit. During our visits in spaceports, we can take up tasks that may end up in a fight. Management of the ship and its crew is an important aspect of the game – the vessel requires constant refuels, repairs, and modifications to stay competitive, while our crew has to be taken care of, and assigned to various tasks, all while making sure that the individual crew members want to cooperate with each other. Aside from the sandbox mode, the game contains the ability to create and take part in single scenarios. Cosmonautica is characterized by simple cartoonish visuals.
Japanese Rail Sim: Journey to Kyoto
Simulation
August 5, 2015
A sim game in which we sit behind the helm of a Japanese railroad and travel along two scenic routes in Kyoto. Game Japanese Rail Sim: Journey to Kyoto was made in FMV technique - a model of a railroad and an interface were superimposed on recorded video material.
Farming Simulator 16
Simulation
August 6, 2015
Another installment of the farming simulation game series from GIANTS software. Contrary to most of the major entries in the franchise, Farming Simulator 16 was created solely with the PS Vita handheld console and mobile devices in mind. In the game, we traditionally assume the role of farm owner, and our task is to turn his possessions into a true agricultural empire. Achieving this requires us to sow and harvest, and then invest the money we’ve earned into the farm’s development as well as new vehicles and devices. The title features over 50 fully licensed agricultural machines of various type that we can personally drive while working in the field. Compared to its predecessor, the game offers new sorts of crops, but the biggest novelty is the introduction of forests, along with a pretty big set of hardware for felling and processing trees.
Battlevoid: Harbinger
Simulation
August 12, 2015
A turn-based exploration game with rougelike elements, created by Bugbyte, an independent Finnish studio. The player is cast into the role of a commander of a space fleet. His task is to enter an uncharted enemy star systems to investigate the situation. As the galaxy is randomly generated during each playthrough, each game offers a different experience. Battlestation: Harbinger focuses on exploration of an open world, interactions with alien races, and completing various task – from escorting duties up to clashes with enemy ships. Along with our progress in the game, we receive access to new modifications and technologies allowing us to not only upgrade our ship, but also create a small fleet. The game employs decent two-dimensional visuals.
Hacknet
Simulation
August 13, 2015
A hacking simulation game, in which you delve into lines of code to discover the truth behind the death of Bit, one of the world's best computer protection experts. The gameplay features dialogue boxes and you use real UNIX commands. If you're less familiar with programming, you can use the integrated hint system, which will help you learn the basic rules of the digital world.
Clouds & Sheep 2
Simulation
August 27, 2015
In Clouds & Sheep 2 the player gets a flock of sheep under his care and his task is to provide them with a peaceful and pleasant life. Production is a continuation of Clouds & Sheep from 2011. Its creation is the responsibility of HandyGames studio, and the release was taken care of by Headup Games.
Train Simulator 2016
Simulation
September 17, 2015
Another annual edition of one of the most popular train simulators. For many years the series was developed Rail Simulation Developments. The foundations of the new installment remain unchanged and the game still focuses mostly on controlling various train types on tracks located in different corners of the world. The player can select from many faithfully recreated rail tracks and realistic models of actual trains. Train Simulator 2016 is a technical revolution for the series, introducing the game to the modern Unreal Engine 4 technology. This had a very positive impact on the graphics of the title, but it also made the DLC created for the previous games incompatible with the 2016 installment. The players are forced to build their large base of expansions from scratch. The game traditionally offers an advanced editor which enables the player to create their own locomotives, locations and tasks.
Coast Guard
Simulation
October 21, 2015
A game recreating the various situations encountered by coast guard officers, developed by Reality Twist - the team responsible for Ship Simulator: Maritime Search and Rescue. The main hero of Coast Guard, Finn Asdair, and his teammates – an engineer, Fatima Morgane, main investigator, Colman Bauers, and a forensic specialist, Larry La Bouche have to face a number of dangerous tasks, such as saving people from burning vessels, fishing out survivors, or investigating shipwrecks. Most of the time, we control a coast guard unit, seen from a third-person perspective. Our ship is sometimes supported by a smaller boat, of which we assume control during certain emergencies. Additionally, Coast Guard introduces an ability to disembark the boat in order to search an island, or a room on an oil rig. In such cases, the game switches to a FPP mode, and we have to use available items to solve encountered problems, similarly to adventure games. Coast Guard employs three-dimensional visuals, but their quality is not a highlight of the game.
Farming Simulator 15: Silver
Simulation
October 29, 2015
An official expansion to the farming simulator published in 2014 by Giants Software. Farming Simulator 15: Silver is an expansion designed for the seventh generation of consoles, namely PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and, in contrast to the next-gen consoles edition called Farming Simulator 15: Gold, its contents are a bit reduced. This add-on does not introduce any changes to mechanics. During the gameplay the player takes control of tractors, harvesters, and trucks produced by such manufacturers as Zetor, Tatra, Rostselmash, and Farmtech. In contrast to the Gold version, there are no new farming areas in Eastern Europe, yet the remaining elements from both DLCs are included, so players can make use of new equipment and 20 new farming machines.
Farming Simulator 15: Official Expansion
Simulation
October 29, 2015
An official expansion to Farming Simulator 15, a game published in 2014 by GIANTS Software. The expansion introduces large agricultural areas in Eastern Europe, together with their characteristic climatic conditions. Apart from that, there are 20 new, licensed agricultural machines by such producers as Zetor, Tatra, Rostselmash, and Farmtech. The game also offers new machines for logging and wood processing - novelties introduced in the previous edition of the game. Farming Simulator 15: Official Expansion requires the base game and is available both as a DLC and as a bundle with the original title. It is worth mentioning that the edition for the last-gen gaming consoles is a bit limited when compared to the version for PC and the eight generation consoles.
Farming Simulator 15: Gold
Simulation
October 29, 2015
A complete edition of 2014's Farming Simulator 15, featuring the Official Expansion DLC and developed by GIANTS Software. As usual, the player's main tasks here are to sow fields, breed animals and buy gradually better equipment for money earned from selling crops and other goods. The game offers three different environments with different climatic conditions: one is a Central European location, the second was inspired by Scandinavian landscapes, and the last resembles Eastern Europe (this one was introduced in the Official Expansion DLC). What is new in Farming Simulator 15, is an opportunity to manage forests - adequate equipment was added for wood cutting, processing, and transportation. Also, the game brings new machines from real-life companies, such as New Holland, Ponsse, Zetor, Tatra, Rostselmash or Farmtech. Farming Simulator 15: Gold offers both a solo experience and a multiplayer component for up to 16 players connected either via the Internet or LAN.
Euro Fishing
Simulation
November 2, 2015
An advanced fishing simulator developed by Dovetail Games. The title takes place by five European lakes located, among other places, in France, Spain and England. Each lake has more than a dozen of fishing positions. This allows the player to use various fishing techniques. The game is very realistic thanks to the implementation of Total Cast Control, a system that realistically recreates the behavior of the customizable fishing rod. The fish are controlled by advanced artificial intelligence and the game features a day and night cycle as well as dynamic weather conditions that have direct impact on the gameplay. Euro Fishing can be played alone or with other players. The multiplayer mode offers not only direct competition and comparison of the fish caught by the players, but also special live online tournaments. The game is powered by Unreal Engine 4, featuring high-quality visuals.