Showing posts with label Simulation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Simulation. Show all posts

27 Sept 2025

REVIEW: Car Driving School Simulator (2025 Video Game) - On PC (Steam)

Car Driving School Simulator

Review by Jon Donnis

Car Driving School Simulator from BoomBit manages to strike a pretty decent balance between education and entertainment. On paper, a game that asks you to follow traffic rules sounds like it could be dry, even tedious. In practice, it's surprisingly engaging. The eight environments are impressively detailed, each offering its own quirks and challenges. From sunny Californian streets to snowy Aspen roads, and the busy avenues of New York, Tokyo, and Las Vegas, the variety keeps the experience fresh.


The game's vehicle roster is a definite highlight. Thirty cars range from everyday sedans and rugged 4x4s to muscle cars and even a supercar, giving players plenty of options to suit different missions or moods, driving with a trailer presents a definitive challenge. Handling feels solid across the board, and the optional first-person mode puts you firmly in the driver's seat, however its basically unplayable in my opinion, and doesn't really work, back to the old behind the car viewpoint for me. Traffic and pedestrian AI add another layer of tension, though it can be inconsistent. Sometimes it feels like everyone else is bending or outright ignoring the rules, which can be frustrating but also a little amusing once you get the hang of it.


Dynamic weather changes are another touch that keeps driving from feeling repetitive. Rain or snow can drastically alter handling, forcing you to adjust your approach rather than just barreling down the same streets mindlessly, remember to put your wipers on, or turn them off if needed, or else it will be marked against you. Free roam mode is a welcome addition for anyone who just wants to explore the maps at their own pace, offering a more relaxed counterpoint to the structured lessons and challenges.


On the downside, the AI's unpredictability can be jarring, especially when a pedestrian or car behaves erratically. It is arguably part of the challenge, but it occasionally feels unfair. The lack of UK-specific levels is also noticeable, particularly for players used to left-hand driving.


Car Driving School Simulator delivers a solid, fun experience that stands out in the driving sim genre. The balance of challenge, variety, and accessibility makes it appealing to both casual players and those seeking a bit more structure. It's not perfect, but there's enough thought and polish here to make it a satisfying drive.

I would give Car Driving School Simulator a 7.5 out of 10. With expanded content or additional maps, it could easily become a staple for fans of driving sims.

Out Now on Steam


14 Aug 2025

REVIEW: Recharge (2025 Video Game) - Early Access Release on PC

Recharge

Review by Jon Donnis

Recharge drops you straight into the world of RC racing, but not the kind you remember from toy shop shelves. This is a sim-cade experience that blends the precision and realism of simulation with the immediate fun of arcade racing. The cars don't just look like their real-world counterparts, they behave like them too. Every twitch of the steering, every bump of the suspension and every bit of tyre grip is dictated by physics that make these tiny machines feel alive on the track. It's all wrapped in a visual package that's surprisingly striking for a game about cars you could pick up with one hand.


From the moment you line up on the grid, the presentation pulls you in. The graphics are sharp and detailed, from the shine of the paintwork to the spray of gravel under the wheels. The audio is spot-on too, with the high-pitched whir of electric motors and the crunch of tyres on different surfaces. You can pick your camera angle to suit your style, whether that's the classic behind-the-car view or a front-facing angle that ramps up the difficulty. A cinematic drone view is available for those who want to admire the action, though most racers will probably stick to something more practical when chasing lap times.

The game's current content is split between single-player racing and online multiplayer for up to 12 players. The multiplayer side should benefit from cross-platform play, meaning you can test your skills against racers no matter what system they're on, but for now you can stick with PC gamers since this is early access. The track list mixes professionally designed circuits that demand precision with more casual layouts that let you just enjoy the flow of driving. RC controller support is a smart addition, letting enthusiasts bring their own gear for an authentic feel, but traditional controllers still work well, even if some fine-tuning of the button mapping is still needed.


Customisation is another highlight, giving you a wide range of cosmetic and performance tweaks to make your RC car your own. Whether you're just adding a custom paint job or tuning the car for maximum speed and grip, there's enough depth here to make your build feel personal.

It's not without its early access rough edges. The menu system needs attention, particularly the lack of an option to turn off motion blur, which can be unpleasant for players sensitive to it. (The option is there, but wont save it) A few bugs crop up here and there, though nothing game-breaking, and controller settings still need a bit more refinement to feel fully dialled in.

The roadmap for the game is ambitious. Split-screen racing, custom track creation, drift modes, open-world areas to explore, car damage, pit stops and even combat racing are all promised for future updates. If the developers can deliver on that, Recharge could evolve into a uniquely deep RC racing experience that appeals to both casual players and hardcore hobbyists.


Right now, it's a fun, well-presented racer that already captures the essence of RC competition. The word that comes to mind is potential. As it stands, Recharge is an enjoyable, good-looking game that feels satisfying to control. Given what's on the horizon, it could well become the go-to title for anyone who's ever dreamed of mastering the perfect lap in miniature.

Out Now on Early Access on Steam