RoadCraft, the latest title from the developers behind the popular Snowrunner, has recently launched on Steam. While initial press reviews have been largely positive, a significant portion of the player base has expressed strong disagreement, leading to a deeply divided community.
Within a day of its release, RoadCraft has garnered approximately 1,500 user reviews on Steam, resulting in a “Mixed” overall approval rating of 64%. This stark contrast to the generally favorable reviews from critics highlights the contentious nature of the game.
Here’s a glimpse into what players are saying about RoadCraft:
One player lamented the “bad physics of the machines,” describing a bulldozer bouncing unrealistically over logs and a lack of a sense of weight unless carrying a load. The user also criticized the “excessive casualization,” citing an example of palm leaves stopping a loaded dump truck.
In stark opposition, another player urged others to “perceive it as a different game,” arguing against direct comparisons to Snowrunner. This user suggested that developers shouldn’t be confined to creating games solely similar to their previous titles and that criticism would arise even if a direct sequel with minimal changes were released.
However, the negative sentiment is strong among some. One particularly disgruntled player described the game as “the worst thing that could have happened,” citing “poor control of all vehicles,” especially the crane, and a “most finished camera” (presumably meaning poorly implemented). This user went as far as to call the game a “slap in the face to the fans” and promptly refunded their pre-order.
Conversely, another player found the game “good” but acknowledged that it is “doomed to hate because of its predecessor – Snowrunner.” This user pointed out the differences, such as “colorful cars” and simplified physics without damage or fuel, arguing that these changes could be seen as benefits given the existing complexity of the game’s management aspects.
Drawing parallels to the less-well-received Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, one player felt that the developers had repeated past mistakes by making RoadCraft “too arcade, crooked and bad.” This user suggested that this second misstep might indicate a pattern and expressed hope for a better “third attempt.”
In conclusion, the player feedback on RoadCraft is highly polarized, indicating vastly different expectations among the audience. While some appreciate the new direction and gameplay mechanics, others find it a disappointing departure from the more hardcore simulation experience of Snowrunner. It’s clear that RoadCraft is not the gritty, challenging off-road simulation that some fans of the previous titles were anticipating. Developers should carefully consider this feedback as they move forward with potential updates and future projects.