Ok, I know I could technically be done, but I’m going to finish out the month since I still have a handful of really cool looking games already in my library that fit the project!
Developer: Turquoise Revival Games
Release Date: November 20, 2021
MSRP: $12.99
Some genres just seem to be especially attractive to indie developers, and it feels like [Mundane Activity] Simulator has been really gaining popularity over the past couple of years. If there’s something you think you might like to try your hand at, there’s probably a simulation game for it! Unfortunately, the playability of these simulation titles varies wildly, which is why you get a handful of breakout hits, and the rest kind seem to be pretty much doomed to obscurity.
I feel like Toy Tinker Simulator missed that spark of originality that tips this kind of game from niche to mainstream, but it definitely sticks the landing for playability. The gameplay loop of taking on the job, disassembling the toy, working on the individual parts, and then putting the whole thing back together is very chill. There is money (which is needed to buy supplies & equipment), and experience (which opens up more advanced jobs), but neither one matter very much. Once you have picked up a few pieces of equipment, which your start up cash will more than cover, most beginner toys only need a few dollars worth of supplies, and each job will pay far more than you’re spending.
In fact, Toy Tinker Simulator feels positively un-fail-able. If you like your simulation games challenging, this one won’t be at all satisfying. The game won’t allow you to make mistakes – a toy that has not been completely disassembled cannot leave the workbench. You can’t choose the wrong color paint or use the wrong tools. The game will give you the proper steps for each job you take on, and you won’t be able to deviate from those in any way.
While this makes playing a completely stress-free experience, it also disallows any sort of creativity. Maybe there will come a time in the game play loop where you’re required to use your best judgement, but it isn’t in the first hour or so of game play. This makes a game that while, not completely unsatisfying to play, isn’t particularly exciting either. I personally don’t mind this sort of simulator, but I can see how a lot of folks would find it tedious and boring.
I didn’t encounter anything that felt like a bug, and although the controls are a little floaty, no precision is ever required so it doesn’t actually matter. The sound effects are fine, but don’t really add anything to the experience, and I wasn’t impressed with the music. After my first short play session, I played without sound – this game would be a good candidate for something to keep your hands busy while listening to podcasts, audiobooks, or even watching a show on a second monitor. I didn’t fall madly in love with Toy Tinker Simulator, but I really can’t find much to complain about either.
SteamDB estimates that Toy Tinker Simulator has sold between 4,300 and 11,900 copies on Steam. Reviews are mixed, as many players wanted more realistic gameplay and a whole lot less tedium. It is ranked 6963 out of 10,967 games released in 2021.
Nerd Girl Thoughts 