Machine World 2
" Immersive indie simulation with detailed machines and sandbox freedom but clunky controls and bugs "
Machine World 2 Review
Machine World 2 is an ambitious sandbox simulation game that combines elements of vehicle operation, construction, and terrain deformation. Players appreciate the game's immersive open world, detailed machinery, and the freedom to build virtually anything. The game features a variety of vehicles including excavators, bulldozers, helicopters, boats, and trucks, each with realistic startup procedures and controls. The deformable terrain and extensive button interactions add depth to the gameplay. However, the game is currently in early access and shows signs of being unfinished, with frequent bugs, performance issues, and clunky controls reported by many users.
A major concern among players is the lack of ongoing development and communication from the developer, which has led to fears that the game may be abandoned. Despite the rough state and some frustrating mechanics, a segment of the community remains hopeful due to the game's potential and the developer's past engagement. Overall, Machine World 2 offers a unique experience but requires patience and tolerance for its current flaws.
Highlights
Players praise the immersive open world and realistic vehicle models, especially the excavator and bulldozer. The randomly generated worlds and deformable terrain mechanics are seen as standout features. The game’s detailed startup procedures for vehicles and the extensive button interactions add to the simulation depth. Fans of sandbox and simulation genres enjoy the freedom to build complex structures and experiment with various vehicles. The developer's initial transparency and patch responsiveness were also highlighted positively.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include poor optimization and frequent crashes, even on high-end PCs. Controls are often described as clunky, complicated, and unintuitive, especially for tracked vehicles and helicopters. Many players report game-breaking bugs such as vehicles glitching, disappearing, or behaving unrealistically. The lack of tutorials and unclear UI contribute to frustration. Most notably, the developer has been largely silent for years, leading to concerns that the game is abandoned and will not be completed or properly supported.
Pros
- • Immersive open world with randomly generated terrain every new game.
- • Detailed and realistic vehicle models with authentic startup procedures.
- • Extensive button interactions add depth to vehicle operations.
- • Freedom to build complex structures and customize environments.
- • Deformable terrain mechanics enhance the simulation experience.
- • Variety of vehicles including excavators, bulldozers, helicopters, boats.
- • Good initial developer transparency and responsiveness to bugs.
Cons
- • Game is in early access with many bugs and frequent crashes.
- • Developer has been largely silent and possibly abandoned the project.
- • Controls are clunky, overly complicated, and unintuitive.
- • Poor optimization causing low FPS even on high-end hardware.
- • Vehicles often behave unrealistically or glitch during operation.
- • Lack of tutorials and confusing user interface.
- • Long delays entering and exiting vehicles frustrate players.
Rating Criteria
Take control of a range of different machines and operate them in a unique environment. Each new game generates a new world, and it is yours to develop: Dig and build anything, anywhere! All machines have been carefully modelled down to small details.