Cheap Car Repair Launches on Steam, Draws Praise for 1990s Polish Setting
The game's strong reception, especially from Polish players who say it reminds them of home, shows that hyper-local, culturally specific settings can resonate globally in the simulation genre.
Reporting from 2 sources: 4Gamer.net, Automaton.
Simplicity Games and PlayWay S.A. released the comedic car repair simulation game 'Cheap Car Repair' on PC via Steam on May 28, 2026. Developed by Polish studio Little Dog Games, the title is set in the Polish countryside of the 1990s. Players run a small auto repair shop with limited resources, fixing cars using improvised and often questionable methods. Repairs can include filling dents with putty, using stockings as fan belts, diluting gasoline with water, or installing a stolen water valve as a steering wheel. The game also features an open world where players can explore the village, take on side quests, and interact with neighbors. Since launch, the game has received a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam, with 91% of 202 user reviews positive at the time of reporting. Concurrent player numbers peaked at over 5,200. About half of the reviews are from Polish users, many of whom praised the game for evoking nostalgia for their homeland. A release sale offers a 25% discount until June 12, bringing the price to 1,875 yen.
Little Dog Games, a Polish studio, releases its first title on Steam with the game. The developer's local knowledge contributes to the detailed depiction of the 1990s Polish countryside setting, which Automaton notes has led to positive reviews from Polish players who say it "reminded me of home."
Repair work in the game is hands-on. Players grind and paint rusted areas, and can install a stolen water valve as a steering wheel or attach a kitchen sponge as an air filter. Alternative fuel can be made from beer and vodka. If a customer discovers the sloppy work, they may return to vandalize the shop.
The open world includes side quests. A neighbor named Gienek, who runs a lumber business, offers a quest to collect firewood for cash. Some NPCs are aggressive and may attack the player. Shops in the village sell alcohol and water.
A roadmap on the Steam store page outlines future updates. Phase 1 plans include new difficulty levels, village revitalization, garage equipment expansion, and gamepad support. Phase 2 will add further content.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.