Docked | PC Review

Docked is a game that puts you in charge of running a shipping port. You play the role of Tommy, returning to the Port to help your father keep things running in the face of inclement weather. While you might think this will be all about the ships, it’s actually about the crane, reach stacker, and straddle carrier. You will get to operate all of this at one point or another.

Severe Weather On The Way

You start as Tommy is called in to help his father work the family port. Tommy joins to assist unloading a ship before the coming storm makes landfall. There is some dangerous cargo that you need to unload using a rail mounted gantry crane. The controls are very responsive and easy to understand. As you grab the cargo and navigate dropping it carefully in the right places, the rain continues to pound on the glass. It really does set quite a mood and draws you in.

Port Management

As you take on jobs and continue further down the campaign you will start to manage the port. Taking on jobs, setting up unloading processes, and updating facilities. You will also purchase new hardware to help you unload more efficiently and make larger profits. This is definitely not a full blown management sim, but more of a sim light that has just enough elements to be fun without being frustrating. 

Heavy Equipment

While you start Docked with the rail-mounted gantry crane, you will end up driving reach stackers, straddle carriers and more. Each one feels different and takes some practice. The reach stackers, for instance, can move their cab forward and backward on their frame for better view when stacking containers. The straddle carrier lets you drive right over the top of trucks and other containers to get into hard to reach areas and complete your work. Driving something that tall has a feel to it that needs to be experienced. You definitely feel the height and tippyness of it.

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed my time with Docked. The graphics do not disappoint. The feeling of being in the cab during a storm is really something. The rain and the wind all come together in a way that makes you feel what’s going on rather than just watching it. While the management part is simple in nature it’s still fun. The real star, though, is operating the equipment. Stacking and unstacking containers using heavy equipment will always be entertaining.

This review is based on a PC copy of Docked provided by Sandbox Strategies for coverage purposes. It is also available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Epic Games Store