Car Mechanic Simulator 2018

Car Mechanic Simulator 2018
Developer(s)	Red Dot Games
Publisher(s)	PlayWay S.A.
Series	Car Mechanic Simulator
Engine	Unity
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows Xbox One PlayStation 4 Nintendo Switch iOS Android
Release	July 28, 2017 Microsoft Windows WW: July 28, 2017 iOS, Android WW: June 22, 2018 Nintendo Switch WW: February 15, 2019 PlayStation 4, Xbox One WW: June 25, 2019
Genre(s)	Vehicle simulation
Mode(s)	Single-player

Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 is a simulation video game developed by Polish studio Red Dot Games depicting the work of an automotive mechanic. It was released on July 28, 2017, for Microsoft Windows; in 2019 on February 15 for Nintendo Switch and June 25 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. ^[1] A simplified version for mobile platforms was released in June 2018. It is the third game in the Car Mechanic Simulator series and was followed up by Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 in August 2021.

Gameplay

The game is played from a first-person perspective, with the player able to walk freely around the shop, showrooms and barns where damaged cars can be purchased to be repaired and/or resold. The player has access to a wide variety of tools, most of which are unlocked by completing jobs and earning experience. Over the course of the game, the player expands their workshop, allowing them to complete increasingly complex repair work as well as the restoration of classic cars.

Gameplay involves examining the various components of the vehicles engine, suspension and chassis, identifying damaged components and replacing them. This can be done by purchasing a replacement component or, at higher levels, repairing the existing one. Engines are rendered in a great deal of detail, requiring the player to remove parts in a realistic manner in order to access the relevant component. In order to complete the required task, the player must use realistic hardware like a tire balancer, spring puller, detailing kit and engine mount.

Further sections of the workroom become unlocked over the course of the game. These include a test track which can identify issues with a car's brakes and suspension and a paintshop which is used to paint and customize the car's body.

Reception

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	NS: 41/100 [2] XONE: 75/100 [3]

The Switch version of Car Mechanic Simulator received "generally unfavorable reviews" and the Xbox One received "generally favorable reviews" on Metacritic. ^{[2] [3]}

Rock Paper Shotgun called the game "singularly captivating and cathartic" while criticising a large number of bugs present in the initial release, as well as a number of the design decisions. ^[4] A follow-up review after patching was complete indicated that the technical issues had been resolved. ^[5]

The Nintendo Switch version of the game was heavily criticised by Nintendo Enthusiast, who criticised it for being a port of the mobile release, calling it "a really sad attempt at making a quick buck off of unsuspecting buyers". ^[6]

Downloadable content

A variety of downloadable content is available for Car Mechanic Simulator 2018, the majority of which expands the range of cars available. Unlike the cars in the base game, which are fictional analogues for real cars, DLC cars are officially licensed replicas. These cars are integrated into the existing game, marked with a "DLC" banner in their description.

In addition to the cars, on October 30, a free Tuning DLC was released. This expands the number of cosmetic upgrades and high performance parts that can be used to improve the vehicles the player builds. The player can also unlock a Dyno that can be used to check how much the vehicle has improved compared to its previous state.

Name	Release date	Cars Included
Mazda	July 28, 2017	Mazda RX-7 (FD3S) and 1978 Mazda Savanna RX-3
Dodge	July 28, 2017	1968 Dodge Charger and 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T.
Jeep	October 20, 2017	Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, Jeep Willys Military, Jeep Willys Civilian, Jeep Wrangler. This DLC also unlocks the off-roading track.
Plymouth	December 11, 2017	1970 Plymouth Roadrunner, 1971 Plymouth HEMI Cuda. This DLC also unlocks the drag strip.
Bentley	January 29, 2018	2016 Bentley Continental GT Speed, 1970 Bentley T-Series T1 Four Door Saloon
Lotus	March 5, 2018	Lotus Esprit S1, Lotus Elise S1
Pagani	April 2, 2018	Pagani Zonda Revolucion, Pagani Huayra
Ford	June 4, 2018	1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1, 2017 Ford F-350 Super Duty, 2017 Ford Mustang, 1964 Ford GT40
Porsche	October 8, 2018	1993 Porsche 911 Turbo S (964) 3.6, 1993 Porsche 911 RS America (964) 3.6, 2016 Porsche 911 Carrera S (991.2), 2003 Porsche Carrera GT
Dodge Modern	December 20, 2018	2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and 2015 Dodge SRT Viper GTS
Maserati Remastered	March 2, 2019	Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale, Maserati Sebring and Maserati Quattroporte
RAM	May 10, 2019	Dodge Ram SRT-10 and Dodge Ram 3500
Mercedes-Benz	January 15, 2020	Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (W198), Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC (W126), Mercedes-Benz 500E (W124), Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (C197) and Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda (W113)
Chrysler	March 25, 2020	2008 Chrysler 300C SRT8 and 1975 Chrysler Cordoba

Sequel

Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 was released on August 11, 2021 for Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. On May 2, 2022, it also released on PlayStation 5. Games.cz called it akin to a remaster with minor added features, but not enough to justify an upgrade if one already owned all DLC for the previous game. ^[7]

References

1. "Car Mechanic Simulator". Nintendo. Archived from the original on June 14, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
2. "Car Mechanic Simulator for Switch Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved June 16, 2022.
3. "Car Mechanic Simulator for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved June 16, 2022.
4. Meer, Alec (August 2, 2017). "Car Mechanic Sim 18: a truly lovely game that you must avoid for now". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
5. Meer, Alec (August 16, 2017). "Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 passes its MOT". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
6. "Car Mechanic Simulator review for Nintendo Switch: Leave it in the scrapyard". Nintendo Enthusiast. February 28, 2019. Archived from the original on June 18, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
7. "Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 – recenze". Games.cz (in Czech). Retrieved December 4, 2024.