MasterBata

This is a nice 20-25 hour RPG game. While it is limited in terms of number of skills and items, it all seems to be quite well balanced. Everything seems to be just about right. Not too many side quests, not too few either. Enemies are powerful enough to give you some challenge all the way throughout gameplay, but are not overpowering. I just wish there were some good items to be gained from questing and monster killing. Because all the good stuff (well most of it) can be easily crafted. To be honest, this game is nothing special. But for some reason, it made me want to complete all the side and main quests. Which I can't say about any recent AAA titles...

Good idea, poorly executed. This game is not the first of it's kind. The idea is quite similar to Street Rod for Amiga and PC in late 80's and also (or more so) Gearhead Garage released 15 years ago - you repair cars to earn money and get new jobs. Problem is that the game is very shallow. It could have been much more, but it looks like the developer decided to rush the release without thinking through all the mechanics. Examples: - test drive is absolutely useless. All it does is reveal upon completion the condition of some parts by coloring them appropriately. Unfortunately the condition of the car does not influence the behavior during driving. Whether it's got no brakes, or is tuned over 450hp, it will drive exactly the same. - money you earn on the jobs (and earning is extremely easy) buys you... nothing. Only thing you can buy is a set of new skills, which in turn will earn you more money that you can invest in skills... yeah, that's really innovative. Actually you don't need to invest in ANY skills to progress. You automatically receive new and better workshops after completing around 20 jobs on each level, there is no workshop management, upkeep etc. - there is only one tool you use to work on the car. You can buy a skill to improve its speed, but it is not essential - interface needs keyboard shortcuts, it is a pain to right click into menu every time I need to change work mode - part set is very limited. Actually every single car layout is the same, all i4, v6 motors are exactly the same, using the same parts. - at the beginning you can apply for a loan. Doing so will give you additional $5000, and it looks like you never have to pay it back. Actually I don't think you can, there is no option to do so. Overall the game gets a 3 from me. There is no sense of progression, no pressure at all to keep the garage running - just tedious grind with no reward. Driving is useless, at least in Hot Rod that was released 25 years ago you could race the cars you built!

This game is absolutely awesome! I missed the old days of solid, good RPG's that do not focus entirely on graphics. Well this is it! Excellent story, very well written (and I mean it, it's not something usual these days). Combat is challenging from the start, and the level is kept throughout the game. Only thing I don't like is the item variety but at least there are no balance issues.