Video games have been popular for decades, but the industry has truly exploded over the past few generations to become one of the most successful fields of entertainment. The advent of new gaming consoles and a wealth ofnew intellectual propertiesmake sure that the industry remains fresh and challenging.
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There are many different genres of video games that connect with audiences, butintricate simulation titleshave become increasingly creative and popular. The simulation genre has become massive and this past year has introduced plenty of games that are likely to become future classics of the genre.
10Star Wars: Squadrons (Score: 80)
Star Warshas a long history with video games, but they’ve gained a new level of popularity thanks to the recent films that have been released.Star Wars: Squadronsis a space combat simulator that allows players to control both heroes from the New Republic as well as the opposing forces on the Galactic Empire.
Star Wars: Squadronshas a light story that’s set after the events ofReturn of the Jedi, but it works best as a multiplayer title. It’s a step in the right direction for futureStar Warssimulation games of this nature.
9MotoGP 20 (Score: 81)
There are manypopular street racing gamesthat pride themselves on their authenticity, but what makesMotoGP 20particularly satisfying is that it involves a heavy simulation component that’s then paid off with racing.
MotoGP 20contains different modes like Historical Content and Managerial Career that make the player consider every aspect of the sport. There’s a Chief Engineer, Personal Manager, and Data Analyst that must be managed to learn what’s necessary about certain tracks in order to develop a motorbike that’s properly suited for the occasion. Players even need to find their own engagements where they can race.
8SnowRunner (Score: 81)
Simulation games are an odd genre that can succeed by doing something very well without the need for a story or even characters in some cases. Saber Interactive has developed some off-road simulation titles andSnowRunneris the company’s successor toMudRunner, but with a much colder aesthetic.
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SnowRunnerfeatures different objectives to be completed as players drive through the nasty terrain using over 40 snow-based trucks that all respond differently to the conditions. For what it does,SnowRunneris an excellent off-road simulator.
7DIRT 5 (Score: 83)
TheDirtseries has been a successful alternative to other racing series for a while now.Dirt 5also qualifies as a simulation title due to how it’s just as focused on track and weather conditions as it is on the mechanics ofhow the cars operate.
Dirt 5painstakingly strives for authenticity with a wide mix of off-road racing that varies from ice to stadium races in locations like Morocco, Italy, Norway, and more.Dirt 5puts all of this together to create a very authentic off-road racing experience.
6WRC 9 FIA World Rally Championship (Score: 85)
TheWorld Rally Championshipseries has many entries at this point and they can be difficult to differentiate from one another. However, 2020’sWRC 9is a strong addition to the series that should get longtime fans excited.
WRC 9focuses on the meticulous management of rally racing across 14 locations around the world, with updates adding new vehicles to the game’s comprehensive roster. There are also fifty official crews from different World Rally Championships. ThePlayStation 5 versionis currently regarded as the best.
5Football Manager 2021 (Score: 86)
TheFootball Managerseries has been the signature football-management sim for a long time, butFootball Manager 2021feels like a bigger game due to how it was released for multiple platforms, including the Xbox.
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There really isn’t a better alternative for those who are looking for a sports management simulator, andFootball Manager 2021boasts over 117 leagues from 52 different nations across the world. The game gets into every detail of running a team and adds even more features than the previous title in the series.
4Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Score: 90)
TheAnimal Crossingfranchise has been around for over a decade and it has graced many of Nintendo’s different consoles and handhelds. Every entry in the series has plenty of charm, butAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsgained unprecedented popularity for the series.
The life simulation game is just as quirky and cute as the series has always been, andNew Horizonscontinues to turn out seasonal updates that have kept its community very much alive.
3F1 2020 (Score: 91)
F1 2020is the latest entry in Codemasters' acclaimed series. The game showcases nearly two-dozen circuits, 20 drivers, and ten different teams, but the title is at its best with its new team management feature.
2Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) (Score: 91)
TheMicrosoft Flight Simulatorseries debuted in 1982 and it’s a flagship franchise in the simulation genre.2020’sMicrosoft Flight Simulatortakes over two petabytes of data to map out the entire Earth with an alarming amount of graphical clarity.
The game accurately depicts flight protocols and procedures, and it can be a strangely satisfying substitute for air travel when it isn’t feasible.Microsoft Flight Simulatoris also set to come out for Xbox consoles in 2021, which also makes it the first game in the series to get a console release.
1Factorio (Score: 94)
Factoriois a construction and management simulation game that has turned into one of themost acclaimed independent releasesof the year due to its unique take on the genre. Players control an engineer who crashes onto an alien planet and needs to harvest resources and form an industrial economy to obtain the rocket needed to get back home.
Factoriocombines standard construction simulation mechanics with survival and real-time strategy components with how resources are obtained. There are also creatures on the planet that view the engineer as prey. It’s a fascinating game on every level.
