Automation - The Car Company Tycoon Game

Automation - The Car Company Tycoon Game offers a unique and deeply creative experience for car enthusiasts and players interested in automotive design. The game allows players to build cars and engines with high detail, providing a sandbox environment where creativity flourishes. Many players appreciate the ability to export their creations to BeamNG.drive, enhancing the gameplay by allowing them to drive and test their vehicles in a realistic physics simulator.

However, the game is not without its flaws. Some users find the tycoon and career modes underwhelming and not fully developed, while others highlight a steep learning curve, especially for those unfamiliar with automotive mechanics. The interior design tool and some UI elements are noted as frustrating and unintuitive. Despite being in early access for a long time, the game still suffers from bugs, memory leaks, and optimization issues. Nonetheless, the dedicated modding community and continuous updates keep the game engaging and evolving.

Highlights

Players praise Automation for its extensive customization and creativity in car and engine building. The ability to export vehicles to BeamNG.drive is highly valued, adding a dynamic testing and driving component. The engine design system is complex yet rewarding, giving a sense of accomplishment when mastered. The campaign mode provides a decent storyline, and the game is recognized for being educational about automotive engineering. The modding community further enriches the experience with additional content and improvements.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the lack of polish and incomplete tycoon/career modes, which some players feel do not live up to the game's marketing. The interior design mechanic is considered inconvenient and confusing. Players report bugs such as memory leaks and engine failures that detract from the experience. The absence of diesel and electric engine options is a notable limitation. Additionally, the game can be overwhelming for newcomers due to minimal tutorials and complex systems. Some users feel the game feels outdated despite long early access status.