My Summer Car

About

My Summer Car is a single player open world racing game with a drama theme. It was developed by Amistech Games and was released on January 8, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

"My Summer Car is a detailed life survival simulator where you build, fix, and maintain a car from hundreds of parts while managing your character's needs like food and sleep. Explore 1990s Finnish countryside life, working odd jobs and tuning your vehicle for rallies or parties. Beware of police inspections and the game's permadeath feature.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 38,081 reviews

gameplay456 positive mentions

stability478 negative mentions

The gameplay offers a unique blend of car mechanics simulation and survival elements, providing a deep and rewarding experience for players who enjoy detailed simulations.
The atmosphere effectively captures the essence of 1990s Finland, with nostalgic music and immersive details that enhance the overall experience.
The humor and quirky character interactions add a unique charm to the game, making even mundane tasks entertaining.

The game suffers from a steep learning curve, lack of tutorials, and numerous bugs that can lead to frustrating gameplay and lost progress.
Many players criticize the game's optimization and performance issues, reporting frequent frame rate drops and glitches that hinder the experience.
The grinding aspect of the game is often described as tedious and overwhelming, requiring excessive time investment for tasks that can feel like chores.

gameplay
1,907 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
71%
5%
The gameplay of "My Summer Car" is a unique blend of car mechanics simulation and survival elements, offering a challenging experience that requires players to build and maintain a car while managing their character's basic needs. While the game is praised for its depth and realism in car assembly, it is also criticized for its steep learning curve, lack of tutorials, and frustrating mechanics that can lead to frequent player deaths and lost progress. Overall, it appeals to those with a mechanical background or a willingness to learn, but may frustrate casual players due to its punishing gameplay and numerous bugs.
- “The gameplay is deep and unique, especially the car building and survival mechanics, which make every small success feel earned.”
- “This game is a must-have for anyone who appreciates detailed simulations and challenging gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly realistic, and every action you take feels like it has a real impact on the world around you.”
- “The gameplay loop is not demanding—it is hollow.”
- “Saying 'that’s the joke' does not justify opaque systems, inconsistent physics, or mechanics that punish curiosity without teaching anything in return.”
- “The gameplay is just building a car that barely works and dying for no reason.”
humor
972 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "My Summer Car" is a defining feature, characterized by its absurdity, dark comedy, and quirky Finnish cultural references. Players often find themselves laughing at the game's chaotic mechanics, unexpected glitches, and the ridiculous situations that arise, such as drunken driving and bizarre character interactions. While the humor can be crude and may not resonate with everyone, it adds a unique charm that keeps players engaged despite the game's challenging and sometimes frustrating nature.
- “My Summer Car is one of the most immersive, unique, and unintentionally hilarious games ever made.”
- “You start with a pile of parts, zero knowledge, and infinite confidence; five hours later, your engine explodes, you’re drunk, lost in the forest, and your uncle is laughing at you from his van.”
- “The unpredictable nature of My Summer Car ensures that even mundane tasks can spiral into hilarious disasters.”
- “One of those games that's supposed to be funny and have a certain charm, but it's just a piece of crap.”
- “Not funny, or quirky.”
- “Checking the guides online are all just filled with unfunny memes and in-jokes.”
graphics
649 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
61%
17%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they are outdated and reminiscent of early console titles, often described as "PS1" or "PS2" quality. However, some players appreciate the retro aesthetic, stating that the graphics fit the game's quirky style and atmosphere, contributing to its charm despite technical shortcomings. Overall, while the visuals may not meet modern standards, they do not significantly detract from the engaging gameplay experience.
- “The graphics aren't realistic, but they perfectly fit the game's style and atmosphere.”
- “It's very charming, the graphics aren't mind-blowing but I really like their style, and there is a lot to do.”
- “While the graphics may not be cutting-edge, the attention to detail in the surroundings and the realistic day-night cycle create an immersive atmosphere.”
- “Graphically, it looks like a lost PS2 game.”
- “Absolute garbage, awful graphics, a lot of bugs which sometimes ruin the game and you have to start all over again.”
- “The graphics are horrible, no one speaks English, most text isn't translated, the radio doesn't have English subtitles, I can't get the 200 kph achievement to save my life, the car will not stop pulling to the left, and the graphics are just a mess.”
story
582 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
79%
5%
The game's story is often described as minimal or non-existent, with many players noting that it lacks a traditional narrative structure. Instead, it offers an open-ended experience where players create their own stories through various tasks and interactions in a rural Finnish setting. While some find the character interactions and side missions entertaining, others feel the game could benefit from a more defined storyline or clearer objectives.
- “The story is fun to follow but it's hard to progress since you'll most likely roll over and die whenever you try to go anywhere.”
- “The game tells a great and realistic, nevertheless, hilarious story.”
- “The true Finnish experience, 11/10 realism and great story to follow.”
- “The story is mostly whatever you make it, and your goals are ultimately whatever you choose.”
- “The missions for getting money are also long, tedious, and boring, pumping septic tanks on the other side of the map, delivering wood you manually chopped with a tractor to the other side of the map or picking up a drunk from the other side of the map and delivering him to his house, it's all just that could be spent having fun playing a different game.”
- “You have lore surrounding the characters, but I don't count that as story-telling, because you're not being told a story through neither dialogue, monologue, or environmental storytelling; there simply is no story other than the note on your fridge saying 'fix your dad's old car.'”
stability
487 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The stability of the game is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users express frustration over game-breaking issues, such as physics problems, unresponsive controls, and items disappearing, leading to a challenging and often infuriating experience. Despite its charm and potential, the game's ongoing instability makes it difficult to recommend without reservations, especially for those who are not prepared for a frustrating gaming experience.
- “Remarkably addicting, also relatively bug free when you look at other games of this caliber.”
- “The game runs great on any setting as long as you have an okay PC like I do.”
- “+graphics options allow me to play on my medium-end laptop or gaming rig, and honestly the game looks and runs great on both.”
- “It's amazing that after nearly 10 years of early access development, it's still such a buggy mess.”
- “The game is a buggy mess.”
- “If you like spending 30 hours in-game only to be killed by bad glitches, then you might like this game.”
grinding
346 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
22%
77%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and frustrating, often requiring players to perform long, repetitive tasks that can feel like chores. Many reviewers note that while some may find satisfaction in the detailed mechanics and the sense of accomplishment from overcoming these challenges, the overall experience can be overwhelming and discouraging, leading to a need for extensive time investment. Overall, players suggest that the game is best suited for those who enjoy a grind-heavy, realistic simulation, but it may deter those looking for a more streamlined or enjoyable gameplay experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Half the achievements are just tedious, uninteresting chores tied to RNG.”
- “This is the most painful and tedious game I have ever played.”
- “The game is beyond janky, beyond tedious, and a masochist's wet dream.”
music
262 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
79%
3%
The music in "My Summer Car" is a mix of original compositions and Finnish tracks that evoke a strong sense of nostalgia for the 1990s, enhancing the game's immersive atmosphere. Players appreciate the ability to import their own music, allowing for a personalized experience while engaging in various activities, from car building to driving around the Finnish countryside. However, some find the in-game soundtrack repetitive and occasionally annoying, particularly the death music, which has become a notable point of discussion among players.
- “Amazing game, funny, frustrating, a mix of good and worse music but it all works, strong atmosphere, and cool characters, all made by one person with help as actors.”
- “The sound design, however, stands out, from the revving of the car engine you painstakingly assembled to the Finnish rock music blaring from the radio—every detail contributes to a sense of place and time.”
- “The music is amazing, and I enjoy how it mixed a survival game with a car building game just amazing.”
- “The soundtrack in the background is super repetitive and annoying, zero tutorial on how to do anything.”
- “There is no background music and you spend a lot of time driving down the same lengthy routes to carry out chores and shopping runs.”
- “No option for music reduction/mute, menu/ui noises, etc. I've read that it is supposedly a 'physics engine limitation' as to why the game can't pause, but that just begs more questions.”
optimization
165 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
51%
24%
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting poor performance, frequent frame rate drops, and significant issues even on high-end PCs. While some users have found temporary relief through mods like the Modern Optimization Plugin, the general consensus is that the game is poorly optimized and requires substantial improvements to run smoothly. Overall, players express frustration over the lack of official optimization updates despite the game's long development period.
- “It runs smoothly on my PC and feels stable even during long play sessions.”
- “The game is incredibly good, but it needs improvements such as performance so that you can play with higher FPS.”
- “With the modern optimization plugin mod, I can run this on my laptop with a four-core Intel Pentium Silver with integrated graphics with 4 GB of RAM at an average of 14 FPS (still playable if you use the lowest graphics setting).”
- “This game has the performance of a dying dog.”
- “This developer is the laziest piece of garbage I have ever seen. The map is too big, everything bugs, it's unplayable. You have to spend hours on the most boring/useless activities. The graphics are terrible, you can't even set your volume. The game is optimized poorly, everything falls off the world and you have to spend 40 minutes just to get it back to the house. The walking speed is miserable and the running isn't much faster. You have to pay for a mod to play unofficial multiplayer. Everything flies when you slightly touch it, you can't see anything at night and there is not even a flashlight. You can't carry more than one item at a time. The wood job is a miserable waste of time. The only fun part about this game is building the car once you have everything set and ready to do it. Other than that, it sucks. I paid $15 for a broken game pretending to be funny and quirky when in reality it's just a complete waste of time.”
- “The game is also tragically optimized, and it's not Unity's fault.”
emotional
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is a profound roller coaster, eliciting intense feelings ranging from joy and satisfaction to frustration and heartbreak. Players report moments of deep attachment to their in-game vehicles, with the thrill of successfully starting the engine often overshadowed by the pain of crashes and setbacks, leading to tears of both joy and despair. Overall, the game is described as a unique blend of wholesome experiences and emotional turmoil, making it a memorable journey for players.
- “But when the satsuma finally starts after 6 hours of pain, 3 reloads, and one emotional breakdown… it’s the greatest moment in gaming history.”
- “Nothing in a video game has ever given me the same feeling as starting and moving the satsuma for the first time and similarly nothing has made me feel such heartbreak as the car stalling on the tracks right after and getting hit by a train, losing the save.”
- “I've spent 60 hours on this game and every single hour has made me cry tears of joy; it's about building cars, and I hate cars.”
atmosphere
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
40%
4%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of nostalgia, humor, and immersive detail, effectively capturing the essence of 1990s Finland. While the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they complement the quirky and cozy environment, enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of place and time, making it a standout in terms of atmospheric engagement.
- “My summer car perfectly conveys the atmosphere of a Finnish village of the 90s: open spaces, forests, and lakes create a unique backdrop for your adventures.”
- “The atmosphere is bleak, lonely, and weirdly cozy.”
- “The cyclical nature of time, the shifting weather patterns, and the subtle changes in the ambient soundscape coalesce to create an atmosphere of genuine immersion and connection with the game world.”
- “The atmosphere of the game feels like you actually traveled back in time to Finland in the 90s.”
replayability
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
54%
8%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players noting its infinite replay value due to engaging gameplay, modding options, and a variety of challenges. While some mention occasional repetitiveness, the unique mechanics and updates keep the experience fresh and enjoyable. Players appreciate the balance of fun and difficulty, making it a worthwhile investment for those who enjoy replayable content.
- “The game's modding community also adds to its replayability, offering various mods that enhance or radically change the gameplay experience.”
- “A game I will never regret buying, infinitely replayable, great storyline, amazing work.”
- “The replay value is great; my 140+ hours do not lie, I've played through 3-4 times!”
- “This game would be a solid 8/10 for me, but the lack of things to do once you complete the main objective and the repetitiveness of the driving, map, and jobs make this game good, but has no replayability value to it.”
- “Too many games today are pretty, but incredibly hollow when it comes to actual gameplay and replay value.”
- “The side jobs provide a replayable 'story' that helps you slowly turn your once simple pile of parts into a rally machine.”
monetization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn mixed reactions, with players expressing frustration over intrusive ads and perceived pay-to-win mechanics, which detract from the overall experience. While some find humor in the game's quirky advertising elements, others feel that the long development time and the addition of ads suggest a cash grab. Overall, the monetization strategy appears to be a significant point of contention among users.
- “We don't need horse testicles that shrink with the cold weather and microtransactions, pay-to-win features, and sweaty tryhard online features that make the game a dick-measuring contest.”
- “That said, it's still in 'early access' for over 3 years, so it seems more and more like a cash grab.”
- “The 1.0 (or full release) update added advertising to the start menu that crashes the game 98% of the time.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers appreciate the character development in "My Summer Car," highlighting its nostalgic design that effectively captures the essence of 1995. The character design is praised for its appeal, contributing positively to the overall gameplay experience.
- “I really love the character design as well as the gameplay.”
- “From the music to the character design, My Summer Car really takes you back to 1995.”