Car Mechanic Simulator 2021

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In Car Mechanic Simulator 2021, players run their own car repair shop, diagnosing and fixing various vehicle issues. The game offers a wide range of tools, parts, and cars to work on, with new challenges and customization options. With realistic graphics and physics, players can experience the satisfaction of restoring cars to their former glory.

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 12,229 reviews

gameplay476 positive mentions

optimization36 negative mentions

gameplay
1,849 mentions
26 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Car Mechanic Simulator 2021" is characterized by its detailed and immersive mechanics, allowing players to engage in various tasks such as repairing, restoring, and customizing a wide range of vehicles. While the game offers a satisfying experience for car enthusiasts and those looking to learn basic automotive knowledge, some players note that it can become repetitive over time, with gameplay mechanics that closely mirror its predecessor, "Car Mechanic Simulator 2018." Overall, it strikes a balance between accessibility for newcomers and depth for seasoned players, making it a solid choice for fans of the genre.
- “Car mechanic simulator 2021 is an addictive dive into the world of car restoration, offering a blend of strategy, satisfaction, and hands-on fun.”
- “The game's highly realistic simulation mechanics and meticulous attention to detail make every task feel authentic and immersive.”
- “Whether you're tinkering under the hood, fine-tuning engines, or customizing vehicles to perfection, car mechanic simulator 2021 offers a comprehensive experience that caters to both seasoned mechanics and newcomers alike.”
- “Gameplay becomes repetitive after 40 hours but it is still fun to play.”
- “The gameplay is really tedious unless you are looking to be a mechanic and want to know all of the minutia of changing parts save from the labor.”
- “The driving mechanics are terrible when you consider that any indie game that's ever existed has had better vehicle control than this mess.”
graphics
440 mentions
48 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received significant praise for their realism and detail, showcasing intricate car models and immersive environments that enhance the overall experience. Many players note improvements over the previous version, with better lighting, textures, and a more polished aesthetic, although some express a desire for further enhancements and additional graphical options. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to gameplay, making it engaging for both new and returning players.
- “The graphics are stunning, with a range of detailed and immersive environments that capture the atmosphere of a real-life car garage.”
- “The graphics are beautifully detailed, the cars are amazingly intricate, and the music is surprisingly good.”
- “The graphics have improved and the game is better in most ways compared to 2018.”
- “Like the graphics being kind of bad, not just because it looks like a 'Nintendo, hire this man' type of game sometimes what with the horrific over-detailing on some things and ridiculous hyper-shininess of other things without even mentioning all the bloom, but also because ambient occlusion is flat out broken and reflections are buggy.”
- “This game is essentially CMS 2018, the game in comparison to CMS 2018 has very few major improvements besides graphics and a handful of in-game mechanics, although these are improvements the game still feels very repetitive and boring after a decent period of time.”
- “The graphics have improved somewhat but don't expect anything in terms of details a'la in triple-A games like Forza.”
story
400 mentions
12 % positive mentions
81 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The game's story is often described as minimal and lacking depth, primarily consisting of repetitive repair missions that feel more like a tutorial than a cohesive narrative. Players note that while there are 30 story missions, they tend to be tedious and grindy, with many requiring extensive disassembly of vehicles for minor repairs. Overall, the story elements are seen as underwhelming, with a desire for more engaging narratives and character interactions to enhance immersion.
- “The story itself is a unique and personalized experience, allowing players to engage with the narrative through their car repair journey.”
- “The story missions are interesting and often come with amusing backstories that add depth to the gameplay.”
- “The missions are tailored in such a way to allow you to slowly learn and progress at your own pace, making the experience quite enjoyable.”
- “The story itself is just some random people coming by with different requests, like a fisherman who has fished all over the car and a wannabe street race YouTube star with a car literally from a dumpster.”
- “The story missions dry up after a while, quite abruptly and seemingly in the middle of things: another missed opportunity.”
- “I wouldn't say the storyline is actually a story, more like a poor quest system that holds no real connection.”
optimization
210 mentions
10 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game has seen significant improvements compared to its predecessor, with many players reporting smoother performance and higher frame rates, even on lower-end hardware. While some users still experience minor bugs and occasional stuttering, the majority find the game runs well at high settings, making it a more enjoyable experience. However, there are calls for further enhancements in performance parts and customization options to fully realize the game's potential.
- “The optimization of the game is well done and the graphics are also nice; the only thing missing is the co-op mode, it could be much better, maybe they will add it in the next game.”
- “Great game, much better performance than CMS 2018, as well as it starts up instantly. Unlike CMS 2018, I am able to run the game on 30 fps without any lag on a 1050 at high graphics, which is much better than 2018.”
- “Overall, the game feels very well polished and optimized, especially considering that, at the time of writing this, it only came out a few days ago.”
- “Game is badly optimized; I get 0.1% low 47fps and highest 187fps.”
- “The optimization of the game is well done and the graphics are also nice, the only thing missing is the co-op mode; it could be much better, maybe they will add it in the next game.”
- “It seems that there was very little optimization done over the previous game's engine, and what we get is essentially a repack with a little nicer UI.”
grinding
181 mentions
1 % positive mentions
9 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely described as tedious and repetitive, particularly during the early stages and when managing numerous parts. While some players find the grinding enjoyable and relaxing, especially if they are car enthusiasts, many express frustration with the lack of variety and the time-consuming nature of tasks, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the game balances between being a fun simulation and a grind-heavy experience, with some players suggesting improvements to reduce the tediousness of certain mechanics.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “Half of the achievements are brain-dead easy like 'visit the scrapyard', but past that point, it gets only worse; several are extremely grindy and unfortunately they won't be earned throughout a normal playthrough.”
- “The gameplay is really tedious unless you are looking to be a mechanic and want to know all of the minutia of changing parts, save from the labor.”
- “The game's boring at the beginning; it's cool when you're saving money for your first restoration, really fun when you restore like 10 cars, then it becomes tedious because it seems like all the cars are alike and you're doing the same thing over and over again.”
music
176 mentions
24 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the ability to add their own playlists, as the in-game soundtrack is often described as repetitive and limited in variety. While some enjoy the chill vibe of the music, others find it loud and unfit for the game's atmosphere, leading them to prefer listening to their own tunes or podcasts instead. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a minor aspect of the gameplay experience, with many players opting to mute it in favor of personal music choices.
- “Additionally, the soundtrack is incredibly well-crafted, keeping you focused and immersed in the gameplay.”
- “The music is fantastic and the playing is so relaxing.”
- “It's a great game to pass the time, fixing cars and listening to music on Spotify.”
- “The music does tend to get a bit samey and the screw and bolt noises are repetitive.”
- “The soundtrack is pretty limited and among the 3 radio stations, all music sounds exactly the same.”
- “I had to turn the music off after 10 hours because it was annoying.”
stability
56 mentions
9 % positive mentions
5 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and frequent freezes that disrupt gameplay. While some users have experienced a relatively smooth experience with minor glitches, others describe it as one of the most buggy games on Steam, often requiring frequent saves to avoid losing progress. Overall, the game's stability appears to vary widely among players, with some noting improvements over previous versions while others continue to encounter frustrating issues.
- “Amazing game, no glitches.”
- “Throughout my playtime, I have experienced no glitches, so overall, I would recommend this game if you liked the previous CMS games.”
- “So far, it has been a bug-free experience, and I look forward to playing with any new DLCs and mods that come out in the future.”
- “Very bad game, very buggy. Do not play.”
- “Hands down the most buggy game on Steam!”
- “This game is a buggy mess.”
replayability
35 mentions
43 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
Overall, the reviews highlight that the game offers high replayability, primarily due to its extensive variety of cars, parts, and community-generated content, such as mods and DLCs. Many players find it infinitely replayable, enjoying the freedom to experiment with different vehicles and repair procedures, although some note a lack of challenge and suggest improvements for even greater replay value. The addition of features like VR support and competitive elements could further enhance the game's longevity.
- “The pros: fun for hours and hours with high replay value.”
- “Due to some of the DLCs and workshop mods, the game is infinitely replayable and can be very rewarding after each finish of a car.”
- “Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 has excellent replay value, with a range of car models to repair and a variety of parts and repair procedures to experiment with.”
- “It is more playable ASMR than it is an actual 'game' because there's basically no challenge to the game whatsoever.”
- “Absolutely zero replayability beyond the first 30 hours.”
- “This would have been a good opportunity for the devs to implement a way for the players to unwind from the main mechanical aspect and feel that the game has a broader meaning and replayability, but instead the minigames are braindead tasks that have been put in place to only start and stop something and gives no satisfaction to the player.”
humor
26 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its unrealistic portrayal of car mechanics, leading to unintentionally funny scenarios and absurdities, such as the exaggerated ratings of rust and the quirky customer requests. Players find enjoyment in the contrast between the game's smooth operations and the frustrating realities of real-life car repairs, often leading to amusing situations that enhance the overall experience. Despite some technical issues, the game's comedic elements and lighthearted approach to car restoration make it an entertaining and addictive experience.
- “I do find it funny that you can build the entire engine in the car, without having the suspension or motor mounts in the frame.”
- “Every part is rated on a 0 to 100% scale of how rusty it isn't, which is hilarious.”
- “I liked the attention to fluids now and the 'story lines' for the customers are funny.”
monetization
11 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with players expressing frustration over the high cost of DLCs that offer minimal content and recycled features from previous titles. Many reviewers feel that the developers prioritize profit over quality, leading to a repetitive experience that lacks meaningful updates or improvements. Overall, the sentiment is that the game is not worth purchasing unless players are willing to spend excessively on additional content.
- “The everything DLC really ruined it for me. The DLC also being 20+ dollars each is insane; you get a couple of cars with each one, and they are just not that impressive, nor are there customizations for them, making them a blatant cash grab in my opinion.”
- “The developer is turning this game into a cash grab by making you buy an endless amount of DLC that’s copy and paste from the older games. Stuff like car rims that were in the previous game, but you have to buy them now; engines that were in the previous games, but you guessed it, buy buy buy.”
- “Honestly, don't get this game unless you have money to burn. The devs are too busy making other games for cash grabs to work on this game; it feels like CMS2018 with fewer cars.”
emotional
10 mentions
90 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game resonates with players through personal connections and nostalgic memories, such as recalling loved ones and their experiences with cars. While some find the overarching story tedious, others appreciate the heartfelt moments and the satisfaction of overcoming challenges, even if it leads to frustration over lost progress. Overall, the game evokes a mix of joy, nostalgia, and occasional sadness, enhancing the player's experience.
- “Would cry again.”
- “This game made me feel like my uncle Benito; he was a good mechanic, but unfortunately, he got crushed by a Dodge Durango.”
- “It also does not auto save often, so save manually as I lost a couple of hours of building, and it made me cry.”
- “The story is dull and unengaging; I found myself skimming through the two-paragraph explanation about a kid wrecking his dad's car and wanting to fix it before his dad noticed.”
- “The emotional depth is lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters or care about their struggles.”
- “I expected a more compelling narrative, but the emotional moments felt forced and unconvincing.”
atmosphere
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 is highly praised for its immersive graphics and sound design, which effectively enhance the gameplay experience and evoke a realistic car garage environment. Players appreciate the detailed workshop and outdoor areas, contributing to a sense of ownership and engagement, although some feel that the overall atmosphere could be further improved.
- “It complements the action perfectly, creating an atmosphere that encourages concentration and enhances your enjoyment.”
- “The sound design is also well done, adding to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “The graphics in Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 are stunning, with a range of detailed and immersive environments that capture the atmosphere of a real-life car garage.”
- “Graphics are good, even though the game lacks atmosphere and so is the music.”
character development
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Reviewers express a desire for enhanced character development through improved visual design elements, such as full-body character models and more detailed customization options for vehicles, to create a more immersive and cohesive experience.
- “I'd like to see more quality of life development in the game, like full body character design, so that when I'm driving, it doesn't look like a ghost has control of the wheel.”
- “There needs to be more depth in character development; the current options feel very superficial and don't allow for meaningful customization.”
- “The lack of character progression makes the game feel stagnant; I want to see my character evolve and grow throughout the experience.”