Jalopy

59%
Game Brain Score Based on 7,375 reviews
  • gameplay
  • stability
  • story
Jalopy Game Cover
Jalopy is a game with an interesting concept and good mechanics behind it. Sadly, poor design, a number of irritating bugs, and a lack of things to do beyond the game's single quest make for a disappointing experience.
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Set during the fall of the Eastern Bloc,travel through each of the socialist fraternal states while maintaining a spluttering 2-stroke car. Jalopy looks to replicate the wild yet philosophical voice of the road found in the great literary experiences such as Robert M. Pirsig's Zen & the Art of Motorcycle.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

59%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,375 reviews
gameplay243 positive mentions
stability744 negative mentions
  • gameplay869 mentions

    The gameplay of "Jalopy" is characterized by a mix of driving, car maintenance, and resource management, which some players find engaging and relaxing, while others criticize it for being repetitive and plagued by bugs. The mechanics, including upgrading and maintaining the car, are seen as both charming and simplistic, leading to a gameplay loop that can become monotonous over time. Overall, while the game has potential and offers a unique atmosphere, many players express frustration with its technical issues and lack of depth in gameplay.

    • “I don't know what it is about this game, whether it's the simplistic gameplay loop, the simple yet satisfying controls, the little upgrades, or just the sheer vibes, but everything about it is absolutely incredible.”
    • “Its innovative car maintenance mechanics and atmospheric storytelling are highlights, providing depth and engagement.”
    • “The main gameplay is really fun, traveling and upgrading your car with money you get from selling stuff you pick up on the side of the road.”
    • “It's gameplay is quite boring, it's graphically unimpressive and its audio is comparable to 2012 Roblox.”
    • “The gameplay loop of driving, maintaining the car, and scavenging for resources can feel monotonous after several hours, as the initial novelty wears off without sufficient variety or new challenges to keep the experience fresh.”
    • “The game is riddled with bugs, is boring, uneventful, relies too much on degradation mechanics to drive the gameplay forward and in the end really disappoints.”
  • stability752 mentions

    The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which significantly detract from the overall experience, often rendering it frustrating or nearly unplayable. Many players report game-breaking issues, such as getting stuck or losing progress, and express disappointment over the lack of updates or fixes from the developers. While some find charm in the game's concept, the overwhelming instability makes it difficult to recommend without caution, especially at full price.

    • “Runs great.”
    • “In particular, the game is pretty solid and relatively bug-free up until you reach the end of the first journey.”
    • “But my only complaint is the framerate in the cities (4690k gtx 970); anywhere else runs great, which isn't too bad but it can be annoying.”
    • “The game is buggy and takes out the fun when you can't refuel in the station or slightly touch a rock on the side cracking your entire windows that you can't see or that the AI car is flipped causing a huge traffic jam that you can't get out of.”
    • “I can't recommend anyone get it due to how buggy and frustrating it can be at times and knowing the game most likely will never be updated again.”
    • “An absolute disgrace to video games and buggy to the point of being almost unplayable.”
  • story647 mentions

    The story in "Jalopy" is a bittersweet journey of self-discovery set against the backdrop of post-Cold War Europe, where players travel with their uncle to spread a loved one's ashes. While the narrative is engaging and emotional, many players feel it lacks depth and closure, often ending abruptly without a satisfying conclusion. Additionally, technical issues and bugs can hinder the storytelling experience, leaving some players frustrated with the overall execution of the plot.

    • “It's an amazing story with an ending that will leave you tearing up.”
    • “The story is very nice, seeing both the fall of the eastern block governments, as well as the story of the player character (hint: investigate uncle when he's asleep).”
    • “You become engrossed in each step of the story, given it's not completely breaking, and are left with a nostalgic memory of a grandiose journey to Turkey in a beat-up, run-down jalopy.”
    • “It doesn't have an important story, and it doesn't have a real ending.”
    • “The story doesn't make sense, and turns out to be completely pointless when you reach Turkey (the final destination).”
    • “The story stops dead once you reach your final destination and gives you no reason to keep playing, which sucks because 5 hours barely gives you half enough time to explore the customization options for your car or experience what the game has to offer.”
  • graphics644 mentions

    The graphics of "Jalopy" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting the simplistic, low-poly art style that some find charming while others deem it dull and unappealing. While the minimalist visuals contribute to the game's atmosphere, they are often criticized for being outdated and accompanied by numerous graphical bugs that detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, some players appreciate the unique aesthetic and feel that the graphics align well with the game's themes, emphasizing gameplay over visual fidelity.

    • “The minimalist graphics and the soothing, sometimes melancholic soundtrack help to build a strong sense of place and time, enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative.”
    • “The art style is visually appealing as well as simple shapes and flat colors; you'd think it would make it a downer, but the gloominess incites a bit of adventure as you drive through mountains, mud roads, or forests.”
    • “It's relaxing in its open-road adventure, and the abstract lo-fi graphics and sound only add to the charm and atmosphere - especially when the rain is pattering on the roof, and the fuzzy radio is doing its thing.”
    • “The graphics are awful.”
    • “I went into it saying 'this game looks like something that was thrown together by a team of primary-school students' and, if you look at pure graphical fidelity, it is a highly amateur-looking game.”
    • “You start the game and are again hit by the horrible graphics.”
  • music228 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its nostalgic and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a soothing and sometimes melancholic soundtrack. However, some players have expressed frustration over the inability to adjust or turn off the music, as well as the limited number of tracks available on the in-game radio, which can lead to repetitiveness. Overall, the original soundtrack composed by Jeremy Warmsley is highlighted as a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's immersive ambiance.

    • “The minimalist graphics and the soothing, sometimes melancholic soundtrack help to build a strong sense of place and time, enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing, I have it recorded on cassette and constantly listen to it.”
    • “The low-poly graphics style and the 70's/80's themed music make it a very atmospheric game.”
    • “The one bad thing is you can't adjust the music or turn it off altogether.”
    • “I do not recommend this game because the radio has no good music.”
    • “The music is okay'ish, but it will quickly overstay its welcome.”
  • atmosphere168 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique charm, capturing the essence of a nostalgic journey through Eastern Europe with a blend of low-poly graphics and an engaging soundtrack. While some players find the visuals unimpressive, the overall ambiance is described as relaxing and immersive, making it a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience. However, opinions vary, with some noting that if the atmosphere doesn't resonate, the game can feel monotonous and tedious.

    • “Atmospheric experience: 'Jalopy' excels in creating an atmospheric experience, with sound design and visuals that complement the journey's slow and contemplative pace.”
    • “The atmosphere and the art style are the strong points of this game, along with all the references to the history of the Eastern Bloc countries you are traveling through.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game gives you ample room to just sit back and enjoy, and in essence it's a perfect game for a mental reset.”
    • “I don't mind polygon graphics at all when done well, but in this game they just create a dull, monotonous atmosphere for you to drive until your inevitable breakdown.”
    • “Cons, if you don't like the atmosphere, it's just a dreary battle of boredom.”
    • “The lightning in this game and the atmosphere itself makes me puke.”
  • replayability106 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding it enjoyable and worth revisiting due to its unique mechanics and randomized routes, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking substantial content after the initial playthrough. Many reviews highlight the potential for fun and exploration, but also note significant limitations, such as bugs and a short overall experience, leading to a general consensus of moderate to high replay value depending on individual preferences. Overall, while some players appreciate the relaxing driving experience and the opportunity for grinding, others feel that the game could benefit from more depth and variety to enhance its replayability.

    • “Overall this game has a high replayability which at first feels like repetitiveness, however it keeps getting more fun.”
    • “This game has great replay value as well; I completed this game twice, almost four times, but once my battery died and the other time the game glitched. The game is pretty stable and has no major game-breaking bugs, however, there are some tiny ones like not being able to interact with stuff or sometimes I lose everything in my trunk.”
    • “Despite the unique concept, fun gameplay, replayability factor, and great soundtrack, Jalopy is about as reliable as the car upon which it's based.”
    • “While this game is very relaxing and has a lot of replay value, there's not much else to offer after your first run of the game, which is roughly 4-5 hours.”
    • “Most importantly, there isn't any replay value in it, at least not for me.”
    • “Jalopy has an interesting and somewhat unique experience to keep players entertained, just a shame it's very short and has little replayability; with the added 'bonus' of bugs present throughout.”
  • optimization102 mentions

    The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, bugs, and a lack of responsiveness, even on high-end PCs. Despite some improvements following updates, the overall experience remains marred by poor frame rates, especially in certain weather conditions and environments. Many reviewers express hope for future optimizations, but currently, the game is deemed unready for release due to its numerous technical shortcomings.

    • “There's not only a large selection of vehicle parts to improve your Laika/Trabant's performance at the dealer's store, but also upgrade modifications and multiple customization options for paints and decals, to add all the more flair and individuality to your car.”
    • “Punctured tires make a real difference to the handling, and you can feel the car's performance rise and fall with the condition of engine parts and how much oil you mix into the fuel of your 2-stroke engine.”
    • “Bugs and glitches happen less often and are less severe, frame-rate and general performance have been vastly improved, and Grunkle Jackass stays home, so you don't have to deal with his dialogue boxes or his perpetual stench of oatmeal and cough syrup.”
    • “Despite the low-poly textures, my GTX 980 struggles with this game on the highest settings, which are still, well, 'low-poly.' I smell bad optimization.”
    • “Ignoring the fact that it is completely unoptimized, the main issue right now is that it is a buggy mess; there are so many bugs (even game stoppers) I don't even know where to begin; graphical issues, unresponsive interactions if certain steps are followed, not being able to paint the car, uncle walking around the motel in a 'car sitting' animation, the ending of the game not having a conclusion or proper ending... etc. I would go on but having worked as a game tester before I'd rather get paid for it.”
    • “The game is outright broken and has crap performance on a high-end PC and after restarting the game for the third time today to fix bugs I've uninstalled it and will never touch it again.”
  • grinding86 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some find a sense of reward in upgrading their vehicles after significant effort, the clunky mechanics and lack of engaging content make the grinding feel more like a chore than a fun challenge. Overall, players suggest that the game may appeal to those who enjoy road trip themes, but caution that it requires a considerable time investment for minimal payoff.

    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “Languid, perhaps, but not tedious.”
    • “The driving is tedious and clunky, the locations are repetitive, all the hotels and service stations are identical, and the upgrades don't seem to help much.”
    • “Once you notice that the world itself is just a boring setpiece and there is really nothing worthwhile to do outside grinding for new car parts to make driving less of a slog, the whole game just feels pointless.”
    • “It also takes huge amounts of grinding and RNG to upgrade the car and get to Turkey in any timely manner.”
  • humor58 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark comedy and absurdity, often poking fun at the challenges of driving rickety Soviet-era cars. Players find the game's glitches and mechanics, such as tires deflating unexpectedly, to be hilariously frustrating, while the overall setting and characters contribute to a unique comedic experience that resonates with car enthusiasts and those familiar with Eastern European culture. Despite some bugs, the humor remains a highlight, making the game enjoyable and memorable.

    • “It's so funny that my tires simply gave up, blown up, deflated after going like only in-game 1500km, that is like 1-2 kilometers the actual distance you travel in the game.”
    • “This is pretty much a dark humor game almost, in that it makes fun of how dreary Eastern Europe was during the Cold War years.”
    • “Funny little game about old cars from the Soviet bloc countries being all out terrible, and for some reason you're taking one on a road trip.”
  • emotional40 mentions

    "Jalopy" evokes a strong emotional response through its heartfelt narrative of an uncle and nephew's journey, enhanced by minimalist graphics and a melancholic soundtrack. Players report feeling deeply connected to the characters, with moments of heartbreak and nostalgia, particularly when uncovering the uncle's letters. Despite some gameplay criticisms, the emotional depth and relaxing atmosphere make it a memorable experience.

    • “The minimalist graphics and the soothing, sometimes melancholic soundtrack help to build a strong sense of place and time, enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative.”
    • “I won't spoil too much, but the story (found by opening uncle's letters after he goes to sleep) is quite heart-wrenching.”
    • “The story literally made me cry; I don't know why exactly, but if you read the journals (spoiler alert) when your uncle sleeps, you can find them inside the briefcase. They renew every night.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    Reviews indicate a strong dissatisfaction with the game's monetization strategy, labeling it as a cash grab, particularly criticizing the developers for prioritizing the Xbox version despite ongoing issues with the PC version. Many users feel the game has not progressed beyond an alpha state, further fueling concerns about its value.

    • “Never came out of alpha, cash grab.”
    • “Try fixing the PC version before trying to make a cash grab Xbox version, likely to be just as broken if not worse.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

45% average critic score

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Play time

9hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
4-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 72 analyzed playthroughs

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