Roadcraft review: A fun outing in the sandbox for all ages

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Roadcraft, the newest installment from Saber Interactive in the “drive through mud to rebuild or destroy” simulation genre, will resonate strongly with fans of MudRunner and SnowRunner due to its similarities. Yet, Roadcraft proudly carves out its unique niche by presenting a novel perspective on each situation while making it more accessible for beginners. Players can indulge in their childhood dreams of operating their favorite toy construction vehicles in an engaging, occasionally challenging, yet consistently enjoyable simulator experience.

A sandbox with purpose

In the game Roadcraft, you assume the role of a restoration company, but not one that handles everyday cleanups like flooded basements or fire-ravaged homes. Instead, your work involves restoring areas on a colossal scale. Catastrophic weather events have left entire regions in ruins, and it’s your responsibility, along with your ever-growing fleet of heavy-duty equipment, to rebuild them. As you progress through tasks and acquire more sophisticated tools, you’ll navigate a breathtakingly beautiful and dynamic environment.

Weather phenomena such as rainfall and windstorms serve more than a decorative purpose – they shape the landscape in substantial ways. For instance, roads can turn muddy during storms, making them difficult to navigate, sometimes necessitating reinforcement of routes or finding alternative paths. These elements do not just make the game more immersive; they introduce complexity and challenges into the gameplay experience.

You’re responsible for more than just fixing roads or planning for extreme weather conditions; you’re tasked with constructing comprehensive transportation systems. This encompasses designing transit routes connecting significant locations on the map, which AI-controlled convoys use to transport goods. The efficiency of these convoys depends on your strategic route planning – sending them through treacherous terrain like steep hills or muddy paths could lead to delays or even gridlock, necessitating revisions to the routes. Frequently, this means physically constructing and upgrading roads using a series of vehicles and tools: spreading sand, leveling with a bulldozer, applying asphalt, and compacting it into a durable road surface. Although labor-intensive, there are automation options available to minimize repetition.

Initially, Roadcraft offers seven distinct maps covering over 28 square kilometers at its debut. These maps are categorized into three different landscapes – forests and mountains, deserts, and highlands. Each landscape presents unique environmental hurdles. There are over 40 vehicles to choose from, and the game supports cooperative play across various platforms with up to three friends. This collaborative feature is beneficial as many tasks are optimized with synchronized actions. The absence of AI support can make single-player mode more laborious without teamwork.

The right tool for the right job

As your collection grows, adding vehicles to your garage becomes a significant step forward. Initially, you start with a handful of run-down automobiles, enough for basic transportation. Successfully completing tasks brings you earnings to buy advanced and specialized models. You can aesthetically modify these vehicles, but they’ll quickly get dirty or muddy once put into action.

The visual impact of mud and grime is awe-inspiring, and each vehicle boasts an impressive level of detail, both externally and internally. The cockpit perspectives provide an engaging experience, featuring sharp textures, dangling keys, and functional windshield wipers. However, the third-person pursuit camera remains the most convenient option, enabling better surveillance of your vehicle and work site.

In the long run, your fleet will encompass a variety of vehicles, ranging from swift reconnaissance models for navigation planning, to robust freight transporters, cable layers, and cranes. The controls are user-friendly and standardized across all vehicles, featuring options like all-terrain drive, differential lock, and low gear settings. Roadcraft is compatible with multiple steering wheels, but I personally prefer using a game controller or mouse and keyboard – particularly for camera adjustments.

The gameplay offers a flexible approach, allowing for some leeway in positioning items or equipment. Aiming to hit the mark just about right rather than needing pixel-perfect accuracy is satisfactory. Some traditionalists might argue it’s too lenient, but its forgiving nature makes the game more inclusive and minimizes unnecessary annoyance.

The major hurdle might not be building – it’s moving the construction materials. Given the landscape has been devastated by calamities, you’ll encounter washed-away roads, collapsed bridges, and obstructed paths. Picking the right vehicle is essential, but careful navigation is still needed. I’ve found myself stuck in a sandy road during storms or stranded on slippery rocks more than once. Fortunately, the game offers a recovery feature that allows you to teleport stalled vehicles back to a base or mobile station when this happens.

Regardless of the occasional glitches, the fun of cruising around and testing out the diverse vehicles never waned, largely due to Saber Interactive’s expertise and the robust physics engine powering the whole experience.

It’s not all smooth driving

Although Roadcraft offers several beneficial aspects, it does have some areas needing improvement. The main problem that stands out is the overabundance of guidance. No matter how much time I invest in the game, I keep getting prompts about navigation, road construction, and releasing the parking brake. Initially, these tips are useful, but they soon become annoying. A more intelligent tip system that adjusts to a player’s progress would significantly enhance the experience.

A major issue arises with the system for managing routes, particularly in relation to AI convoys. Although planning these paths is a fundamental aspect of gameplay, adjusting them can be clumsy. You can only modify a route once an AI convoy fails, and if you want to make even a minor change otherwise, you have to erase the entire route and start over. This proved particularly aggravating when previously usable routes became inaccessible during unfavorable weather conditions.

Roadcraft visually stands out. I added the free 4K DLC and was amazed by the detailed vehicle designs and landscapes. The weather effects are captivating, with rain accurately streaming across windshields (that’s a tip for Flight Simulator), and tire tracks providing both visual appeal and information about the terrain’s condition. A cinematic camera mode adds to the enjoyment, particularly when observing AI convoys or automated construction in action.

As time goes on, it’s yet to be determined if the primary gameplay mechanic – repairing roads, constructing bridges, removing debris – will continue to feel new and exciting. However, Roadcraft offers players flexibility in how they approach each mission, allowing them to either force a path using a crane truck or take a stealthy approach with a scout vehicle and winch. Ultimately, the decision is up to you.

Start your engines

Roadcraft provides an exhilarating sense of playing in a vast sandpit as an adult, equipped with advanced machinery. You leap among huge machines, transport materials, smooth out highways, and rebuild chaos into order – all incredibly gratifying. After overcoming some user interface issues and minor inconveniences, Roadcraft delivers countless hours of enjoyable, mud-filled entertainment. Invite a couple of friends, and the enjoyment multiplies.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a bulldozer stuck in the mud that needs rescuing. 

The content of this review pertains to the Steam PC version, which I received as a complimentary review copy from the publisher. Roadcraft will be available for purchase on May 20th, and can be played on PC, Xbox Series S/X, and PlayStation 5 platforms.

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2025-05-19 18:58