Hardware Engineers
- April 22, 2019
- Green127
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam"Hardware Engineers" is a simulation game where you manage an IT business in a competitive technology world. Build and optimize computers with realistic components, diagnose and repair systems, and expand your company, with customization options and native 4K support. The game offers two difficulty modes, easy for technology beginners and medium for those with some experience .
Reviews
- The game has a unique concept of running a computer repair shop, which can be fun and educational for players interested in IT.
- The developer is very active in the community, frequently updating the game and responding to player feedback.
- The gameplay mechanics, such as diagnosing and repairing computers, provide a realistic experience for those familiar with hardware.
- The game suffers from frequent crashes and bugs, making it frustrating to play, especially for those with higher system requirements.
- The user interface is clunky and poorly designed, leading to confusion and difficulty in navigating the game.
- The tutorial is lacking and does not adequately prepare players for the complexities of the game, resulting in a steep learning curve.
- graphics27 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally described as simple and somewhat dated, lacking the polish of more advanced titles. While some players appreciate the charm and clarity of the art style, others find the visuals underwhelming and reminiscent of early game development. Overall, the graphics do not detract significantly from the gameplay experience, which many find enjoyable despite the aesthetic limitations.
“The graphics don't need to be 'pretty'; you can play this game with any computer. I played this game with an i3 2120, GT9500, and 8GB DDR3 1600MHz with good graphics and high FPS, and even with this optimization, the game has a pretty good and beautiful art!”
“Great concept, sweet graphics, perfect gameplay.”
“To sum it all up, the developer has encased the game in simple, but charming graphics.”
“Graphics feel dated.”
“The graphics are not the reason to play this game.”
“I played this game quite a bit, and although it can be quite fun, it is a bit clunky and the graphics aren't the greatest.”
- gameplay24 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its simple mechanics and unique concept, offering a fun and relaxing experience, though some users note it can become repetitive and lacks depth. While the game shows promise with regular updates and a charming aesthetic, it currently suffers from bugs, a clunky interface, and limited content, suggesting that it has potential for improvement in future iterations. Overall, the gameplay is easy to learn but may require patience due to its early access state and the need for further polish.
“The depth of the game mechanics is the main draw.”
“Great concept, sweet graphics, perfect gameplay.”
“The gameplay is fun and unique.”
“The game's mechanics are ridiculously raw and clunky.”
“Gameplay is limited and gets repetitive fast.”
“Unfortunately, user gameplay is very limited even within early access with a very cumbersome interface.”
- stability9 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its significant stability issues, including frequent crashes and glitches that disrupt gameplay. While players appreciate the realistic troubleshooting mechanics and engaging management aspects, many report that the game is still in an early access state, leading to a buggy and clunky experience. However, the developers are actively addressing these issues with patches, and there is optimism for future improvements.
“Way too buggy; keeps crashing and glitching so you can't click on anything while playing.”
“Almost like it freezes up sort of.”
“Hell... this could be a great one someday, but be sure about the EA tag... it's buggy and clunky, and lots of stuff is missing, but it supports a great idea... I really hope the devs can deliver...”
- story7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's story revolves around running a computer hardware store, where players receive a variety of missions from customers, such as building PCs and selling parts. However, many users find the missions repetitive and lacking in depth, with some tasks feeling frustratingly unresponsive despite meeting the criteria. Overall, while the premise offers potential for engagement, the execution leaves much to be desired.
“No kidding, this is a real mission in the game.”
“Then I also got a mission to build a PC for someone, assembled it with high-end parts, matching the criteria they gave, but still under budget.”
“But the missions are all the same.”
“You get a steady stream of customers entering your computer/hardware store issuing varied missions, which you can either accept or decline free of penalty initially or for a fee later on.”
“Then I also got a mission to build a PC for someone, assembled it with high-end parts, matching the criteria they gave, but still under budget. I installed the OS and the drivers, but dragging the completed unit to them does nothing; they do not accept it but do not give a reason why it is not good enough.”
- humor5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized as delightfully quirky, with clever brand name parodies and subtle jokes that enhance the overall charm. Players find the comedic elements, such as stealing parts and engaging in pun-filled interactions, to be both entertaining and a source of unexpected enjoyment during gameplay.
“Even the cheeky humor with major brand name changes like Mzi and Entil adds charm to the game.”
“The humor is subtle but works, and it will eat time you didn't know you were wasting.”
“Gameplay is fun and relaxing; stealing parts from people is funny, and just building computers is entertaining.”
“So bad, it's actually funny.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unengaging, with some expressing that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. If the grinding feels hard and monotonous, it may indicate that the game isn't suited for those looking for a more dynamic experience.
“But, if you find the demo hard and tedious, this probably isn't the game for you.”
“Yeah, okay, it's kind of grindy.”
“I tried grinding my way through PC Building Simulator hoping it would stop boring me.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed feedback; while some players find it soothing and enjoyable, others prefer to replace it with their own choices, such as techno, for a more engaging experience. Overall, the soundtrack is generally considered good by many users.
“The music in the game is good to listen to.”
“Music is actually soothing and good.”
“Turn off that crappy music and put your techno on, this is gonna be a long night!”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game lacks optimization as it is not built on a pre-existing game engine, resulting in performance issues.
“This game is not built on a pre-existing game engine and is not well optimized.”
“The performance issues are evident, and the game feels sluggish even on high-end hardware.”
“There are frequent frame drops and stuttering, making the gameplay experience frustrating.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy relies on advertising to attract more customers, which may not be a significant issue as the game's reputation grows.
“The game relies heavily on advertising to attract more customers, which can be off-putting.”
“The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive and detracts from the overall experience.”
“I feel pressured to spend money to enjoy the game fully, which ruins the fun.”
