Steam Engine Simulator

About

On January 21, 2023, AngeTheGreat released a video called "Simulating a Steam Engine with C++" which documented the creation of a simple steam engine simulation. This is that simulation now made into a simple game! Enjoy operating and listening to your own miniature virtual steam engine.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

99%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,236 reviews

gameplay69 positive mentions

grinding19 negative mentions

gameplay
247 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
71%
1%
The gameplay of the steam engine simulator is widely praised for its immersive and educational experience, effectively blending realism with accessibility. Players appreciate the intricate mechanics that allow for both casual enjoyment and deeper exploration of steam technology, though some note a desire for additional content and features to enhance long-term engagement. Overall, the game is recognized for its captivating mechanics, rewarding challenges, and potential as a learning tool for those interested in engineering and steam power.
- “Very nice game which can be used to learn the mechanics of steam production and turbine operation in a simple way.”
- “The gameplay is much harder, but once you 'get' it, it's very rewarding.”
- “Its immersive gameplay, attention to detail, and educational value make it a must-play for anyone with a passion for engineering or history.”
- “I understand it might be accurate to real-life mechanics, but this issue put me in debt and forced me to restart the game twice.”
- “There isn't enough mechanical depth to maintaining the steam engine, and it lacks the tactile aspects of the better simulators.”
- “I expected levels, or any game mechanics, but no.”
story
132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
56%
12%
The game's story has received widespread acclaim for its engaging and emotional narrative, with many players praising its depth, character development, and immersive world-building. The DLC adds a surprising layer of storytelling that enhances the overall experience, making it a standout feature of the game. Overall, players find the storytelling to be a significant strength, often describing it as one of the best aspects of the game.
- “The story is insane, the graphics beyond expected, not to mention the plot twist; it was just too much for me to put in a single review.”
- “This game is truly a masterclass in game design, world building, and storytelling.”
- “The progression of the story throughout the many chapters and the character development of the main cast is wonderfully done.”
- “☑ no story”
- “I thought the story was poorly written, but it’s a free game so I can’t complain.”
- “Honestly, they could've hidden the story a bit better.”
graphics
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
58%
3%
The graphics of the game have received high praise for their realism and attention to detail, effectively immersing players in the historical setting of steam engines. While some reviews note a minimalist art style, many highlight the stunning visuals and smooth animations that enhance the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and enjoyment.
- “The graphics are absolutely amazing, offering a very real-looking steam engine that the player can do many fun things with.”
- “The visuals are incredibly realistic, and the level of intricacy in the animations is awe-inspiring.”
- “From the moment you fire up this game, you'll be mesmerized by its breathtaking graphics.”
- “The graphics are really simple.”
- “The graphics is what you can see in the thumbnail, like a sketch design or something like that, the gameplay is entertaining, have to heat up steam for the steam machine.”
- “Simple with simple graphics, but based on making physics as real as they can be done.”
grinding
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
47%
50%
The grinding aspect of the game is heavily emphasized in user reviews, with many players noting that achieving 100% completion requires an extensive time commitment, often described as needing "a second life." While some find the grind tedious and uninteresting, others appreciate the gameplay loop and the satisfaction of completing achievements, suggesting that the experience can be enjoyable despite its grindy nature. Overall, the game offers a mix of fun and frustration, particularly for those aiming for full completion.
- “It's engaging, fun, and not grindy at all (unless you use the breaks). Truly an instant classic; I will be playing this game for years to come!”
- “After afking for more hours than I was actually playing the game, and after leaving my computer on all night, grinding for the Steam Freak achievement, I can definitively say that this game is a certified hood classic.”
- “I also really enjoy the fact that the blue from the background makes an awesome contrast with my bloodshot eyes, from being awake for 17 hours straight farming the 100% completion.”
- “One disadvantage of the game would be the achievements: they had me playing for hours straight just grinding, but the dopamine of seeing the water fill up and boil allowed me to keep going.”
humor
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in this game is widely praised, with players finding it both funny and entertaining, often highlighting its quirky mechanics and amusing features. Many reviews mention the game's comedic elements, such as funny sound effects and unexpected easter eggs, which contribute to its charm and replayability. Overall, the lighthearted and humorous nature of the game makes it a delightful experience for players.
- “Very funny game would recommend 100% and also it's free so you have nothing to lose.”
- “This game is good and when I started seeing recommendations like psychological horror and stuff, I checked the tags and oh my god who put those tags there, it got me laughing so damn hard lmao.”
- “Along with that, the various easter eggs and funny features in this game make it replayable unlike any other.”
music
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
46%
13%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising the soundtrack as one of the best they've ever experienced, often comparing it favorably to iconic soundtracks like that of Minecraft. The composition is noted for its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere and storytelling, with some tracks even evoking strong emotional responses. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.
- “The soundtrack is simply the best I've ever heard; this should be the new standard for video games.”
- “The story is amazing, and the soundtrack is the best I've heard since Minecraft.”
- “Accompanied by a well-composed soundtrack that complements the ambiance of the era, the audio-visual presentation truly enhances the immersion.”
- “I fear now more than ever that my sins will catch up to me, and I will live a life down bad and #primlocked in the darkest pit of the universe with nothing but the rust theme song repeating in my ears over and over and over and over again.”
- “• missing soundtrack”
- “☑️ no music”
optimization
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
63%
16%
The game is praised for its exceptional optimization and stability, providing a smooth and engaging experience that allows players to finely tune engine performance through realistic physics. Users appreciate the balance between simplicity in controls and the depth of management required, making the optimization process both rewarding and immersive. However, some players noted minor performance concerns, such as CPU usage, despite the overall positive feedback on the game's technical execution.
- “Extremely well optimized!”
- “Insanely polished game/simulator made by a sole passionate developer with exponentially more optimization than modern AAA games!”
- “The interactive nature of the simulator truly engages users, as they can adjust various parameters and observe the immediate impact on the engine's performance.”
- “No optimization.”
- “QOL suggestion: the performance information box covers the gauges in the default view.”
- “From a technical standpoint, the steam engine simulator is remarkably stable and well-optimized.”
replayability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
44%
17%
Overall, the game's replayability is highly praised, with many users highlighting features like community support, user-generated content, and diverse scenarios that enhance the experience. While some players note a decline in replay value after achieving certain goals, others emphasize the game's immersive gameplay and endless opportunities for experimentation, making it appealing for achievement hunters and creative players alike.
- “This has assured a great feature of replayability and even ways of experimenting with set-ups and improvements.”
- “Great gameplay, immersive story, infinite replayability, great for achievement hunters.”
- “Cool little game, though not much replay value (the sound gets too annoyingly repetitive after 5 hours...)”
- “Pretty fun to get all the achievements and figure out how to make it go really fast, but there's not much replayability after that.”
- “The game offers a wealth of content and replayability, with a diverse array of scenarios and challenges.”
atmosphere
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive sound design and attention to detail, creating a rich and unsettling environment that evokes classic horror narratives. Players feel a deep connection to the era of steam power, with ambient sounds enhancing the sense of being watched and fostering a unique blend of solitude and engagement. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals and authentic audio makes for a captivating experience that resonates with both enthusiasts and casual players alike.
- “The sound design is perfectly crafted to the atmosphere it combines with, and it is possibly the most immersive digital experience I have ever had.”
- “The ambient sounds, which were once merely atmospheric, now take on a menacing quality—each clang and whistle amplifying the feeling of being watched, as if the very machines hold a consciousness of their own.”
- “With its simple yet engaging gameplay mechanics, stunning visuals, and immersive atmosphere, this game successfully brings the glory days of steam power to life, appealing to enthusiasts of all ages.”
- “This solitude fosters an unsettling atmosphere, reminiscent of classic horror narratives where the protagonist grapples with their own mind.”
- “How distant those days seem now, how burdened by the apparent smells of their atmospheres.”
- “Who can lament the tragedy of life, when surrounded by such steamless atmospheres?”
emotional
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with many players reporting intense feelings that led to tears throughout their experience. The story is described as deeply moving and life-changing, evoking a range of emotions from laughter to profound sadness. Overall, the game successfully creates an immersive emotional journey that resonates with players on a personal level.
- “Life-changing game, made me cry.”
- “The story was so emotional and I was crying by the ending.”
- “I laughed, I cried, I found beauty in the world and nature.”
monetization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The monetization aspect of the game is highly praised, with users appreciating the absence of microtransactions, ads, and additional paid content like DLCs or battle passes. Many consider it a refreshing experience as a free-to-play game that focuses solely on gameplay without the typical monetization pitfalls. However, one user suggested that the game could benefit from more monetization options.
- “No microtransactions, no battle pass, no pay-to-win, just you and a steam engine.”
- “It's fun but very short; all in all, the perfect free game: no microtransactions, no ads, just made by a YouTuber for a video.”
- “No ads, no DLC.”
- “Finally, a free-to-play game without microtransactions, gachas, skins, and other nonsense.”
- “No microtransactions.”
- “No microtransactions.”
stability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
Overall, user experiences with stability are mixed; while some praise the game for running smoothly without bugs or glitches, others report severe issues such as freezing their computers. Despite these discrepancies, many players appreciate the game's performance on platforms like Steam.
- “Such a simple game but so wonderfully and beautifully made. The best part? No day 1 patch, no glitches or bugs. The game actually runs smoothly; it's so nice!”
- “In all seriousness, this is a fully realistic and very good sounding simulator that is easy to use, not buggy whatsoever, and teaches me quite enough about steam engines.”
- “Looks great, runs great!”
- “The game freezes my computer when run, forcing me to shut it down to fix the issue.”
- “I noticed a bug where the display of the simulation freezes.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is highly praised, with reviewers noting that the progression of the story across various chapters effectively enhances the growth of the main cast, contributing to a rich and engaging narrative experience.
- “The graphics, the mechanics, the character development—it's all there!”
- “The progression of the story throughout the many chapters and the character development of the main cast is wonderfully done.”