Automation
- January 24, 2022
- One Tree Hill Studios
Get on Steam"Automation" is a game that teaches Players PLC Ladder Logic Programming using interactive machines and challenging tasks. The game features customizable control panels and both digital and analog functions, providing an easy-to-learn yet engaging experience for both beginners and experienced programmers. The game is designed to replicate real-world factory equipment, making it a valuable tool for anyone interested in the factory automation industry.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game provides a unique opportunity to learn and apply real-world engineering techniques, particularly in PLC programming.
- It has a fun and engaging approach to teaching ladder logic, making it suitable for beginners and those interested in automation.
- Recent updates have improved user-friendliness, and the game has the potential to evolve into a comprehensive educational tool.
- The game frequently crashes, especially when executing commands, leading to frustration and loss of progress.
- Many users find the instructions unclear and the implementation of certain logic components poorly executed, making it difficult to learn effectively.
- There are significant limitations in functionality, such as the inability to create custom tags and the lack of advanced tutorials, which hinder the learning experience.
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is severely lacking, with frequent lock-ups and crashes that lead to significant player frustration. Users report poor execution of its promising ideas, compounded by inadequate guidance and hints, making for a frustrating experience overall.
“Great idea...very poorly executed. Prepare for frustration and don't expect it to get better. It constantly locks up, and there isn't much in the way of explaining what to do. There are supposed to be arrows directing you on how to do some things, but I had them turned on and never saw any. To add to the frustration, if you do something unexpected, it just freezes.”
“Make a buggy video game that will frustrate the player, of course!”
“Great idea...very poorly executed. Prepare for frustration and don't expect it to get better. It constantly locks up, and there isn't much in the way of explaining what to do. There are supposed to be arrows directing you on how to do some things, but I had them turned on and never saw any. To add to the frustration, if you do something unexpected, it just freezes.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by simple mechanics and a user-friendly interface, making it enjoyable, especially for those with experience in the automation industry. Players find it fun to engage with the game's focus on PLC automation, despite its straightforward design.
“I had a bit of fun playing this PLC automation game with simple mechanics and UI.”
“The gameplay feels overly simplistic and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged for long.”
“The mechanics are repetitive and don't offer much variety, leading to a monotonous experience.”
“The user interface is clunky and detracts from the overall gameplay experience.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics are criticized for utilizing compressed low-resolution images, resulting in poor visual quality on HD monitors. Additionally, there are issues with graphics not disappearing as they should, further detracting from the overall experience.
“Graphics use compressed low resolution images which look terrible on HD monitors.”
“Sometimes, graphics won't go away when they should.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players acknowledge that grinding can be tedious, particularly in engineering-related tasks, but recognize that this difficulty reflects the complexity of the subject matter.
“Grinding feels like an endless chore that takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding makes it feel more like a job than a fun experience.”
“I find myself losing interest quickly due to the monotonous grinding required to progress.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The story has been noted for its repetitive nature, with many users highlighting a lack of originality and depth in the narrative. Overall, it seems to follow familiar tropes without offering significant new insights or twists.
“The story feels repetitive and lacks originality.”
“The narrative is predictable and fails to engage the player.”
“The plot twists are uninspired and do not add depth to the overall experience.”
- music2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the opening scene has been criticized for not looping correctly, which detracts from the overall experience.
“Music doesn't loop correctly in the opening scene.”
