 | | Demolishing an old church using a hydraulic hammer. |  |  | | Charges can be placed with deferred ignition so that objects fall in a specified direction. |
| Demolition Simulator is an interesting idea as many people will appreciate the chance to destroy buildings using heavy machinery. Before starting the game, there is a helpful tutorials section, which is broken up into sections allowing the user to learn to use the different types of machinery in the game. The tutorials are basic and consist of a couple of examples for the user to practice.
It has two main modes of play – free play and missions. During the game you can control a range of different machinery in order to complete both free play and missions. This includes a hydraulic hammer, wrecking ball and a selection of clearing vehicles which include a dump truck, bulldozer and tracked loader. This simulator allows the user to use blasting techniques by placing explosives on a structure. Also included is a designer which allows you to create your own structure and then demolish it, although you have to complete all the missions before being able to use it.
There are 12 missions to complete. The missions can be quite lengthy, and the game requires you to complete a mission before unlocking other stages. The first mission has a maximum time limit of 90 minutes, however the level can be completed fairly easily in under half the time. Levels that require the user to move the rubble into containers make use of the clearing vehicles, however this process can be lengthy and less interesting than the actual demolition. Clearing the scraps of rubble can lead to some frustration.
There are strict restraints on the levels, for example the machines cannot be used to destroy objects other than the ones intended to be demolished and the machines stop moving once they come into contact with each other, thus forcing the user to concentrate on the job at hand. There are other buildings and even people outside of the demolition site but the game does not allow you to go wild and smash up all around you.
The machines can be operated with a variety of screen views, including inside the cab. The hydraulic speed of each machine can be altered, as can the travelling speed. The sound effects are perhaps not the most realistic, but add to the effect of each level. Overall this simulator is suitable for anyone with an interest in demolition, and the machines used. The graphics are fairly good although the level of detail of the surroundings is quite basic, and the physics are amusing at times with undemolished structure sometimes left floating in the air.
The simulator is fun, particularly the wrecking ball and the explosives, and there are enough missions to pass the time. It is fairly basic compared to some of the graphics seen on modern expensively produced games, but it is possible to imagine something very good being developed with more investment.
To see a video of the game click here.
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|  | | View from the cab of the tracked loader. |  | | Wrecking ball. |  | | Emptying rubble into a container. |
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