Review: Car Mechanic Simulator (PlayStation 4)
Pros:
- Decent graphics.
- 6.80gb download size.
- Platinum trophy.
- Invert axis and sensitivity sliders.
- Video settings-AA, Bloom and sharpening.
- 4 profile slots.
- 4 game modes- Normal, normal no tutorial, sandbox, and expert.
- First-person view.
- Simulator gameplay where you fix and tune-up cars then test drive them and sell them.
- Radio (in-game music)-8 Stations with street, electro, drum and bass, mixer, house, classical and broadcast genres.
- World map level select.
- Jobs-accept and browse from your phone.
- Buy cars from auctions.
- Tests track-a track designed to test all functions of a car and you drive the car.
- A tutorial video that kicks up info as you approach stations or interact with certain objects.
- Garage stations-test path for brakes, repair table, engine mount, oil drain, a toolbox for upgrades, car lift, detailing, paint shop, welder, tire changer/balancer and spring compressor.
- Under the hood, you can press a button to explode the parts into a highly detailed fully interactive array of all the parts.
- Highlighting a part will give a name and description.
- Tons of jobs to take.
- A mechanic’s wet dream.
- One of those games that surprises you and drags you in.
- Play your way.
- On-screen button controls.
Cons:
- Not the best loading times.
- No guidance or actual help especially in regards to jobs.
- Mechanic mode (when you blow up under the hood) is very fiddly and can get difficult.
- So much to take in.
- A game for a niche crowd.
-
Graphics - 8/108/10
-
Sound - 8/108/10
-
Accessibility - 7/107/10
-
Length - 9/109/10
-
Fun Factor - 8/108/10
Summary
I don’t think anyone really goes out looking for a car Mechanic game but then maybe they will, I mean you can’t move for another sim game coming out. Well initially the look and general game description is that one of budget, a simple repetitive series of events. That couldn’t be further from the truth, it’s actually very scary at just how much content and variety is stored away in the garage. You can live out your mechanic fantasy yet still get the sense of gaming. You take jobs on, buy parts and fix/upgrade cars or you can buy beat up bangers and do them up and flip it for profit. Using the tools and stations within the garage whilst plentiful, is easy to use thanks to simple one button actions. You can explode the engine (mechanic mode) and go even further and interact with every nut and bolt and change anything. The game does an OK job at guiding you through the many practices but it could be better especially in the initial jobs as you find your feet and learn the basics. I had a lot of fun in the end but it was an initial slog of frustration as I tried to get help from the game for very simple tasks but once you learn how it all plays out it is a lot easier which in turn makes it alot more engaging.
