Teardown

Developer: Tuxedo Labs
Release: Apr 21st 2022
Platforms:
Action
Indie
Simulation
Strategy
Addictive
Creative
Destructive
Performance Issues
Repetitive
Teardown Poster

" Innovative action-strategy with voxel destruction and creative freedom but repetitive timed missions "

Teardown Review

Teardown is widely praised as an innovative and highly enjoyable voxel-based destruction game that offers a unique blend of physics-driven gameplay and creative freedom. Players appreciate its satisfying destruction mechanics, engaging sandbox mode, and the ability to experiment with a vast array of mods, which significantly enhance replayability. The game's distinctive lo-fi visual style combined with impressive lighting effects contributes to a charming and immersive atmosphere. While the campaign provides fun and challenging heist missions, many players spend most of their time in sandbox mode, enjoying the open-ended destruction and creativity.

However, some users find the core gameplay loop repetitive, especially the timed heist missions, and express frustration with occasional performance issues and crashes. The physics, although praised by many, are critiqued by a few for being unrealistic or "floaty." Despite these drawbacks, the overall consensus is that Teardown is a must-play for fans of destruction and sandbox games, with a strong modding community that keeps the experience fresh and exciting.

Highlights

The game's standout features include its advanced voxel destruction physics, which provide a deeply satisfying and creative gameplay experience. The unique visual style, with atmospheric lighting and a lo-fi aesthetic, is frequently praised. Players enjoy the freedom to approach objectives creatively and the extensive mod support that adds diverse content and customization. The campaign offers challenging and fun heist missions, while the sandbox mode allows for endless experimentation. The game is also noted for being accessible on a range of PC hardware, making it widely playable.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the repetitive nature of the campaign’s timed missions, which some find frustrating or limiting. Performance issues such as lag and crashes affect players with less powerful PCs, detracting from the experience. A few users feel the physics engine lacks realism, with structures sometimes behaving unnaturally. The story and mission design are considered minimal and not very engaging by some, and there are complaints about the price point being somewhat high. Additionally, official multiplayer is absent, leading to calls for its inclusion.

Pros

  • Highly satisfying and innovative voxel-based destruction physics system.
  • Extensive modding community adds vast content and customization options.
  • Unique lo-fi visual style with impressive lighting and atmospheric effects.
  • Engaging sandbox mode allowing for creative and open-ended gameplay.
  • Fun and challenging heist missions in the campaign mode.
  • Runs well on a wide range of PC hardware, including lower-end systems.
  • Gameplay encourages creativity and freedom in approaching objectives.

Cons

  • Campaign missions can become repetitive and overly focused on timed objectives.
  • Performance issues such as lag and crashes on less powerful PCs.
  • Physics engine sometimes behaves unrealistically or feels "floaty."
  • Limited story depth and minimal mission variety reduce engagement.
  • Official multiplayer mode is missing, limiting social gameplay options.
  • High price point may deter some potential players.
  • Some mods are incompatible with certain platforms like Steam Deck.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Prepare the perfect heist in this simulated and fully destructible voxel world. Tear down walls with vehicles or explosives to create shortcuts. Stack objects to reach higher. Use the environment to your advantage in the most creative way you can think of.

Release Date Apr 21st 2022
Publisher Tuxedo Labs
Developer Tuxedo Labs
Platforms

User Reviews

Overwhelmingly Positive (65,192)
96% Positive 4% Negative

Online Reviews

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Metacritic
80