Does anyone actually use vehicles?

[Anker]

Title. I am excluding the cargo cart everyone *should* be using, because it's more a utility item and slower then walking around, and therefore doesn't really count.

Does anyone use forklifts? It's like the Cargo Cart, but without much better storage space, and you can't put it in your inventory, and it's slow to drive and turn.

Does anyone use security carts? They're like forklifts, but they have 4 seats (useless in singleplayer), have far fewer inventory slots, and are very slow to turn and especially to turn around. They *can* go faster then sprinting on straights... But I feel like the twists and turns of most areas eats into that a lot. One of these days I might actually time just running from one point to the other, then traveling the same distance by cart, to see if it actually helped at all...

[Flak Monkey]

Ever since I unlocked platform cart in early game I never went anywhere without it. Now use forklift all the time.

[甘粕正彦]

Cars are no longer used as teleporters leave them behind.

[Anker]

Originally posted by Flak Monkey:

Ever since I unlocked platform cart in early game I never went anywhere without it. Now use forklift all the time.

The downsides of forklift are obvious: Can't go in inventory, stuck wherever you put it. What are the upsides? I'll hop in game and take a look.

[Kai]

If you use high DPI mouse, those carts accelerates the camera movements like crazy.

[burger boy]

i use the office chairs if those count..........
( good fun ).

[Anker]

I'm minded to set up a race with signs as starting and finish lines... But I'd rather wait until my base renovations are done. Which requires waiting for the patchfix that means everything new is coming out broken.

[Anker]

Originally posted by burger boy:

i use the office chairs if those count..........
( good fun ).

They also don't really count as vehicles, but they are fun- And better then putting a bed by your rechargers or ovens as you wait.

[BIG LOU]

My friend likes it, but I don't. There's plenty of roads you can unlock so if you haven't found the right shortcuts it might feel even less useful. Reminds me of the horses in Breath of the Wild, seemed like half of players would either enjoy using them or not at all.

[Anker]

I can't presently be bothered to try to take a video right now, so I'll just put up the signs, grab the vehicles, and record the results in text.

[Anker]

Driving the forklift back to the start of our 'track' shows they might have stealth patched it or something because it's a lot better then last I tried it. Okay, go!

Default: No armor, max sprint speed, no stamina buffs or debuffs time: 53.69 seconds from the cafeteria to the forge. (I could have just taken the tram, but you know, we're doing science here.)

[Anker]

Coming in with a cargo capacity of 4 rows deep and the usual amount of columns long, the Forklift had a respectable time of 59.36. It struggled a little at high speed, tipping over a few times, but it didn't slow it down enough to not be extremely comparible to just sprinting over.

[Anker]

As a bonus, let's compare the Platform Cart. Coming in with 3 rows of space compared to the forklift's 4, it still has a place when it comes to item transform, since it can be placed in your inventory and carried around freely.

Speed-wise, though, it's no contest: This thing is slow. Clocking in at 1:39:57, this thing took half-again as long to reach the finish line as the forklift.

So, what should you do? Well, assuming you don't have the rebar to spam vehicle ramps across the facility- And I certainly don't- I would keep the cart in the forklift, and drive the forklift anywhere it can fit. Once you hit an area with stairs, though- And you will, as that's most of the facility- It's time to get out and push. Platform carts glide up and down stairs with ease. Stronger together! Once your forklift is loaded, then it's time to drive it home.

[Anker]

Finally, we have the Gate Security Cart. With 3 rows of storage, it matches the Platform cart, and has four seats- Designed primarily for transportation. Unfortunately, it's ability to turn is just atrocious. It gives vehicles a bad name. But, will it make up for it with its top speed? Let's find out...

Even with it's handling at low speed being complete garbage, it's still sufficiently fast enough to take most turns on our test track without crashing into anything or slowing down. Accordingly, it hit a time of 50.91 seconds. Not exactly great that it just barely manages to almost keep pace with a scientist sprinting around, but better then the forklift, at least? A little?

[Anker]

Let's tally our results!

* Scientist
Time: 53.69 seconds.
Cargo Capacity: Varies, from 2 rows to 5 rows, plus hotbar.

* Forklift
Time: 59.36
Cargo Capacity: 4 rows

* Platform Cart
Time: 1:39:57
Cargo Capacity: 3 rows
Bonus: Fits into any other vehicle
* Security Cart
Time: 50.91 seconds
Cargo Capacity: 3 rows
Bonus: Holds 4 scientists

Our conclusions: The fastest option for getting around, assuming you have absolutely no stairs to take as a faster, more-direct path, is the Gate Security Cart. If you do encounter any stairs along your route, just sprinting is assuredly faster unless you're loaded down with worn armor or full pockets.

Best Times!
First Place: Gate Security Cart
Second Place: Sprinting
Third Place: Forklift
Fourth Place: Platform Cart

Best Cargo Capacity:

N/A: Scientist. Could place last, or first, depending on progression and backpack size.
First Place: Forklift - 4 rows
Tied for second place: Gate Security Cart and Platform Cart, 3 Rows.

[Anker]

Bonus round: Since our test track is right next to the tram, let's see how long it takes to get from the starting line to the finish line by a combination of sprinting and tram use.

The Tram: 53.58 seconds.

...That's... That's no different from just sprinting the whole way. C'mon, Tram, get it together. On the plus side, the tram has a storage capacity of 3 rows, same as the platform cart and security cart.