Scrap Mechanic

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Scrap Mechanic is a multiplayer survival sandbox game that lets you build and create using powerful tools. Crash-landed on a strange planet, you must defend against hostile Farmbots and engineer your own adventures. Regular updates bring new content and optimizations to this imaginative, robot-filled world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 43,697 reviews

graphics375 positive mentions

gameplay1,355 negative mentions

gameplay
3,782 mentions
24 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
36 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Scrap Mechanic" is characterized by its creative building mechanics, allowing players to construct a wide variety of vehicles and contraptions using an extensive array of parts. While the game offers a fun sandbox experience, particularly in creative mode, many players find the survival mode to be grindy and lacking depth, with some mechanics feeling unbalanced or poorly explained. Overall, the game is praised for its potential and engaging physics, but it suffers from performance issues and a lack of updates, leading to mixed feelings about its long-term viability.
- “Scrap Mechanic is an amazingly well put together game with features that I have not really seen in other games like this.”
- “Scrap Mechanic boasts some pretty interesting mechanics and gives the player the capability to do many things.”
- “Scrap Mechanic is a fantastic sandbox game that allows players to create their own machines, contraptions, and vehicles using various materials and components.”
- “The gameplay becomes a neverending stream of repetition after just a few hours.”
- “Despite being in the market for several years, 'scrap mechanic' still feels like it's stuck in an early alpha stage.”
- “The suspension glitches not only hinder the functionality of my creations but also make the gameplay feel inconsistent and, at times, downright aggravating.”
graphics
843 mentions
44 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of Scrap Mechanic are generally described as colorful and charming, with a cartoonish art style that complements its creative gameplay. While many players appreciate the visuals and find them appealing, some report performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems, leading to lag and the need to adjust settings for smoother gameplay. Overall, the graphics are considered good for a game of its type, though not groundbreaking compared to AAA titles.
- “The graphics and gameplay are great but survival is very very grindy in my opinion.”
- “The game's graphics are also a highlight, with a charming and colorful aesthetic that brings the game world to life.”
- “The graphics are bright and cartoony, and create a beautiful landscape to explore.”
- “My only complaint is that the graphics are calculated on the menu screen so my computer's fans run loudly even when I'm not playing the game.”
- “This is by far the worst game I have ever played; the graphics suck. It's not even complexity that makes it suck; it's that your character's hitbox is too big and everything is too slippery.”
- “The graphics are demanding but not that good.”
grinding
819 mentions
0 % positive mentions
9 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly in survival mode, where players often feel overwhelmed by the need to gather resources for crafting and farming. Many reviews highlight that the early game is especially grindy, requiring hours of manual labor to obtain basic materials, which can lead to frustration and a sense of stagnation. While some players appreciate the challenge and find satisfaction in the progression, the consensus is that the game could benefit from a more balanced approach to resource gathering and farming mechanics to enhance overall enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It's still in early access, but I was expecting something good and not that grinding for a survival game. Don't get me wrong, it's a great game, but the grind takes my life away.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “It takes hours of manual farming and grinding just to get the basic materials you need for chests and a small vehicle that isn't absolute garbage.”
- “The survival mode is incredibly tedious, early game is hugely difficult as a new player.”
- “The game has so much grinding in survival with so many features that have been left out which apparently is still being worked on, so if you are going to buy this game, please do not do it thinking that the survival mode is complete or even close to completion.”
stability
630 mentions
5 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The stability of Scrap Mechanic is a significant concern among players, with many reporting persistent glitches and bugs that disrupt gameplay, particularly in vehicle physics and multiplayer modes. While some players find the glitches amusing and part of the game's charm, others express frustration over the unresolved issues that hinder their experience. Overall, the game is described as fun and creative, but its stability issues remain a major drawback, especially for those seeking a smoother gaming experience.
- “I've been playing this game for about 6 hours now and all I've been wanting to do is get back on. It runs great, has an awesome community, and I haven't found any bugs. Overall, it's a great game.”
- “It runs great on my nearly 12-year-old laptop.”
- “Mosty bug free and very polished.”
- “From the moment I started building vehicles with intricate suspension systems, I found myself battling with glitches that rendered the suspension unpredictable and unreliable.”
- “It seems that despite numerous updates and patches, the suspension glitches remain an unresolved problem, leaving players like me with a sense of frustration and a growing dissatisfaction with the overall game experience.”
- “Scrap Mechanic would be a delightfully fun game if the core gameplay weren't such a buggy dysfunctional mess that makes it just about unplayable in its current state.”
story
595 mentions
16 % positive mentions
72 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for being minimal or non-existent, with many players noting that it lacks depth, guidance, and meaningful objectives. While some enjoy the creative aspects and gameplay mechanics, they express disappointment over the absence of a substantial narrative or quests, leaving the experience feeling empty. Future updates are anticipated to expand the story, but as of now, players seeking a rich narrative will likely be disappointed.
- “The story unfolds as you travel across these post-robo-apocalyptic tile sets in search of raw materials to craft your own machines capable of sawing and drilling apart the land and robots so our dwarves can once again take their rightful role as interplanetary moguls!”
- “I really hope the developers reveal more about the story, because honestly it seems so interesting and would love to know more about what happened to cause this post-apocalyptic world (I have ideas, but nothing is fully explained...yet).”
- “The worldgen and world design are both really good, the story-telling is sufficient, the map is huge, there's secret points of interest, and warehouses are one of the most interesting things in this game to explore.”
- “The story is about 3 minutes long and doesn't even cover the bare minimum (i.e., it doesn't explain trading).”
- “There is no real story/objective/goal/mission to the game.”
- “Do not buy this game if you are looking for a story because you will not find it at this moment.”
optimization
570 mentions
16 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
26 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, especially when creating complex builds or during multiplayer sessions. Despite some improvements over time, the game remains poorly optimized, leading to lag, frame drops, and crashes even on high-end systems. Players express hope for future updates to address these issues, but current performance limitations hinder the overall experience.
- “The reason I consider this to be the biggest downfall of the game right now is one of the biggest features of chapter 2 is heavy optimization improvements to the engine and how physics calculations are done, which in turn will greatly affect creations & complexity limits the game currently has.”
- “The recent optimizations really improve the user experience with less lag with many bots and improved support for modifications for the game.”
- “With chapter 2 on the horizon, this game is soon gonna be way better, and very optimized compared to what it is now.”
- “In the current build of the game 0.6.6, there are performance issues that just make the game unplayable with advanced physics (also the only valid physics setting for anything).”
- “This game is just not optimized at all and I wouldn't recommend risking your GPU for this.”
- “The game is still plagued by terrible performance issues for multiplayer if anyone builds anything more complicated than a skateboard.”
humor
376 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in this game is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the hilarious physics and amusing glitches that lead to unexpected and comical situations. Many reviews emphasize that the game is particularly entertaining when played with friends, as it fosters a lighthearted atmosphere filled with laughter and creative chaos. Overall, the combination of funny mechanics, quirky character interactions, and the potential for absurd creations makes for a consistently enjoyable experience.
- “I don't know if I've ever laughed as hard with friends as I have with this game - the physics are just hilarious and worth every penny.”
- “Crash-testing and surviving alone is not so interesting, but trying to launch a friend to the moon is hilarious.”
- “This game is incredibly fun and funny alone, and greater with friends.”
- “You're not funny!”
- “The game is not funny.”
- “The humor falls flat.”
music
97 mentions
33 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its relaxing and catchy nature, which enhances the overall gameplay experience. However, some users express concerns about the lack of variety and the occasional technical issues that affect sound playback. Overall, while the soundtrack contributes positively to the atmosphere, there is a desire for more diverse musical options and improved sound design.
- “The game's music further enhances the mood, with a dynamic soundtrack that adapts to the player's actions and surroundings, adding an extra layer of emotional resonance to the gameplay experience.”
- “The sound design is also well-done, with appropriate sound effects and a catchy soundtrack that adds to the overall fun factor.”
- “Scrap Mechanic's music is really relaxing and it's a good way to be creative on your own accord.”
- “Everything is the same; the music gets boring, and the monsters are the same (just 5, and you don't see 3 of them when you begin).”
- “The sound design is odd; most developers would like you to hear the sound effects and music the game has to offer, but apparently that wasn't a concern here. I have everything cranked up to maximum volume, and with headphones on, I hear practically nothing.”
- “Very poor sound/music design (the music is really quite depressing) and an ill-fitting overall atmosphere put this game in quite an awkward situation.”
replayability
50 mentions
50 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many users highlighting its near-infinite creative possibilities and sandbox mechanics. Players appreciate the extensive content and modding options that enhance replay value, although some note stability issues and a desire for more diverse gameplay modes. Despite these concerns, the consensus is that the game offers significant replayability, making it a worthwhile experience for creative players.
- “With over 47 hours of gameplay, it's clear that Scrap Mechanic offers a lot of content and replayability.”
- “Fantastic game, near infinite replayability and brilliant sandbox mechanics; basically anything is possible to build with very few restrictions as to what you can make.”
- “This game rewards you for your creativity and as such is replayable over and over again; the possibilities are endless!”
- “After the big update, this game is no longer playable for me.”
- “So much replayability, needs another mode to give reason to the building.”
- “Replay value: once they have more objects in, I'd say it has the replay value of Minecraft.”
emotional
26 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a wide range of emotional responses to the game, from frustration over technical issues and lag to joy and satisfaction when successfully creating complex contraptions. The dynamic soundtrack enhances the emotional experience, while the freedom in gameplay fosters a deep sense of investment and creativity. Despite some criticisms regarding mechanics and polish, many find the game to be a source of fun and emotional richness, particularly in survival mode.
- “The game's music further enhances the mood, with a dynamic soundtrack that adapts to the player's actions and surroundings, adding an extra layer of emotional resonance to the gameplay experience.”
- “When survival mode came out, I found myself hopelessly addicted again and emotionally invested in all the things I was building and learning.”
- “However, the true magic of Scrap Mechanic revealed itself in an unexpected and heartwarming twist.”
atmosphere
22 mentions
41 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is a blend of creativity and immersion, characterized by its quirky designs, detailed environments, and effective sound design that enhances the experience. Players appreciate the vibrant and inviting world, though some note that pre-built structures can detract from the overall ambiance. While the atmosphere is generally praised for its uniqueness and depth, there are mixed feelings about the sound design, with some finding it lacking or mismatched.
- “The blocky landscapes and quirky character designs contribute to an atmosphere that feels like a virtual workshop, inviting you to unleash your imagination.”
- “The game's environments are rich in detail, with each biome offering its own distinct aesthetic and atmosphere.”
- “The game's sound design is also top-notch, with a variety of sound effects and musical cues that add to the game's immersive atmosphere.”
- “I got into the atmosphere of loneliness in this dangerous world full of mad robots.”
- “Too many pre-built structures which killed the atmosphere for me a little.”
- “Very poor sound/music design (the music is really quite depressing) and an ill-fitting overall atmosphere put this game in quite an awkward situation.”
monetization
16 mentions
19 % positive mentions
6 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users labeling it a "cash grab" due to perceived low content and inflated grind, while others appreciate the absence of microtransactions and find the game enjoyable, especially when played with friends. Overall, many players commend the lack of in-game purchases, viewing it as a positive feature that enhances the game's value.
- “It has no in-game purchases, and it's really fun with friends!”
- “Microtransactions = none.”
- “Also tons of new content and no microtransactions; it is 100% worth it.”
- “Cash grab early access”
- “Game seems more like a cash grab.”
- “It's hard not to look at what they have created and see something that looks like they just tacked a couple of random survival mechanics together, inflated the grind to hide the lack of content and gameplay, and they pushed the resulting pile of scrap out the door as a quick cash grab.”
character development
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is met with mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the quirky designs and imaginative atmosphere, others find certain aspects, like the character design and jiggle physics, off-putting. Overall, the dwarf character design received positive feedback, contrasting with the more negative sentiments expressed about other characters.
- “The blocky landscapes and quirky character designs contribute to an atmosphere that feels like a virtual workshop, inviting you to unleash your imagination.”
- “I liked the graphics, the music, the gameplay, and of course the dwarf character design.”
- “My only three complaints, however, are as follows... for one, the character design is disgusting, especially with the annoying jiggle physics they have.”