‘Ship Graveyard Simulator’ is a first-person sim where you dismantle parts of ships for scrap. Developed by Games Incubator and published by PlayWay S.A as well as Games Incubator, released originally on the PC in November 2021, it has now made it to the PS5.

Like some other simulator games, this is one of those turn-your-brain-off-and-play kinds of game. There can be more strategic and focused gameplay but it is not necessary to complete it.

The game is pretty straightforward scraping a ship for metals and liquids, and using those metals and oils to combine them in a smelter to make higher-grade metals and liquids. Then take those with some money and upgrade buildings to unlock new tools, workers, and smelting recipes, or sell the materials for cash. You can use your computer in your little shack to order ships to scrap and over time you will unlock bigger, better, and more hazardous ships to strip.

Now one thing that should be known before you jump into this game is that as I said above it is pretty basic. You will not be breaking down an entire ship just objects on the ship like bollards, life ring holders, pipes, oil spills, and wall cabinets. You will also have to be careful of some objects that may contain dangerous substances that could lead to explosions, which can cause you to lose a day.

As you use tools and break down objects you will level up and gain attribute points to increase your carry load, tool proficiency, and dismantling speed. Upgrade the tool shop for better tools, and upgrade the smelter for more recipes and storage space.

There is also worker accommodation you can upgrade that allows you to hire workers that gather certain items so you don’t have to. Another neat thing to do is unlock chests and safes with a lockpick or get into inaccessible areas with controlled explosives. Rinse and repeat until you can not anymore.

The game looks fine, it is nothing special but it does not look awkward, it is your typical simulation look. After a while everything starts looking similar, then you realize that it is because it does, it is very repetitive and that goes for the ship contents. You will start seeing new things as the ships you can scrap get bigger and more lavished but then you’ll see those same things on the next one.

The music adds to the relaxing auto-pilot gameplay with the sound of the waves and seagulls, with chill music over the top. Though the banging and cutting noise from the tools is a little less relaxing, however, I found the oil mop sound to be surprisingly nice. Being a fairly repetitive game there are not many changes it is the same loop over and over, so there is not a lot to write about.

Ship Graveyard Simulator is a solid game but there are no stand-out moments and no real negatives, it just is a calm straightforward time. I do recommend this if you like simulation games and a chilled gaming experience.

Written by: Adam Brasher