BeamNG review on AutomobileMag.com

Earlier today, a review of BeamNG was posted to Automobile Magazine.com (a sister publication to Motor Trend, formerly an actual print magazine until Febuary of this year, now online-only).

The full article can be found here:
https://www.automobilemag.com/news/beamng-drive-video-game-review-crash-test/

From what I can tell, it seems fair - there is a bit of an odd assertion that BeamNG is not a racing game, with the implication that it's not intended to ever contain races (To be fair, they do recognize that it's still under development, but no mention is made of the few existing races currently available in the game).

Overall, it's about what I'd expect - it's similar to previous reviews of BeamNG in the gaming and automotive press (at least those that did not involve direct interviews with the dev team), and it really feels like it could genuinely have been written by someone who fired up BeamNG and played it for a few weeks before writing the article.

Anyway, it's always nice to see the game get showcased in the gaming motoring press - an audience that may not otherwise have been exposed to BeamNG.

 

skimed it, not very good IMO
"I believe the BeamNG developers' object is to sell the underlying simulation software to other industries"
no, its not. AFAIK

 

I mean, at least they said 'I believe'

It certainly has its factual shortcomings, such as the game's release date (the company's been around since at least 2011, game dropped August 2013, May 2015 was when it was added to Steam Greenlight). Compared with some of the articles I've seen, though, it comes across that the writer has done some homework, and probably owns and at least occasionally plays the game. It was also nice of them to acknowledge the modding community.

 

BeamNG.research???

 

it was a good article in my opinion

 

Honestly a really disappointing review. The game isnt just about crashing, but rather about simulating how vehicle components behave, etc.

 

The main issue is that BeamNG is severely lacking in traditional gameplay, the review even mentions it, describing how the game modes are few and far between ("Okay, yes, there are some vaguely game-like activities (scenarios in BeamNG-speak) that involve completing time trials or chasing down virtual bad guys. But the best way to enjoy the game, in my opinion, is to get out there and crash" - Right before "The Limit is Your Imagination" segment).

Because of the lack of substantial game modes, people only see BeamNG as a car crash game. BeamNG needs to step it up in the gameplay department if they want to dismiss the perception that BeamNG is exclusively a crash sim.

 

"BeamNG.Drive: It's All About Crashing"

No, it's not I just HATE people who think/say that...

 

This one i found in my recommended. Awesome review.

 

yeah this is, for me, the pinnacle of modern BeamNG reviews
very comprehensive and well done

 

The reasons beam is seen as just a crash sim are 2 main things
1 There isn't much of a "game" to it, the fair majority just smashes cars and takes screenshots. This is also how meshslaps get by, they just look nice in screenshots and make clickbaity YT vids
2 the previously mentioned clickbait YT crash videos, I feel there's more of these in popular circulation than say hot laps or modding streams. Both of which showcase the other aspects of BeamNG being its driving dynamics and modability, but its the supercar meshslap that gets the clicks.

 

This article is...alright. In my personal opinion this is evidence as to why journalists of any type shouldn't do articles on certain things. it kinda feels like they just went into the game and just crashed all the cars on every map, called it a day, and made the article, AKA they skimmed the surface. It definitely isn't something that people should look at when they're looking to buy the game; they're probably better off watching videos that actually showcase everything, or maybe just watching casual gameplay videos. But it is nice to see the game being recognized by a rather big media outlet.

 

Me too.

 

Thing is the game really is all about crashing for 99% of people, sure the driving physics that come with that are great and are able to compete with and in many areas outshine other driving games...

But solely as a driving game goes it really lacks even the basics that people want, eg: races, even basic race AI, large maps, licensed vehicles, objectives etc

Sure that may change with time but for now its basically a sandbox with some good handling cars that crash like no other game around.