Teardown
- April 21, 2022
- Tuxedo Labs
- 25h median play time
Spend ages planning with explosives and cables only to see it fail again and again — until it doesn’t. Teardown is fantastic fun.
Teardown is a destructible physics-based sandbox game where players can destroy environments and steal materials to complete various objectives. With a wide range of tools and vehicles, players can create their own paths and strategies to accomplish tasks in this first-person game. The game features a procedural map generation system, allowing for unique environments and challenges in each playthrough.
Reviews
- story10,878 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story in "Teardown" is generally described as light and humorous, serving primarily as a backdrop for the game's heist-focused missions. Players engage in a series of timed challenges where they must steal or destroy items within a limited timeframe, often leading to repetitive gameplay that some find tedious. While the campaign offers a variety of mission types and allows for creative problem-solving, many reviewers express a desire for more demolition-centric missions and less emphasis on time constraints. Overall, the story is seen as a fun addition, but not the main draw of the game, which is the satisfying destruction mechanics and sandbox mode.
“I love the many different game mechanics that change up missions completely, the varying locations and environments and how each story intertwines as the game progresses.”
“The campaign is pretty fun, the only thing in the campaign I don't like is that it doesn't save your destruction on a previously visited place when you return for story purposes.”
“The story is light, with you being hired via the PC in your base of operations to take on these missions, but it is satisfying how your base becomes renovated more and more as you unlock more gear and progress through the game.”
“The heist missions that make up 90% of the bulk of the campaign get old after the first few, and once you realize that they're the bulk of the game, any desire to continue crumbles into cubes.”
“The missions become very repetitive, as you find yourself repeatedly breaking into buildings, stealing specific items, and escaping within a time limit.”
“The game is about making a solution that works with what you have, you can return to old missions with newer tools as you unlock them to try to finish them off better or differently, or to find all the hidden goodies.”
- graphics4,601 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Teardown" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning voxel art style, realistic lighting, and impressive destruction physics. Many players note that while the game can be demanding on hardware, it runs well on mid-range PCs when settings are adjusted appropriately. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful and immersive, contributing significantly to the game's engaging gameplay experience.
“Explosions, covert missions, and freedom: I cannot believe I doubted buying this game, the simplicity and at the same time beauty of Teardown's graphics are undeniable.”
“Pros: amazing voxel graphics with realistic lighting and reasonable physics.”
“The graphics are stunning, the way the smoke reacts to the environments, the light bursts coming from the pipe bombs, the way the tools are wet while it's raining, etc. amazing and I love the tiny attention to detail everywhere from the food in the fridge to the light-up buttons on machines.”
“I really like the design of the game and what you can do in it, but every time I quick load on Vila Gordon, the graphics glitch and I can see through walls, and the game gets laggy.”
“You cannot change the graphics without your game having a seizure.”
“Game crashes with the lowest graphics settings.”
- gameplay4,073 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
Teardown's gameplay is characterized by its innovative destruction mechanics and engaging heist-style missions that require strategic planning and quick execution. Players appreciate the freedom to approach objectives creatively, although many express frustration with the repetitive nature of timed missions and the reliance on speedrunning elements, which can detract from the enjoyment of the destruction mechanics. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of sandbox and puzzle-solving gameplay, enhanced by a robust modding community that adds significant replayability.
“I love the many different game mechanics that change up missions completely, the varying locations and environments and how each story intertwines as the game progresses.”
“The gameplay is where it really stands out.”
“The gameplay loop of planning-racing-improvising is exhilarating, and the destruction physics are just so much fun.”
“The gameplay loop lacks the depth to justify the repetitive nature of the missions and in doing so the game makes me lose my interest.”
“The core missions, the gameplay that gets repeated over and over, is really awful speedrun missions that strip away all creativity.”
“The gameplay is boring, the tech is awesome.”
- optimization1,607 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Teardown" has received mixed feedback from players. While some users praise its performance, especially on high-end systems, many report significant lag and performance drops during intense destruction scenarios, particularly on lower-end PCs or with AMD graphics cards. Recent updates have improved performance for some, but issues persist, leading to a general consensus that further optimization is needed to enhance the overall experience.
“The performance is unbelievable for all the stuff it has to handle, and the game is fun even without using mods, although the experience is something else with them.”
“Good game, perfectly optimized, to the point that high-voxel mods and builds put very low stress on my low-end PC. Would recommend, great game for its price.”
“Game is super optimized especially since it's all about causing detailed destruction.”
“The fundamental nature of teardown is catastrophically dysfunctional and I have not been able to put any of my time into this game in actually playing the game due to the virulent bugs, glitches, and abysmal performance hits.”
“Not only that, but the performance difference since the latest update is quite noticeable, as they threw optimization out the window.”
“The major downside to this game is the performance; I played this game with my 3060 when it was released and the amount of raytraced lighting, shadows, and reflections can put my PC to its knees.”
- humor1,033 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its comedic physics, funny narratives, and entertaining sandbox mechanics that allow for chaotic destruction. Many reviews mention the enjoyment derived from mods and the absurdity of the gameplay, which often leads to hilarious moments, making it a fun and stress-relieving experience. Overall, the game is described as both funny and engaging, with a light-hearted tone that enhances the enjoyment of its destructible environments.
“Teardown is a really fun and funny game with simple graphics easy to play on and just down right fun to play.”
“The game's realistic physics engine allows you to create chaos and destruction in a way that is both satisfying and hilarious.”
“This game is amazing and hilarious, for some reason everyone in this world comes to you for jobs including the people that you're doing the jobs against which leads to a constant back and forth of them escalating the conflict.”
“Destroying stuff is fun in this game, please stop breaking the school toilets, you're not funny.”
“The graphics feel so realistic, I accidentally mistook my house for Lee's chemical factory and destroyed everything, then spray painted not funny things everywhere. 10/10”
- grinding688 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that the missions become repetitive and frustrating after a few hours. While some missions offer interesting challenges, the reliance on timed objectives and extensive setup often detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to a sentiment that players might need "a second life" to fully engage with the grinding required. Despite these criticisms, some players still find the game fun and rewarding, particularly in sandbox mode, where they can explore creative destruction without the constraints of the campaign.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“A few weeks or more of grinding.”
“It becomes tedious around the fifth or sixth mission for me, and there doesn't seem to be any sign that the devs have any better gameplay ideas than just 'make harder by adding more timed objectives', or any other mechanics to deploy that take advantage of the destructible nature of the environment.”
“The game is fun but having every single level revolve completely around alarms is not only boring and extremely tedious but also just flat out anti-fun for what's supposed to be a voxel destruction game.”
“Really cool idea for a game, but the gameplay loop becomes extremely tedious and setting up for a heist feels like a chore.”
- replayability462 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
Teardown offers exceptional replayability, largely due to its diverse game modes, including story, sandbox, and modding capabilities, which allow players to create and share custom content. The extensive modding community significantly enhances the game's longevity, providing endless new tools, maps, and gameplay variations that keep the experience fresh. Overall, players can enjoy countless hours of fun through various approaches to missions and the creative possibilities within the sandbox environment.
“There is a great amount of replayability with Teardown because it has a ton of play modes, such as story, sandbox, scenario, mod, etc. Once you have finished the main game, there are endless sandboxes to both play and create.”
“The mods breathe new life into the game, providing endless replayability and opening up a whole world of creative and sandbox experiences.”
“Even after you finish the story, you can play mods from the community (this game was built from the ground up with mods in mind, hell the creators actually showcase community mods in the game), so the game has infinite replayability.”
“Fun for a bit, not much replayability and no meaningful updates.”
“Gets boring after 2 missions, the whole concept is just breaking stuff, not exactly any replayability.”
“Great game, lacks replayability.”
- music412 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall experience, with many players praising its dynamic and atmospheric qualities that complement gameplay. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack effectively shifts from calming tunes during planning phases to more intense tracks during action sequences, creating an immersive environment. While some found the music occasionally repetitive, the majority appreciated its quality and integration, often expressing a desire for the soundtrack to be available for purchase.
“The vibrant colors, immersive environments, and dynamic soundtrack all come together to create an experience that's as visually stunning as it is thrilling.”
“The soundtrack and sound effects wonderfully complement the action, resulting in an immersive experience that puts you more in the world of teardown.”
“Immensely satisfying destruction, combined beautifully with fast-paced gameplay with stunning visuals and superb music to boot.”
“Turn the music off though as it will drive you bonkers.”
“Music is meh, but the rest and concept are fantastic.”
“Also, there is no soundtrack whatsoever, and the game has too many 'time attack' missions, which, to be honest, is something I heavily despise.”
- stability382 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly after recent updates. While some users with higher-end PCs experience smooth gameplay, others, especially those on lower-end systems, face frequent crashes and freezes. Overall, the game is described as fun and engaging, but it requires substantial stability improvements to enhance the user experience.
“Everything just works smoothly and flawlessly, no glitches or instability.”
“11/10, have not found anything to complain about, no glitches, no weird physics, and everything is overall or overwhelmingly enjoyable.”
“For an early access game it feels like a well made and bug free game.”
“It pains me to leave a bad review on an indie game, but if I need to go through a full-length troubleshooting process to play it, I can't recommend it.”
“The fundamental nature of the game is catastrophically dysfunctional and I have not been able to put any of my time into this game in actually playing it due to the virulent bugs, glitches, and abysmal performance hits.”
“Since this new update, no matter what I try to do to fix it, it won't stop crashing after a max of 10 minutes in, completely freezes and doesn't let me alt-tab to anything; the only solution is to then switch off my PC manually.”
- monetization128 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 77 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players feeling that it has devolved into a blatant cash grab since Saber Interactive took over. Users express disappointment over the introduction of overpriced DLCs, season passes, and microtransactions that detract from the original experience, leading to a perception of greed and a lack of innovation in new content. Overall, the shift in focus from gameplay to monetization has left many fans feeling disillusioned and frustrated.
“It's overall a fun game, but the monetization and the 'seasonal pass' is just sad.”
“The game's initial allure, its quirky mechanics, and its soulful artistry have been bulldozed in favor of soulless microtransactions, and a mind-numbing array of DLCs that should have been part of the original experience as updates.”
“As far as I know, there are no in-game purchases.”
“What was once a unique and refreshing experience has been tarnished by the same tired monetization tactics we're used to seeing in big-budget titles.”
“It's unnecessary and honestly feels like a blatant cash grab.”
“What was once a game driven by creativity and strategic destruction has become a cash grab, with the new content offering little in terms of innovation or value.”
- atmosphere108 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and detailed environments, creating a captivating experience that enhances gameplay. Players appreciate the unique blend of voxel graphics, atmospheric music, and varied settings, which contribute to a sense of realism and emotional depth. Overall, the game's ability to evoke different moods—from relaxing to thrilling—while maintaining a high level of detail and creativity is a standout feature.
“Teardown's vibrant and stylized visual aesthetics, coupled with its immersive sound design, create a captivating and atmospheric gameplay experience that fully immerses players in the thrilling world of high-stakes heists and intricate environmental puzzles.”
“The atmosphere of this game is so amazing, especially in gloomy dark maps.”
“The lighting and atmosphere intertwine spectacularly with the materials of the world (the glass, metal, water, etc.).”
“The game has a gloomy atmosphere, which I personally am not a fan of, though it makes sense.”
“This is fine, however the game should probably not push its 'do it discreet' atmosphere in that case.”
“Come along, see the sites, drink in the atmosphere ... then set it on fire and drive a digger through it.”
- emotional90 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of feelings, from nostalgia and joy to sadness and frustration. Players appreciate the wholesome elements and engaging storylines, often finding themselves laughing or crying throughout their experience. However, some express discomfort with certain gameplay mechanics and the emotional impact of the game's themes, leading to mixed feelings about their overall enjoyment.
“Absolutely fantastic game, the ending is gorgeous and so heartwarming and at the same time saddening.”
“I laughed, I cried, I pulled some muscles in my sides.”
“Lastly (but very much not least) the love and attention to detail that went into the maps, story and hub is heartwarming.”
- character development4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game features a sandbox-style experience that allows for exploration and chaos, but it suffers from a lack of clear goals and character development, which can lead to a diminished sense of purpose. The absence of a traditional storyline further emphasizes this shortcoming, as the focus remains primarily on gameplay and heist mechanics rather than character growth.
“While the game offers a sandbox-style gameplay experience where you are free to explore and wreak havoc, the absence of clear goals or character development can diminish the sense of purpose.”
“Additionally, the game lacks a traditional storyline or character development, as it primarily focuses on the gameplay and heist mechanics.”
Critic Reviews
Teardown Review – Selective & limited destruction
Teardown does a great job in delivering on its premise, offering players the ability to pull off professional heists any way they want by manipulating the environment to their advantage. You will always have something to do if you get bored of the campaign, such as the sandbox mode where you can experiment and play to your liking, or the challenge mode where you put your skills to the test. Unfortunately, the game’s freedom is tied to your progression in the campaign, forcing you to work within certain constraints. Unless you are a big fan of creating your own experiences, you can quickly become bored of the game if you don’t give yourself time to take a break. Despite this, Teardown is still a solid sandbox experience that can provide hours of entertainment and goals to work towards. For players looking for a good sandbox experience that makes you think and promotes your creativity, you can’t go wrong with Teardown.
70%Teardown review
An endlessly delightful destruction sandbox.
90%Teardown Review
Teardown is quite a fun game with a short campaign and an incredible amount of potential.
85%