Giant Machines 2017, developed and published by Code Horizon, is a unique industrial simulator that lets players experience the power and complexity of operating some of the largest machines ever built. Instead of the usual construction or farming simulators that focus on small-scale tasks, this game dares to give you control of massive excavators, giant cranes, mining vehicles, and even space shuttle transporters. From its first moments, it’s clear that Giant Machines 2017 aims to be an ode to heavy industry—a slow, methodical, and oddly mesmerizing experience that captures the mechanical beauty and raw strength of engineering marvels. Its combination of scale, physics-based controls, and mission-based progression makes it stand out in a genre that often leans toward repetition or gimmicks.
The game’s campaign takes players through a fourteen-mission journey that spans various industrial settings around the globe, from icy regions of Greenland to the deserts of the American Midwest and the industrial complexes of Canada. Each mission introduces a new type of machine, and your tasks range from mining and hauling materials to constructing or demolishing colossal structures. The ultimate goal culminates in an impressive finale: helping prepare and launch a space shuttle, a fittingly grand conclusion to a campaign defined by size and spectacle. Every mission demands precision and patience, as even the simplest actions—such as rotating a crane or lowering a hydraulic arm—carry weight and momentum that must be managed carefully. This attention to realism gives the gameplay a deliberate, tactile feel that rewards those who enjoy mastery over mechanical systems rather than instant gratification.
The visuals of Giant Machines 2017 contribute greatly to its sense of immersion. The vehicles are modeled with care, featuring intricate cockpits filled with levers, gauges, and switches that react to your inputs. Sitting in the operator’s seat of a multi-ton mining truck or a titanic bulldozer gives a genuine sense of scale and power, enhanced by the slow rumble of the engine and the realistic way the machinery responds to terrain. The landscapes themselves, while not graphically cutting-edge, are vast and diverse, each serving as a believable industrial playground. The lighting system and environmental effects like dust, snow, and mud add atmosphere, grounding the experience in a gritty realism. The camera options, including a first-person cockpit view and external angles, allow players to appreciate both the fine control of operation and the immense scale of the machines in motion.
Where the game truly succeeds is in its commitment to simulating the nuances of heavy machinery. Each vehicle handles differently, with its own learning curve and control scheme. Driving a mining excavator feels nothing like maneuvering a crane or operating a drilling rig, and part of the challenge lies in understanding their unique mechanics. The controls may initially feel clunky, but that’s by design—the developers wanted to capture the slow, deliberate process of real industrial work. It’s a far cry from fast-paced construction games; here, progress is measured in patience, accuracy, and rhythm. The physics simulation enhances this further, with realistic weight distribution, responsive hydraulics, and destructible environments that react convincingly to your actions. There’s a meditative quality to the experience, as you slowly chip away at rock faces, transport materials across long distances, and coordinate massive machines toward a single purpose.
Despite its ambition and immersive core, Giant Machines 2017 is not without its flaws. The pacing can be uneven, as some missions drag on longer than necessary, and the repetitive nature of certain tasks might deter players looking for variety. The controls, while realistic, can sometimes feel unintuitive, especially when switching between different machines or camera perspectives. There are also occasional bugs and performance issues that remind you of the game’s indie origins, from awkward animations to minor clipping problems. The presentation is functional but lacks polish—menus and UI elements are serviceable but bare, and sound design, though effective, can feel repetitive after extended play. These rough edges don’t ruin the experience but do limit its appeal to those with a strong appreciation for slow, process-driven simulation.
Still, what Giant Machines 2017 lacks in refinement, it makes up for in authenticity and charm. There’s something oddly satisfying about controlling machines of such enormous scale, something that taps into a primal fascination with size, power, and industry. The sense of accomplishment that comes from successfully completing a mission—whether you’re disassembling a steel structure or carefully positioning a massive rocket component—is undeniable. The time attack mode, unlocked after completing the campaign, adds some replayability by allowing players to improve their efficiency and aim for gold medals, giving a structured reason to revisit missions and refine their technique. While it’s not a sandbox experience with endless freedom, the campaign structure provides just enough guidance to keep players engaged without feeling lost.
In the end, Giant Machines 2017 is a game that embraces its niche wholeheartedly. It’s slow, deliberate, and sometimes clumsy, but that’s exactly what makes it compelling. It doesn’t chase spectacle through explosions or cinematic flair; instead, it finds awe in the monumental scale of human machinery and the precision required to operate it. It’s a game for those who appreciate the rhythm of industry—the hum of an engine, the swing of a crane arm, the satisfaction of a job well done. Though it may not have the polish or depth of larger simulators, its unique focus and atmosphere make it a standout experience for players seeking something different. Giant Machines 2017 captures the feeling of working with true mechanical giants, turning mundane industrial work into something quietly majestic and unexpectedly rewarding.
Rating: 7/10
