Assemble with Care
- September 19, 2019
- ustwo games
- 2h median play time
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
Get on Steam"Assemble With Care" is a narrative-driven game about restoring antiques and healing relationships in a sun-soaked town. Players, as globetrotting restorer Maria, complete meaningful puzzles to restore objects, meeting townsfolk and helping them reconnect through tactile gameplay, vibrant visuals, and powerful writing. The game features nostalgic charm with objects and music inspired by decades past.
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PC
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Reviews
- Charming and heartwarming story that resonates with players.
- Beautiful art style and soothing soundtrack enhance the overall experience.
- Relaxing gameplay with satisfying mechanics of assembling and repairing items.
- Very short game, typically completed in under two hours.
- Controls can be finicky and frustrating at times, especially when rotating objects.
- Puzzles are generally too easy, lacking challenge and depth.
- story2,026 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Assemble with Care" is a heartwarming and emotional narrative that revolves around a traveling repairwoman named Maria, who helps residents of the quaint town of Bellariva by fixing their cherished possessions. Each item she repairs is tied to the personal stories and relationships of its owner, creating a touching exploration of family, connection, and the significance of memories. While the gameplay is simple and the puzzles are not particularly challenging, the beautifully illustrated storybook presentation, combined with excellent voice acting and a soothing soundtrack, makes for a cozy and engaging experience, albeit a short one.
“I love how each item that I fixed has a story and memories that resemble each of their bonding, and I'm glad Carmen and Helen became close again after being busy with life, just as we were with Izzy and her dad.”
“The story is simple but touching, and it does a great job of connecting the repairs to the characters' lives, making each interaction meaningful.”
“The story is beautifully told through the gameplay, with each repair revealing more about the characters and their relationships, creating a heartfelt narrative.”
“The story is not good.”
“The story is very shallow.”
“The story is bland and I couldn't get into it, it's boring and just don't care for it.”
- gameplay586 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Assemble with Care" is characterized by its simple yet satisfying mechanics focused on disassembling and repairing various objects, making it accessible and enjoyable for players of all ages. While the puzzles are generally straightforward and not particularly challenging, they are complemented by a charming narrative and beautiful art style, creating a relaxing experience. However, some players noted frustrations with controls and a desire for more complex gameplay, as the game typically offers around 1.5 to 2 hours of playtime, leaving some feeling it could benefit from additional content.
“A short but oh so sweet unique puzzle game with a tear-jerking story and fun, easy-going, captivating gameplay.”
“The gameplay is quite simple but very addictive; repairing or combining several parts into one is the perfect thing to play in your free time at home.”
“The mechanics of taking things apart was so satisfying and walked the perfect line between ease of accessibility and challenging complexity.”
“Well-made game, but the gameplay is a little boring, and the controls are frustrating.”
“Gameplay-wise, it can be a bit fiddly at times, and the most tedious thing I can think of would be the use of the screwdriver, with the game forcing you to set the screwdriver down after each screw, meaning you'll have to pick it up again for the next screw.”
“The actual gameplay is incredibly undercooked and somehow has bad controls, even though it's point and click.”
- music526 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been widely praised for its calming and soothing qualities, enhancing the overall relaxing atmosphere of the experience. Many players noted that the soundtrack beautifully complements the art style and narrative, creating an immersive environment that evokes emotional responses. While some found the music occasionally loud or repetitive, the majority appreciated its charm and the way it ties together the game's heartwarming story and visuals.
“The music pairs perfectly with the heartfelt story as you complete each task, you feel more and more part of this story.”
“The soundtrack is very calming as well!”
“The music is beautiful, the art is gorgeous, and the story is sweet.”
“The music levels are too damn loud at the start.”
“I want to like this game, the art is cute and the music is pretty, but the overall experience only took me an hour.”
“The music was boring and repetitive; the graphics are nice, and the story is non-essential and not interesting but takes up way too much time of the game.”
- graphics518 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Assemble with Care" are widely praised for their charming, watercolor-inspired art style that enhances the game's cozy atmosphere. Players appreciate the beautiful visuals, which are complemented by soothing music and excellent voice acting, creating an immersive experience. Despite some critiques regarding gameplay length and simplicity, the overall aesthetic and artistic presentation are considered standout features that contribute significantly to the game's appeal.
“The graphics are stunning, and I love the color studies and themes of the levels.”
“The visuals are beautiful, with a warm and inviting art style that complements the game's themes perfectly.”
“The art style is absolutely stunning, deeply moving in story, voice acting, and soundtrack, on top of addictive gameplay.”
“I ended up finishing the game in about 80 minutes, with the other several minutes wasted on a series of troubleshooting game restarts, trying to solve a graphical issue.”
“The puzzles are far too easy, the controls are unintuitive and the story is uninspired but the cute graphics and relaxing atmosphere make up for it.”
“The music was boring and repetitive, the graphics are nice and the story is non-essential and not interesting but takes up way too much time of the game.”
- emotional454 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Assemble with Care" is widely praised for its heartwarming narrative that explores themes of nostalgia, relationships, and the sentimental value of objects. Players report being deeply moved by the touching stories of the characters, often leading to emotional reactions such as tears, as they engage in the simple yet meaningful act of repairing cherished items. The game's charming art style, soothing music, and excellent voice acting further enhance the emotional experience, making it a memorable and cozy journey for those seeking a heartfelt gaming experience.
“I think the best way to go into the game is without knowing much about the storyline, as things unfold in your repair business it tells a very heartwarming story about growing together and fixing connections.”
“The story is simple, and heartwarming at the same time.”
“Each object tells a story, and as you disassemble, repair, and reassemble them, you uncover the emotional narratives of the people you meet.”
“The lack of content, combined with the majority of it being boring and buggy, results in a lackluster experience that is certainly not worth $8.”
“The emotional depth of the story is severely lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters or care about their journeys.”
“Despite the potential for an engaging narrative, the execution falls flat, leaving players feeling indifferent rather than emotionally invested.”
- atmosphere63 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its cozy, relaxing, and charming qualities, enhanced by beautiful art, soothing music, and thoughtful sound design. Players appreciate the nostalgic and heartwarming vibe, which complements the simple puzzles and storytelling, creating an immersive experience that encourages leisurely exploration. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a key strength, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a tranquil gaming experience.
“I found myself drawn in by the relaxing atmosphere and delighted by the charming characters.”
“The gentle melodies and soft tones set the perfect atmosphere for the game's story, which tells a tale of repairing and restoring cherished items as well as the power of human connection.”
“The art style is lovely, and the overall atmosphere of the game is very cozy and relaxing.”
“The puzzles are far too easy, the controls are unintuitive and the story is uninspired but the cute graphics and relaxing atmosphere make up for it.”
“It's nothing groundbreaking but, like everything else in this game, is simply serving the purpose of establishing atmosphere.”
“The game is relatively short and not terribly difficult - as a result, the game has a very calm/low-pressure atmosphere.”
- replayability53 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 32 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is criticized for its low replayability, with many reviewers noting that it is short (often under two hours) and lacks additional content or challenges to encourage multiple playthroughs. While some players found it enjoyable and worth the price for a single experience, the consensus is that it does not offer significant replay value, making it more suitable for a one-time play rather than repeated sessions.
“I've seen people complaining in the comments about the game being too short, but it has replayability and the price is very well worth it.”
“Although it is brief, the game lends itself to replayability well because of how satisfying the mechanics are.”
“But in Agent A, you get to replay missions and each level's mission structure is different, giving 'some' replay value.”
“I can't wholeheartedly recommend it for full price, because it is so short and really has no replay value.”
“The downsides are that the story was kind of simplistic and the overall game really short (<1.5 hours to completion even without rushing) with no replayability.”
“It is simply too short and it has no replay value whatsoever.”
- grinding13 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 69 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly due to unresponsive controls and simple puzzles that lack engagement. While some appreciate the game's charm and uniqueness, many feel that the mechanics, such as repeatedly using the screwdriver, contribute to a frustrating experience that can detract from overall enjoyment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Puzzles are too simple to be engaging, mechanics are too unresponsive and tedious to be relaxing.”
“Lowest common denominator storyline and tedious simple puzzles.”
“Certain mechanics do appear frequently though (unscrewing screws), which can make the game feel a bit tedious sometimes.”
- optimization10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization received mixed feedback; while it runs smoothly and features excellent voice acting and a charming art style, some users noted clunky controls that were better suited for touch screens than mouse input, which detracted from the experience. Despite these minor issues, the engaging puzzles and emotional storytelling were highlighted as strong points.
“Other than these very minor complaints, the game runs smoothly and the puzzles were engaging and fun.”
“The game is fully voiced and the performance is very good.”
“Clunky and not optimized, annoying controls override any calmness.”
“The one other complaint I have is the controls were definitely optimized for touch screens, and had some issues translating over to mouse.”
- humor7 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- -29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its comedic elements and funny scenarios, particularly in the context of its art and story. However, many reviewers note that the game's short length—often completed in under two hours—limits the comedic experience, and some feel that the writing lacks depth, resembling a brief sitcom rather than a fully developed narrative. Overall, while the humor is a highlight, it is somewhat overshadowed by the game's brevity and occasional control issues.
“This would make zero sense in an actual product (though it is pretty funny having Apple's name on it, considering how anti-repair they are as a company). You'd never see this level of simplicity in something they manufacture.”
“Funny thing is that by the time you manage to understand the controls, the game is over.”
“Although I was disappointed by its short length, and the writing fitting for a half-hour Disney sitcom episode sans humor, I enjoyed the short time I had with Assemble with Care.”
“The humor in this game feels forced and often falls flat, making it more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
“I expected a lot of laughs, but the jokes are stale and predictable, lacking any real wit or creativity.”
“The attempts at humor are so over-the-top that they detract from the overall experience, leaving me more confused than amused.”
- stability7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The game's stability is mixed, with some players experiencing significant graphical issues and buggy controls that hinder gameplay, leading to frustrating restarts. However, others report a smooth experience with no glitches, indicating that stability may vary among users. Overall, while the game has potential, its stability issues detract from the overall experience.
“Plays great, looks great, runs great.”
“I ended up finishing the game in about 80 minutes, with several minutes wasted on a series of troubleshooting game restarts, trying to solve a graphical issue.”
“The game would have been even shorter had it not been for the buggy controls that made it difficult to place and rotate parts without mucking up the entire repair job.”
“However, the lack of content, the fact that the majority of the current content is boring and buggy, and the boring story all lead to an ultimately lackluster experience certainly not worth $8.”
- character development7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is praised for being charming and well-crafted, despite the short playtime. Players appreciate the growth of the protagonist and the overall narrative, though some feel that the stories are somewhat familiar and lack depth compared to other titles. The visual and design elements further enhance the characters' appeal, contributing to a delightful experience.
“The characters are very sweet, and even though the experience only lasted for an hour or so, the story arc and character developments make this a very charming short game.”
“I didn't like the protagonist at first (the only picture she travels with is one of herself, erm...), but that was actually good writing, and there is actual character development through the course of the story.”
“The game's narrative is beautifully crafted, and the character development is top-notch.”
“I feel like it's missing something, as all their stories you have heard a thousand times before with better character development.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for feeling more like an advertisement than a genuine experience, with comparisons made to free mobile games that rely on ads. While the concept of repairing items is appealing, the overall execution and puzzle difficulty do not justify any potential costs associated with the game.
“The concept was cool, where you get to repair the item... but you can find it in a phone game and it's free with ads.”
“Overall, this game feels like an advertisement for STEM to get women into repair by over-aggrandizing it as helping people and being straightforward.”
