Starting a new game in My Summer Car can be both exciting and daunting, especially when you’re faced with the reality of just how dilapidated your Satsuma is. One of the first hurdles you’ll encounter is dealing with Broken Car Parts. The game realistically simulates wear and tear, meaning your engine and various components are far from their optimal condition right from the get-go.
Initially, the wear percentage of your car parts can be surprisingly high, often under 30% condition for many crucial components. While parts from the shop are of better quality, they aren’t brand new either. This presents a unique challenge: is it even worth building the car with such questionable parts? Realistically, by the time you assemble the engine and get it inspected, the low condition of these initial parts means you’re likely facing immediate repairs.
However, this is all part of the My Summer Car experience. You are, after all, fixing up an old clunker. The developer intentionally designs the early game to be challenging, emphasizing resource management and strategic decision-making. The initial period at home isn’t wasted time. It’s crucial for building your Satsuma and waiting for job opportunities, particularly calls for sewage truck work. These jobs are your primary early income stream, allowing you to afford necessary replacement parts and upgrades.
You don’t need to wait for specific characters like the “Wood Guy” to initiate income. You can proactively deliver firewood to him daily between 8 am and 8 pm. Loading up your trailer with wood is a good way to prepare for these deliveries. The wood in the trailer will persist even through saving and loading the game, allowing you to prepare in advance and deliver when you’re ready.
When starting a new game, your first priority should be acquiring essential supplies. Whether you choose the van or the boat to reach the store and gas station is a matter of preference. The boat is a surprisingly useful early-game tool. Consider a trip to the Summer Cabin on the island to collect Kilju brewing supplies and a lamp. Returning home by boat ensures you have some basic necessities, especially a drink, readily available. As you progress and purchase more food and drinks, remember to keep some beer and food in your vehicles, like the van and sewage truck, for sustenance on the go. Initially, your home and the store are the only reliable sources for these items. Later in the game, as your finances improve, consider strategically placing food and drink at key locations around the map, such as the mechanic shop or bus stops, for convenience. If you plan on using the bus, taking a case of beer with you for the journey can be a good idea.
Using the boat for large shopping trips can become inefficient as you’ll need to manually transport items from the store to the boat, and then from the boat to your home, one by one. Grocery bags are helpful, but be cautious about opening them in unstable locations, especially on the boat. Items dropped from the boat into the lake are essentially lost.
When you need to collect fluids for the Satsuma, the van or sewage truck are your best options. The sewage truck is notably more stable on the road, especially when carrying liquids. The van, while quicker, is prone to instability at speeds above 80 km/h and can easily spin its wheels in first gear, requiring careful handling.
Don’t forget to grab both jerry cans and fill them up. The light green jerry can is for 98-octane fuel, essential for starting the Satsuma and will be empty initially. The diesel jerry can is a backup for the tractor, van, and sewage truck if needed. Managing your fuel and fluids is crucial for overcoming those initial broken car parts challenges and getting your Satsuma running.
In conclusion, dealing with broken car parts is an integral part of the early My Summer Car experience. By understanding the initial condition of your vehicle, strategically utilizing early income opportunities, and efficiently managing your resources and transportation, you can overcome these challenges and progress towards building your dream car.
