Sigh. Underground Garage looked promising in its trailers. For a game that launched in 2024, you’d expect meaningful updates and polish by now. At first glance, it checks all the right boxes for racing and car-enthusiast fans: wrench-turning mechanics, vehicle restoration, test driving, and client deliveries. On paper, that’s a dream setup.
You play as a Paul Walker–inspired mechanic working out of Dave’s Garage, taking on jobs that involve moving cars from the parking lot into the shop, diagnosing issues, replacing parts, and eventually delivering the finished ride. There’s barely a story to speak of, but that’s fine. This is a systems-driven game. Just a quick note: while the game is technically gamepad-friendly, you’ll want to use keyboard and mouse for repairs and switch to a controller for driving. It’s clunky otherwise.
Now let’s get into The Good, The Bad, and the “What Were They Thinking?”
The Good:
Underground Garage absolutely shines when it comes to car disassembly and repair systems. This is where the game earns its keep.
The part-by-part breakdown is detailed and satisfying. You can isolate specific components, dismantle them, purchase replacements, and reinstall everything with minimal friction. There’s genuine educational value here, especially for players curious about how cars are built and maintained.
There’s also a light trial-and-error element when choosing parts. If you don’t read carefully, you’ll waste money. That adds a layer of responsibility without becoming overwhelming. Honestly, you could lose hours just tearing down engines and learning how everything connects.
Right now, you’re limited to job-based orders rather than full sandbox freedom, but that structure works for the game’s current state.
The Bad:
Alright… buckle up.
Once you finish fixing a car, it’s time to deliver it. This should be the victory lap. Instead, it’s where Underground Garage starts falling apart.
The driving mechanics feel unfinished. Steering lacks precision, braking feels inconsistent, and collisions can be wildly unpredictable. You’ll be cruising fine one second, then clip a curb or invisible object, and suddenly your delivery is in shambles.
Worse, the delivery routes are dull and repetitive. There’s no real sense of progression or excitement when you hit the road. It feels like an obligation instead of a reward.
The engine audio sounds awkward and generic, and everything else around it feels lifeless. The world lacks personality, traffic AI is questionable at best, and the driving sections feel disconnected from the strong garage gameplay.
The WTF?
For a game that nails the mechanical simulation, it’s baffling how underdeveloped the driving portion is. This isn’t just a minor flaw. It’s half the gameplay loop.
You fix cars beautifully… then dread having to drive them.
That disconnect makes Underground Garage feel like two different games duct-taped together. One is thoughtful and engaging. The other feels rushed and unfinished.
Final Conclusion:
Underground Garage is a game with real potential, but it’s trapped under its own hood.
If you love detailed car repair systems, you’ll find value here. The garage work is solid, methodical, and genuinely enjoyable. But once the wrenching stops and the driving begins, the experience takes a sharp downturn.
With proper updates, refined driving physics, and more engaging delivery systems, this could evolve into something special. As it stands now, Underground Garage feels like an early-access idea that never fully crossed the finish line.
Worth checking out for car modding fans, but approach with tempered expectations.
Final Verdict: 2 paws out of 5
