PC Building Simulator
- January 29, 2019
- The Irregular Corporation
- 12h median play time
Live out all your Geek Squad fantasies with PC Building Simulator.
"PC Building Simulator" is a game that allows players to build and maintain their own computer systems. The game features authentic hardware and tools, offering a realistic simulation of the PC building experience. Players can complete tasks and challenges to improve their skills and expand their virtual business.
Reviews
- graphics772 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics in "PC Building Simulator" receive mixed reviews, with many players praising the realistic and detailed visuals that enhance the experience of building PCs. However, some users criticize the graphics for being outdated or lacking polish, with mentions of performance issues and a desire for improved graphical options. Overall, while the game is visually appealing to some, others feel it falls short compared to more graphically intensive titles.
“The graphics are stunning and the gameplay is smooth, making the game a joy to play.”
“First things first, the graphics in PC Building Simulator are nothing short of breathtaking.”
“I found myself just staring at the intricacies of the motherboards and the gleam of the graphics cards – it's like a nerd's paradise come to life!”
“The graphics are unstylized and unpolished.”
“Graphically, 'PC Building Simulator' is unimpressive, with bland and uninspired visuals that do little to immerse players in the experience.”
“The graphics in this game are very low tier when it comes to wires, fans, and the overall looks of the room you're in.”
- story667 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's story mode is often described as repetitive and lacking depth, with many players noting that it primarily revolves around completing mundane tasks like fixing or upgrading PCs. While some find the humorous client emails and quirky missions entertaining, others feel the overall narrative is weak and fails to engage. Despite these criticisms, many players appreciate the educational aspect of the game and the satisfaction of building and repairing computers, suggesting that the story mode can still provide a fun experience, albeit with limitations.
“The story mode is great; I only ever found myself repeating tasks early game and maybe a few times per in-game week late game.”
“The story is immersive, believable, and funny at the same time - client orders range from totally ordinary to so incredibly caddish you find yourself chuckling at the mere premise.”
“The story mode is addictive and is a pretty good time sink.”
“The story mode is extremely repetitive; as you progress, you unlock more parts and features, but the missions feel like busy work.”
“The story mode has some bugs that need to be fixed, and many missions are just plain stupid and unrealistic.”
“The missions in story mode are often the same, with little variation, making it feel tedious and boring after a while.”
- gameplay616 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "PC Building Simulator" is characterized by a repetitive loop of assembling, repairing, and upgrading computers, which can become monotonous after a few hours. While the game offers a detailed simulation experience with real-world components and mechanics, many players find the lack of variety and depth in tasks to be a drawback. However, it remains an enjoyable and educational tool for those interested in learning about PC building, especially for fans of simulation games like "Car Mechanic Simulator."
“The gameplay thrusts you into the arms of a PC technician, in which you help people's PC problems (diagnose, repair and clean parts, upgrade, build from scratch) to earn your way into everyday life.”
“PC Building Simulator excels in its gameplay mechanics. Its attention to detail, educational value, and engaging gameplay make it a must-have title for anyone interested in PC hardware or simulation games.”
“The gameplay is fun and educational; it's pretty realistic and has tons of features!”
“The gameplay loop consists mainly of clicking through menus and completing repetitive tasks like swapping out components and running diagnostic tests.”
“Without meaningful goals to work towards, the gameplay quickly becomes stagnant and repetitive.”
“The gameplay is extremely repetitive.”
- music390 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the ability to customize their listening experience through an in-game music player that allows for personal playlists and internet radio. However, the default soundtrack is often criticized for being repetitive and limited, with some players finding it annoying after extended play. Overall, while the music can enhance the relaxing atmosphere of the game, many recommend using personal music to improve the experience.
“The music is great and my sessions always end in 'one more day'.”
“It's an excellent way to chill out if you're stressed and just want something relaxing to do whilst listening to your favorite music, as the in-game music player allows you to rock your own tracks.”
“The soundtrack is amazing and makes bending and running water cooling tubes fun.”
“The short soundtrack is just generic EDM.”
“The building process is solid, but the game has only like 4 songs that get annoying really fast since they're in a continuous loop.”
“It gets annoying after 15 minutes, so you have to turn it down completely and play your own music or play without any music at all.”
- grinding230 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 73 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, with many players noting that it can take significant time (10-15 hours) to unlock more engaging mechanics. While some find the grind rewarding and reflective of real-life PC building, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the game captures the essence of PC repair work but may become overly grindy for those not prepared for the repetitive nature of the tasks involved.
“Pretty realistic - but not too tedious, absolutely love it!”
“Honestly a really fun game, the progression isn't too fast but also not too grindy. The PC building aspect is extremely fun and the game is very diverse and fleshed out. The tutorials are all informative and help quite a bit, and due to the large and friendly player base, any questions you might have can easily be answered on Reddit or Discord. I can only recommend the buy!”
“The career mode is enjoyable, and not too tedious since you can now work on more than 3 systems at once.”
“Be warned, however, it's a very grindy game and it will take 10-15 hours of playtime before you unlock some of the more interesting mechanics (overclocking, custom water cooling, pc reselling, etc), so don't treat this as a game you need to grind out of obligation - pick it up every now and then, leave it for a bit, and come back whenever you're in the mood.”
“Who knew a gameplay loop of browsing a shop online for parts and just hammering away at something over and over in the most grindy, tedious and mind-numbing way possible isn't fun!”
“The career mode is tedious as hell, which is good in terms of the repetition and learning, but starts to wear out after you get the basic picture.”
- optimization195 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant performance issues, particularly on lower-end hardware. While some players find it runs smoothly on high-end systems, others experience frame drops, sluggish performance, and choppy graphics even at low settings. Overall, there is a consensus that the game requires further optimization to enhance performance across a wider range of PC specifications.
“You can play around with overclocking and fine-tuning each PC to meet the performance requirements of the job.”
“The components featured in this game are not only accurate with their looks, but also deliver proper performance in applications such as benchmarks.”
“A great game if you want to experiment with the look and performances of different combinations of computer hardware.”
“The game definitely needs to be more optimized, as it runs very slow on low-end computers even with the lowest settings.”
“This game is not optimized well.”
“The game itself is very unoptimized and the movement is very choppy; you will also experience extreme frame drops when carrying certain PCs.”
- stability174 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 95 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs that disrupt gameplay, particularly in career mode. While some users find the troubleshooting aspects enjoyable and educational, the overall experience is marred by persistent glitches and performance issues, leading many to recommend caution before purchasing. Despite these challenges, some players still appreciate the game's potential and learning opportunities, suggesting that improvements could enhance its stability in future updates.
“Since I did that, the game runs great on my Steam Deck.”
“Excellent price for what you get, runs great and looks beautiful, support these devs!”
“Runs great, fun and useful for anyone wanting to learn more about computers.”
“Crashes all the time, game freezes, and the career mode will just break or the save gets corrupted randomly.”
“A buggy mess, constantly crashed every 20 minutes and auto connect upgrades randomly stop working.”
“Unbelievably buggy.”
- humor130 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- -2 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players enjoying the witty customer emails, humorous quests, and relatable scenarios that parody real-life PC repair experiences. Many find the game entertaining due to its clever references, funny character interactions, and the lighthearted approach to common tech mishaps, although some note that the humor can become repetitive over time. Overall, the game's comedic elements enhance the gameplay experience, making it a fun choice for fans of PC building simulations.
“The story orders are funny and it will keep you entertained for hours.”
“The little touch of humor really polishes the experience off and makes it worth reading each email you get.”
“Having some personal experience in the field of PC repair, I can confidently claim that PC Building Simulator accurately reproduces not just the high points of the job, but also hilariously parodies all the worst parts.”
“The same customers return for repairs and part replacements constantly, and even new customers tend to recycle the same exact questions and unfunny, annoying remarks in their emails.”
“The humor feels forced and repetitive, making it hard to enjoy the game.”
“Jokes that were once funny quickly become stale, leaving a lack of fresh comedic content.”
- replayability54 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game is widely regarded as having excellent replayability, with many users noting its infinite potential due to custom builds, user-generated content, and a vibrant modding community. While the base gameplay offers extensive replay value, some players feel that certain DLCs can become repetitive, potentially diminishing the overall experience. Overall, the game is praised for its depth and variety, making it a compelling choice for fans of PC building.
“The ability to create custom builds, share them with others, and access user-generated content enhances the game's replayability and extends its longevity.”
“I love the soundtrack, and the replayability of this game is just about infinite as you can build any computer you desire whilst playing the game.”
“Unlimited replayability pretty much, you can build anything you want.”
“The DLCs, while quite fun, can also be quite underwhelming or repetitive, limiting the replayability and making it less enjoyable.”
“It's fun, but quickly loses its novelty and doesn't seem to have any replayability.”
“Gameplay of this game is repetitive after some hours; you end up doing the same thing over and over. While the game is endless, starting from the very beginning reveals that there's nothing new, and you are just repeating the same actions.”
- monetization23 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players feeling that it prioritizes advertisements over gameplay quality, especially in a paid title. Users express frustration over in-game ads and product placements, perceiving the game as a cash grab rather than a genuine gaming experience. Some suggest that the game should be free-to-play given the extent of advertising, while others acknowledge the potential educational value of the brand integrations.
“This is a fun, all-free in-game purchase game that lets you create a custom PC that fits your style—go fancy or stay cheap.”
“The brand selection is really impressive. I'm not sure how the developers go about acquiring new parts, but I'm sure there's some level of licensing involved, despite the fact that there are no ads in-game promoting any one brand.”
“I feel like I bought an advertisement for computer parts.”
“I used to love this game but now the devs are more focused on adding more product placement items for advertisement money rather than improving the actual game.”
“This game isn't even educational; it's just a big advertisement.”
- emotional19 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply engaging, as it fosters a sense of confidence and connection through the virtual experience of building PCs. Many express feelings of nostalgia and satisfaction, often leading to tears due to the game's relatable storylines and character interactions. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke strong emotions while providing a wholesome and educational experience.
“This game made me feel my dream job and know what it is like.”
“I love that I can build computers, but the only problem is that the computer is better than my actual computer, and I came to the realization that reality is often disappointing, so I cried myself to sleep that day.”
“You get repeat requests from certain customers who are constantly having issues with their computer and needing upgrades; you get to know their personalities and even get emotionally invested in them and their success (at least I did); it's really enjoyable to follow.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is predominantly described as chill and relaxing, with a zen-like quality that enhances the experience of building a business. Players appreciate the realistic mechanics and the ability to link personal music files, contributing to a laid-back environment. However, some users feel that the atmosphere could be improved with more customization options and express disappointment over the lack of additional ambient elements.
“I am loving the chill atmosphere of this game along with the reasonably accurate mechanics.”
“But the zen-like atmosphere of the game is relaxing.”
“Other than in-game German streaming radio, there is literally no atmosphere in this game.”
“I love the overall atmosphere of this game, but these mechanics limit my experience.”
“This game includes a realistic atmosphere and work of PC building.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development is largely superficial, with relationships feeling broad yet lacking depth, resulting in minimal emotional engagement.
“The character development is minimal, and the relationship with your clients can be described as a mile wide and an inch deep.”
“The characters feel one-dimensional, lacking any real growth or depth throughout the game.”
“I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, making it hard to connect with anyone.”
Critic Reviews
PC Building Simulator (Switch) Review
All of the glory of moving a mouse cursor, without any of the excitement!
55%Have you tried restarting the computer?
Live out all your Geek Squad fantasies with PC Building Simulator.
80%PC Building Simulator Review - A Partially Complete Experience
PC Building Simulator tries to capture the PC technician experience and mostly succeeds, but it's lacking some critical parts of the real-world experience.
65%