Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

The "simulator" genre of PC games was already pretty meta, but it has now reached a new level with PC Building Simulator, a game currently available via Steam Early Access. In it, you build desktop PCs (mostly the gaming variety) by opening up the case, installing components, plugging them into the motherboard for power, and more, all in a 3D simulation. (Sorry, no VR.)

After a few hours of testing, we were surprised at how fun it actually is, even though it's quite basic. And in this time of crypto-inflated GPU prices holding upgrade plans back, it might just fill a hole in some PC enthusiasts' hearts.

A PC-building... simulator?

The game comes with three modes: a "how to build a PC" tutorial, career, and free build. The first of those guides you through the key aspects of building a PC and explains the most essential concepts. It would actually make a great tutorial for building a real PC, though it skips over a lot of real-world concerns, like static electricity.

Career mode puts you in charge of a computer repair business you inherited from a family member. You're given a work space with several desks, along with storage for your components, and you check your own personal computer to accept work orders via email. Orders range from "my GPU died, can you install the new GeForce GTX 970?" to "help, I have a virus, run a virus scanner," and more. Yes, PCBS does use actual brand-name computer parts, including real-world hardware from the likes of Power Cooler and MSI.

Here's a walkthrough of a couple of the work orders available in career mode:

Samuel Axon



Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

Samuel Axon

In free-build mode, you're given a storage unit full of every available component, and every part of your workshop is unlocked, so you can just build whatever PCs you please. Want to put in some LED lights and install a transparent case? Go ahead, you l33t simulator, you.

It's actually a stretch to call PCBS a game; the career mode has some game-like trappings, but mainly, this is an opportunity to experience the soothing satisfaction of locking those PCI-e cards in without cursing at yourself for dropping the screwdriver.

Production values optional

As you'll find in other popular "real-life simulation" series (Euro Truck Simulator, Farming Simulator, et al.), the graphics in PC Building Simulator are good enough but nothing to write home about. The interface is bare bones, and you'll spend all your time being serenaded by just a few tracks of what we're assuming is public domain music that draws rather heavily on '90s rock. It's pretty generic. One of the tracks sounds uncannily like a low-quality instrumental version of Oasis' "Wonderwall." I want to criticize this, but I can't, because it stirs in me fond memories of building gaming PCs when I was younger in the '90s. Your mileage may vary.

This game actually began life as a playable proof-of-concept demo on indie game marketplace itch.io, and its teenaged creator went on to make a full game based on player feedback. So it's not like one could expect higher production values.

That said, PC Building Simulator is a surprisingly complete and polished experience for Early Access software. The career mode creates a pleasant flow state of tasks and rewards, although there's very little challenge involved. The game's Steam page says that future updates will focus on adding more hardware components you can play with, plus fleshing out the following features:

Water Cooling

Overclocking

More licensed components

Fully localized into select languages

More benchmarking options

More job types in career mode

The full game is Windows-only, but amusingly, the itch.io demo includes Mac support. Finally, Mac users who have GPU upgrade envy can live out their PC-gaming fantasies.

Certain Ars staffers felt strongly that the game should fry the PCs if you don't ground yourself before touching them; that there should be a SimCity-like "Disaster Mode;" and that you should be able to install Linux. No luck on those wishlist items yet, but here's to holding out for mod or Steam Workshop support.

Listing image by Samuel Axon