My Summer Car
" Detailed indie racing simulation with realistic car-building and permadeath but steep learning curve "
My Summer Car Review
My Summer Car is a uniquely immersive and brutally honest simulation game that places players in 1990s rural Finland, where they must painstakingly rebuild a dilapidated car from scratch. The game combines detailed mechanical engineering with survival elements, requiring players to manage hunger, thirst, hygiene, and fatigue in a realistic, unforgiving environment.
Players face a steep learning curve with no tutorials or handholding, which can be frustrating but also rewarding as they master the intricate car-building mechanics. The open-world setting is richly atmospheric, capturing the isolation and boredom of rural youth with eccentric NPCs and unpredictable events. The game’s humor is dark and absurd, reflecting Finnish culture and life’s unpredictability.
While the graphics are dated and the physics can be glitchy, the depth of gameplay, freedom of playstyles, and modding community enrich the experience. It is not for casual players but offers a deeply personal and memorable journey for those who appreciate its challenge and charm.
Highlights
Players praise the game's detailed and realistic car-building mechanics, which require assembling hundreds of parts by hand. The survival elements add tension and immersion, making every decision meaningful.
The atmospheric Finnish countryside setting and quirky NPCs contribute to a unique and memorable world.
Mod support and multiple playstyles enhance replayability and player engagement.
The dark humor and authentic depiction of rural life resonate strongly with fans, creating a one-of-a-kind experience.
Many players find the game addictive and rewarding despite its difficulty and quirks.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the steep learning curve and obtuse mechanics that can frustrate new players. The lack of tutorials and guidance often forces reliance on external guides.
Physics glitches and buggy vehicle handling occasionally disrupt gameplay.
The absence of autosave and permanent death mode can lead to significant progress loss, which some find punishing.
The dated graphics and clunky interface detract from immersion.
Some players find the grind and survival demands stressful rather than enjoyable.
Pros
- • Extremely detailed and realistic car-building system with hundreds of parts to assemble.
- • Immersive survival mechanics add depth and challenge to gameplay.
- • Unique Finnish countryside setting with atmospheric environments and memorable NPCs.
- • Dark, absurd humor that complements the game's tone and setting.
- • Freedom to play with or without mods to tailor difficulty and experience.
- • Highly rewarding for players who enjoy trial, error, and discovery.
- • Rich modding community providing quality-of-life improvements and content.
Cons
- • Steep learning curve and lack of tutorials frustrate new players.
- • Frequent physics glitches and buggy vehicle handling.
- • No autosave feature; permanent death mode can cause major progress loss.
- • Dated graphics and clunky user interface.
- • Survival mechanics and grind can feel stressful and tedious.
- • Occasional game crashes and bugs requiring restarts.
- • Slow-paced gameplay may not appeal to everyone.
Rating Criteria
My Summer Car is the ultimate car owning, building, fixing, tuning, maintenance AND permadeath life survival simulator. You start the game with hundreds of loose parts and assemble both car and engine.