Gas Station Simulator
- October 20, 2022
- DRAGO entertainment
- 10h median play time
In Gas Station Simulator, players manage and upgrade their own gas station, fixing vehicles, managing inventory, and expanding the business for increased profits. Perform various tasks such as cleaning, maintenance, and purchasing upgrades to improve customer satisfaction and station efficiency. With a variety of customization options and the challenge of growing the gas station into a successful business, this simulator offers hours of immersive gameplay.
Reviews
- gameplay541 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Gas Station Simulator is characterized by an addictive and satisfying loop that involves managing various tasks such as fueling cars, repairing vehicles, and serving customers. While the initial stages are engaging and fun, many players report that the gameplay becomes repetitive and tedious after several hours, with some mechanics feeling unpolished or overly simplistic. Despite its flaws, the game offers a unique blend of simulation elements that can be enjoyable for fans of the genre, though it is marred by technical issues and a lack of depth in later stages.
“The gameplay of Gas Station Simulator revolves around running a gas station, from refueling cars to managing the store's inventory and dealing with customer demands.”
“The variety of activities, from pumping gas and washing windshields to stocking shelves and upgrading facilities, keeps the gameplay engaging and diverse.”
“The core gameplay loop is extremely addictive, as there's always just one more task to complete, be it restocking your shelves, filling a few more tanks, painting some walls, or saving up money for that upgrade you've been wanting.”
“After 6 hours of gameplay, Gas Station Simulator got so boring; I think the max someone can play this game would be about 6 hours before going into extreme boredom.”
“The gameplay loop is more tedious and frustrating than satisfying.”
“The actual gameplay consists of dashing from station to station doing minigames that range from cute to bizarre.”
- story357 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally considered short and basic, serving primarily as a tutorial rather than a deep narrative experience. While some players appreciate the light humor and engaging mini-games that accompany the storyline, many express frustration with bugs and progression issues that hinder gameplay. Overall, the story is seen as a minor aspect of the game, with more focus on management and simulation elements.
“I love the gameplay, trying to keep up with the demand of customers and other 'calamities.' I also like the twist in the story that goes with this game.”
“The story is fun and light, not too serious but gets slightly stressful (in a fun way) in the sewer.”
“The mechanics are fun, the story is pretty good, and you feel super accomplished as you progress through the game.”
“The game could be fun, but too much stuff is arbitrarily gated behind the 'story', which frankly is thin and really only seems to serve as a tutorial.”
“The story is extremely thin and all of the NPCs cycle through about 10 basic phrases.”
“The story seemed pretty short - could definitely do with more story beats after the uncle thing plays out.”
- stability343 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 99 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern among players, with many reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that can disrupt gameplay. While some find the humorous nature of certain glitches endearing, others express frustration over game-breaking issues and the need for constant resets. Overall, the game is described as fun but plagued by instability, leading to a mixed reception regarding its reliability.
“Not buggy at all.”
“It looks great, runs great, and even sounds great (aside from the hokey voice acting).”
“I love this game so much; it looks beautiful, runs great, and has pretty much no problems.”
“Having those same quests be a buggy mess that force you to reload a save at best is a pass from me.”
“It just crashes and glitches far too often for 3 hours of play.”
“This game could be really good but it's so buggy which makes it unplayable.”
- graphics295 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the charming and colorful visuals that enhance the overall atmosphere, while others criticize performance issues, including lag and crashes even on high-end systems. Many users note that the graphics are decent for an indie title, but optimization problems lead to significant gameplay disruptions. Overall, while the aesthetic appeal is acknowledged, the game's graphical performance and stability remain a concern for many players.
“With stunning graphics and realistic sound effects, it offers a truly immersive experience.”
“The game's graphics are charming and colorful, creating a visually appealing environment.”
“The graphics are incredible, but even more amazing is the fact that you can meet major characters while working on the gas station.”
“Unfortunately, it crashed every time I tried playing it and had laggy mouse responsiveness despite adjusting to the lowest graphic settings and having beyond the recommended system requirements.”
“The graphics, even on ultra, look like crap.”
“Game is good, graphics suck, UI and HUD are nice, and controls are intuitive.”
- optimization219 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 32 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including low frame rates, stuttering, and frequent crashes, even on high-end systems. While some updates have improved performance for certain users, the overall consensus is that the game remains poorly optimized, particularly in later stages of play where resource demands increase. Many reviewers express hope for future patches to address these issues, but currently, the game's optimization is a major barrier to enjoyment.
“I'm glad I was able to change this review; if you previously also had performance issues with this game or perhaps you have a lower-end PC, now might be a good time to try it out. It's much more polished and optimized.”
“Reviewed this late last year and was quite disappointed by the performance, but after being informed by a developer that performance has been improved, I thought I'd give it another go and thankfully, the performance is much improved.”
“With a little bit of trust, I gave the game another chance and found that it had indeed been significantly optimized, with some quality-of-life improvements as well.”
“Will buy if better optimized in the future, but can't recommend now.”
“The performance definitely takes a nosedive later in the game as more and more people visit your petrol station, as your shelves have more and more items, it can hit pretty damned hard!”
“This game is brutally unoptimized, highly buggy, and currently has an unfulfilling game loop.”
- grinding192 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 85 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while it can be enjoyable and satisfying at first, it quickly becomes repetitive and tedious, especially in the mid to late game. Players appreciate the initial fun and chill nature of the grinding but express frustration over the lack of depth and the overwhelming number of tasks that can lead to burnout. Overall, the game is seen as a solid choice for those who enjoy grind-heavy simulations, but it could benefit from improvements to reduce tedium and enhance gameplay variety.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“It's not too grindy for the most part.”
“The sense of progression halts, and managing the station becomes tedious rather than rewarding.”
“Fun at first, but quickly becomes tedious as the only way to advance is following the pretty crappy quest line.”
“The gameplay loop is more tedious and frustrating than satisfying.”
- humor130 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, often described as quirky, silly, and sometimes absurd, with players enjoying the chaotic interactions and funny glitches that arise during gameplay. While some find the humor hit-or-miss, many appreciate the developers' lighthearted approach, which includes amusing character designs and unexpected scenarios, such as alien party buses and ridiculous physics. Overall, the game offers a blend of engaging gameplay and comedic elements that keep players entertained, despite its occasional bugs.
“The game doesn't take itself too seriously, with plenty of quirky characters and humorous situations to keep players entertained.”
“The graphics are hilariously accurate, capturing the essence of each fart in all its glory.”
“Running a business is surprisingly fun and the creators snuck in a lot of funny gags (Dennis is great, the mob uncle storyline is kinda fun).”
- music71 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as pleasant and fitting for a chill atmosphere, with some players enjoying the soundtrack while others find it repetitive or unmemorable. Many users express a desire for more variety and the ability to customize the music, such as playing their own playlists. Overall, while the music enhances the relaxing vibe of the game, it may not be compelling enough to hold everyone's attention.
“The sound design and music are nice; it reminds me of all those movies about Route 66 and deserts around California and Arizona.”
“The soundtrack is pleasant; the change from country to party bus space-techno is also great.”
“Great game to listen to a podcast/music in the background and shut your brain off.”
“The music is idk, it didn't entice me within the first 10 minutes so I muted it and played my own music.”
“Well, the graphics are absolutely horrible, the gameplay feels really clunky, the music is boring and repetitive and the humor is childish -- but despite all these downsides and quirks, it's still a fun and somewhat relaxing game, that can keep you busy and entertained for a long time.”
“There is no background music most of the time.”
- atmosphere36 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charm and immersive quality, with detailed environments and a mix of relaxing and quirky elements that enhance the gameplay experience. While the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they contribute to a vibrant and engaging setting that players find enjoyable and addictive. However, some technical issues, such as bugs and glitches, can detract from the overall experience, yet the unique atmosphere remains a highlight for many players.
“With its mix of challenges, customization options, and a charming atmosphere, Gas Station Simulator fuels hours of fun and strategic thinking.”
“The attention to detail, rewarding progression system, and immersive atmosphere make it a highly addictive experience.”
“The atmosphere feels exactly how you would imagine a place like this to be, and it's a lot of fun.”
“The whole atmosphere takes on a liminal quality during the twilight hours, and sometimes it's a bit spooky, which I love.”
“Weirdly kind of creepy atmosphere.”
“Still have people floating outside of their vehicles, and I have sent a pickup truck into the upper atmosphere with my broom.”
- replayability31 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding it highly enjoyable and engaging, while others feel it lacks long-term value and variety. Many reviews suggest that while the initial experience is fun, the game may not sustain interest over time without additional content or customization options. A few users noted potential for replayability, but overall sentiment leans towards a need for improvements to enhance this aspect.
“Replayability: 4/5”
“I can definitely see some replayability here.”
“This game seems to get good updates although even without them it still has excellent replayability.”
“Doubt it'll stay installed after playing through it, as there's not much replayability.”
“No replay value, and it takes maybe 10 hours max to beat it.”
“There's not much replayability but it's definitely fun for a first-time run.”
- monetization15 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as exploitative, with many reviewers labeling the DLCs as cash grabs that fail to provide meaningful content. Frequent ads and the announcement of additional paid content, despite existing issues in the base game, have further fueled the perception that the developers prioritize profit over player experience. Overall, players feel frustrated and recommend avoiding purchases until significant improvements are made.
“The new DLC, actually, all the DLC for that matter, are cash-grabbing content packs that don’t bring any new, lasting content to the game.”
“I bought this thinking there would be some charm to it or something, but honestly this is just a cash grab with a bit more class than the normal run-of-the-mill junk.”
“It doesn't help that they're already advertising their next paid DLC at the end of the patch notes of this broken update.”
- emotional10 mentions
- 90 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be a wholesome and relaxing experience, often highlighting its charming atmosphere and engaging management mechanics. However, frustrations arise from buggy physics during the checkout minigame, which can disrupt the flow and lead to unintended failures, detracting from the overall emotional enjoyment. Despite these issues, the game's simplicity and charm maintain a positive emotional connection for many players.
“Such a good, wholesome game to relax and play.”
“Made me feel like I owned a junky store out in the middle of nowhere, 10/10.”
“Wholesome, simple, lockpicking simulator.”
“Not your choice, part of the game's boring story.”