Dream business. Gas Station Simulator

Hello, Successful Entrepreneurs!

Today, I want to introduce you to a gem I recently discovered during Steam’s weekly special offers: Gas Station Simulator(STEAM link). Currently available for just 12.67 EUR until September 28th, it's an excellent time to grab this delightful title. Let’s dive into what makes this game an intriguing experience for anyone with a passion for business and simulation.

Build Your Dream in the Desert

As the name suggests, Gas Station Simulator is all about building and growing your very own business, starting with an old, abandoned gas station in the middle of the desert. But don’t worry—you have some help. Your uncle, a mysterious man with deep pockets and even deeper connections, steps in to offer advice and financial aid. With his backing, it’s up to you to turn this rundown station into a bustling business. And if you're interested, there are DLCs to expand your activities and take your business even further!

Gas Station Simulator - The beginning of your future empire.

Rebuild and Decorate

When you first take over, the gas station is in shambles—dusty, trash-filled, and falling apart. Your first job is to clean it up, piece by piece. It’s a hands-on process: you’ll pick up trash, bag it, and toss it into a dumpster. Once the place is clean, you can choose paint colors for the walls and roof to make your station more attractive to passing motorists. As you progress, you'll also have the opportunity to decorate the interior, adding your own flair with paintings, statues, and other decorative touches.

Gas Station Simulator - Ordering stuff for your store and playing on price changes. 

Your First Day on the Job

Once the station is clean, it’s time to get down to business. The first thing you'll need is gasoline—after all, you're running a gas station! Initially, you’ll have only one pump and a small storage tank, but over time, you can upgrade to three pumps and a much larger tank. The game even adds a fun twist with a mini-game that lets you refuel cars by hand, rewarding you with tips if you fill their tanks perfectly.

Gas Station Simulator - You first task on a brand new station. 

But a gas station wouldn’t be complete without a convenience store. Here’s where things get interesting. You’ll need to buy shelves for food, drinks, alcohol, and other items. Once you’ve got your shelves, you can stock them by ordering products through your computer. Each product has its own price, which fluctuates daily, adding a layer of strategy. For example, if Coca-Cola is cheap today, you can stock up and sell it at a profit tomorrow. Keep your shelves full and varied, because customers like having options, and a well-stocked store makes for happy (and paying) customers.

Juggling Tasks

As the owner, you’ll find yourself juggling several roles—gas station attendant, cashier, cleaner, and more. Fueling cars and checking out customers at the register both have their own mini-games, and accuracy is rewarded with tips. But as you get busier, it becomes harder to keep everything running smoothly. In addition to refueling and cashiering, you’ll need to keep the floors clean and the trash cans emptied. The better you do, the more customers you’ll attract!

Gas Station Simulator - Different shelves and type goods: drinks, ice cream, snacks.

Upgrades and Expansion

With success comes the opportunity to grow. The first thing you’ll likely want to upgrade is your warehouse capacity. Without enough storage space, you won’t be able to order more goods, which means empty shelves—a sure way to lose customers. Once that's sorted, you can add more parking spaces to attract additional customers, and of course, every gas station needs clean, paid toilets.

Why stop at selling snacks and fuel, though? Eventually, you'll have the chance to open an auto repair shop, allowing you to change tires, fix broken windows, and more. Parts can be expensive, but repairs bring in big money. The mini-games are simple yet fun—at least for the first few times.

Gas Station Simulator - Three petrol spots. 

Weathering the Storms

In the desert, sandstorms are a frequent occurrence. When one hits, you’ll have to hop into your trusty old Bobcat and clear away the piles of sand that accumulate around your station. If you don’t, NPC cars will get stuck, causing traffic jams that could bring your business to a standstill. Should things get too chaotic, there's a handy "reset" button that summons a UFO to whisk away all the cars and customers, giving you a fresh start—yes, really!

Gas Station Simulator - Dust is not a problem anymore with new CarWash station!

After a storm, your dusty customers will be eager to get their cars washed, and you’ll be ready to serve them with your very own car wash station. It’s an easy money-maker since water is virtually free, but you might occasionally need to head underground to feed trash to a giant crocodile to keep your water pump running smoothly. Strange, yes, but part of the game’s quirky charm.

Becoming a Boss

As your business grows, you’ll realize that you can’t do everything by yourself. That’s where employees come in. Just like in real life, good employees cost more, but they work more efficiently and keep customers happy. Each worker has their own strengths—Bob might be great at fueling cars and fixing tires but terrible at running the cash register, while Anna excels at cleaning and cashiering. Eventually, you can hire up to six employees and let them take over most of the work, leaving you to focus on ordering stock and watching your profits roll in.

Gas Station Simulator - Hired employee is waiting for customers.

A Simulator Worth Your Time and Money

Overall, Gas Station Simulator is a solid, well-rounded game. Its various mechanics, engaging mini-games, and opportunities to flex your entrepreneurial skills make it a standout in the simulation genre. The graphics are pleasant, and the sound design creates a relaxing background for your business-building journey. While there are a few minor issues, like NPCs occasionally getting stuck in traffic jams, they don’t detract from the overall experience.

Considering the ongoing support and new DLCs being released, Gas Station Simulator is well worth the investment—especially with the current discount. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to test their business management skills or just have fun running their own gas station.

That’s all for today—thanks for reading, and I’ll see you next time!