Industrial Giants on Xbox: The Curious Case of Giant Machines 2017

When you first load up Giant Machines 2017, it’s hard not to be intrigued by the sheer ambition of the concept. This isn’t your typical racing game or construction sim, it’s a title that puts you in the driver’s seat of some of the largest industrial machines ever built. From towering bucket-wheel excavators to colossal cranes and even the NASA space shuttle transporter, the game promises an experience that’s all about scale. The idea of operating machinery so massive that you need ladders just to climb aboard is undeniably appealing, and for players who are fascinated by heavy industry, it feels like stepping into a world that few games dare to explore.

The game is structured around a campaign of missions that gradually introduce you to different industrial machines. Each mission is essentially a scenario where you’re tasked with operating one of these giants to complete a specific job, whether it’s mining raw materials, transporting massive loads, or preparing equipment for a space shuttle launch.

The pacing is deliberately slow, reflecting the real-world scale of these machines. You’ll spend time climbing ladders to reach cockpits, carefully manoeuvring controls, and following step-by-step objectives. Unlike fast-paced simulators, this one emphasizes patience and precision. For example, moving a crane arm into position or steering a colossal excavator across a mining site can take several minutes, and the game wants you to feel the weight of that process.

There’s also a light narrative thread tying the missions together, giving you a sense of progression as you move from one industrial environment to another. While the story isn’t the focus, it helps frame your tasks so they feel like part of a larger industrial journey rather than isolated challenges.

One of the biggest draws of Giant Machines 2017 is the variety of machinery you get to control. Each one feels distinct, with its own quirks and challenges:

• Bucket-Wheel Excavator: A massive mining machine with rotating wheels that scoop up tons of earth. Operating it feels like commanding a moving fortress.

• Cranes: Towering structures that require careful precision to lift and place heavy loads. They test your patience and control.

• Bulldozers & Dump Trucks: More straightforward machines, but still oversized compared to typical construction sims. They’re used for clearing paths and hauling materials.

• Forklifts: Smaller in scale compared to the others, but still essential for moving cargo in tight spaces.

• NASA Space Shuttle Transporter: Perhaps the most unique machine in the game, this enormous vehicle is used to move the shuttle to its launch site. It’s slow, deliberate, and awe-inspiring in its scale.

  
  

Each machine has its own control scheme, and part of the challenge is learning how to handle their sluggish movement and massive turning radii. The game does a good job of making you feel the difference between operating a nimble forklift and steering a machine that weighs thousands of tons.

At first, the novelty of manoeuvring these mechanical giants is exciting, and there’s a certain satisfaction in completing tasks that require patience and precision. However, the excitement begins to fade as missions often boil down to repetitive, slow-paced actions. The controls can feel clunky, and the dated visuals don’t do much to elevate the immersion. While the in-game radio and light narrative touches add some personality, they aren’t enough to mask the fact that the game struggles to maintain momentum once the initial thrill wears off.

Pros

• Unique concept with massive industrial machines

• Variety of vehicles and scenarios to explore

• Captures the sense of scale impressively

Cons

• Repetitive and slow-paced missions

• Dated graphics and presentation

• Clunky controls and occasional bugs

• Limited replay value once novelty fades

Giant Machines 2017 is a game built around a fascinating idea: the chance to step into the cab of some of the largest industrial machines ever created and experience their immense scale first hand. At its best, it delivers moments of awe, whether you’re steering a bucket-wheel excavator across a mining site or slowly transporting the NASA space shuttle toward its launch pad. Those moments capture a sense of power and realism that few other simulators attempt.

However, the game often struggles to sustain that excitement. The missions can feel repetitive, the controls are clunky, and the dated visuals don’t fully convey the grandeur of the machines you’re operating. For players who thrive on patience and enjoy the meditative rhythm of slow, deliberate tasks, there’s a certain charm here. But for most, the novelty wears off quickly, leaving behind a simulator that feels more like a curiosity than a lasting experience.

XPN Rating: 3 out of 5 (SILVER)

Giant Machines 2017 is Available Now!