New version of the simulator!

[Bad Aim]

Ok, I almost never ask for certain games to be made X way. I did that once and weirdly enough, the devs put almost all my my suggestions into the game. The end result was a game that was so complex and so boring that I vowed to never make recommendations again!

That being said, I think this one recommendation would make for a very interesting game. Let's take Car Mechanic Simulator and combine it with a game like Need for Speed: Underground. A game where you can work on your own car, mod it, up grade it. You can also go out and street race. And as you explore the city you are in, you find new cars and are able to mod or upgrade them as well.

As for progression, the player would have the option. Do they want to race for money or do they want to be the mechanic every racer goes to to get their ride fixed up and/or modified?

The only down side I have ever had to Car Mechanic simulator is the race track always feels clunky to me. The car doesn't respond like it should. But, I also like to play Need for Speed and other street racing sims. So, my benchmark is set pretty high.

What do you all think?

Roll out!

[Grimmslayer73]

I've made this suggestion before too. A little CMS level of detail in those racing games where upgrading your car is nothing more than drag and drop engines and tires over the right box.... I mean, CMS would make the perfect safe house those games are lacking. Unfortunately, no one seemed to be interested.

[Mardoin69]

Yeah, it's been suggested a lot... even by me. But, what you're talking about is basically...
You mean like this;

https://store.steampowered.com/app/497180/Street_Legal_Racing_Redline_v231/

Or, this;

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1588090/Rally_Mechanic_Simulator/

So, this has already been done and may not be in the Devs wheelhouse / desire for CMS. Ofc, just cuz it's been done doesn't mean they couldn't do it too... I mean, look how many times they've already re-made this game, lol.

Edit: Also, driving physics / controls in this series are lacking quite a bit... especially on default settings for controls. It's not near as bad in this version of CMS as compared to the previous (2018) where I had to turn steering sensitivity down to 40%. But, point is... with a little fine tuning of controls, car suspension stiffness, downforce, gearing, and tire selections... the game drives OK. Ofc, like you said... your expectations are kind of high since you're comparing to games that were made strictly FOR racing.

[astrofelix59]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/936720/Wrench/

This is another option, primarily VR, much more detailed in the build process, limited cars...

As above the driving in CMS leaves a bit to be desired but when you drill down into it, it is quite nuanced, picking the right car, tuning, tires, gear ratio's and making small changes to wheel ET and profile can make a big difference.
Then there is making configs for the workshop that can fine tune them even further.
One set up won't suit all tracks, I find making variants specific to each track get the best results and remember to compare cars of a similar class and style for a more compelling experience.
Hopefully the next iteration will make some improvements to the driving model and the audio but I won't be expecting any kind of multiplayer.