Parcel Simulator

A refreshing blend of job sim and automation that nails parcel sorting but leaves its systems underdeveloped.

Introduction

Parcel Simulator does something I didn't expect from a job simulator. It takes the straightforward concept of sorting packages and layers in Papers Please-style criteria checking alongside factory automation elements. After playing through the game, I can say this combination feels genuinely refreshing in a genre that usually recycles the same mechanics with different job settings. The core parcel sorting is engaging and well-executed, but the game struggles to develop its supporting systems beyond surface level.

A Fresh Take on Job Sims

The job simulator genre has gotten pretty stale lately. Most games swap out the setting but keep the same basic mechanics underneath. Parcel Simulator actually tries something different by blending in that Papers Please escalation where you're constantly checking more and more criteria for each package. Is it the right weight? Does the Country / Flag match? Does it have a valid Serial Number? The criteria keep building as you progress, which creates a nice difficulty curve that feels earned rather than artificial.

Adding factory automation on top of this was a smart move. Being able to set up conveyor systems and automate parts of your workflow gives the game an extra dimension that most job sims completely lack. It's this combination that makes Parcel Simulator stand out in a crowded field.

Progression That Works

The game is really easy to get into, which I appreciated. You're not overwhelmed with systems right from the start. Instead, mechanics and criteria are introduced gradually in a way that feels natural. The progression overall felt great, with each unlock and upgrade giving you tangible improvements to your workflow.

There's a satisfying rhythm to learning the new sorting rules, getting faster at processing packages, and then using your earnings to upgrade your facility. The pacing here is well done and kept me engaged throughout the early and mid game sections.

Automation That Needed More

Here's where my biggest disappointment lies. The factory automation system is an amazing idea in theory, but it feels too surface level in execution. I really wish the game had gone deeper into this aspect because these types of games thrive on planning around ratios and optimizing layouts. But that planning just isn't possible here since you don't get any of the stats you'd typically expect from automation games.

You never really need to think about throughput, bottlenecks, or efficiency in any meaningful way. A basic 2-input automated system was more than enough to carry me through the entire game with everything fully upgraded. I never felt compelled to expand or optimize beyond that initial setup.

Underutilized Systems

Towards the end of the game, I had this massive warehouse space available and multiple parcel input points I'd unlocked, but absolutely no reason to use any of it. My simple two-input system handled everything the game threw at me with room to spare. That large play area just sits there unused, which feels like wasted potential.

The special contracts suffer from a similar problem. They're presented as these premium jobs you can take on, but the time investment never feels justified by what you actually get from them. I found myself ignoring them entirely because it was more efficient to just keep processing regular parcels.

Verdict

Parcel Simulator succeeds at what it sets out to do. If you want a game about sorting parcels with some automation elements, this delivers exactly that experience. The core sorting mechanics are solid, the genre blend feels fresh, and the progression keeps you moving forward. But the game is extremely shallow outside that core system, and that's clearly intentional based on the design. The automation could have been so much more than it is, and the late game reveals how underutilized many of the unlockable systems really are. It's a good game that knows its lane but doesn't push beyond it. If sorting packages with escalating criteria sounds fun to you, this will absolutely scratch that itch. Just don't go in expecting deep factory automation or systems that demand creative problem solving.