Dream Car Builder

About

"Dream Car Builder" is a game that allows you to design and race your own cars, with a focus on creating the perfect frame and steering system. The game features realistic soft body physics, a car editor, single player racing on procedurally generated tracks, and a sandbox mode for building cars without limitations. Users can also create and share their own vehicles, tracks, and maps. This game is not for the faint of heart, as it requires an understanding of complex designs and may require reading of documentation.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 675 reviews

graphics4 positive mentions

gameplay9 negative mentions

The game offers incredible freedom for creativity, allowing players to build a wide variety of vehicles from scratch.
The physics engine is impressive, providing realistic handling and deformation of vehicles, which enhances the gameplay experience.
The user interface for building is intuitive, making it accessible for players to learn and experiment with vehicle designs.

The game has not received updates in a long time, leading to concerns about its future development and content expansion.
There is a steep learning curve, which can be overwhelming for new players, especially those unfamiliar with vehicle mechanics.
Multiplayer functionality is limited or poorly implemented, which detracts from the overall experience for those looking to play with friends.

gameplay
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
53%
26%
The gameplay of this game is characterized by its complex vehicle building mechanics and a focus on engineering principles, appealing primarily to players with an interest in mechanics and design. While it offers a sandbox mode and encourages creativity, it lacks predetermined levels and structured objectives, which may deter some players. Overall, it stands out for its unique mechanics and depth, making it a worthwhile experience for those who enjoy tinkering and learning about vehicle dynamics.
- “The game always keeps you coming back, finding ways to improve on your past creations, and can even encourage learning about mechanical engineering and its principles.”
- “Just playing the game and refining a design can help to develop a real understanding of the way the physical world interacts with a mechanical system.”
- “You are able to make all kinds of vehicles, bikes, tanks, quad-bikes, and more, with excellent physics for vehicles and customization mechanics.”
- “There is very little gameplay in terms of predetermined levels and stuff, so be warned in case you were hoping for a complete experience out of the box.”
- “As for the gameplay, the cars handle really badly and the deformation is really exaggerated.”
- “If you are expecting another Besiege, Scrap Mechanic, or Robocraft, you are in the wrong place.”
graphics
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
71%
13%
The graphics of the game are generally described as basic and outdated, with many users noting that they prioritize gameplay mechanics and physics over visual fidelity. While some appreciate the decent graphics for an open-ended game, others express disappointment, suggesting that improvements are needed to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the visuals are considered functional but not a standout feature, with a focus on design and testing rather than aesthetics.
- “Great visuals (dependent on PC specs).”
- “I recommend this game... it has good graphics and physics of cars working with some stuff... it has the actual physics of cars or jets flying.”
- “Really solid engine that translates your designs pretty accurately into driving dynamics, decent enough graphics for such an open-ended game (physics and sandbox = very heavy requirements if you go nuts with it).”
- “The graphics are really outdated.”
- “The only complaint here is the graphics, they feel very chunky and outdated; otherwise, it's perfect!”
- “Graphics are very, very basic, sound effects are almost non-existent, but I do hope they improve the game.”
optimization
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its ability to handle complex designs and dynamic physics without significant performance issues, even on lower-end hardware. While some players noted that performance can decline with high part counts, the majority found it runs smoothly and offers a satisfying experience for engineering enthusiasts. Minor glitches are present but generally do not detract from gameplay, making it a well-optimized title compared to similar games.
- “Players build cars by connecting nodes and meshing frames, kind of like main assembly, but this game is equipped with a dynamic frame that calculates live deformation and forces applied on the car. This means your designs are not just for show, but also determine the stability and other performance aspects of your car, which is important for many car lovers.”
- “The game is also optimized very well, and glitches are usually minor. Unless you try to break the physics, the game will hold its ground and do what it's supposed to do, and the soft body physics really top off the game.”
- “As of today, I have been able to create whatever I wanted to create without even thinking about performance.”
- “Performance-wise, it runs well on my outdated FX-8120 CPU (overclocked) until you get past a certain point with part count and it tanks, as well as running on the advanced simulation rate setting.”
- “It's an optimization problem where a little change affects many other things.”
- “The game seems to be very optimized.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Overall, the stability of the game is generally positive, with most users reporting minimal glitches and good optimization, particularly praising its softbody physics. However, some players express concerns about the lack of updates and features, suggesting that while the game is stable, it may not be actively maintained.
- “I have been playing Dream Car Racing 3D for about 4 or 5 months, and I love it. I started as soon as they released the alpha version, and since then, the developers have been constantly updating and adding new features, components, and content to the game, making sure that it is always bug-free beforehand.”
- “Virtually bug-free, which is fantastic for early access.”
- “Very buggy, but good in-game.”
- “There aren't any glitches that I've found yet, but unfortunately, I think the developer is gone when it comes to updates.”
- “Not many glitches, but also not many features.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The story mode of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it boring and likening it to a fetch quest that lacks depth. While the game features a story mode, many feel it could benefit from more engaging missions and improved graphics in potential future installments. Overall, the campaign is seen as a weak point compared to the more enjoyable sandbox elements.
- “Great game! I hope that in the future there will be a second one made with better graphics and more missions/races.”
- “Really the only thing I think the game needs to improve on is the campaign mode, which is basically the sandbox mode and a giant fetch quest to upgrade part stats.”
- “The story mode is kind of boring; I expected more events or engaging content.”
- “The campaign mode needs improvement; it feels like a giant fetch quest with little depth.”
- “The game would benefit from a more developed story and additional missions.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game's humor enjoyable, appreciating its comedic elements, though some feel that certain mechanics, like the transmission, could be improved for a better overall experience. The humor adds to the fun, but there are suggestions for refinement in gameplay mechanics.
- “The game is still somewhat fun, but I think the transmission could use a little more work. It's pretty funny to have two driveshifts coming straight from the block directly to the wheels; it could use a bit more refining in that department.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unengaging, leading some to prefer the sandbox mode instead. The lack of multiplayer further contributes to the perception that progression is overly reliant on repetitive tasks.
- “The only downside is that there's no multiplayer, and the only kind of progression in the game is really grindy and boring, so I just play in sandbox mode instead.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game highly replayable, enhanced by a wealth of workshop items that encourage multiple playthroughs, making it a worthwhile purchase.
- “Definitely worth the buy, with a lot of workshop items and replayability.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game features no background music, which has led to mixed reactions from players, with some appreciating the focus on sound effects while others find the absence of music detracts from the overall atmosphere.
- “There is no background music, which makes the game feel empty and lifeless.”
- “The absence of any background music really detracts from the overall experience.”
- “Without background music, the game lacks the immersive atmosphere that it desperately needs.”