6 Simulation games like Need for Speed™ Payback that you should try

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We filtered the 50 games similar to Need for Speed™ Payback down to the 6 that fit the “Simulation” category. Trailmakers, Crash Time 2 and Need for Speed™ top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Need for Speed™ Payback.

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GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

The best simulation games like Need for Speed™ Payback

6 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Need for Speed™ Payback. Each one has been evaluated across 17 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Trailmakers

iRank77

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

Co-opSoloOnlineMultiplayerMeleeSandbox WorldOpen WorldExploration

Steam👍 92%· 36KRAWG👍 59%· 70OC69· 5

Year 2020Dev FlashbulbPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of open-world action games: adventure storytelling, deep simulation and racing gameplay

≠ Its own twist: survival mechanics, setting space and crafting mechanics, while skipping sports simulation

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

MultiplayerSoloMeleeNarrativeSandbox WorldOpen WorldExploration

Steam👍 58%· 2.5KRAWG👍 19%· 107

Year 2008Dev RTL interactive · Meridian4Playtime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the open-world action games cluster, with racing gameplay, sandbox freedom and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings offline and visual 3d, while skipping sports simulation

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

MultiplayerSoloCo-opMeleeOpen WorldExplorationThird PersonFirst Person

Steam👍 69%· 28KRAWG👍 50%· 824MC66OC65· 78

Year 2015Dev Ghost Games · Electronic ArtsPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the open-world action games cluster, with racing gameplay, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: visual topdown, while skipping sports simulation

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Steam Xbox PS

#4Bully: Scholarship Edition

iRank82

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 84%· 41KRAWG👍 86%· 765MC72IGDB80· 3

Year 2008Dev Rockstar New England · Rockstar GamesPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Xbox · Nintendo

✓ Both are open-world action games — sharing adventure storytelling, sandbox freedom and deep simulation

≠ Where it differs: brings dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping racing gameplay

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

MultiplayerSoloMeleeOpen WorldExploration

Steam👍 85%· 652

Year 2009Dev Synetic · Kalypso MediaPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Same family of open-world action games: racing gameplay, deep simulation and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: offline, while skipping sports simulation

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Steam

#6Hunt: Showdown 1896

iRank76

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

MultiplayerCo-opPvPSoloOnlineMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 74%· 272KRAWG👍 74%· 317MC79IGDB75· 5OC80· 9

Year 2018Dev CrytekPlaytime ~6hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of open-world action games: deep simulation, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: first-person shooting, shooter and survival mechanics, while skipping racing gameplay

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Steam Xbox PS

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Best Open-World Action Games Best Action Games