OHV

Release Date: December 18, 2024 Early Access

Simulation, FPP, cars, sandbox, Polish, life sim, indie games, 90s, singleplayer

89%

Steam

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A first-person open world life sim set in the 1990s Poland. OHV has us playing as a young man from the countryside, taking on odd jobs and tinkering in his garage.

Plot
Mechanics
Technical aspects

OHV is a life sim set in the 1990s Poland. It was created by an indie developer, Przemyslaw Hadala. The title comes from overhead valves engines.

Plot

OHV is set in the 1990s Poland. The national unemployment rate is at 15 percent, disco music is the hot new thing, old cars rule the potholed roads.

We play as a young man from the countryside, who dreams of becoming a local celebrity and the most popular guy around. We must help him achieve his goals.

Mechanics

OHV is a first-person game set in an open world, consisting of our home village, the farmland, the nearby town and its local bazaar. We can traverse it on foot or in a car (once we get it to work), meeting the locals and taking on various jobs. Earned money can be invested into personal growth.

Our main show of wealth are our cars, which we must take good care of, repairing them and making sure they look presentable, removing rust, painting and polishing them. The vehicles range from iconic national cars to self-constructed buggies made of used parts and old pipes.

We also need to look good if we're to impress the rural community. We can purchase clothes on the bazaar (including the latest fashion trends, like nylon hoodies and jeans) and turn our basement into an amateur gym (a radio is crucial, letting us lift weights accompanied by music).

Technical aspects

OHV runs on the Unity engine. The visuals aren't particularly impressive, though it fits the game's theme. The soundtrack mostly consists of Polish disco music.

Videos and Screens

[3:29] OHV gameplay #1

89%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (822)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Nostalgic Atmosphere: Many users appreciate the game's ability to capture the essence of 90s Poland, including music, radio shows, and cultural references.
Potential for Development: Users express optimism about the game's potential, noting that it is still in early access and has room for growth and improvement.
Engaging Gameplay Mechanics: Players enjoy the car-building and tuning aspects, as well as the ability to perform various activities like stealing car parts and completing delivery jobs.
Regular Updates: The developer is noted for providing consistent updates and improvements, which gives players hope for the game's future.
Variety of Vehicles: Users like the inclusion of multiple vehicles to build and drive, as well as the potential for more in future updates.

The main cons of the game

Bugs and Technical Issues: Many reviews mention a significant number of bugs, including disappearing items, game crashes, and physics problems that affect gameplay.
High Price Point: Several users feel that the game's price (87 PLN) is too high given its current state, especially when compared to more polished games in the genre.
Limited Content: Players have noted that the game can become repetitive quickly due to a lack of missions and activities, leading to boredom after a short time.
Poor AI and NPC Interaction: The game suffers from a lack of NPCs and poor AI, making the world feel empty and less engaging.
Lack of Tutorials: New players find it difficult to navigate the game without guidance or tutorials, which can lead to frustration.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

More Vehicles and Customization Options: Users suggest adding more vehicle types (e.g., motorcycles, different car models) and additional customization options for existing vehicles.
Expanded Gameplay Activities: Suggestions include adding more jobs, mini-games, and survival mechanics to provide players with more to do.
Improved Navigation and Quest Clarity: Players want better quest descriptions and navigation aids to help them find objectives more easily.
Enhanced AI and NPC Interaction: There is a desire for more interactive NPCs to make the world feel livelier and to provide players with more engaging interactions.
Quality of Life Improvements: Users recommend features like a save function, a quit game button, and improved physics to enhance the overall gameplay experience.

Summary

Overall, while OHV has a strong foundation and potential, it currently faces challenges related to bugs, content, and pricing that need to be addressed for a more satisfying player experience.

Summary generated on: February 3, 2025