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

99%

Audience ScoreBased on 12,472 reviews

gameplay138 positive mentions

grinding38 negative mentions

The gameplay offers an immersive and educational experience, effectively simulating steam engine mechanics with intuitive controls and rewarding challenges.
The graphics are stunning and realistic, enhancing the gameplay experience and immersing players in the historical setting of steam power.
The game features a refreshing monetization model with no microtransactions or ads, providing a free-to-play experience that is enjoyable and accessible.

Some players feel the game lacks additional content and features for long-term engagement, leading to a sense of repetitiveness after initial achievements.
There are reports of severe performance issues, including complete system freezes that require hard shutdowns, affecting the overall stability of the game.
While the game is praised for its humor and engaging mechanics, some players find the grinding aspect tedious and uninteresting, requiring extensive time commitment for completion.

gameplay
494 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
71%
1%
The gameplay of "Steam Engine Simulator" is praised for its immersive and educational experience, effectively simulating the mechanics of steam engines while balancing simplicity and depth. Players appreciate the intuitive controls, attention to detail, and the rewarding challenge of mastering the game's mechanics, which can lead to hours of engaging gameplay. However, some reviewers note that while the game is enjoyable, it could benefit from additional content and features to enhance long-term engagement.
- “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 like, levels, or, I don't know, any game mechanics, but no.”
story
264 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 further layers to the storyline, enhancing the overall experience and providing a compelling guide for gameplay progression. Overall, the storytelling is considered a standout feature, often described as masterful and deserving of high praise.
- “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.”
- “I thought the story was poorly written but it’s a free game so I can’t complain.”
- “The storyline is a bit confusing but the combat is great.”
- “Honestly they could've hid the story a bit better.”
graphics
210 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
60%
1%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their realism and attention to detail, effectively immersing players in the historical setting of steam power. While some reviews note a minimalist art style, many highlight the stunning visuals and intricate animations that enhance the gameplay experience. Overall, the graphics are praised for their ability to captivate players, making the game visually impressive and engaging, regardless of the simplicity in some aspects.
- “The graphics are absolutely amazing, offering a very real-looking steam engine that the player can do many fun things with.”
- “From the moment you fire up this game, you'll be mesmerized by its breathtaking graphics.”
- “The graphics were beautifully rendered, providing a realistic portrayal of the industrial revolution era.”
- “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
76 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 engaging gameplay loop and the satisfaction of completing achievements, suggesting that the grind can be enjoyable for dedicated players. Overall, the game is characterized as very grindy, but still offers fun and replayability for those willing to invest the time.
- “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.”
- “Tedious and uninteresting at that point.”
- “Its is what it is, basic, free simulator, can't complain about anything about 30 minutes of content and then 26 hours of afk farming the achievements.”
humor
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the 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 ability to evoke laughter through its simple yet engaging gameplay, funny easter eggs, and unexpected moments, making it a delightful experience, especially given that it is free. Overall, the humor adds a charming layer to the gameplay, enhancing its replayability and enjoyment.
- “Very funny game would recommend 100% and also it's free so you have nothing to lose.”
- “Trying to unlock some of the steam achievements makes this little simulator into a kind of mini puzzle game, it's funny.”
- “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.”
music
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
52%
6%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack as one of the best they've ever heard, often comparing it to iconic soundtracks like that of Minecraft. The composition not only enhances the game's immersive experience but also complements its themes, with some tracks humorously referenced as fitting for various situations. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact and gameplay enjoyment.
- “Not only do I now have an undying love for steam engines, the visuals are breathtaking and almost bring a tear to my eye. The soundtrack is simply the best I've ever heard; this should be the new standard for video games.”
- “The story is amazing, 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
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
71%
8%
The game is praised for its exceptional optimization, providing a smooth and stable experience that rivals modern AAA titles. Players appreciate the engaging mechanics that allow for precise adjustments to engine performance, with realistic consequences for mismanagement enhancing the overall experience. However, some users noted minor performance issues, such as CPU usage spikes, despite the game's overall polished nature.
- “Insanely polished game/simulator made by a sole passionate developer with exponentially more optimization than modern AAA games!”
- “The realistic physics engine ensures that your actions have tangible effects on the performance of the engine.”
- “The thrill of adjusting and fine-tuning the engine's various components, combined with the challenge of maintaining optimal performance, keeps players engaged and invested.”
- “No optimization.”
- “QOL suggestion: the performance information box covers the gauges in the default view.”
- “Players need to figure out how to operate the engine efficiently, how to troubleshoot issues, and how to optimize the engine’s performance.”
replayability
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
53%
8%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its infinite replay value, diverse scenarios, and community-generated content, while others find it lacking after initial achievements are completed. Features like sandbox mode and various easter eggs enhance replayability for many, but repetitive elements can diminish the experience for some players after extended play. Overall, it offers significant replay potential, especially for achievement hunters and those who enjoy experimenting with different setups.
- “Community-backed support for the game, along with user-generated content, will add to the replayability.”
- “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
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
30%
10%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive sound design and detailed visuals, effectively transporting players to the era of steam power. The ambient sounds create a menacing quality that enhances the feeling of solitude and tension, reminiscent of classic horror narratives. Overall, the combination of engaging gameplay and rich atmospheric elements makes for a captivating experience that appeals to both enthusiasts and casual players alike.
- “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.”
- “The atmospheric audio creates an authentic and engrossing experience, making you feel like a true steam engine aficionado.”
- “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
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly praised, with many players reporting intense feelings that led to tears throughout their experience. The story is described as life-changing and deeply moving, evoking a range of emotions from laughter to sorrow. 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
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
43%
19%
The game is praised for its monetization model, featuring no microtransactions, ads, or additional paid content, making it a refreshing free-to-play experience. While some users express a desire for more monetization options like a battle pass, the overall sentiment highlights the absence of pay-to-win elements and intrusive purchases.
- “No microtransactions, no battle pass, no p2w, 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, no battle pass, no pay-to-win, just you and a steam engine.”
stability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
The game's stability is mixed; while many users praise it for running smoothly without bugs or glitches, some report severe issues, including complete system freezes that require a hard shutdown. Overall, it appears to perform well for most players, particularly on Steam, but the freezing problem is a significant concern for others.
- “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, and forces me to shut my computer down to fix it.”
- “I noticed a bug where the display of the simulation freezes.”
- “The game freezes my computer when run, and forces me to shut my computer down to fix it.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development is highly praised, with reviewers noting that the progression of the story across multiple chapters effectively enhances the growth of the main cast. Overall, it is described as a well-executed aspect of the game that contributes significantly to the overall experience.
- “The progression of the story throughout the many chapters and the character development of the main cast is wonderfully done.”

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Steam Engine Simulator
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18h Median play time

19h Average play time

6-35h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 28 analyzed playthroughs

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