Saber Interactive is rounding up work on the upcoming simulation title, Roadcraft. It’s a natural extension of what we saw in Snowrunner or MudRunner, and while its simulation roots make it a niche title of sorts, there is definitely a sizable fanbase that’s patiently awaiting its release on May 20, 2025 for PS5, Xbox One, and PC. With that date right over the horizon, we have compiled a list of 14 things that you should know about before purchasing Roadcraft.
Open World?
While Roadcraft’s nature of gameplay would suit an open-world framework really well, Saber Interactive has clarified that the game would not “technically” be an open-world. Instead, players would get a bunch of different maps, each spanning an area of over 4 km² that is free to explore at their own will. Each of these maps would also take players to different biomes, ranging from forests to muddy swamps and mountains, so the diversity does make up for the lack of a contiguous open-world experience.
Machinery & Vehicle Gameplay
As mentioned previously, Roadcraft is a game about restoring sites struck by natural disasters back to their former glory, so the moment-to-moment gameplay revolves around operating heavy-duty vehicles of different kinds. You can use a bulldozer to pick up rubble, a crane to lift heavy objects in both horizontal and vertical fashion, and use quarry units to enable on-site refueling.
Each of these vehicles has been faithfully recreated from both a visual and functional standpoint, and players will have to be extremely patient while operating these heavy-duty units as they come to terms with the many functions that each of them bring to the table. At its core, Roadcraft is a simulation game – so vehicles are naturally going to be quite slow in terms of operations, requiring players to operate with intention should they wish to clear the toughest challenges of the game.
Exploration & Scouting
Because the gameplay loop is about restoring these sites to their former glory, scouting is going to be a really important piece of Roadcaft’s gameplay. You can’t just go waltzing around a disaster site with bulldozers and cranes and randomly lift stuff up and expect it to work; you are going to need a foolproof strategy. And that’s where scouting comes into play, and players will need to use scouting vehicles to chart the path ahead and get an overview of how things are going to play out. Setting up quarry stations in the right place is also pivotal, and exploring new ways to reach remote locations is something that’s going to be quite important.
Construction & Resource Management
Simulation isn’t just about getting to grips with how these hulking behemoths of machines function, but also about understanding the process of construction and how things play out in a particular sequence. You first have to clear out debris, and then you lay down roads using concrete or asphalt and so on and so forth. Resource management also comes into play at this point in time, making it important to be well prepared for missions beforehand and also understand how much raw material you are going to need before jumping into it.
Operations & Logistics
Roadcraft has a plethora of different systems when it comes to moment-to-moment gameplay, and while we do have an idea of how things are going to play out on a micro level, let’s also discuss the macro level gameplay. Operations and logistics become an important part of Roadcraft, and that involves ensuring a smooth flow of resources and machinery across different operations. You have to gather resources like timber and steel to craft the materials required for construction, and also automate certain tasks over time to help reduce the element of redundancy across runs. In Roadcraft, you are the chief of operations for your construction company, and mastering the management will also be a very important element of the gameplay.
Progression System
Much like most games meant to be played over dozens upon dozens of hours, Roadcraft is also heavy on the progression element of things. As you clear out levels and complete tasks, you will be rewarded with XP and money, which can be cashed in to unlock new heavy-duty vehicles, contracts, or upgrades to make your future missions a lot easier to handle. Indulging in player progression and getting a grasp of how to build out your strategy will be important in the long run, prioritizing the purchases and upgrades based on your play style.
Multiplayer Co-op
While you can definitely go all solo, Roadcraft also offers you the option to join forces with friends and take part in some multiplayer action. You can team up with up to 4 friends and tackle some of the toughest challenges that the game has to offer. Roadcraft is a game that thrives on providing emergent narratives; dynamic stories that are personal to your experience, and those stories tend to become a lot more interesting when there are more players trying to achieve a singular goal. You can divide responsibilities amongst yourself in times of peril, communicate with each other through in-game voice chat, and have a blast.
Creative Problem Solving
Roadcraft is a game that has a sandbox nature, meaning that players are free to tackle objectives in any way they see fit. You could use the same old tried and tested methods for your construction duties, or you could get a little more creative with your tactics and come up with more efficient ways to go about business. It encourages replayability and explores the full spectrum of the gameplay mechanics, allowing you to better understand what works for you and what doesn’t.
Dynamic Road Construction Anywhere
Building roads is a very important part of Roadcraft’s gameplay loop, and it’s something that you are going to repeat on a regular basis as you go about the restoration of these disaster-stricken sites. The game allows for a dynamic road construction system where you can lay dow materials and build roads anywhere, provided you have the required materials for the job, which will help you move through complex terrain in a much smoother manner. Think Death Stranding, but a lot more complex and dynamic.
Infrastructure Repair Focus
As a natural extension to what we discussed before, Roadcraft is about restoring these sites, and rebuilding lost infrastructure is a big part of that process. You are going to be laying down roads, building bridges, and an electrical system to restore critical functionality.
Modding Support Post-Launch
Mods can add so much longevity and flexibility to a game, and it’s always fun to just goof around and apply some wacky mods to switch up the playing experience. Roadcraft’s sandbox nature and simulation gameplay make it a perfect companion for mod support, since you could use the power of mods to introduce accessibility or maybe provide some improvements over the stock release. But unfortunately, developer Saber Interactive has confirmed that there wouldn’t be any support for mods at Roadcraft’s launch. But on the bright side, they have also confirmed that they will be bringing mods eventually into the mix, starting from map mods to vehicle mods and much more.
Steering Wheel Compatibility
Given the driving nature of Roadcraft, many players would naturally wish to use their steering wheels to control these heavy-duty trucks and bulldozers. Fortunately, Focus has confirmed that Roadcraft would be featuring compatibility for steering wheels – but with a minor caveat. At launch, Roadcraft’s steering wheel compatibility is going to be pretty basic, but it will be expanded and fleshed out over time, so that’s not much of an issue.
Enhanced Physics Engine
Much like Snowrunner and MudRunner, Roadcraft is also built upon the Swarm engine that powers all of these complex simulations. Saber Interactive has stated that the team has made plenty of changes to its systems that enable better simulation of different kinds of terrains and how these things affect the movement and mobility of these heavy-duty vehicles. It’s built for current generation of consoles, so the developers have gotten a lot more room to play with in terms of raw graphical and CPU horsepower.
Price And Platforms
Lastly, there’s the topic of price and platforms. Roadcraft is set to release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. It’s retailing for just $40 right now, making it a great deal for anyone interested in a long-term simulation experience. The experience is largely going to remain the same across all platforms, but if you do happen to have a compatible PC – we would recommend going for that version because of modding support and flexibility in graphical options.
