Mon Bazou
- December 16, 2021
- Santa Goat
- 45h median play time
Get on Steam"Mon Bazou" is a street racing and car building game set in 2005 Quebec. Customize your primary vehicle and participate in street races while managing a maple syrup and cannabis business. The game features highly customizable cars, trucks, ATVs, and a boat to drive, allowing you to build and upgrade your vehicle while navigating the quiet town of Saint-Clin du Fin-Fond.
Reviews
- gameplay278 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Mon Bazou" is widely praised for its engaging mechanics and accessibility, making it a great choice for both newcomers and seasoned players of car simulation games. While the game offers a satisfying loop of tasks such as car customization, resource management, and exploration, some players note that it can become repetitive over time, particularly as they grind for end-game content. Overall, the blend of humor, unique mechanics, and a charming setting contributes to a fun and immersive experience, despite some minor bugs and graphical limitations.
“Amazing game, good story, good gameplay, and the difficulty is at the sweet spot between super hard and easy!”
“The gameplay loop is addicting and fun, requiring you to drive around and complete different tasks as you build up your maple syrup and weed-growing empire.”
“The mix between funny and technical comes together to make one of the best mechanic/racing games I have played in a long time.”
“While the game is a lot of fun at first when you're still exploring all the gameplay elements, it quickly gets stale once you figure out the main moneymaker activities and have to start grinding them out to get access to most of the end-game stuff.”
“It's an absolute chore to play, but I guess that's the gameplay loop.”
“After 200+ hours of play, I have concluded that, although this game has the potential for being a great game, the developer has clearly spent far more time on developing and implementing mechanics meant only to cause frustration far beyond reasonable challenges.”
- grinding215 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as both enjoyable and tedious, with many players finding it addictive despite its repetitive nature. While some appreciate the depth and rewarding progression that comes from grinding for resources like maple syrup and car upgrades, others feel it can become stale and overly time-consuming, particularly in the mid to late game. Overall, the game appeals to those who enjoy grinding mechanics, but it may not be ideal for players seeking a more streamlined experience.
“It is fun but can be grindy at some points; would love to see more content.”
“Great and fun game that has lots of stuff to do and is not very grindy at all.”
“One long, tedious grind.”
“Grindy, buggy, and the worst save system I have seen in a game in my life.”
“While the game is a lot of fun at first when you're still exploring all the gameplay elements, it quickly gets stale once you figure out the main moneymaker activities and have to start grinding them out to get access to most of the end-game stuff.”
“Everything is about making money or buying stuff with the money you've made, but since the methods for making money quickly take so much investment to get into, you can never feel justified in buying anything you actually want until you've finished grinding enough to get the maple syrup production, which takes like 40 hours, and by then you're bored as hell.”
- graphics129 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Mon Bazou" receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are not cutting-edge, they possess a charming, nostalgic quality that complements the gameplay. Some appreciate the cozy, rustic aesthetic and cartoonish art style, while others criticize the graphics for being simplistic or outdated. Overall, players agree that despite the graphical limitations, the engaging gameplay and immersive environment make the experience enjoyable.
“The art style is beautiful and a bit of a change to most games of this type.”
“Visually, Mon Bazou nails the cozy, rustic aesthetic.”
“The graphics had been putting me off, now it looks aesthetically pleasing.”
“The game still needs a lot of improvements and optimization, graphics-wise. For example, props, houses, and NPC cars have unnatural and unreflective windows.”
“Game graphics are made from potatoes, but the game still runs below 40fps, and cars will get stuck forever in the water once they're in there.”
“Graphics are not up to standard for 2023, but that's okay; it looks good enough. However, gameplay rules, and I'm personally not a fan of the click-everything control system.”
- story98 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is often described as minimal or lacking a traditional narrative structure, with many players noting it focuses more on sandbox-style gameplay and task completion rather than a cohesive storyline. However, some reviews highlight enjoyable elements and quirky interactions with NPCs, suggesting that while the story may not be central, it contributes to an immersive experience. Overall, players appreciate the freedom to explore and engage with the game world, even if they desire a more developed narrative.
“It has a great story and is very fun to play!”
“The game also has a lot of wasted potential, the best example of this is the plot of land on the waterfront you can purchase, it is extremely expensive, has a small house on it and includes a huge plot of land surrounding the house however it is 'out of the way' of everything and is literally completely useless as the developers cancelled their plans with it.”
“Mon Bazou has all the good stuff mixed into one game with an open storyline that lets you play however you want.”
“There isn't a storyline, but rather a sandbox-style progression where you take on tasks and jobs to advance.”
“The game doesn't have a solid storyline such as 'My Summer Car', but more of a 'get this to do this'.”
“Everything feels superfluous and uninterested in thoughtful storytelling because the mission at hand is to get to the end credits where the meat exists.”
- humor79 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Mon Bazou" is widely appreciated, with players enjoying its quirky Canadian themes, such as poutine for hunger and maple syrup for thirst. Many find the game's bugs and glitches to be amusing rather than frustrating, contributing to its charm. Overall, the game is described as a hilarious and entertaining experience, particularly for those familiar with Canadian culture.
“Mon Bazou is a great game; it's really fun, and as a Canadian, I find it funny that hunger is poutine and thirst is maple syrup.”
“This game is hilarious and it also scratches an itch I didn't know I had, 11/10 lots of dopamine.”
“The first time I went over a bump too hard and my guy swore in French, I burst out laughing.”
- stability60 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players noting it is quite buggy, particularly regarding vehicle physics and interactions, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences. While some users report minimal glitches and a generally enjoyable experience, others highlight significant issues such as poor save systems and erratic vehicle behavior. Overall, the game is still in early access, and while it shows promise, players should be prepared for a variety of bugs and stability concerns.
“Not buggy.”
“Runs great on Linux with Steam Play/Proton.”
“It's still very early access and it already is a lot of fun, and the gameplay is (mostly) bug free.”
“The game is so buggy I can't drive for more than 2 minutes without falling into a 20-meter-deep hole and spending 30 minutes trying to get out. Plus, the brakes are terrible; you have to start braking like 20 miles before actually coming to a stop.”
“After 20 more hours, the game is still extremely buggy. I'm just driving and suddenly my whole truck flies 3 meters into the sky, and when I pull the handbrake, all the cargo slowly slides to the front of the truck, piling up so much that it's falling out the sides.”
“The game is fun and shows a lot of promise, but I would say it is too buggy with how the vehicles, trailers, and items interact. There have been way too many times that using a trailer causes my truck and items to fly off, especially if you go slightly into a ditch.”
- music36 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the ability to add their own tracks to the in-game radio, enhancing their experience. The original soundtrack is generally well-received, featuring a variety of genres that complement the gameplay, although some users noted a surprising lack of music in certain areas. Overall, the combination of customizable music options and a solid base soundtrack contributes to a fun and immersive atmosphere.
“The soundtrack complements this perfectly, with relaxing tunes that make the syrup-making grind feel like a meditative ritual.”
“The game features a cheerful and upbeat soundtrack that perfectly complements the summer theme, instantly putting players in a relaxed and joyful mood.”
“Being able to play my own music in-game through the radio is an awesome feature.”
“🔲 There is no music in this game.”
“The range of different genres on the radio and somehow 99% of them sound like mainstream songs you'd actually hear on a radio.”
“This game has some of the worst music I've ever heard, and I mean that in the best way possible.”
- optimization29 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, particularly on lower-end hardware like laptops. While some users report smooth performance and appreciate the depth of the car customization system, others highlight persistent lag and stuttering, indicating that the game requires further optimization and graphical improvements. Many players express hope for future updates to enhance performance and address these concerns.
“The car customizing system is insanely in-depth, and you truly can strip every single component of the car out and change everything about it, adding certain parts to alter the characteristics of the car's handling, sound, and performance. I absolutely love that about the game.”
“Feel a lot like My Summer Car, but with lots of quality of life improvements, much better performance, etc. I am positively surprised after seeing the tweakable settings in the graphics tab, like a built-in FPS limiter and settings for low-spec PCs.”
“Good optimization, really reminds me of My Summer Car but in the best possible way.”
“Good game but bad optimization.”
“My only wishes for the future are more cars to wrench on (there are only four that allow individual part customization, only three of those that can be fully disassembled, and two of those three are identical), and optimizations to improve frame rate on Steam Deck and other low-to-midrange hardware.”
“I really wanted to spend some time with this game, but it basically has no optimization.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players describe the game as a deeply emotional experience that evokes nostalgia and warmth, capturing the essence of simpler times and personal memories. The heartfelt connection to the game's themes and updates often brings joy and even tears of happiness, making it resonate strongly with those who share similar backgrounds. Overall, it is celebrated for its wholesome vibes and the emotional impact it has on players.
“It's a heartfelt nod to simpler times and the joys of creating something with your own hands.”
“There was something about the feeling of being in the passenger seat in a car filled with weed smoke, bumping the tunes down a back road and seeing the same model of van that my mum used to drive us to school in pass us by that made me feel 15 again, in a good way.”
“I grew up in interior Alaska and no other game has made me feel right at home.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is described as immersive and cheerful, enhanced by a colorful, cartoonish aesthetic that contributes to its accessibility. Players find the environment engaging enough to sustain long play sessions, with some even noting a humorous and surreal quality to the gameplay experience. Overall, the atmosphere is highly praised, with one reviewer giving it a perfect score.
“The content doesn't seem very deep, but for me, it's a rather satisfying and mindless incremental gameplay loop, paired with an immersive atmosphere.”
“The game adopts a colorful and cartoonish aesthetic, which not only enhances its accessibility but also creates a pleasant and cheerful atmosphere.”
“As a fellow Canadian, the atmosphere is spot on—10/10.”
“I grinded for 40 minutes straight, just for a trailer I was towing to spin my car out, launching my vehicle into the atmosphere. When I went to pick it up, my car and trailer flew into the atmosphere along with everything else.”
“The atmosphere feels empty and lifeless, making it hard to immerse myself in the game.”
“Despite the game's visuals, the atmosphere lacks any real sense of tension or excitement.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight the game's "infinitely replayable" nature, attributing this to regular updates that introduce new content, ensuring players have fresh experiences each time they play.
“This game has an almost infinite replayability, and because it gets updated semi-often, there is always new content coming.”
“Infinitely replayable.”
“The replayability factor is incredibly high, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game includes the presence of ads, particularly on the wiki, which can detract from the user experience. However, players appreciate the game's compatibility with steering wheels and pedals, enhancing the overall realism despite the ad interruptions.
“Expect to use the wiki, which has ads covering every page.”
