This category can include all games that simulate driving machinery. The most popular projects are probably related to driving simulators. The most striking representatives of the genre – Race Driver: GRID, NFS Shift, DiRT Rally and some parts of Gran Turismo.
The degree of realism in each game is different. As a rule, car simulators offer unique sound and controls for each car, damage system, the influence of weather and aerodynamics on the behavior of the car. When you connect a steering wheel with pedals, you can get the maximum sensation, almost like driving a real car.
This same subcategory also includes more relaxed games, such as simulations of bus drivers, truckers (Euro Truck Simulator), backhoe operators, and so on. Always wanted to ride on some kind of transport? Most likely, you can do it in some kind of simulator.
A separate subgenre are railroad simulators – Railway Empire, Train Sim World, Microsoft Train Simulator and so on. In these games, the emphasis is on the most realistic transfer of locomotive control. Gamers need to keep track of the instruments, time to plan the brakes and do not miss a stop. Many games are also simultaneously and economic strategies.
Another subcategory – these are flight simulators. The most realistic are Microsoft Flight Simulator, Take on Helicopters and Ka-50 Black Shark. In these games, not only the behavior of equipment is transferred, but also in great detail worked out in the cockpit. Most of the toggle switches can be turned on and off, and the instruments show the real values. Just like in real life.
If you just want to enjoy the freedom of flying, there are more arcade simulators out there. For example, games in the Ace Combat series or IL-2 Sturmovik. Control as much as possible simplified, and the gameplay is tied to perform combat missions.
The last subcategory includes space flight simulators. The main difference from the previous ones – you do not control the plane, and the spaceship. The variety of mechanics is much more: you have to monitor the weapons and shields, keep track of ammunition and the strength of the hull. In hardcore games have to consider the gravitational influence of other objects – stars and planets. Among the brightest representatives of the genre are X4: Foundation, Elite: Dangerous, Star Citizen, fighter simulator STAR WARS: Squadrons.
If you like something peaceful, and the first place for you is the physics, look at sandboxes like Kerbal Space Program. There the player has to build his own spaceship and fly to any planet. Scenarios are many, as well as ways to achieve the goal. In these simulations the emphasis is on engineering, calculation of trajectories, fuel consumption and so on. Everything you need to feel like a NASA smart guy.