Trailmakers: Packing Heat Review Summary

Worthwhile DLC with balanced non-pay-to-win blocks and fun, good-looking weapons, but new weapons underwhelm and the flamethrower is strong, though the propeller engine excels for planes.

Balanced, non-pay-to-win blocks: Multiple reviewers note that the new blocks are balanced and deliberately slightly underpowered, so there is no pay-to-win problem. The weapons are not considered overpowered.

Fun and worthwhile DLC: Reviewers consistently describe the DLC as fun, the most enjoyable among the game's DLCs, and worth buying. It is seen as adding a large amount of enjoyable content.

Propeller engine praised for planes: The prop engine is highlighted as very useful for building replica and medium to large planes. It matches the power of the large jet engine while being smaller, having more connection points, and supporting reverse.

Flamethrower fun but strong: The flamethrower is described as plain fun and fulfilling a long-standing wish, with pretty high DPS. Some reviewers feel it is slightly overpowered.

Weapons fun and good-looking: Reviewers say the new weapons are fun to use in PVP, look good, and bring the game to a new level. The overall weapon selection is praised as good.

New weapons are underwhelming: Most added weapons are inferior to player-made alternatives and are impractical or gimmicky. Only the Small Cannon is relatively okay, and none are meta.

DLC perceived as poor value: Reviewers feel the DLC offers little content for the price, with many items already creatable by players. The pack contains nothing worthwhile and is not needed for gameplay.

Excessive DLC releases: Players complain about the large number of DLCs being released, with some noting it far exceeds earlier skins-only offerings. This volume is seen as overwhelming and greedy.

Long-standing bugs unfixed: Players are frustrated that years-old bugs remain, including joint twitching, logic module issues, and physics glitches. Updates introduce new exploitable bugs like the quantum rudder.

PvP balance damaged by bugs: Bugs like self-hitting cannons and shields detecting own projectiles ruin PvP balance. Glitches allow stacking blasters for one-shot kills, and new players are destroyed by bug abusers.

DLC adds new weapons: The DLC introduces weapons such as torpedoes, depth charges, sea mines, a flamethrower, and a small tank cannon. It also includes new blocks like a retrofit stabilizer and a propeller engine.

PvP combat with weapons: The game features PvP servers where players compete using guns, bombs, and other weapons. Weapons are central to PvP combat situations.

Underwater weapons pack: The pack adds underwater weapons, including depth charges and torpedoes. These are balanced for use and expand combat options.

Player-built weapons comparable: Players can hand-build weapons that are comparable to or better than some DLC parts. They can already build land mines and surface-to-air torpedoes.

Weapon types and meta: Weapons can be classified as turrets such as the Small Cannon, and some are considered meta. This affects competitive balance.

PC crashes with DLC: Players report frequent PC crashes after acquiring the DLC and playing Trailmakers. The instability appears tied to the DLC content, disrupting the experience.

DLC value is divisive: Feedback is split between reviewers who consider the DLC overpriced and not worth buying and those who find it worth the purchase. Several point to the large number of weapons included as justification for the price.

Wait for a sale: Multiple reviewers describe the price as hefty and advise waiting for a discount before buying. This recommendation appears alongside both positive and negative views of the content.

Buy only if invested: Reviewers caution that the game is only worthwhile for players who will spend substantial time with it. Those who really like the game are the target audience, while casual players are told to skip it.

Appeals to specific playstyles: The pack is recommended for players who enjoy building prop planes and want more part choices. It is also suggested for those who like experimenting with unconventional weapons.

Outright buy warnings: A few reviewers issue blunt recommendations not to buy the product at all. These statements carry no supporting detail and sit alongside the broader price complaints.

Community fair range: $10.00 - $20.00.

Meta-Driven PVP Competitor: Builds combat vehicles, tests weapon balance, and plays on PVP servers. Motivation: Stay competitive and have fun with new weapons in PVP servers. Stance: buy.

Creative Sandbox Builder: Builds prop planes and unconventional weapons in sandbox modes. Motivation: Expand building options and experiment with new parts. Stance: buy.

Fair-Play PVP Veteran: Builds custom fighters for PVP but criticizes exploit-driven and meta-heavy combat. Motivation: Fair, stable PVP and a healthy newcomer experience. Stance: no buy.

Monetization: The reviews focus on paid DLC packs that gate blocks, weapons, and much of the game's fun, with complaints about cumulative DLC cost and perceived cash-grab practices. There is no direct evidence of in-game microtransactions, premium currency, loot boxes, battle passes, or real-money gacha. Some reviews explicitly deny pay-to-win balance issues, while others allege DLC meta weapons. Under the rules, DLC and expansion complaints alone cap the score at 20.

Content gated behind paid DLC: New content and much of the game's content are reportedly locked behind paid DLC. Reviewers note that weapons have been placed in a paid pack for the first time, and block packs are now sold separately.

Propeller engine is top DLC reason: For one DLC pack, the propeller engine is cited as the biggest reason to purchase it, along with a few weapons, a tail fin, and a propeller. The pack is considered one of the top three DLCs by a reviewer.

Previously free parts now paid: Reviewers complain that small parts which used to be included in free updates are now being sold as DLC. This shift in monetization is seen as a negative change.

DLC not integrated with sandbox: Reviewers point out that the DLC does not integrate with the sandbox or Lost World modes, limiting its usefulness in those popular game modes.

Developer justifies DLC monetization: Developers stated they need the money for development and that their previous free update didn't bring enough new players. This explains the shift to paid DLC.