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Hardware Engineers

82%Game Brain Score
gameplay, humor
graphics, story
82% User Score Based on 302 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindows
Buy Nowfrom $14.31
Buy NowGet on Steam$14.99

About

"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 .

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Hardware Engineers screenshot
Hardware Engineers screenshot
Hardware Engineers screenshot
Hardware Engineers screenshot
Hardware Engineers screenshot

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 302 reviews
gameplay16 positive mentions
graphics10 negative mentions
  • The game has a good concept of running a computer repair shop, providing a mix of management and hands-on troubleshooting.
  • The developer is very active, frequently updating the game and responding to community feedback, which shows dedication to improvement.
  • The gameplay can be fun and engaging, especially for those interested in computers, with a variety of parts and tasks to manage.
  • The game suffers from bugs and crashes, making it frustrating to play, especially for those with higher system requirements.
  • The user interface is clunky and not intuitive, leading to confusion during gameplay and making it difficult to navigate.
  • Gameplay can become repetitive quickly, with limited variety in missions and tasks, which may lead to boredom over time.
  • graphics
    60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game are generally considered dated and not the primary draw for players, with many noting a simplistic and somewhat childish art style. However, the game compensates with charming visuals and well-designed components, allowing it to run smoothly on lower-end hardware. While improvements are needed, particularly in text readability, the overall aesthetic does not detract from the gameplay experience.

    • “The game’s art style has some cartoony elements mixed with realistic textures.”
    • “The graphics are not technically impressive, but they do not detract from the game as the important stuff, the computers and parts, are actually very well done.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay
    56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is generally praised for its fun and unique mechanics, with a charming concept that shows promise for future development. However, many users note that it can become repetitive, especially once players establish their businesses, and some mechanics feel clunky or underdeveloped. While the game is still in early access and has room for improvement, it offers a solid foundation with regular updates and engaging elements.

    • “The depth of the game mechanics is the main draw.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and unique.”
    • “Gameplay is fun and relaxing; stealing parts from people is funny, and just building computers is entertaining.”
    • “Gameplay can become repetitive once you have an established business.”
    • “Gameplay is limited and gets repetitive fast.”
    • “Unfortunately, user gameplay is very limited even within early access with a very clumsy interface.”
  • story
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game lacks a traditional story mode, instead offering a series of repetitive missions centered around running a computer/hardware store, where players fulfill customer requests. While the gameplay is engaging, some players have encountered issues with mission completion, leading to frustration over unclear acceptance criteria. Overall, the narrative structure is minimal but integrates well with the gameplay mechanics.

    • “There is no traditional story mode but it fits the gameplay just fine.”
    • “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.”
    • “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. 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.”
    • “There is no traditional story mode, but it fits the gameplay just fine.”
    • “But the missions are all the same.”
  • stability
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is reported to be quite buggy, with frequent crashes and glitches that can disrupt gameplay. While players appreciate the realistic troubleshooting mechanics and engaging management aspects, they note that the game is still in early access and has significant stability issues. However, the developers are actively addressing these bugs, which gives hope 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...”
  • humor
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as delightfully bad, featuring clever brand name parodies and subtle jokes that enhance the overall charm. Players find the comedic elements, such as stealing parts and engaging in hardware puns, to be entertaining and a source of unexpected enjoyment during gameplay. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch that complements the fun and relaxing nature of the game.

    • “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.”
    • “So bad, it's actually funny.”
  • music
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The in-game music has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it decent and soothing, while others express a desire for more variety and prefer to listen to their own music instead. Overall, it appears to be a new addition that may improve with future updates.

    • “The music in the game is good to listen to.”
    • “Music is actually soothing and good.”
    • “The in-game music is decent, but I believe they are a new addition, so more could be added later.”
    • “Turn off that crappy music and put your techno on; this is gonna be a long night!”
  • grinding
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unengaging, with some expressing that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. Those who struggle with the demo may find the grinding particularly off-putting, suggesting that the game may not be suitable for everyone.

    • “I tried grinding my way through PC Building Simulator hoping it would stop boring me.”
    • “Even when I knew what I was doing, it was tedious and not very fun.”
    • “Yeah, okay, it's kinda grindy.”
  • optimization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game lacks optimization as it is not built on a pre-existing engine, leading to performance issues. Players may need to overclock their processors and graphics cards to achieve better performance.

    • “This game is not built on a pre-existing game engine and is not super optimized.”
    • “You can even overclock processors and video cards to get better performance.”
  • monetization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers suggest that the game could benefit from incorporating competing businesses, manufacturer sponsorships, or other advertising options to enhance monetization and attract more customers. They believe that while advertising may initially be necessary, it could become less critical as players build their reputation within the game.

    • “It would be interesting to have competing businesses, manufacturer sponsorships, or other advertisement options.”
    • “- needs advertising as a means of bringing in more customers (this may not be such a problem as you build your reputation?)”

Buy Hardware Engineers

3h Median play time
3h Average play time
3-3h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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