My Garage
- August 10, 2021
- Viking Game Studio
- 27h median play time
"My Garage: Viking Realms" is a simulation game that allows players to build and manage their own Viking settlement. Create and customize buildings, manage resources, and grow your community while defending against enemy threats. With various quests and challenges, players must balance expansion and defense to survive in the Viking world.
Reviews
- The game offers a unique blend of car mechanics and sandbox gameplay, allowing players to buy, restore, and customize vehicles.
- The developer is very active, frequently releasing updates and engaging with the community, which enhances the overall experience.
- The level of detail in car restoration, including the ability to cut and weld body parts, adds a satisfying layer of realism.
- The game suffers from numerous bugs and performance issues, particularly with physics and frame rates, making it frustrating at times.
- There is a lack of tutorials or guidance for new players, which can lead to confusion and a steep learning curve.
- The current selection of vehicles and parts is limited, which may lead to repetitive gameplay as players exhaust available options.
- gameplay223 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this car mechanic simulator has received mixed reviews, with many praising its depth and realism compared to other titles like Car Mechanic Simulator and My Summer Car. Players appreciate the open-world sandbox experience, the ability to rebuild and customize cars, and the engaging mechanics that allow for a more hands-on approach to vehicle repair. However, some users have noted bugs, a steep learning curve, and repetitive gameplay as drawbacks, suggesting that while the game has great potential, it still requires further refinement and support.
“Probably the best mechanic/maintenance simulator for cars on Steam. I haven't seen anything better. The dev updates frequently, and when they do take breaks, they come back with updates that are worth waiting for. Definitely worth buying in my opinion if you like games that allow you to break and wear out parts of the car over time and maintain the vehicle to your liking.”
“This is the most realistic car mechanic sim I have played. The mechanics are good for now, sometimes a bit wonky but still good! It combines being a mechanic, painter, and a racer perfectly.”
“Great game, very detailed mechanics and I enjoy playing it. The gameplay loop is the same, but there are now a few more goals to achieve. If you like mechanic simulator but want to have a more interactive experience, this game is worth a try.”
“Game is so bugged that basic gameplay mechanics don't function.”
“The gameplay is very repetitive.”
“The user interface with the game is very challenging, and at times can be the reason for rage quitting.”
- optimization37 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with many users reporting severe performance issues, bugs, and a lack of attention from the developers. Players have noted that even on capable systems, the game struggles to run smoothly, often performing worse than other titles with more demanding graphics. Overall, the consensus is that significant optimization efforts are needed to improve the gaming experience.
“The performance is very good and there's not a lot of bugs for an early access game.”
“The clouds look great, there is a day-night cycle of the right length, sunrise and sunsets look good, performance is very good - I get pretty much constant 52 fps (which I already limited to 52 anyway) which, considering the graphics and excellent skybox, is very impressive compared to most other beta games.”
“It's a great game if you know what you're doing, but could definitely use some graphical and performance updates.”
“The optimization, as I implied at the beginning of the review, is abhorrent.”
“The game itself is very unoptimized, buggy and janky - the developer has no interest in optimizing the performance of the game.”
“The game is an unoptimized mess.”
- stability36 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- -6 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues that significantly impact gameplay. While some find the game enjoyable despite its flaws, many express frustration over the lack of optimization and the developer's apparent focus on adding new content rather than fixing existing problems. Overall, the game is considered very buggy, particularly in multiplayer mode, but some players remain hopeful for improvements in future updates.
“The developers are incredibly responsive, addressing bugs almost immediately after they are reported.”
“Despite some minor bugs, the game's stability is impressive, thanks to the active involvement of the developers on their Discord channel.”
“The frequent updates and quick bug fixes from the dev team contribute significantly to the overall stability of the game.”
“It does not sync cars or car parts, players do not appear, cars spawn damaged, the game freezes and the used car dealership does not reset, parts disappear when they are tightened, every piece of furniture has duplicated hundreds of times.”
“The game crashes, its glitches are ridiculous, the lagging and load times in-game are a headache. My other PC has the same issues and that's a 3080, 64GB, and an i9; same issues.”
“The game is janky, buggy, and unoptimized, and instead of fixing the core issues with the game, the developer is only interested in adding more and more unoptimized and broken content.”
- graphics34 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received largely negative feedback, with many users describing them as low-quality, inconsistent, and poorly optimized, leading to significant performance issues even on capable hardware. While some players appreciate the retro aesthetic and find the gameplay enjoyable despite the graphical shortcomings, the overall consensus is that the visuals need substantial improvement and optimization to enhance the gaming experience.
“Good graphics, voice over characters, huge map and tons to do.”
“The graphics might look a little simplistic but once you start playing this you will be amazed at all you can do.”
“The clouds look great, there is a day-night cycle of the right length, sunrise and sunsets look good, performance is very good - I get pretty much constant 52 fps, which is very impressive compared to most other beta games.”
“The graphics aren't realistic; the cars suck at driving, it's really bad.”
“Terrible graphics and art style - just an ugly mess of purchased and free assets mixed together, with no coherent art style at all.”
“The game needs to be optimized a lot; my PC can run Fortnite just fine, but this game lags at low graphics with 21 fps.”
- story17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 35 % negative mentions
The game lacks a traditional narrative, focusing instead on sandbox-style gameplay with minimal story elements. Players can engage in car building and collecting, but many find the missions unfulfilling and the overall experience more about free play than a structured storyline. Comparisons to other titles highlight a preference for games with more substantial narratives, indicating that while the gameplay is enjoyable, the absence of a story may leave some players wanting more.
“I remember seeing this game a while ago but I didn't have a gaming PC yet, so I never got to try it when it was originally released. I watched a YouTuber or two play it, but I watch Skapegote daily and he has 100+ episodes of the story mode and like 20-ish survival videos that I've been watching. I finally bought this masterpiece and love it.”
“Let me tell you a story about this game.”
“My summer car was more of a story-based survival game; this is more of a sandbox do-what-you-want game where you can buy, restore, and repair cars, used cars, used parts, and new parts.”
“No story, but the map has many collectibles that you can collect and sell at the pawnshop for money.”
“No story (like My Summer Car), the only job is fixing cars which I found boring quickly, but building the cars and going out to the junkyard to collect parts is the fun in this!”
“My Summer Car was more of a story-based survival game; this is more of a sandbox do-what-you-want game where you can buy, restore, and repair cars, used cars, used parts, and new parts.”
- grinding9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it can be tedious and time-consuming, especially at the beginning, many appreciate the balance it strikes between realistic vehicle repair and enjoyable gameplay. The detailed mechanics and the satisfaction of restoring vehicles help mitigate the grind, making it feel rewarding rather than monotonous. Overall, the grinding is seen as a necessary part of the experience that enhances the game's depth.
“This game is unique in that it is highly detailed in the parts that can break, but it isn't tedious in the process of replacing them.”
“It's not tedious like Car Mechanic Simulator, and the gameplay is perfect in my opinion.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“In typical mechanic style, this game can be tedious.”
“It is very grindy from what I can tell, but hopefully as I make money it'll be easier to get more.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its quirky physics glitches, which often lead to unexpected and amusing moments, such as cars spinning mid-air or the lack of traffic in certain areas creating a comically desolate atmosphere. Players appreciate the game's rough charm and find the combination of fast-paced driving and humorous bugs to be entertaining, likening it to a less complicated version of "My Summer Car." Overall, the game's comedic elements contribute significantly to its appeal, making it a fun experience despite its imperfections.
“The physics may sometimes go haywire, but that's a glitch that doesn't happen often. When it does, it leads to some funny moments when your car spins mid-air.”
“The game is made by a solo dev; it's rough, not polished, has many bugs (usually really funny ones!), and it's not very pretty to look at.”
“Graphically, it's pleasant and works well with a retro feel. The mechanics of the game work well, but sometimes the physics glitch with hilarious results unless you're trying to fit something and it springs off, lol.”
- music3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its enjoyable and relaxing quality, making it a perfect companion for activities like car restoration. Players find the radio feature particularly fun, enhancing their overall experience.
“So much fun to listen to the radio (good music) and work on my car, really relaxing at the end of the day.”
“If you're looking to restore wrecks with some music in the background, you can stop reading here and buy it.”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found the soundtrack to be uninspired and forgettable, which detracted from the overall experience.”
“The background music feels out of place and doesn't match the game's atmosphere.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game boasts strong replayability, particularly for fans of shop simulations and car building, despite some graphical and technical shortcomings. Players express a desire for additional vehicles and a survival element to enhance the experience further.
“The one thing this game does fantastic is its replay value.”
“The game is for sure playable and enjoyable in its current state and very fun for anyone who enjoys shop simulations or building project cars in pretty good depth for a video game.”
“The only thing it needs is more playable vehicles, as well as a survival aspect, similar to what 'My Summer Car' offers.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to return; the side quests feel repetitive and uninspired.”
“The lack of diverse gameplay options makes it hard to find reasons to replay the game after finishing it once.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally described as chill and enjoyable, though some users express a desire for more vehicles and motorcycles. However, there are occasional frustrations with technical issues, such as parts unexpectedly detaching during gameplay.
“Overall chill atmosphere.”
“I really hope to see more vehicles and motorcycles in the future. Overall, it was a really good experience, besides the random head gasket flying off into the atmosphere when I try to put on the engine head, or when the clutch plate pops off when I go to put on the pressure plate.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game evokes a sense of nostalgia and attachment, as players reflect on their first car experiences with a mix of humor and frustration. The vivid imagery and personal anecdotes highlight the strong feelings associated with car ownership and the challenges that come with it.
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy is heavily reliant on localized ads, resembling a Pandora-style application, which may impact user experience.
“The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without constant interruptions from ads.”
“It seems to be linked with a real Pandora-style application that even localizes the ads it plays.”
“The in-game purchases are so essential to progress that it feels like a pay-to-win scenario.”