Mech Builder

About

Mech Builder is a single player action game. It was developed by Don Pachi and was released on July 16, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Mech Builder" is a relaxing puzzle game inspired by model building, where you can cut out, assemble, paint, and customize 50+ model kits with complete freedom. Unlock kitbash mode to create your own models and time trial to challenge yourself against the clock. With carefully crafted models and pieces, building takes around 7-9 hours, while time trial takes 2-3 hours. This game offers endless repeatability and creativity in building mechs, waifus, armors, figures, and more.

Genres & Tags

Indie

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 375 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

The game is very fun and relaxing, providing a satisfying experience for those who enjoy model building.
It effectively simulates the Gunpla building experience, allowing players to assemble, paint, and customize models.
The developer shows a willingness to listen to community feedback and plans for future updates, which is promising for the game's longevity.

The use of generative AI in the game's design has caused disappointment among players, especially due to a lack of transparency from the developer.
Many players have reported issues with saving progress and the overall user interface, which detracts from the experience.
The gameplay lacks depth and progression, with many players feeling that the mechanics do not evolve or provide sufficient challenge over time.

gameplay
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
58%
17%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it mechanically satisfying and enjoyable, particularly in the kit construction aspect. However, many criticize the lack of difficulty progression, introduction of new mechanics, and the overall design quality, citing issues with tiny parts and a lack of polish in the UI. Additionally, concerns about the developer's honesty regarding asset creation and the presence of bugs have contributed to a generally negative perception of the gameplay experience.
- “Amazing gameplay, so very exhilarating, would make all mechs again.”
- “Although the menus and UI could do with a bit more polish, the core mechanic of constructing the kits is satisfying and relaxing.”
- “Kitbash is where about 3 hours of my gameplay time went, trying to design a mech with the pieces available.”
- “The difficulty doesn't ramp up, new mechanics are not introduced, new concepts are not explored.”
- “Assets generated by AI, one single boring audio track, assembly mechanics that feel empty and weightless compared to Last Call BBS, a combative and dishonest developer, and many, many bugs made this an annoying slog.”
- “The painting mechanics are pathetic - you can only apply a single color to one whole piece - and the way many parts of the models are 'cut up' are nonsensical.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
43%
19%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many users expressing disappointment over the use of AI-generated artwork, which they feel lacks the depth and creativity of traditional designs. The inconsistency in the mech designs, particularly in terms of anti-aliasing and overall aesthetic cohesion, hampers the kit-bashing experience. While some players still find the game enjoyable, the reliance on AI art has led to a sense of dissatisfaction regarding the visual quality.
- “Honestly, I don't care that it's AI artwork; it's still a fun and relaxing game, the best purchase I've made in a while.”
- “Some of the mechs are drawn differently from others, like the Armored Core mechs, which have a lot heavier anti-aliasing, resulting in a lack of aesthetic compatibility for kitbashing.”
- “A way to scale parts in kitbash mode would be nice; enabling those giant helmets to get some parts usage would enhance the experience, but otherwise, more models in a consistent art style would be the best for it.”
- “The game's mechs certainly aren't designed with kit-bashing in mind at all, which would make a lot more sense if they are traced-over AI-generated artworks.”
- “I started building a few models but kept feeling there was something off about the designs and artwork; a quick look at reviews confirmed my suspicion about AI involvement.”
- “Some of the mechs are drawn differently from others, like the Armored Core mechs, which have a lot heavier anti-aliasing, making it difficult to aesthetically kitbash them with other lines.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
29%
14%
The music in the game is consistently described as calm, relaxing, and fitting for the overall theme, enhancing the enjoyable experience. Many players appreciate the nostalgic sound effects and find the background music complements their own playlists well, making it ideal for a laid-back gaming session. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the atmosphere, making it a great choice for those seeking a soothing gaming experience.
- “Incredible sound effects and great nostalgic music, really great game that delivers on everything it needs to be!”
- “The music is relaxing, and the sounds are satisfying.”
- “Music is relaxed and fits the theme, making for an enjoyable experience.”
- “Relaxing content if model building is your thing; I may only have 2 hours into it, but with the background music muted and my own music playing, it took me back to a simpler time with the Gundam kits as a kid.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, as it involves repetitively snipping and assembling pieces to complete mechs. Despite the monotony, many users still express enjoyment in the process, particularly noting that the game runs well on the Steam Deck.
- “Basically in each level, you tediously snip all of the pieces off of a section, affix them to each other using the included guide, and then do the same thing with each next section until you have a completed mech.”
- “The grinding aspect feels overly repetitive, making the gameplay drag on longer than it should.”
- “The constant need to grind for resources becomes a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story has been criticized for its inconsistency, with users noting that it does not align with previous statements made on Twitter. This lack of coherence detracts from the overall narrative experience.
- “This story still does not match what he said on Twitter.”
- “His story is not consistent.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional response to the game is largely negative, with users expressing disappointment and a lack of motivation to engage with it, despite a passion for related activities like kit-bashing.
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game has been criticized for feeling like a cash grab rather than a genuine passion project, leaving players disappointed in its approach to in-game purchases.
- “It really surprised me because you'd think a game like this would be a passion project for someone who really adores Gunpla kits, but unfortunately, it very much feels like a cash grab.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is subjective, with some players finding it amusing while others may not share the same sentiment. Overall, the comedic elements seem to resonate differently among users, leading to mixed reactions.
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, providing a stable experience overall, though some users noted minor tedious elements.
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck; a bit tedious with the snips and a few things, but I really enjoyed myself.”