Rover Mechanic Simulator (2020)

We live in a time where you can now play a simulator for everything and anything; power washing, goats and even construction . So to be able to stand out in the sea of simulators is no easy task. Rover Mechanic Simulator – as the title suggests – sees you working on various Mars Rovers, assembling, cleaning and fixing different vehicles so they are able to function again. Some simulators thrive and become instant classics while some silently whimper and become just another name on the list. Rover Mechanic Simulator, is the latter.

A niche appeal title, Rover Mechanic Simulator will feel like an entertaining and informative diversion to some but a waste of time to others. Representing a genre that's hit or miss on the Nintendo Switch, this title falls closer to the middle of the pack.

Its issues mean that Rover Mechanic Simulator is a middling experience. There’s a solid core to this game surrounding some impressive 3D rover models. It offers that methodical game play that accommodates gratifying ‘flow state’ sessions to really get engrossed in. It gets repetitive quickly though because of clunky controls, limited depth and a lack of personality.

An intriguing concept that falls flat thanks to a repetitive mission structure, a lack of rover variety, wonky controls, and nothing to keep players engaged. Enjoyable for an hour or so, but by then you've seen everything Rover Mechanic Simulator has to offer.

Rover Mechanic Simulator does have a theme that interests me and I really like the idea of fixing things like Mars rovers. Unfortunately, there are just too many aspects that turn that simplistic Zen gameplay into a chore.