Car Mechanic Simulator 2018
- July 28, 2017
- Red Dot Games
- 19h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Epic Games StoreCar Mechanic Simulator 2018 is a detailed and realistic simulation game that allows players to repair, paint, tune, and drive cars. The game features new modules like Barn Find and Junkyard, where players can find unique cars, and a Car Editor to create their own vehicles. With over 40 cars, 1000 parts, and 10+ tools, players can build and expand their repair service empire, all with improved, photorealistic graphics.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- gameplay5,516 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Car Mechanic Simulator 2018" is generally well-received, offering a fun and engaging experience for both car enthusiasts and aspiring mechanics. Players appreciate the detailed mechanics and the ability to repair, restore, and customize a wide variety of vehicles, although some find the gameplay repetitive and the progression slow. While the game provides a basic understanding of car mechanics, it is noted that it simplifies many aspects, making it more accessible for beginners rather than a true simulation for experienced mechanics.
“In general, if you want to feel like a jack of all trades and at the same time not be afraid that you will be fired for incompetence, 'Car Mechanic Simulator 2018' is your ideal choice!”
“It's a fun, simple yet educational game for car enthusiasts, especially for those interested in learning quite a bit about mechanics and automotive engineering in general :)”
“With its realistic gameplay, accessible mechanics, and endless customization options, it's a game that will keep you coming back for more time and time again.”
“The gameplay is extremely repetitive and rather tedious.”
“The tutorials do a terrible job of explaining the game’s mechanics and strategies, forcing you to stumble your way across the game’s mechanics.”
“The progression is way too slow and you unlock basic tools such as a battery recharger or the ability to repaint your car after tens of hours of gameplay.”
- graphics2,006 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Car Mechanic Simulator 2018" have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the improved visual fidelity and detail compared to previous versions, particularly in the garage environment. However, numerous users have reported performance issues, including lag and frame rate drops, especially on lower-end systems, indicating that the game may be poorly optimized for a range of hardware. While some find the graphics stunning and immersive, others criticize the lack of advanced graphical settings and the game's tendency to reset graphics options upon startup.
“And let's not forget about the stunning visuals and sound design that bring the world of Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 to life.”
“The graphic detail is quite impressive, including a rust scale on parts, giving it a very realistic feel.”
“The graphics are absolutely beautiful, the music is... well, I turned the music off.. the sound effects are actually pretty nice.”
“I've got a decent PC and it struggled to get 30fps despite the graphics being 6 years old.”
“The graphics suck, the cars all look the same.”
“The graphics outside of the garage remind me of Farming Simulator 2014, and since this is Car Mechanic Simulator 2018, that is really bad.”
- optimization1,444 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 26 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Car Mechanic Simulator 2018" has received significant criticism from users, with many reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, low frame rates, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some players have noted improvements following patches, the game is still considered poorly optimized overall, particularly for mid-range and lower-end PCs. Users express a desire for better graphical settings and more robust performance options to enhance gameplay experience.
“Whether it's diagnosing engine issues, replacing worn-out parts, or fine-tuning performance, every aspect feels incredibly authentic and rewarding.”
“The DLC with performance parts makes the game a lot more fun.”
“Overall solid game, would recommend to anyone looking to learn more about the inner workings of cars and functions of various parts; however, a good PC is necessary for anyone trying to play seriously, and the inventory system needs optimization as having too many parts will tank your framerate and loading times.”
“So far I give this game 6 out of 10, I deduct 4 points because the optimization for configuration settings is so god awful.”
“The game is still poorly optimized after nearly 3 years, all extra content was in overpriced DLCs, the game is still plagued with bugs and crashes, for a simulator there is almost 0 realism, the physics engine for driving is awful, performance across engine builds is inconsistent.”
“I really, really, really hope the developers fix the performance issues, or at least put optimization at the forefront of any planned sequels.”
- story1,048 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 82 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for being minimal and repetitive, with many players noting that the "story missions" feel more like standard repair tasks with slight narrative elements rather than a cohesive plot. While some enjoy the humorous and quirky customer interactions, the overall experience can become grindy and tedious, especially as players progress and encounter bugs that hinder mission completion. Despite these issues, the game offers a variety of vehicles and missions, which can be engaging for those interested in car mechanics, but it lacks depth in storytelling and can feel unfulfilling over time.
“The game itself is awesome, it's got the story behind the reason the cars need fixing for the story mode, with extra on the side jobs for extra money and experience, the junk yards / barns are interesting and the auction is actually set up so you're not literally bidding for yourself, you really do have to pay for cars there, they aren't on the cheap!”
“The cars are extremely detailed, the repairs are realistic and it even includes story missions where people bring cars in with assorted problems and personalities.”
“The return of 'story missions' (missions where you have a character with a story, like the guy that just needs you to change the oil, or the guy who needs new rims because they make him go faster) and the new 'barn finds' (which you just go to another location finding random parts and/or a new project car) and being able to change the interior of your car, more upgrades for your character.”
“The story missions lack a bit of intuition (a customer will tell you about a problem very vaguely, not unlike real life, but this is a video game, and it adds a lot of wasted time to completing these orders).”
“The game teases you with 'story-line' missions that ultimately amount to just another repair/replace of parts.”
“The gameplay feels clunky as well, plus the story mode is slightly painful and gets boring real fast.”
- stability1,042 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been a significant concern among players, with many reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and various bugs that hinder gameplay. While some users have noted improvements following updates, the overall consensus is that the game remains quite buggy and unpolished, making it difficult to recommend in its current state. Players are advised to wait for further patches before purchasing, as the developers are actively working to address these issues.
“This game is very solid and bug free at this stage as far as I've seen.”
“I've not done much, but what I have done so far has been interesting, basically lag and bug free, and any problems I've run into have been me not knowing what I'm doing rather than poor design or implementation on the game's part.”
“I have experienced no further crashes, the frame rate is smooth, and I've had no glitches requiring a restart of the game.”
“Good game and all but often freezes when I try to go to any location.”
“The worst thing is that this game glitches and goes black screen if you play long enough.”
“Every couple seconds the game freezes and it's just horrible so I uninstalled it until that issue is fixed.”
- grinding754 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 95 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Car Mechanic Simulator 2018" is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, requiring significant time investment to unlock features and progress through levels. Many players express frustration with the slow experience gain and the necessity of completing numerous similar tasks, often suggesting that the grind can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. However, some players find satisfaction in the grind, appreciating the sense of achievement that comes from restoring cars after extensive effort.
“The whole game is somewhat more realistic than the last, meaning that seating and unseating tires is a pain, the cherry picker exists at all, you have less loading screens to deal with, and your shop is open to you from the beginning; no grinding through a couple thousand brake jobs before you can afford a paint booth, no sir!”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Bought this game on sale, so I'm not going to be too hard on what annoyed me, but after reaching level 30 (and a lot of grinding to get there) I've come away with the distinct feeling that this game was not very well player tested, or if it was the developers have moved on to a new project or just aren't there to address obvious shortcomings.”
“The game was just incredibly tedious and boring.”
“Overall the gameplay is quite boring, very grindy and repetitive; I would rate its realism at 30% or less.”
- music626 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it repetitive and of poor quality, often resorting to turning it off or muting it to listen to their own playlists instead. While some appreciate the variety of radio stations and the option to add personal music, others criticize the loud volume and lack of adjustable settings. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a secondary feature, best enjoyed in the background while engaging in gameplay.
“This is a game you pop on while chilling out listening to music or talking to friends.”
“Great for when you just want to chill and listen to music.”
“Put some music on and the hours melt away.”
“The music is poor quality, royalty free, and absolutely blasting (also you can't turn it down until you get to the main menu too).”
“The music is...... sub-par & to turn it off you need to find the radio in your shop or go back to the main menu.”
“I will admit, the game is not without its flaws: the music is terrifyingly bad (in my own opinion) and there is some strange UI lag from time to time.”
- replayability122 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many users noting features like mod support and a variety of cars that enhance the experience. While some players feel that replay value may diminish over time due to limited content, the majority highlight the game's potential for infinite replayability, especially with community-driven content and regular updates. However, a few critiques mention that it lacks the depth found in older racing games, suggesting that replayability could be improved further.
“Fun and infinite replayability 10/10”
“Amazing replayability.”
“Very high replayability factor which is made exponentially more so with mods and the community.”
“But the replayability wears off somewhat quickly as there are limited things to do with the cars.”
“Before you know it, you have spent hundreds of dollars on a game that has no replay value.”
“I mean, for goodness' sake, racing games from the early 2000s like Juiced and Underground have 1000 times more replayability than this, and they had far less technology and far more restrictions to work with.”
- humor120 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it genuinely funny, particularly in the story mode and through quirky job scenarios. While some users appreciate the comedic elements and the light-hearted approach to car repairs, others feel that the humor can be hit or miss, especially when overshadowed by bugs and gameplay issues. Overall, the game offers a blend of educational content and humor, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate a comedic take on car mechanics.
“And some of those stories for the story mode jobs were hilarious.”
“It's a lot to do, some funny 'story jobs' and after a bit of money earned you can buy a broken car and build it from the ground up.”
“On one of the cars I was fixing (it had two exhausts) the front exhaust pipes don't even line up with the exhaust manifolds, only visual, but made me laugh as the fault was 'car sounds loud', no kidding, your engine isn't connected to an exhaust system!”
“It's not funny.”
“Should never have been released. This game is pathetic in its current state, almost completely unplayable. The idea is fantastic, but constant black screens and horrible optimization make it so poor. Wait for a sale or at least a few updates. At the moment, it's so broken it's not funny, and I've persisted over 2 hours with it, and I have both previous games.”
“It's not funny.”
- monetization22 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- -5 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn mixed reviews, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" due to the frequent release of paid DLCs while important issues remain unaddressed. Some appreciate the lack of microtransactions and acknowledge improvements since launch, but there is a strong sentiment that the developers prioritize profit over player experience. Overall, players express a desire for more substantial updates and features rather than additional paid content.
“No microtransactions.”
“No microtransactions.”
“No microtransactions.”
“It's a cash grab if you ask me.”
“"cms15" was amazing, no issues. "cms18" is really nice, but it seems like the devs don't care about their game. It looks like a cash grab when they don't care to listen and go back to fix important issues, but they have time to add DLCs for money.”
“Maybe if they had spent more time and money developing the game instead of advertising and not paying people to play Assetto Corsa for their ads, this game could have been as good as the last one.”
- emotional20 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, often feeling like real mechanics as they work on cars, which leads to frustration and attachment. However, technical issues such as crashes and poor diagnostics detract from the experience, causing some to feel overwhelmed and even foolish. Despite these challenges, many appreciate the immersive nature of the gameplay, highlighting its ability to evoke genuine emotions related to car repair.
“I get a broken car --> I take the car apart --> I fix parts --> I put the car back together --> I go to sell the car --> I form an unbreakable emotional attachment to the car --> I send the car to parking instead --> repeat.”
“After this, I realized why I like the game so much; Car Mechanic Simulator really gives you an immersive experience that made me feel like I was working on a car.”
“Made me feel like a mechanic to the point where I was yelling at my screen about how incredibly stupid the customers were to get their car in such conditions.”
- atmosphere16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its relaxing and immersive qualities, with detailed graphics and customizable garage aesthetics enhancing the experience. However, some players have reported issues such as a lack of music and distracting sound effects that detract from the overall ambiance, indicating a need for improved quality control. Overall, while many appreciate the atmospheric elements, there are notable inconsistencies that affect player enjoyment.
“The atmosphere is exactly what you could hope for (and you can customize the look and feel of your garage anyway).”
“I first started playing CMS 2015 and from that the game evolved so much and now you can feel the atmosphere of being around a real car and tinker a little.”
“The graphics and atmosphere are spot on.”
“What is evident though is the real lack of quality control and testing, the one thing that really made the game for me previously was the atmosphere and features.”
“All the features are there (I hope as I only have 5 hours in) but the atmosphere is not; no music at all because of previously reported bugs, and constant footsteps when not moving makes the garage feel haunted.”
“I first started playing CMS 2015 and from that the game evolved so much, and now you can feel the atmosphere of being around a real car and tinkering a little.”
