Manic Mechanics review: Chop shop of the pops

Manic Mechanics is another entry in the madcap, couch co-op genre that certainly looks and feels like the likes of Overcooked, Moving Out, and Tools Up, but the game offers enough new ideas to feel like it stands alone.

Working to become Octane Isle’s premier mechanic is challenging, but not entirely impossible, and strikes just the right balance of difficulty and accessibility. 

Mechanical Animal

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If you’ve played Overcooked or any of its descendants, you’ll know much of what to expect here.

You and your team work together to fix as many vehicles as possible in the allotted time. Different components are required, such as the engine, wheels or even spoilers, and you’ll need to race your way across the workshop and speed through the ever-flowing production line.

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This may sound easy, but as levels go on, you’re met with challenges such as slippery floors from oils and paints, and a saboteur in the form of that particular realm’s top mechanic ‘villain’.

With the right planning from your team, you can strategically decide who will take on what jobs to avoid losing precious time and complete the level with 3/3 cogs. 

Assembly required

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Manic Mechanics’ art style is a joy, with each newly-opened part of the map truly embodying the theme of that particular area.

Scrapyards, country ranches, and even a seventies-style neon metropolis immerse the player into Octane Isle in ways that feel organic but exciting, with new wrinkles added to the solid core mechanics (the gameplay ones, not our protagonists). 

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Like bolting additional parts, ‘Pimp My Ride’ style, onto a workhorse of a motor, Manic Mechanics does a great job of adding new elements throughout its twenty-five levels, usually through new vehicles.

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Just when you think you’ve gotten to grips with the gameplay and can boss every level, the Master Mechanics alone will quite literally throw a wrench in the works and untangle everything you’ve built.

Succeed, though, and you’ll be rewarded with achievements and new characters to unlock, and the three-cog rating is always tantalisingly close to your grasp.

Combustion Engine

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Manic Mechanics isn’t an easy game, though, and a well-coordinated team will be required for its tougher moments, lest you want to throw your Switch through the nearest window.

There are plenty of concepts to wrap your head around and remember at the same time, such as preventing batteries from exploding, fuel spills from setting alight, and much more, and that’s before the Master Mechanics shake things up and work to steal your carefully repaired vehicle.

As someone who likes to get as much playtime out of games as I can, I appreciated that I didn’t sail my way through all 25 levels, and could go back with more players to reach further heights that I couldn’t with just my partner alone.

The Verdict

If you’re looking for a couch co-op game that’ll bring your loved ones closer together for a sweet-natured bonding session, Manic Mechanics probably isn’t the one for you - but what I can say is that if your family is anything like mine, then bonding over the anger and frustration will definitely make for the perfect night in.

With a little bit of patience, some engine oil and a whole lot of vendetta against Betty and the gang, Manic Mechanics is a perfect addition to your family Switch library.

3.5/5

Reviewed on Nintendo Switch. Review copy provided by the publisher.