Mini Motorways
- July 20, 2021
- Dinosaur Polo Club
- 10h median play time
Being stuck in traffic is never a good time. But what if you could control the traffic by placing and rearranging roads at will? Mini Motorways allows you to do just that, in the most relaxing way possible.
Get on SteamMini Motorways is a single-player platformer game with poor storyline but phenomenal game mechanics, impressive visuals, and stunning music. As the city's traffic manager, players draw roads to keep the city moving, with various upgrades and modes to explore. Despite being occasionally buggy, its fabulous atmosphere and high replayability make it a unique and enjoyable gaming experience.
iPad
iPhone
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Phone
Windows
Cloud
Mobile Platform
NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Tablet
Reviews
- gameplay803 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Mini Motorways" is characterized by its simple yet challenging mechanics, offering a blend of strategic planning and puzzle-solving as players connect houses to destinations through a road network. While the game is easy to learn, it presents a significant skill curve, requiring players to adapt to random elements and optimize their designs for high scores. However, some players express frustration with repetitive gameplay and the reliance on exploiting mechanics, suggesting a desire for more variety and depth in future updates.
“Its simple yet challenging gameplay and charming atmosphere make it an absolute must-play for anyone seeking a game that is both rewarding and relaxing.”
“The gameplay loop is the best, it's compelling, and gives a good challenge.”
“The gameplay is surprisingly easy to understand despite its wide variety of mechanics and is consistent in its delivery.”
“Gameplay: the gameplay is very shallow, especially since the selection of upgrades is so limited.”
“The gameplay loop boils down to avoiding intersections and keeping colors separated as much as possible until mid-game, at which point RNG will inevitably force you to mix and match road systems.”
“Unfortunately, the primary challenge arises from mechanics that aren't properly explained, which immediately hits a huge dent in the elegance of the game.”
- graphics602 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Mini Motorways" are widely praised for their charming, minimalist art style that enhances the gameplay experience. Reviewers appreciate the clean and colorful visuals, which are both aesthetically pleasing and functional, allowing players to focus on strategic planning without distraction. The game's graphics are considered a significant improvement over its predecessor, "Mini Metro," contributing to a relaxing yet engaging atmosphere that complements the soothing soundtrack.
“The graphics are simple, clean, and appealing, and the music is nice.”
“The visuals are so pleasing and fun to look at.”
“The minimalist art style, intricate sound design, and satisfying gameplay make mini motorways the perfect game for an hour or so of relaxation.”
“Ok, really neat and fun, but good, it's making my laptop burn. I have no idea why with such simple graphics.”
“The graphics leave much to be desired, but the game is only $10, so there's that.”
“The game can just be flat out boring too with a lack of any good music and simplistic visuals whose charm wears off fast.”
- music420 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its calming and ambient qualities that enhance the overall relaxing experience. However, some users find the soundtrack repetitive or annoying, particularly when it loops or features dissonant elements. Overall, while the music complements the gameplay for many, there are calls for better audio controls to allow players to customize their listening experience.
“The soundtrack has a beautiful ambience which really reflects the setting of the game, creating a stress-free and zen experience.”
“The music and ambience are very soothing, making it a perfect game to relax and enjoy while listening to your favorite tunes.”
“The gentle hum of the city, the subtle sounds of cars passing by, and the relaxing music create a tranquil ambiance that complements the gameplay experience.”
“Only one problem, why's the music so discordant?”
“The soundtrack really sucks and is downright annoying on pause.”
“I had to turn the music off after a couple of hours as the 'heartbeat' noise behind it, and in the pause menu, became really quite uncomfortable to listen to.”
- replayability200 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with various modes, challenges, and randomized elements that keep each playthrough fresh and engaging. Players appreciate the depth and strategic opportunities presented by different maps and the ability to chase high scores, making it highly addictive and enjoyable for both casual and seasoned gamers. While some users note potential limitations in long-term replay value, the overall consensus is that the game offers a wealth of replayable content.
“Incredible replayability and a great way to relax and work your brain out a bit.”
“The randomized map generation keeps each playthrough fresh and adds to the game's replayability.”
“With abundant replayability, Mini Motorways offers tremendous value for players.”
“The game features minimalist graphics, soothing music, and a variety of maps that offer different levels of difficulty and replay value.”
“While the game is relatively simple and is the same thing every round, the variation with the bridges and other tiles make it replayable.”
“There's a surprising amount of strategy involved in planning out your roads and motorways, though there isn't a lot of replayability that I can see once you've finished all the achievements.”
- story99 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 28 % negative mentions
The game lacks a traditional narrative, with many users noting that it has no story or objectives, making it more of a casual puzzle experience. While some appreciate the absence of a storyline for its pick-up-and-play nature, others express a desire for more depth or goals to enhance engagement. Overall, the focus is on gameplay mechanics rather than storytelling, appealing to those who prefer a laid-back gaming experience.
“Great storyline, characters, and unique gameplay.”
“The story is you come to an empty city, watch it expand, and then see it become a concrete jungle, like in real life :)”
“It's not suited to you if you want to play epic quests with deep and emotional storylines, but on the puzzle side of games, this is as good as its predecessor, Mini Metro.”
“No story, no objectives, no bonus goals.”
“Story: 0/7 - non-existent”
“This game has no plot and no point, and yet it will suck hours away from your life without you even knowing it.”
- optimization65 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate its smooth performance and engaging mechanics, others report issues such as late-game stuttering, high resource consumption, and a lack of tools for effective traffic data analysis. Some users express a desire for better optimization on specific platforms, particularly macOS, and note that the game can become chaotic, challenging the player's ability to maintain optimal traffic flow. Despite these concerns, the game remains enjoyable for those who love optimization puzzles, offering a rewarding experience for players willing to navigate its complexities.
“A perfect puzzle/optimization game and a worthy successor to Mini Metro.”
“It's well optimized, runs like a train, and the social component in this game is giving a very positively competitive vibe to it which I personally thoroughly enjoy.”
“Simple on the surface, but there's plenty of hidden optimization mechanics for you to discover if it catches your interest.”
“No tools to get data needed for traffic optimization like finding out who wants to go where - colors is not enough.”
“The underlying engine of the game seems bloated for a simple game like this, which is the cause of late game stuttering, broken car AI, and buggy motorway attachments even on relatively competitive hardware.”
“Game is extremely unoptimized - it consumes more PC resources than huge 3D projects.”
- humor61 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in this game is widely appreciated, with players finding joy in the chaotic and absurd scenarios that arise from managing funny little cars and their unpredictable traffic patterns. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter through its quirky mechanics and amusing sound effects, making it a delightful experience for those looking to unwind or compete with friends. Overall, the game's blend of humor and challenge creates a uniquely entertaining atmosphere that keeps players engaged.
“Mini Motorways is a hilarious and addictive game that turns road management into an exasperating adventure.”
“It's the perfect way to compete with your friends, whether you're bragging about your high scores or laughing at their traffic disasters.”
“It's hilarious how every game ends up looking like a hellish maze of steel and pavement, no matter how practical you originally intended it to be.”
- grinding50 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 44 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience; while some players find it initially interesting and challenging, it often becomes tedious and repetitive over time. Many users express that the grind is particularly demanding for achievement hunters, requiring significant time investment, and can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. However, some players appreciate the ability to engage in quick sessions without the need for extensive grinding, suggesting a balance between casual play and more dedicated achievement hunting.
“There's nothing that makes the game feel like a chore, no grinding, no daily logins, nothing.”
“Very easy-going game that requires no grinding.”
“A lot of grinding.”
“Interesting and challenging at first, and then it becomes tedious and repetitive.”
“This results in gameplay that is tedious and not particularly rewarding.”
“Its fun for a good while, but with achievement hunting it makes the game more tedious to return to.”
- stability28 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 82 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting frequent bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly during late-game scenarios and when modifying intersections. While some players experience smooth performance on certain hardware, many others face frustrating issues such as freezing, broken AI, and unresponsive controls, making the game feel unplayable at times. Overall, the game's stability is inconsistent, with a mix of minor and major bugs detracting from an otherwise enjoyable experience.
“Runs great on my desktop and my garbage laptop.”
“Bug free.”
“Good: nice simple visuals and sound/music, controls are easy and it's pretty bug free.”
“Really unplayable buggy; adding a roundabout over an existing intersection caused the cars to freeze, thus resulting in failure of the daily challenge (which only has 1 attempt to submit your best score).”
“The underlying engine of the game seems bloated for a simple game like this, which is the cause of late game stuttering, broken car AI, and buggy motorway attachments even on relatively competitive hardware.”
“Generally the road editor is a little buggy; things spawn in random places which will ruin any sort of planning, and the way the cars move around is exhausting.”
- atmosphere21 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as calming and relaxing, enhanced by minimalist sound design and soothing music that create a zen-like experience. Players appreciate the charming and therapeutic vibes, which allow for both rewarding gameplay and a sense of bliss, even amidst challenges. Overall, the game's atmosphere is a significant draw, making it a must-play for those seeking a tranquil gaming experience.
“The soothing and atmospheric sound design of Mini Motorways enhances the calming and contemplative nature of the game.”
“Insanely relaxing atmosphere and fantastic gameplay loop!”
“I wish there was a sandbox mode to just create something pretty in a relaxed atmosphere.”
“Not too much tension to destroy the overall calm atmosphere or to make you feel anything other than bliss.”
“The soothing soundtrack further enhances the atmosphere, creating a zen-like experience that belies the intense strategic thinking required to succeed.”
- emotional14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and relaxing experience, making it ideal for casual players seeking a chill environment. Many users express feelings of nostalgia and self-reflection, highlighting the game's ability to evoke positive emotions and provide a sense of fulfillment. While it may not offer deep narratives, it serves as a comforting escape, perfect for de-stressing and enjoying light-hearted gameplay.
“This game made me feel better about myself and proves that I may still have the potential to be the person I wanted to be when I was a kid.”
“Tears welled up in his eyes as he realized exactly what was at stake and he stopped smoking.”
“It's still going on but... hopefully... if things turn out good someday, I'd love to come back to this review and shed a tear.”
- monetization9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -22 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with players appreciating the absence of intrusive ads and pay-to-win mechanics commonly found in mobile games. However, some users express concerns about the game's alignment with typical mobile cash grabs and misleading advertising. Overall, players enjoy the gameplay experience without the typical monetization pitfalls, suggesting a preference for a more honest and engaging approach.
“This game is fantastic because it has no ads or pay-to-win elements.”
“I appreciate that the monetization model is fair and doesn't disrupt gameplay.”
“The absence of aggressive monetization makes this game enjoyable and accessible.”
“Just another mobile cash grab with devs blinded by money.”
“The best way to play looks nothing like the advertisements, the achievements, the trading cards: nothing like common sense.”
“This largely came from the advertising and my own assumptions about the genre this game fits into.”
Critic Reviews
Mini Motorways Review
Mini Motorways is an enjoyable and often beautiful puzzler, but the lack of long term replayability makes it harder to recommend over its already excellent predecessor.
70%Mini Motorways review — Stuck in traffic
Despite its rather brief runtime, Mini Motorways shows what made the game so successful on mobile platforms. Featuring a gameplay loop that's hard to resist, the only thing holding it back is a lack of true variety. Luckily, when the gratification loop is this intoxicating and the price is so minimal, the limited replay value can be easily forgiven.
80%Mini Motorways Review (PC)
Mini Motorways is a good title for a mobile device that simply fails to add any new depth as it moves to other platforms. It is nice to see a city grow, try to solve its traffic problems, find ways to make colored cars go to the right places. But once I passed the 300 trips taken milestone for any location, which is not hard to do, I found little motivation to go back and work to further optimize. The team at Dinosaur Polo Club clearly has a knack for creating stripped-down but beautiful graphics and for simplifying mechanics down to their essence, which is a clear strength for a title that aims for success on mobile devices. But in order to make Mini Motorways engaging on other platforms, they needed to introduce a new mechanic or a new way to tackle the traffic challenge to add to the depth of the experience. Review code provided by the publisher.
70%
