Car Mechanic Simulator 2018

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 21,049 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • optimization
Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 Game Cover
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Car 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.

Play Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 21,049 reviews
gameplay748 positive mentions
optimization185 negative mentions
  • gameplay2,758 mentions

    The gameplay of "Car Mechanic Simulator 2018" is generally praised for its immersive and engaging mechanics, allowing players to experience the role of a mechanic by diagnosing and repairing a variety of vehicles. While many players appreciate the educational aspects and the satisfaction of restoring cars, some criticize the repetitive nature of tasks and the lack of depth in certain mechanics, such as driving and detailed repairs. Overall, it serves as a fun introduction to automotive mechanics, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking a highly realistic simulation experience.

    • “If you've ever dreamed of being a car mechanic, then 'Car Mechanic Simulator 2018' is the game for you. It offers a fun, simple yet educational experience for car enthusiasts, especially for those interested in learning about mechanics and automotive engineering.”
    • “From the moment I fired up the game, I was immediately hooked by its immersive gameplay and attention to detail. The variety of cars and challenges in 'Car Mechanic Simulator 2018' is simply staggering.”
    • “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 tutorial does a terrible job of explaining the game’s mechanics and strategies, forcing you to stumble your way across the game’s mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay remains almost exactly the same, though there are a few minor positive changes like a rim puller and wheel balancing, and a shock compressor that makes dealing with front coil springs more interesting and pleasant.”
  • graphics1,003 mentions

    The graphics in "Car Mechanic Simulator 2018" have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the improved detail and realism compared to previous versions, particularly in the garage environment and vehicle models. However, numerous users have reported performance issues, including lag and low frame rates even on high-end systems, often necessitating lower graphics settings to achieve smoother gameplay. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered good, the lack of advanced graphical options and optimization remains a significant concern for many players.

    • “The graphics are gorgeous, the sound effects are superb and you even have this in-game radio available, where besides a few stations they provide, you can also get to listen to your own mp3 tracks whenever you get tired of what they're offering.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization722 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, low frame rates, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users have noted improvements following patches, the overall consensus is that the game remains poorly optimized, particularly for mid-range and lower-end PCs. Many reviewers recommend waiting for further updates before purchasing, as the current state of optimization detracts from the overall gameplay experience.

    • “Whether it's diagnosing engine issues, replacing worn-out parts, or fine-tuning performance, every aspect feels incredibly authentic and rewarding.”
    • “The performance parts that come with the tuning DLC allow for much higher acceleration and/or higher top speeds when combined with the custom gearboxes.”
    • “The game is updated regularly, I am hoping for some sort of performance DLC like 2015 got.”
    • “I don't really like that you have to buy DLCs for different brands, or that there is a DLC for just performance parts. I wish they would have just put in more work and made all the DLCs in the game from the beginning and charged like $30.00.”
    • “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, and performance across engine builds is inconsistent.”
    • “The performance of this game is the worst. It is horribly optimized.”
  • story524 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 is marred by bugs and a grindy progression system that can lead to frustration. Many players express a desire for a more engaging storyline and improved mission variety to enhance the gameplay experience.

    • “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 story missions slowly handhold your way into more complex repairs (brakes, then suspension, then timing, then engine parts, gearbox and so on) but at some point they start combining everything so they take ages to complete and don't give much in exchange.”
    • “The return of 'story missions' (mission 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 'story' missions can be difficult and tedious from time to time, since they usually involve fixing 30+ parts at a time.”
    • “The game teases you with 'story-line' missions that ultimately amount to just another repair/replace of parts.”
  • stability521 mentions

    The game's stability has been a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and various bugs that hinder gameplay. While some players have noted improvements following updates, the overall consensus is that the game remains quite buggy and unoptimized, making it frustratingly difficult to play for extended periods. Despite its potential, many recommend waiting for further patches before fully engaging with the game.

    • “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.”
    • “Great game, really fun, just freezes a lot. It's not my PC; I've seen other people with high-end PCs and it also is freezing.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding377 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, requiring significant time investment to unlock features and progress. Many players express frustration with the slow leveling system and the necessity to complete numerous similar tasks, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. However, some find satisfaction in the grind, appreciating the sense of achievement that comes from restoring cars after extensive effort.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “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!”
    • “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.”
  • music313 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, leading to frustration during gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a secondary feature, with many players preferring to enjoy the game while listening to their own music or podcasts.

    • “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.”
    • “I enjoy just turning on some background music and just working on cars for several hours.”
    • “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 soundtrack is painfully generic, but at least you can add your own music to the game.”
    • “The music is annoying (to me anyway).”
  • replayability61 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many users highlighting features like mod support and a variety of cars that enhance the experience. While some players note that replay value may diminish over time due to limited activities, the majority find it enjoyable and engaging enough to return to frequently. Regular updates and community content are expected to further extend its replayability.

    • “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.”
    • “Not enough replay value at all.”
    • “Before you know it, you have spent hundreds of dollars on a game that has no replay value.”
  • humor60 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it genuinely funny, particularly in the context of quirky story jobs and amusing glitches. While some users appreciate the comedic elements and light-hearted gameplay, others feel that the humor can be hit-or-miss, especially when overshadowed by technical issues. Overall, the game offers a blend of humor and learning, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate its comedic approach.

    • “It's funny to play, and you can even play in sandbox or career mode; either way, it's a fun game to play.”
    • “And some of those stories for the story mode jobs were hilarious.”
    • “It's a good and funny game.”
    • “It's not funny.”
    • “This game is pathetic in its current state; it's 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. Right now, it's so broken it's not funny, and I've persisted for over 2 hours with it, despite having both previous games.”
  • monetization11 mentions

    The monetization of the game has drawn mixed reviews, with some players labeling it a "cash grab" due to the frequent release of paid DLCs and perceived neglect of existing issues. While some appreciate the absence of microtransactions and acknowledge improvements since launch, others express frustration over the developers' focus on monetization rather than enhancing gameplay features and fixing bugs. Overall, there is a sentiment that the game's potential is undermined by its monetization strategy.

    • “There are no microtransactions, which makes the experience much more enjoyable.”
    • “I appreciate that the game doesn't include any microtransactions.”
    • “The absence of microtransactions really enhances the overall gameplay.”
    • “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.”
    • “Bloody cash grab!”
  • emotional10 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, feeling deeply invested in the process of repairing cars and often reacting passionately to the challenges presented by customers and the game's mechanics. While some users appreciate the immersive experience and the sense of accomplishment it brings, others are frustrated by technical issues and the game's lack of proper diagnostics, which detracts from their overall enjoyment. Despite these criticisms, the emotional engagement with the gameplay remains a highlight for many.

    • “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.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its relaxing and immersive qualities, with customizable elements enhancing the experience. Players appreciate the detailed graphics and the nostalgic feel of working on cars, although some have noted issues like a lack of music and bugs that detract from the overall ambiance. Overall, while the atmosphere is a highlight for many, quality control concerns have impacted some players' enjoyment.

    • “The atmosphere is exactly what you could hope for (and you can customize the look and feel of your garage anyway).”
    • “I enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere.”
    • “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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

Buy Car Mechanic Simulator 2018

Play time

19hMedian play time
114hAverage play time
7-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 164 analyzed playthroughs

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