Relaxation and junkyard hunting? Sounds like a winning combination!
Storage Hunter Simulator on Steam offers just that - an addictive experience ideal for casual players. If you own a Steam Deck, you can play it anywhere as the game works fantastically on the handheld console!
In this “simulation,” you become a junkyard hunter who bids on abandoned warehouses and storage units. The goal is to find valuable items hidden among piles of old stuff. Buy and flip is the motto of this game, and for everyone who watches “Salvage Hunters” on TV, this is a perfect match (even though it’s not as glamorous as it is portrayed on TV). The relaxed atmosphere and simple mechanics make the game perfect for unwinding.
How to play?
First of all, I must emphasize that the game is phenomenal to play on the Steam Deck, and that’s how I played it most of the time, in my armchair. I must admit that it was one of the more fun games I’ve played on my Steam Deck. Of course, it’s not perfect and has its issues, and it definitely takes a little time to get used to the controls, but after half an hour of playing, things start to “flow.”
Before each auction, peek into the storage unit and assess its contents. Is it just a pile of junk or is something valuable hidden inside? That’s where your observation skills come into play!
After you assess the value, bid against other hunters. The winner gets the contents of the storage unit. The bidding mechanics are simple, and it’s quite hard to lose a bid (which is realistically a downside in the normal mode of the game).
And then - exploration! Dig through boxes and discover hidden items. You can find all sorts of things, from old gramophones to rare artworks. Honestly, the most fun part of the entire mechanic for me personally was repairing items that can be fixed (like furniture and electronics) and going to specialized shops to sell those items (sometimes for multiple times their price).
[modula id="2985"]The game is not just about searching for valuable items. You have to organize, clean, drive, refuel the car, and then sell them in your shop. What is quite a frustrating experience in all of this is loading items into your pickup truck. You have to click on each item, walk to the car, and then turn (or jump) endlessly to manage to place each item in the ideal spot in the truck to fit as much as possible in the trunk. It's really not easy, especially without everything toppling over during loading. The reality is that it always tips over, almost everything, and then you find yourself mumbling and grumbling about your inability to play this game of Tetris.
I also have to emphasize that the game at this moment doesn't have any excessive risk built in because I managed to turn almost every unit's auction into profit, so the game doesn't really pose much of a challenge in the simple mode. But... Fear not! If you're looking for a challenge, then "hard mode" is made just for you. Hard mode is a special beast, and that's where things get damn interesting, and indeed difficult. Personally, I got frustrated a few times because I reached the junkyard, burned fuel, and ended up in the negative. But if you're someone who enjoys these challenges and knows how to plan well, then you can find a challenge for yourself here because hard mode recently received an update, making it even more refined and improved (read: it became harder).
The game definitely needs more pampering and love to reach that level of polish and mechanics that would eliminate minor frustrations, and I hope that will happen soon. The developers are constantly releasing new updates and fixes for the game itself, and since the game is in early access mode - a lot can be forgiven.
Visual and Audio Experience
The graphics are simple but functional. Nothing overly impressive, but it's good enough for a game at this stage of development. The warehouses are a bunch of containers or garage spaces that are somewhat visually acceptable, and the sounds contribute to the light atmosphere quite well. The point of this game is not in top-notch graphics, but in the setting and mechanics. What might be better is the audio impression; the music is quite “chill,” and sometimes I felt like I was playing Sims 2, which can be good for some. It had a relaxing effect on me.
The downside of this game is the limiting interaction and gameplay that can become repetitive very quickly if you don't set your own goals that will personally intrigue you and push you “further.”
What do players say?
I browsed through comments online, and more or less, other players are satisfied with the game at this stage of its development. Which doesn't surprise me too much; personally, the game is really fun and made for brainless junkyard hunting after a long day. I didn't even notice that four hours had passed since I first started the game. Not even every subsequent time. The moment I unlocked my own shop, the game became even more enjoyable.
On the Steam page for the game, the comments are also mostly positive. In fact, the game currently has a “very positive” rating - which is an excellent indicator since community ratings on Steam quickly prove to be the most accurate measure of game quality. Players praise the relaxing gameplay, addictive mechanics, and the ability to play on the Steam Deck. This is roughly what I have noticed myself.
Here are some comments:
- "I love this game! It's perfect for relaxing."
- "The graphics are simple, but the atmosphere is great."
- "It's awesome that I can play on the Steam Deck."
So, players appreciate Storage Hunter Simulator for its simplicity, addictiveness, and relaxing atmosphere.
Pros:
- Simple and addictive
- Relaxing atmosphere
- Diversity of items
- Steam Deck compatibility (huge plus)
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Can become repetitive
- Lack of interaction
- Simple graphics
Conclusion
Storage Hunter Simulator is a fun and relaxing game ideal for casual players. If you're looking for a game to unwind, this is a great choice. The game certainly has its drawbacks, but there are generally no major issues.
A copy of the game for review purposes was provided by the development studio Raccoons and the publisher BeardedBrothers
