Crazy Machines 3

Crazy Machines 3 is a physics-based puzzle game where players construct intricate Rube Goldberg-style contraptions to solve puzzles across over 80 campaign levels and a sandbox mode. The game simulates diverse physics systems like gravity, wind, electricity, explosions, and lasers, allowing experimentation with interactive objects to complete objectives. It includes an editor with Steam Workshop support for creating and sharing custom parts and machines, fostering a creative community-driven experience.

Crazy Machines 3: A Whimsical Symphony of Physics and Frustration

Introduction

In the pantheon of puzzle gaming, few concepts capture the imagination quite like the Rube Goldberg machine—a symphony of improbable chain reactions culminating in a simple, often absurd, outcome. Crazy Machines 3, the latest installment in FAKT Software’s enduring franchise, promises to be the “ultimate playground of vast Rube Goldberg style possibilities.” Released in 2016 after an eight-year hiatus since Crazy Machines 2, this entry arrives with ambitions of modernizing a beloved formula through 3D graphics, deep customization, and unprecedented community integration via Steam Workshop. Yet, as we dissect this ambitious contraption, we find a game that brilliantly delivers on its core promise of creative chaos while stumbling under the weight of its own design constraints. This review argues that Crazy Machines 3 stands as a polished, accessible, and endlessly replayable physics sandbox, yet its legacy is defined by a delicate tension between unleashed creativity and frustrating rigidity—a tension that encapsulates both its brilliance and its limitations.

Development History & Context

• Crazy Machines 3* emerges from the German studio FAKT Software, a veteran developer with over 100 globally released titles, including seven German Developer Awards. The Crazy Machines series itself, inspired by the classic The Incredible Machine (1993), has been a cornerstone of physics-based puzzling since 2004, selling over 1.5 million copies across platforms. By 2016, however, the franchise had been sustained primarily by expansions and spin-offs, with Crazy Machines 2 (2007) remaining the last numbered sequel. This gap created high expectations for a true evolution of the formula.

The game’s development was shaped by two pivotal decisions: a shift to 3D graphics powered by NVIDIA PhysX, and a focus on PC as the primary platform to leverage performance and foster community engagement through Steam Workshop. Daedalic Entertainment, known for narrative-driven adventures like Silence and Shadow Tactics, published the title, injecting a new level of polish and market visibility. The technological leap to 3D, while enabling richer visuals and physics, necessitated compromises. FAKT Software had to restrict object placement freedom to prevent player frustration, a trade-off that would become a recurring point of contention.

In the 2016 gaming landscape, Crazy Machines 3 faced stiff competition from titans like The Witness and Steven’s Sausage Roll, which redefined puzzle design with minimalist elegance. Instead, Crazy Machines 3 positioned itself as a more accessible, whimsical alternative—a digital erector set for all ages. Its release coincided with a resurgence of physics-based games, including Contraption Maker and Fantastic Contraption (VR), but it aimed to differentiate itself through sheer scale and customization.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

• Crazy Machines 3* deliberately eschews traditional narrative in favor of absurdist vignettes. The game presents a series of disconnected, humorous scenarios that serve as puzzle prompts: “How do you successfully punch an Egyptian statue in the face?” or “How do you shoot a kettle from the head of a clumsycorn with a ‘high precision crossbow’?” These challenges lack character development, dialogue, or plot progression, yet they succeed thematically by framing physics as a tool for playful experimentation.

The underlying theme is one of boundless curiosity and the joy of invention. Each level is a sandbox for engineering, rewarding players not with story-driven arcs but with the intrinsic satisfaction of solving a complex, self-contained problem. This mirrors the real-world thrill of Rube Goldberg competitions, where the elegance of a solution matters more than its outcome. The absence of narrative, however, creates a sense of detachment. Unlike narrative-rich titles (e.g., Portal), Crazy Machines 3 offers no emotional anchor, leaving players isolated in a world of gears and lasers. The humor derives from the scenarios’ inherent silliness—a cartoonish delight in chaos—but without deeper context, it feels sporadic rather than integrated. Ultimately, the game’s “story” is one of process over purpose, celebrating the how over the why.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

At its core, Crazy Machines 3 is a physics-based puzzle game where players construct contraptions to achieve simple goals. The campaign features over 80 levels across Easy, Medium, Hard, and Ultra difficulties, each requiring players to place objects (e.g., gears, explosives, lasers) into pre-designed scenes to trigger chain reactions. The physics engine accurately simulates gravity, electricity, wind, and collisions, creating a tactile, responsive playground. Solutions often involve domino-like sequences—e.g., a mouse triggering a seesaw that launches a rocket—but the game encourages experimentation by allowing multiple paths to victory.

The sandbox mode liberates players to build from scratch, using a library of over 300 parts and 220 objects. Customization is a standout feature: objects can be altered in material (wood, metal, stone), size, rotation, and color, enabling personal expression. The editor, integrated with Steam Workshop, allows for the creation of custom parts, machines, and levels, theoretically extending the game’s lifespan infinitely. For the first time in the series, players can share creations globally, fostering a vibrant community.

Yet, the gameplay is not without flaws. The 3D space, while visually impressive, constrains object placement. Precision fiddling—especially with small components like gears—leads to frustration, exacerbated by a clunky UI that lacks intuitive snap-to-grid functionality. Some puzzles feel overly prescriptive, funneling players toward single “correct” solutions despite the game’s emphasis on creativity. Progression is gated by difficulty tiers, a design choice that alienates veterans seeking immediate challenges. Still, the core loop remains addictive: the “aha!” moment when a chaotic cascade finally clicks delivers unparalleled satisfaction.

World-Building, Art & Sound

• Crazy Machines 3*’s world is not a cohesive setting but a collection of themed stages designed to showcase physics puzzles. These range from mundane laboratories and living rooms to fantastical locales like outer space and canyons. While each environment is visually distinct, they function primarily as backdrops, lacking narrative depth or interactivity. The variety prevents monotony but reinforces the game’s episodic, vignette-driven nature.

The art direction is a triumph of whimsy. Objects are rendered in a bright, cartoonish style with exaggerated physics and satisfying animations. Gears whir, explosives puff, and lasers zap with crisp clarity, enhanced by particle effects and dynamic lighting. The 3D graphics, a significant leap from previous entries, create a tactile, tactile world where even mundane items like wooden planks feel weighty and reactive.

Sound design complements the visuals perfectly. The soundtrack blends guitar-driven westerns with dreamy techno, creating an atmosphere of relaxed focus. Sound effects are meticulously crafted—clanks from gears, fizzes from chemistry sets, booms from TNT—providing auditory feedback that grounds the physics in reality. Together, the art and sound transform puzzle-solving into a multisensory delight, turning abstract concepts into tangible, joyful experiences.

Reception & Legacy

At launch, Crazy Machines 3 received mixed-to-positive reviews. Critics praised its visual polish, robust physics, and Workshop integration, but criticized its constrained solutions and UI issues. On Metacritic, it holds a score of 71 (“Mixed or Average”), with German outlets like GameStar (80%) and PC Games (75%) highlighting its clever design and fun. 4Players.de (67%) noted its “angestaubt” (dusty) feel compared to VR contemporaries, while Hooked Gamers (60%) lamented its inability to stand out against 2016’s puzzle giants.

Steam user reviews tell a different story. With over 2,400 reviews, the game boasts a “Very Positive” rating (93%), with players celebrating its creativity, nostalgia for The Incredible Machine, and Workshop longevity. Many cited the game’s accessibility as a strength, contrasting its forgiving nature with harder titles like Stephen’s Sausage Roll.

In the years since, Crazy Machines 3 has solidified its niche. The Workshop has flourished, offering thousands of user-generated puzzles that extend replayability. Its legacy lies in bridging classic contraption games with modern digital creativity tools. It spawned Crazy Machines VR (2018) but was ultimately overshadowed by more innovative competitors. Yet, for fans seeking a physics sandbox, it remains a beloved staple—a testament to the enduring appeal of playful engineering.

Conclusion

• Crazy Machines 3* is a masterclass in controlled chaos. It delivers on its promise of a Rube Goldberg playground with stunning visuals, intuitive physics, and near-limitless customization. The Workshop integration elevates it from a mere puzzle game to a living ecosystem of creativity, while its lighthearted charm ensures broad appeal. Yet, its legacy is tinged with frustration. The 3D constraints and UI quirks undermine the very freedom it champions, and the absence of narrative leaves a palpable void.

For puzzle aficionados and aspiring engineers, Crazy Machines 3 is essential. It is a digital workshop where the journey of creation is as rewarding as the destination. In a gaming landscape often obsessed with narrative and spectacle, it stands as a pure, unapologetic ode to the joy of tinkering. Verdict: A flawed but brilliant contraption—a testament to the idea that sometimes, the most elegant solution is the one that explodes, zaps, and whirs with chaotic glee.