The first title from developers Missing Digit, there’s been a Steam Early Access launch for mechanic simulator Wrench, which challenges you to prepare and maintain race cars.
Both standard and virtual reality modes are available, with the early access beta period expected to last between six and eight months. Two cars can currently be worked on, with the real Bauer Catfish, an MX-5 based kit car, and Exomotive Exocet included, and nearly completed with fully serviceable engine, suspension and braking systems.
What makes Wrench interesting is that the parts and tools look extremely realistic, and there’s apparently detail and attention paid to the smallest details. For example, fasteners are accurate to the thread pitch and install torque, and you have to charge battery powered tools. And you can thread bolts via finger tightening, before picking between using ratchets, impact, combination or torque wrenches, etc.
It feels like the two-person team behind Wrench are developing a game which could legitimately expand your mechanical knowledge. And despite the slightly worrying name of Missing Digit, considering how easy it is to injure yourself working on cars, it’ll be a lot cheaper to learn virtually than making a mistake on a real vehicle.
Wrench lets you open your own shop and work on customer cars to earn money, but you can also buy your own shop car to restore, prepare and race as another way to bring in cash and more potential jobs. An excuse used by a huge number of garages and mechanics to get on track over the years in the real world!
The Early Access includes an XP system for unlocking jobs, tools and activities, along with levelling up your driver, and diagnosing issues as they start to become a problem before fixing them on your personal car.
So if you fancy something more detailed and with a higher skill level than existing mechanic simulators, Wrench might well be worth checking out. It’s available via Steam for the PC at an early access price of £23.79.
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