Review: Camper Van – Make It Home: A Unique Take on Spatial Optimization
Excitement brewed around Camper Van: Make It Home, as it promised a fresh take on the popular theme of maximizing small living spaces, akin to the game Unpacking. Players are tasked with organizing a compact environment, making it visually appealing, and ensuring every item has its proper place. However, while the gameplay offers an interesting concept, it lacks the comfort and fluidity necessary for an enjoyable experience.
Game Concept and Gameplay Mechanics
At its core, Camper Van: Make It Home presents itself as a freeform simulation featuring different types of campers. Players must navigate the challenge of efficiently arranging their belongings within these vehicles. The game allows exploration of distinct features in each camper, but unlike Unpacking, it lacks a narrative thread tying the various locations and seasons together. Instead, the focus remains on the fun of tidying up without the storytelling depth.
The process of organizing is straightforward: players discover items inside and around their campers that need placement. This means finding suitable spaces within cupboards, drawers, or the fridge. Some items, like gaming consoles, are interactive, adding a layer of decoration to the puzzle-solving aspect.
Challenges in Gameplay Direction
One major drawback of Camper Van: Make It Home is its minimal guidance. After customizing your first van, players find themselves on a beach—left to explore without clear indications of necessary placements. Unlike Unpacking, which offers structured introductions to mechanics and item placement, this game relies heavily on player exploration, which can be frustrating. The absence of tutorials beyond basic camera controls leaves much to be desired.
Control Experience
Playing Camper Van: Make It Home with a mouse significantly enhances maneuverability and control. Initially attempted on a handheld gaming PC, navigating items with the analog stick proved challenging. Switching to a laptop with mouse access resulted in a much smoother experience, revealing that precise placement is critical to gameplay success. This difficulty is compounded by small hitboxes for various items, sometimes leaving players struggling to place clothing or small accessories accurately.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Camper Van: Make It Home possesses the potential to be an enjoyable simulation game with some adjustments. While the foundation is compelling, current issues with controls and item hitboxes hinder the overall experience. With thoughtful updates, Malapata Studio might soon enhance this game into something truly enjoyable for fans of organizing simulations.
For those interested, Camper Van: Make It Home is available on the Switch and PC.
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