Info
Developed By: weltenbauer. Software.
Published By: astragon Entertainment.
Platforms Available On: Xbox Series X/S and One, PS5/4 and PC.
Reviewed on Xbox Series X, a code for the base game and the Sany Pack DLC was very kindly supplied for the purpose of this review.
Overview
Construction Simulator Overview
Construction Simulator is back – bigger and better than ever! Get back to work with a vehicle fleet whose size will knock your socks off. Beyond brands like Caterpillar, CASE and BELL that are already familiar in the Construction Simulator series, you can get behind the wheel of new licensed machines from partners like DAF and Doosan – over 80 in total.
Build to your heart's content on two maps, inspired by landscapes in the USA and Germany.
Over 90 exciting tasks are waiting to be completed in both maps combined, so there's always something new to explore!
Each map has its own campaign through which you become the owner of your own construction company. As you start from scratch assisted by your mentor Hape, you get bigger and more interesting jobs to grow your company and expand your fleet. You'll also meet different clients that will challenge you. Tasks like renovating the harbor area to attract more tourists or helping the struggling inner city to recover will demand all your skills.
On the European map inspired by the idyllic cities of Southwest Germany, you'll find rolling hills and beautiful riversides. In Friedenberg your mission is to help design solutions for renewable energy and improve the city's infrastructure during the campaign. Aside from these larger jobs, you'll get assorted tasks to test out every bit of equipment that you earn. Take pride in your accomplishments as you ride through the city!
Of course, players can look forward to familiar brands and machines from previous installments of the franchise. All these officially licensed partners come with familiar machines and new ones – sporting improved looks: Atlas, BELL, Bobcat, Bomag, CASE, Caterpillar©, Kenworth, Liebherr, MAN, Mack Trucks, Meiller-Kipper, Palfinger, Still, and the Wirtgen Group.
In addition to the known license partners, players can enjoy a new selection: Benninghoven of the Wirtgen Group, Cifa, DAF, Doosan, Nooteboom, Scania, Schwing Stetter and Wacker Neuson. Enjoy officially licensed personal protection equipment for your player character with the new license partner Engelbert Strauss.
Look forward to over 80 machines from these license partners, all faithfully recreating their real-life counterparts. Not only can you grow your own construction empire, you can also invite up to three friends to join you. Coordinate and build together to finish contracts even more efficiently!
Sany Pack DLC Overview
Looking for new heavy construction machines to expand your company? Check out the SANY Pack with its 15 brand-new machines from the renowned Chinese manufacturer SANY covering different fields of application. Be prepared for any challenges that may arise on the construction site!
The SANY Pack includes the following machines:
STR130C-8S – Vibratory Asphalt Compactor
SSR120C-8 – Vibratory Single Drum Soil Compactor
SY305 – Medium Hydraulic Excavator
SY500H-Tier 4F – Large Hydraulic Excavator
SY155W – Wheeled Hydraulic Excavator
SYL956H5 – Wheel Loader
SMG200C – Motor Grader
SAP60C-8 – Asphalt Paver
SRT45 – Articulated Dump Truck
SAC1300T2 – Small Mobile Crane
SAC4500 – Large Mobile Crane
SCM2000C-8 – Cold Planer
SR155 – Rotary Drilling Rig
SY35U-Tier 4i – Compact Excavator
SFT100 – Tower Crane
Overview's of both main game and DLC were taken from the official Xbox marketplace store page.
Review
Base Game
Have you ever wanted to get down and dirty and build stuff, yeah me too!!. There's just something about those big yellow machines with some colossal machines that really gets you going. Now since I've been reviewing games I have been lucky enough to have covered alot of simulation games, some good and some no so good Construction Simulator definitely sits there amongst the best.
Introduce yourself into the big wide world of construction with probably one of the most in-depth simulators I have played. As you begin your journey you are mentored by seasoned professional Hape who acts a little bit like a tutorial and guides you through the relevant basics to get you on your feet, after you go through the first few missions it's time to breakaway and set up your own construction company and hopefully turn that into an empire you can be proud of.
The main game is split into two maps, USA and Germany with 90 missions between them there is definitely meat on those building bones. USA is more of a renovation project as you are tasked at rejuvenating the run down Harbour area to begin attracting tourists again, then Germany is all out renewable energy and improving the area's infrastructure, so really the game is quite current and relevant to what is going on in the real world which just adds to the overall realism of the game.
Thanks to the game being fully licensed all the big names in construction vehicles are here or you to utilise including MAN and Cat amongst a whole host of others. All the vehicles have been intricately recreated to resemble the real life counterparts and at times it's difficult to tell if you're playing a game or watching a video the next gen power helps the game look fantastic as with most simulators realism is the key as you are simulating an alternative life so it needs to feel real, put it this way I could almost feel the dirt in my fingernails after playing this.
Handling of the machines isn't easy and does take a bit of time tackle (much like real life) but it's definitely worth persevering with it as once you get the hang of the bigger machines life in the game becomes pretty easy. I found driving the trucks alot more easier to master and they handled pretty well again with a realistic edge to it but I did tend to struggle with the bigger machines at first, the big cranes became my sworn enemy for a while but it's all good now.
To say the game is in depth is an understatement, it's vast and the many different challenges and activities keep the interest fresh and enjoyable, even filling holes with concrete seems enjoyable, the game definitely gets under your skin after a while especially as you progress through the game and begin to unlock the bigger and better machinery.
It actually surprised me how the gameplay is pretty much like a story campaign, the way Hape talks you through the introduction phase sets the game up well to continue the story as you set up on your own. All in all I think this game is basically every man's dream - most of us as kids played with diggers and trucks and dreamed of operating them in real life - some may have (I'm a forklift driver in my day job so not too far away) The game just gives me nostalgia feels, I know that's probably not the purpose of the game but it hits that spot for me especially getting behind some of the industries mot iconic names.
Sany Pack DLC
This latest addition to the already colossal game brings another brand to the already rammed list of available vehicles this one being the slightly lesser known Chinese manufacturer Sany who brings 15 of their fleet of construction vehicles to the game covering the different aspects of construction that you will possibly require them for.
The pack doesn't add any additional challenges or specific tasks just adds the machinery to the game which in itself is good enough. There are a few different choices of machines to choose from under the Sany umbrella including a few more excavators and cranes along with possibly my favourite the articulated dump truck or the SRT-45 to give it it's proper name. Although the pack doesn't bring anything new to the table in terms of missions it does allow you to maybe redo the missions you may have done but with all new machinery, where you could find it more efficient this time around so maybe worth a try.
This is an introduction to me for the Sany brand and from the look itself I am quite impressed at how they look especially with the striking branding it really makes them stand out amongst the crowded pack.
Graphics and Sound
In terms of graphics as I already had an idea from the screenshots and trailers I've seen that I was going to be in for a treat and yeah I was definitely right, the graphic detail is impressive and really gives the player a realistic experience that you would want from a simulation. The character models are robotic and do look a little dated but don't let that take away from the overall beauty of the game it's very clear to see there are talented creative team involved in bringing this to life, as I previously said in the review the detailed is that refined I could nearly feel the dirt in my nails - great to do the hard work virtually so you can sit down and have a brew at the same time.
The soundtrack of the game is good, overall the music played gives a chilled vibe to the game which makes you feel more relaxed and makes the game more enjoyable. In game the voice acting is pretty good and sounds believable enough to make the game work but the strength of the sound comes from the machines, all have the distinctive sounds you would expect the machines to have and they all sound realistic giving the gamer the most authentic experience possible.
Summary
Time now then to put my thoughts into a summary, overall I felt I really enjoyed the game it gave me an authentic experience of construction work but allowed me to do it from the comfort of my sofa rather than in the cold - trust me it does get cold on sites at times. If you want an in-depth simulation experience with lots and I mean lots to do then this is definitely the one for you, it has it all an expansive game with a decent campaign thrown in, what more could you ask for?
The Sany Pack DLC brings enough to the table to warrant the purchase of the pack, it doesn't bring more to the overall gameplay in terms of missions or anything but the vehicles it does bring allows you to expand your fleet and explore different ways and styles of doing things.
Verdict-Out of 5 
EXCELLENT
I give Construction Simulator and The Sany Pack DLC an excellent 5 score, the game gave me everything I wanted in a simulator and more - playing about with big dump trucks and cranes I mean what more could you want? The Sany Pack DLC gave me an impressive look at the Chinese manufacturer and I will certainly be keeping an eye out for them. The game has the potential to keep growing and growing and long may it continue, definitely recommend picking this up pronto.
Grab your copy of Construction Simulator available now on Xbox click here , you can also find the Sany Pack DLC along with other available DLCs here
The game and DLC are also available on other platforms see above in the Info section for details.
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