Thanks to Steam‘s limited-time Free-to-Keep Promotion, PC gamers can claim a popular simulation game with 90% positive reviews (equivalent to a 9/10) until May 27 and keep it forever. Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 isn’t going to be for everyone, but anyone who loves detailed simulation games is in for a treat thanks to Steam.
For those unfamiliar, Steam’s Free-to-Keep Promotion gives away a handful of games every month, and it’s sometimes possible to track these through the storefront’s back end. For example, of the upcoming free Steam games confirmed so far, Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 was one of the latest added. There’s more coming before the end of the month, as well as more available right now, but Car Mechanic Sim is the latest.
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With Batman and Lara Croft, May 2026’s free games lineup has been incredible, with Prime Gaming, Steam, and Epic Games Store all having giveaways.
Save 100% on Car Mechanic Simulator 2018
Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 is exactly what it says on the box. It is a detailed, hands-on simulation game where players must build an auto repair shop, incorporating every step from diagnosis and vehicle stripping to replacing parts, tuning engines, and rebuilding classic cars from the ground up. It’s a solid game to follow up on recent releases like Forza Horizon 6, too, but that reliable simulation grind is present: teardown, repair, rebuild, and profit. It normally costs $20, so this represents a solid saving even beyond standard free’s free logic.
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On Steam, it has a 90% Very Positive Rating, which is mathematically equivalent to a 9/10 game. Steam reviews praise its satisfying gameplay loop, its mechanical depth and pacing, and the strong sense of speculation. Some common criticisms among its reviews include its grindy nature (which is a positive for some), its sim-lite approach versus real mechanic work, and general bugs (nothing extreme or game-breaking).
If Car Mechanic Simulator isn’t someone’s cup of tea, then it’s worth mentioning that there are three freebies currently available as part of the same Steam promotion. One is a simple, relaxing soundtrack for AquaDream, another is the complex real-time strategy game Warhammer 40K: Gladius – Relics of War, and the other is the unique endless running game called Dino running from a Furry. Each item is completely free, so there’s little risk in expanding digital libraries with them.
Overall, these games and freebies represent solid giveaways on the part of Steam’s Free to Keep promotion. A beloved Sim with positive reviews, a solid entry in a beloved franchise, and a unique game concept ensure there’s a little something for everyone here.
