Within gaming, there are genres to appease every type of gamer, and the simulation genre is one of the most popular since it opens up the opportunity for players to try their hand at occupations and activities inaccessible to them in their normal lives. Consequently, games likeMicrosoft Flight SimulatorandTrain Simulatorhave grown over the years, providing an ever more realistic experience with every new release.
For every simulation with an easy-to-understand appeal, there are numerous titles whose very existence is baffling, yet they have managed to be indie hits. From the zany antics ofGoat Simulatorto the zen-like tranquility ofLawn Mowing Simulator, plenty of titles have gone against the grain of what gamers typically expect from simulators, with amusing results. By subverting the genre and playing on gamers' expectations, some of the strangest simulators in gaming have created some truly unique gaming moments.
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The World of Mundane Task Simulators
While many gamers are drawn to the world ofsimulation gamesfor the opportunity to try their hand at something they may not be able to do in the real world, there are plenty of simulators catering to gamers looking to spend their time on more everyday tasks. The appeal of such games may not be apparent at first, but they are not meant to be particularly enthralling or exciting. Rather, they are intended to be busywork to pass the time, perhaps while listening to a podcast or just thinking about life.
Skyhook Games offersLawn Mowing Simulator, a game that that features a line of licensed lawnmowers, allowing gamers to turn cutting grass into an art. The game is set in Great Britain, and players can drink in the beautiful backdrop of the British countryside as they mow the perfect lawn. Gamers looking for a laid-back experience can also pick up FutureLab’sPowerWash Simulatorwhich tasks players with cleaning buildings and objects. Though the game starts quite simple, it can get more complex as players progress and take on different clients.
There is alsoCar Parking Simulatorfrom Sloppy Studios, which focuses on the end of every journey, and the part that most drivers loathe. InCar Parking Simulator, players can park sedans, SUVs, and hatchbacks, and VR support allows players to be as immersed as possible in the parking experience. Other notable mundane simulators include theBus Simulatorfranchise, theFarming Simulatorfranchise, andUnpacking.
Be Anything You Want to Be
Simulation games are also appealing because they allow players to try out occupations unavailable to them in regular life. However, some games have strived to simulate the rarest and most niche jobs. For those who do not have a squeamish stomach, there isSurgeon Simulator. It does not aim for realism but instead provides a humorous experience of splicing organs to keep patients alive. For the ultimate job simulation, there isJob Simulator, a VR game that features a suite of jobs for players to try, including being a chef, a mechanic, and even an office worker.
When gamers are done trying out different jobs, they can even have the experience of being different animals. Perhaps the most famous - and zaniest - example of this isGoat Simulatorwhich, with its clunky physics and embrace of its glitchy nature, managed to become a bit of an internet star, especially among streamers, due to its absurd premise. For players who prefer things a little wilder, there isCheetah Simulator, which has gamers surviving on the grassy plains. To prove they are the big cat, players have to show their vicious side by hunting and warding off bigger predators such as lions.
For most, video games are a chance at escapism and a way to, at least for a while, get away from the mundane aspects of life. Simulation games can provide that and a whole lot more, as they also allow players to look at everyday life through a renewed lens. While tasks like mowing the lawn may seem boring at first, it takes on a whole new life when framed around the idea of trying to be the greatest lawnmower there ever was.
