I jumped into Aviassembly with high hopes—whenever a game promises something new, I’m all in. As a player who loves mastering detailed systems, I was excited that this title lets you design and pilot your own plane while tackling open-world challenges. Created and published by Jelle Booij, Aviassembly is made for anyone who loves flight sims. It launched in early access on April 11, 2025, and offers both creative freedom and strategic gameplay on par with other simulators.
Overall Impressions
Aviassembly stands out by letting you both build and fly your aircraft. The mix of crafting, upgrading, and exploring feels fresh and ambitious. The story mostly sends you on simple fetch quests, which can feel a bit linear—but it also gives a clear path forward. Even though the missions aren’t deeply varied, flying your own design always feels rewarding. Compared to Kerbal Space Program, Aviassembly skips some complexity to stay accessible, while still offering a good challenge.
Gameplay Mechanics
The heart of Aviassembly is its aircraft construction and combat against natural elements and logistical challenges. I enjoyed the proportional balance between plane building and mission demands. Each island in the open world poses unique challenges. I had to experiment extensively with my designs, adjusting for differing terrains and cargo requirements. This trial-and-error approach sometimes led to moments of frustration but ultimately rewarded me with satisfaction when I finally mastered a design.
The underlying mechanics function smoothly and intuitively. Controls rarely felt clunky, and I appreciated how every upgrade seemed to add real value to my airplane. However, as several players noted, there are aspects that need refinement. One issue—encountering a glitch after installing retractable wheels—briefly halted progress until I resolved it with a quick ALT + F4 restart. Although this glitch is not a recurring problem, it reminds us that early access is a work in progress. Another suggestion, which I concur with, is the need for adjustable difficulty settings. The current challenge, including precise timing for syringes, chemicals, and fish deliveries, can be too punishing for newer players. These changes will enhance overall accessibility without compromising the satisfaction derived from overcoming challenging tasks.
Story and Characters
For an early access game, Aviassembly’s story is solid. It’s straightforward, but each mission adds context and makes you care about why you’re delivering specific parts or supplies. It may look like fetch quests at first, but hints of lore and mystery keep you curious. There aren’t many NPCs yet, and the pilot is really just you, the player. Still, the world-building gives purpose to every flight, and I can’t wait to see if later updates add more characters or branching paths.
Visuals and Graphics
Visually, Aviassembly shines. Aircraft designs look detailed, weather effects feel real, and each island has its own style. The art balances realism with a friendly feel, so both sim fans and casual players will enjoy it. The map could use a tweak—automatic recentering sometimes jumps you back to base—but overall, the look and feel help you navigate and stay immersed.
Sound and Music
Sound design plays a crucial role in a simulation game, and Aviassembly satisfies on multiple levels. The soundtrack is calm yet engaging, providing necessary background music that adds a layer of immersion without distracting from gameplay. Sound effects during construction, flight, and mission events enhance the overall atmosphere. However, the game currently limits sound and music adjustments to the main menu. I believe giving players the option to modify audio settings in-game would elevate the experience, especially during intense moments that require heightened focus.
Difficulty and Replayability
Aviassembly strikes an effective balance between challenge and replayability. Early access players, including myself, can experience both moments of exasperation and high triumph. The game offers a perfect amount of challenge that encourages strategizing and experimentation with different aircraft designs. Completing a mission after multiple unsuccessful attempts feels incredibly rewarding. Nonetheless, I agree with feedback suggesting the addition of multiple difficulty levels. Such a feature could allow newer players to experience the game without the harsh penalties while preserving the challenge for veterans.
The absence of an option to override previous saves or customize base selections sometimes limits strategic planning. Yet, these are minor issues in an otherwise engaging package. Future updates are likely to address these areas. Encouraging players to experiment with different builds ensures that long-term replayability remains high. Every playthrough feels dynamic, and setting new milestones continuously rewards creativity and perseverance.
Behind the Scenes and Developer Insights
I value the transparency that early access offers. Jelle Booij’s involvement in both the development and publication of Aviassembly is evident in the game’s cohesive design. The active feedback loop with players underscores the developer’s commitment to improvement. It is refreshing to see that suggestions from the community—ranging from map-pin functionalities to adjustable control settings—are taken seriously. This level of responsiveness is promising and suggests that many of the current shortcomings will be addressed before the full release.
Final Thoughts and Rating
To sum up, Aviassembly presents a commendable mix of creativity, challenge, and playable fun. Its approach to integrating aircraft building and mission-based progression offers an experience that stands out in the simulation arena. While it has a few rough edges typical of an early access release, its potential is undeniable. The intuitive gameplay design, attention to visuals, and robust soundscape combine to form an inviting title for both simulation veterans and newcomers.
For now, I award Aviassembly 4 out of 5 stars. This score reflects my enjoyment of the innovative mechanics and satisfying challenge, tempered by minor usability issues that I fully expect the development team will address. I encourage dedicated gamers to invest their time and money into exploring what Aviassembly has to offer. The game not only invites experimentation and mastery but also promises an evolving experience that may only get better with future updates.
I will continue to monitor development updates keenly, and I look forward to witnessing how Aviassembly refines its gameplay and broadens its mission horizons in the coming months. For hardcore gamers and simulation enthusiasts alike, this game is definitely worth a close look.
