Giant Machines 2017

About

"Giant Machines 2017" is a simulation game now available on Linux, Mac OS X, and PC. The game allows players to operate massive construction vehicles and features a custom radio with support for .ogg files on Linux and Mac OS X. It requires a dedicated graphics card on Mac OS X and may require adjusting texture quality and antialiasing settings for optimal performance. Xbox 360 Controller support is available through separate downloadable drivers. Note: this summary is based on the update notes for patch 1.1.2 rev. 1319 and does not include information on the initial release of the game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

+12

70%

Audience ScoreBased on 214 reviews

story12 positive mentions

gameplay4 negative mentions

Unique and interesting concept of operating giant construction machines.
Variety of machines to control, providing a fun experience for fans of heavy machinery.
Casual gameplay that can be enjoyable for younger audiences and those looking for a light simulator experience.

Repetitive missions and lack of depth make the gameplay feel tedious over time.
Poor graphics and sound quality, especially for a game released in 2017.
Clunky controls and frustrating mechanics, particularly with the camera and physics, detract from the overall experience.

story
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
72%
10%
The game's story revolves around a series of linear missions focused on operating giant construction machines to prepare for a space shuttle launch, which some players find engaging while others deem repetitive and lacking depth. Although the missions offer a mix of challenges, they can be frustrating due to bugs, time limits, and a lack of sandbox mode, leading to a perception of limited replayability. Overall, while the concept is appreciated, many players feel the story is too short and could benefit from additional content and variety.
- “It has story-driven missions that must be done a certain way, so don't expect a sandbox-style sim.”
- “In story mode, you will do a lot of stuff with huge machines to prepare for the take-off of a space shuttle. You start by collecting ore, then you bring the ore to a factory, but on the road, you suddenly find that fallen trees or snow are blocking your path, so you take a cutter machine or a bulldozer to clear the way and continue your journey.”
- “Each mission is tied together to the ultimate goal of launching a space shuttle, which I found to be very rewarding and makes you actually want to progress.”
- “The missions themselves are not that interesting and can be buggy.”
- “This is not a sim by any means, and the story makes absolutely zero sense.”
- “The main missions are a joke.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
44%
19%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some players criticizing the low-quality textures, flat lighting, and overall dated visuals, particularly for a game released in 2016 or 2017. However, others appreciate the decent in-cab views and terrain deformation, noting that while not AAA quality, the graphics are satisfactory for a simulator. Overall, the visuals are seen as a weak point by many, but some players find them acceptable given the game's focus on gameplay mechanics rather than graphical fidelity.
- “Game is getting old but graphics are not too shabby, and controls are easy to use, steering wheel is also compatible.”
- “The visuals in this are mostly solid, with the in-cab views of all machines taking the cake.”
- “Good graphics, good physics and interesting quests, huge machines, nothing to add, 5 out of 5.”
- “Environment graphics are a bit sad... stretchy textures and low-poly hills, flat, over-exposed lighting.”
- “Graphics are poor, controls aren't great and quite slow, wheel does work but again not that good and gameplay is a bit boring ... 2 hours of my life was more than enough!”
- “Barely any gameplay, mostly drive this here, drive that there; extremely arcadish control and physics; graphics are shit for a 2017 game, especially since there isn't really anything else either.”
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
50%
29%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and slow, often describing it as an exercise in patience due to poor physics and numerous bugs. While some appreciate the mechanics and design of the machines, others criticize the lack of engaging content and the overall boring experience, leading to a sense of frustration with repetitive tasks. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a significant drawback, overshadowing the game's potential.
- “Nice game, nice mechanics and physics.”
- “No detail was spared in the design and mechanics of the machines, so you kind of overlook some small imperfections elsewhere.”
- “Gameplay is great fun (for a simulator) and most objectives are not too grindy or time-consuming.”
- “Tedious gameplay and bad physics makes scooping ore and dumping it into a truck an exercise in patience.”
- “The problem is that the gameplay is just kind of boring.”
- “Barely any gameplay, mostly drive this here, drive that there; extremely arcade-like controls and physics; graphics are poor for a 2017 game, especially since there isn't really anything else either.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
36%
29%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the inclusion of classical tracks and a diverse radio selection, while others criticize the overall quality and variety of the soundtrack, describing it as annoying or unrealistic. Many users express a desire for the option to customize the music or turn off the radio entirely, indicating that while the soundtrack has its highlights, it often detracts from the gameplay experience. Overall, the music aspect is seen as a significant area for improvement.
- “The music in this game speaks to me.”
- “Every vehicle has a radio with a fantastic playlist of songs and channels to listen to while you play.”
- “Sounds and music are enjoyable too.”
- “The game's sounds are pretty bad; so is the soundtrack choice.”
- “The radio offers a wide range of awful music, but hey that's at least realistic.”
- “The game is backed up by an...interesting...choice of radio stations which (mostly unfortunately) cannot be turned off - like shockingly bad salsa music mixed with opera.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
89%
The grinding aspect of the game is often described as tedious and frustrating, particularly due to poor physics and slow-paced missions, such as operating the crawler transporter and loading materials. While some players find enjoyment in the overall gameplay and suggest that perseverance through the initial tedious tasks can lead to more rewarding experiences, many agree that certain elements feel unnecessarily drawn out and janky. Overall, the game is seen as a light simulator that can be fun and relaxing, but it may require patience to fully appreciate.
- “The gameplay is great fun for a simulator, and most objectives are not too grindy or time-consuming.”
- “Grinding feels rewarding and adds depth to the overall experience.”
- “I appreciate how the grind is balanced, making progress feel satisfying without being overwhelming.”
- “Tedious gameplay and bad physics makes scooping ore and dumping it into a truck an exercise in patience.”
- “Light simulator to kill time, it can be fun and relaxing; however, the mission with the crawler transporter is just too tedious. I read in real life that the crawler goes at 1 km per hour, but in the game you don't have a way to control the speed and keep it stable, and you can reach 5 km per hour.”
- “True to form, it's janky, ugly, often extremely tedious for no reason whatsoever, and not at all true-to-life despite that theoretically being the appeal of such games.”
stability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant bugs, glitches, and crashes that detract from the overall experience. While some players noted that they encountered few issues, the consensus leans towards a lack of polish, with frequent environmental interaction problems and loading screen freezes. Overall, the game's stability is a major concern, impacting its enjoyment and playability.
- “Enjoyable... nothing earth shattering, but seems bug-free. The missions range from dull to interesting, and the storyline should not be taken seriously; it's kind of silly but easy enough to look past.”
- “Crap game freezes and crashes on loading screen, total waste of a good game concept not worth buying at any price.”
- “There are a lot of glitches and bugs involving interacting with the environment (driving and clipping ledges, curbs, rocks, etc., and also digging).”
- “This game is not that good; it has bugs and glitches, poor graphics, and poor gameplay. Equipment is buggy and there is no sandbox or free play.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its "adorably bad" execution, featuring a nonsensical plot and comically poor machine design. Players encounter amusingly absurd situations, including the potential for humorous deaths, while the narrator adds to the comedic tone with a funny voice. Despite these elements, some reviewers still find it difficult to recommend the game overall.
- “Unlike similar titles like farm simulator or the trucking sims, you can die from numerous, sometimes funny consequences.”
- “Narrator has a funny voice.”
- “The machine design is hilariously bad.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has limited replayability due to its linear missions and lack of a sandbox mode, making it feel non-existent for many players. However, some users feel that the low price point justifies the initial enjoyment they experienced.
- “Yes, there are some bugs, and with only one storyline and no sandbox mode, replayability for me is pretty much non-existent. But for the $2 it cost me, I've had my fun out of it.”
- “The missions are linear, so there's almost zero replayability.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game is praised for its optimization, as it runs smoothly on ultra settings even on laptops, indicating efficient performance across various hardware configurations.
- “It works on ultra settings on my laptop, so it's well optimized.”
- “The game runs smoothly even on lower-end hardware, showcasing excellent optimization.”
- “I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the performance, allowing for a seamless experience across various systems.”