The part repair minigame in Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 has sparked considerable discussion among players. Initially, reactions were mixed, especially when comparing it to the more straightforward repair system of Car Mechanic Simulator 2018. For players just starting out, the question often arises: is it even worth attempting to repair parts when in-game money is tight?
Understanding the Repair Minigame in CMS 2021
At first glance, the repair minigame can seem tedious. It involves a timing-based challenge where players must align a marker with highlighted segments. However, the full version of Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 introduces nuances that make it a more refined experience than earlier demos suggested. One key improvement is the addition of grey “neutral” spaces alongside the red “failure” and green “success” zones. Landing on a grey space results in a small money deduction, but avoids immediate part damage, offering a less punishing outcome than hitting red zones early on.
Furthermore, the skill tree plays a significant role in making part repairs more viable. Investing skill points into the repair skill unlocks higher tiers of parts for repair, including complex components like fuel injection rails at level 5. Crucially, it also increases the probability of fully repairing a part with a single successful attempt. This is a departure from the older system where repair skill simply increased a flat “chance to repair,” often leading to frustrating RNG outcomes. In Car Mechanic Simulator 2021, each successful green bar hit incrementally improves the part’s condition, or even fully restores it. Red zones are less devastating unless the part is already severely damaged. Anecdotal experience suggests that with a fully upgraded repair skill, success rates are noticeably better in CMS 2021 compared to CMS 2018, making the process more engaging and less reliant on luck.
New Parts vs. Repairing: The Economic Angle
However, the economic realities of Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 come into play. As players progress and skill up, in-game money becomes less of a constraint. By the time you’ve invested significantly in repair skills, you’ll likely have accumulated enough capital to simply purchase new parts. Buying new parts is undeniably faster and eliminates the risk of damaging components during repair attempts. For purely pragmatic gameplay, especially when aiming for efficiency, buying new parts becomes a viable and perhaps even preferable option.
Despite this, repairing parts retains appeal for certain playstyles. Players aiming for a more immersive, role-playing experience might prefer to salvage and restore as much as possible from barn finds and junkyard discoveries. Repairing salvaged parts can be viewed as a way to add depth and a sense of accomplishment to restoring classic cars, even if it’s not the most economically efficient path. From a purely in-game mechanics perspective, opting for new parts over repaired ones primarily translates to higher expenses, with no other discernible gameplay disadvantages observed.
Beyond Repairing: Tire Balancing and Brake Lathe
Interestingly, Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 introduces minigames for wheel balancing, which, once mastered, can significantly speed up the tire fitting process compared to the automatic system in CMS 2018. This interactive element keeps players engaged during tasks that were previously passive waiting periods. Conversely, the game retains an “automatic repair” feature in the form of the brake lathe. This tool functions autonomously, similar to the tire balancer in CMS 2018, allowing for brake disc resurfacing without any minigame interaction. This inconsistency in design choices highlights the developers’ experimentation with different levels of player engagement across various repair tasks.
Conclusion: To Repair or Not to Repair?
In conclusion, while the repair minigame in Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 has seen improvements making it less frustrating and more skill-based, its practical necessity diminishes as players accumulate in-game wealth. For players struggling with money early on, mastering the repair minigame can be a useful skill to save funds. However, as the game progresses, the economic incentive to repair parts lessens, making the purchase of new parts a more straightforward and time-efficient approach. Ultimately, the decision to repair or replace parts in Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 depends on individual playstyle, economic considerations, and the desired level of immersion. Perhaps an option to toggle the repair minigame on or off, reverting to the CMS 2018 system for those who prefer it, would cater to a wider range of player preferences.
