Manic Mechanics invites players on an exhilarating journey to mend the vehicles of Octane Isle’s townsfolk and reach the summit of Mt. Wrenchmore. So, don your overalls and grab your spanners – it’s time to dive into the mechanical adventure!
Manic Mechanics, developed by 4J Studios, is a delightful addition to the casual gaming world, providing players with a fun and engaging experience that taps into their inner mechanics. Released in July 2023 on Nintendo Switch, Manic Mechanics may not be a brand-new title, but its availability on various platforms allows a broader audience to enjoy its high-paced fun and unique gameplay.
Manic Mechanics storyline isn’t something that will blow up your engine, but it serves as a backdrop to the game’s events. Players find themselves on Octane Isle, tasked with repairing the vehicles of the island’s inhabitants. First, you’ll meet Betty, who will help you get started. You’ll have to progress through 5 different neighborhoods with five unique garages.
Players must conquer “boss levels” in each neighborhood to prove they’re worthy of being the competition for the other mechanics on the island. Oh, and there have also been some strange occurrences on Octane Isle. Will you be able to solve the mystery?
Manic Mechanics, at first glance, looks a lot like Overcooked. But gameplay and controls change that up and make the game stand out. Manic Mechanics offers solo play, couch co-op, online co-op, and versus modes; you can choose your character. Each character even has a little bio for you to read. To begin with, there are 15 characters available to play. Additional characters unlock as you progress through the game by earning cogs- the Manic Mechanics version of stars or getting certain achievements.
The tutorial is very simple and straightforward. Betty, the first mechanic you meet, will show you around and explain what the different workstations do. You’ll learn to inflate tires, fix an engine, and spray paint a door. Don’t get too comfortable, though; new vehicle parts will be added to the workstations as you get further in the game.
Manic Mechanics levels appear on a map; each is a garage, and you drive there to enter the workshop. It’s more interactive than just selecting a level from a list. The first few levels draw you in and make you think, “Wow, this is pretty easy”, but you’ll soon realize you are mistaken.
Each garage you enter has a different layout you’ll need to familiarize yourself with. The different workstations will be in a new location each time, even though the controls can sometimes be slightly sensitive.
It’s worth getting it right as it decreases the build time for each component, improving your efficiency and allowing you to get through more vehicles. A feature I liked and thought was a nice touch was the option to change your control layout. That’s not something you’d usually expect from a smaller game.
Another aspect of Manic Mechanics I appreciated was that they didn’t overcomplicate the workstations. Each station was color-coded, making finding the station you were looking for easier. Once I knew where everything was situated on the level, finding the best route to streamline the building process was much simpler.
However, Manic Mechanics doesn’t make everything easy. Just as you think you have mastered the builds, the game throws something new at you. As the levels get more difficult, you’ll face different hazards and obstacles.
You may slip on an oil spill or run over by a horse and carriage while carrying a freshly spray-painted car door. The platforms and the floors themselves can move at a moment’s notice. I’ll admit I fell into a lava pit or caught on fire several times.
Finding a rhythm that suits you at each level is important in Manic Mechanics. The fast-paced nature of the game means that you have to constantly be on your toes. If you stutter for even a moment too long, you will lose time, and that could be the difference between passing or failing the level. The longer you play, though, the more confident you will become around the levels.
Looking for some car parts? Well, they travel around the stage on a conveyor belt, and you’ll have to move swiftly at times to grab the part you want before it disappears from where it came. There is also a chance for you to get your hands on a premium car part. These parts are already repaired and are worth more when fitted to the vehicles. To help you reach the part you want faster, you can do a quick dash to give yourself a small speed boost to assist you with that.
A fun thing to do in the game was learn to throw parts across the garage. It’s a great way to increase your efficiency. I experienced so much satisfaction when launching a fixed part directly into the car I was repairing at the last minute to gain that final cog and complete the level.
Though there were a couple of times when I got stuck, either by falling off stairs and getting wedged there or by getting myself stuck in a car, I didn’t know the latter was possible until I played a level on Banshee Bay where you can become a ghost for a short period. I walked into a car and could not get out as I became solid again.
Unfortunately, I could only fix that problem by restarting the level. It would be nice to have a reset button in case something like that happens, but it does not happen enough for it to be a huge issue.
The game took me around six and a half hours to complete, and it flew by. Every time I told myself this was the last level I would play before taking a break, I played another level and another. Before I knew it, I was on the final level, and the credits were rolling.
Where Manic Mechanics lives up to its name, though, is the co-op mode. It was organized chaos, but it was incredibly fun organized chaos. I found that it takes a lot of communication to determine what each player will work on. Without communication and teamwork, you end up running around like a headless chicken, which was one of the best parts because it caused many laughs between my friends and me. Getting the right movement and not running into each other constantly takes some concentration.
Manic Mechanics doesn’t have a real grind to it. You just require a certain number of cogs to take on the boss levels, and there are a few extra cogs dotted around the map for you to get a hold of, which will help your cause. However, if you’re like me, you’ll want to go back to the levels you didn’t get a perfect score on and grind away until you do.
The game looks very vibrant and well-designed. The characters in Manic Mechanics are a bit childlike, though they contribute well to the game’s overall charm and aesthetic. Each level is thought out and designed well. You don’t feel like you are seeing the same level repeatedly; it’s fresh and exciting every time you enter a new stage.
The music in the game is very country, with the banjo being the main instrument. Each workstation has its unique noise and sound effects. You’ll also hear different sounds for fitting a part or completing a vehicle. As the timer counts down and nears the end, the tempo of the music increases, adding to that sense of urgency—a clever touch that adds to the game’s dynamic feel. The dialog of the different characters is just speech boxes, with a little bit of talking noises added on top of that.
There are times when you just want to sit back and enjoy a casual game, either by yourself or with friends, and that’s where Manic Mechanics fits in. Though not an offering new to the simulation or casual game genres, it is a delight to play. It’s a well-rounded game with very few issues or bugs and runs smoothly.
The solo mode was enjoyable enough for me to get lost in the game for the few hours I played. Co-op makes for a fun party game. It provides a lot of entertainment and light-hearted fun but is still challenging enough to keep players’ attention.
After finishing all the stages, I wanted to redo levels I hadn’t received three cogs in. There are still enough reasons to jump back on to Manic Mechanics and grind those garages, even if it’s just for my bragging rights. So, if you’re having friends this weekend or just want some chaotic fun, why don’t you release your inner grease monkey and take on the challenges at Octane Isle?
