Image source: Steam / My Winter Car
After years of waiting, My Winter Car is finally here — and reactions have been mixed. Some players were expecting a fully realized successor to My Summer Car. Others were hoping for something familiar, just colder and more refined. What we ended up with sits somewhere in between.
At first glance, My Winter Car feels noticeably lighter than its predecessor. There are fewer voiced interactions, fewer strong character reactions, and a world that feels more populated in places — yet less complete overall. Compared to My Summer Car, which had years to mature into a dense, punishing sandbox, My Winter Car still feels like it’s finding its footing.
That doesn’t mean it’s bad — just unfinished.
It’s also worth noting that My Winter Car launched in Early Access, which helps explain why the experience currently feels lighter and less complete than many players expected.
What Feels Underdeveloped
Image source: Steam / My Winter Car
One of the biggest early complaints is how easy progression feels. Getting the Corris and making money doesn’t carry the same sense of struggle or risk that My Summer Car was known for. Outside of the rally, there’s little incentive to fully tune the Corris until the ice track rewards are completed, which removes a lot of the motivation to experiment early on.
Some systems also feel redundant or half-implemented. Certain shops don’t offer much purpose yet, new locations appear without clear functionality, and a few additions feel like placeholders rather than meaningful gameplay loops. Interior customization for the Corris, for example, is tied to VIN choices at the start of a save — something that quickly becomes tedious on repeat playthroughs.
There’s also disappointment around vehicle customization. The Sorbet, while a fun addition, lacks options out of the gate. Even simple cosmetic choices would have gone a long way toward making it feel more personal.
The AI Conversation
The use of AI-generated content has understandably rubbed some players the wrong way. That said, the option to disable AI content — and the fact that it’s turned off by default — shows a level of foresight that deserves credit. Repeated dialogue is noticeable, but many players would rather hear reused lines than new AI-generated ones.
This feels less like a final design choice and more like a temporary solution while the game continues to take shape.
Where the Game Shines
Despite the criticism, My Winter Car does a lot right.
The snow fundamentally changes how the world feels and how you approach everyday tasks. Driving is slower, riskier, and more deliberate. Jobs feel like genuine challenges, especially if you dive into them early. New systems like ATMs, fuel stations, and environmental hazards add friction in a way that feels intentional rather than frustrating.
There’s also a quiet charm to the world. Even in its incomplete state, My Winter Car captures the same strange, lonely atmosphere that made its predecessor memorable. The mechanics are there — they just haven’t been pushed to their limits yet.
If you want a good snapshot of that early-state experience, Robbaz’s recent gameplay video does a great job of showing it. It’s humorous, lightly chaotic, and gives a soft taste of what My Winter Car currently offers without overselling it.
[WATCH ROBBAZ’S MY WINTER CAR VIDEO HERE]
Gameplay footage via YouTube (Robbaz)
Too Early to Judge
At the end of the day, it’s probably too soon to make sweeping judgments. My Summer Car didn’t become what it is overnight. It took years of iteration, frustration, and player feedback to turn it into the cult classic people remember.
My Winter Car feels like the beginning of that same process.
Yes, five years of development sets high expectations. And yes, there are valid criticisms about missing content, balance, and depth. But there’s also a strong foundation here — one that could easily grow into something special with time.
For now, My Winter Car isn’t the finished product many hoped for. But it is an interesting one. And if history is any indication, that might be enough to keep players invested while it evolves.
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