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Dumb Ways to Build on Steam

Playtest report preview

Dumb Ways to Build

Physics-based co-op construction game where teams build paths through dangerous jobs.

We listened to 8 Twitch streams of Dumb Ways to Build (7h 23m in total). The problem that came up most: how many revives a revive station or toilet grants is unclear, in 3 of 8 streams.

8 Twitch streams · 7h 23m analysed · Chinese, Portuguese, English, German · analysed in the week of 28 Sept 2026 · Steam page

Problems
78
Ideas
2
Highlights
17

Where the moments happened

Grey bars show when the streamer was talking. Each mark is one reported moment; select a type below to hide or show it.

  • Stream 1, 1h analysed: 7 problems, 3 highlights.
  • Stream 2, 1h analysed: 15 problems, 2 highlights.
  • Stream 3, 1h analysed: 20 problems, 1 suggestion or comparison, 4 highlights.
  • Stream 4, 1h analysed: 22 problems, 3 suggestions or comparisons, 5 highlights.
  • Stream 5, 1h analysed: 18 problems, 1 highlight.
  • Stream 6, 39 min analysed: 4 problems, 2 highlights.
  • Stream 7, 44 min analysed: 12 problems, 6 highlights.
  • Stream 8, 59 min analysed: 13 problems, 6 highlights.
Show:

Problems (78)

Bugs, confusion, frustration and the moments players gave up.

  1. #1Bug

    grapple gun runs out of charges and stops working mid-climb

    1 of 8 streams · 5 moments

    5 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  2. #2Bug

    swapping items deletes the previously held item

    1 of 8 streams · 3 moments

    3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  3. #3Bug

    noticeable lag during gameplay

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  4. #4Bug

    npc quest fails to trigger when standing too far away

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  5. #5Bug

    joining a friend's room sometimes fails with a generic error

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  6. #6Bug

    electrocution hazard strikes with no visible cause

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  7. #7Bug

    player falls off the map

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  8. #8Bug

    getting stunned can clip player inside building geometry

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  9. #9Bug

    fuel boost item causes rubber-banding lag glitch

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  10. #10Bug

    emote or reaction button fails to work for some players

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  11. #11Bug

    toilet prop splashes despite not being plumbed in

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  12. #12Bug

    voice sounds distorted after a knockout

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  13. #13Confusion

    how many revives a revive station or toilet grants is unclear

    3 of 8 streams · 4 moments

    4 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  14. #14Confusion

    megaphone tool's voice-activated function isn't clear to players

    2 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  15. #15Confusion

    which button rotates a placed building piece is unclear

    2 of 8 streams · 3 moments

    3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  16. #16Confusionblocking

    plunger gun's pull mechanic is never explained

    1 of 8 streams · 3 moments

    3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  17. #17Confusionblocking

    carrying a teammate blocks the crush hazard and causes sudden deaths

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  18. #18Confusion

    room code on the lobby screen is hard to see or gets covered by chat

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  19. #19Confusion

    freeze ability is powerful but easy to miss early on

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  20. #20Confusion

    battery/energy recharge objective is never explained

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  21. #21Confusion

    cosmetic items are confusing to preview and equip

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  22. #22Confusion

    unclear what the goal and gameplay loop are before starting

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  23. #23Confusion

    shared boost mechanic and level path are unclear without hints

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  24. #24Confusion

    nailed objects behave inconsistently and sometimes hold unexpectedly

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  25. #25Confusion

    no clear indicator of where to go next during build tasks

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  26. #26Confusion

    ladder locked behind an unexplained resource requirement

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  27. #27Confusion

    gluing pieces together removes the ability to pick them up again

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  28. #28Confusion

    summon system spawns the wrong item

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  29. #29Confusion

    cracked planks give no clear safety signal

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  30. #30Confusion

    character creation cosmetics differ between players in the same lobby

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  31. #31Confusion

    bomb and tomato items look too similar to tell apart

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  32. #32Confusion

    traffic hazards can kill players without warning

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  33. #33Confusion

    floating spectator camera after death is confusing

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  34. #34Confusion

    a breakable prop that looks like a vase surprises players

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  35. #35Confusion

    bomb reactivation instructions are easy to miss before dying

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  36. #36Confusion

    escape menu hides streamer mode and secret achievements players find by accident

    1 of 8 streams · 3 moments

    3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  37. #37Confusion

    wild creature flee and respawn behavior is unclear

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  38. #38Confusion

    portable ladder item's use and limited supply confuses players

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  39. #39Confusion

    improvised weapons and shortcuts like fridges or staplers do not work

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  40. #40Confusion

    switching tools and ducking are not explained by the controls

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  41. #41Confusion

    unclear whether evolving a creature can produce a shiny variant

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  42. #42Confusion

    battle ability effects are hard to understand

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  43. #43Confusion

    boss battle retry limits are not explained

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  44. #44Confusion

    streamer mode and crossplay toggles are hard to find in settings

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  45. #45Confusion

    unclear whether an unlockable feature requires payment

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  46. #46Confusion

    unclear when climbing is actually necessary versus walking around

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  47. #47Confusion

    gluing pieces to walls for platforms is not obvious

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  48. #48Confusion

    party and game chat switching confuses players

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  49. #49Confusion

    thrown objects travel farther than expected

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  50. #50Confusion

    photo mechanics unclear

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  51. #51Confusion

    unclear whether players must work together or can go solo

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  52. #52Confusion

    hard-to-see gaps in platforms catch players off guard

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  53. #53Confusion

    unclear which objects in the level can be climbed

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  54. #54Confusion

    hosting a lobby seems to require friending teammates on steam

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  55. #55Confusion

    dunking electrical items like the toaster in water has no effect

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  56. #56Frustrationblocking

    placing down the mice item is unreliable and frustrating

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  57. #57Frustration

    carrying batteries while climbing is physically frustrating

    1 of 8 streams · 3 moments

    3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  58. #58Frustration

    some building steps need two players, awkward when playing solo

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  59. #59Frustration

    mission difficulty rated easy or kid-friendly feels much harder in practice

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  60. #60Frustration

    glued pieces fail to stick reliably during construction

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  61. #61Frustration

    controls for manipulating and attaching pieces feel overly complicated

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  62. #62Frustration

    fall damage from broken ankles feels punishing

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  63. #63Frustration

    rotating a held building piece is fiddly

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  64. #64Frustration

    frequent falling deaths while climbing structures

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  65. #65Frustration

    death respawns the player far below their climbing progress

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  66. #66Frustration

    voice volume slider is awkward to drag

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  67. #67Frustration

    players can knock each other off ledges

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  68. #68Frustration

    piranha enemies deal heavy damage quickly

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  69. #69Frustration

    items donated with bits can spawn explosives that kill players

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  70. #70Frustration

    hammer tool disappears from inventory without explanation

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  71. #71Frustration

    loud sound effects drown out team voice chat

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  72. #72Frustration

    collectible eggs near incubators are easy to miss

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  73. #73Frustration

    no dance emote available after finishing a build

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  74. #74Frustration

    building materials can be accidentally thrown away and lost

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  75. #75Frustration

    grapple gun has very limited uses

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  76. #76Frustration

    low-hanging sign repeatedly hits player's head

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  77. #77Frustration

    electric hazard zaps players mid-jump unfairly

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  78. #78Frustration

    friendly fire causes concern about griefing in public lobbies

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report

Suggestions and comparisons (2)

What players asked for, and which games they compared yours to.

  1. #79Suggestion

    no way to remove a placed nail

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  2. #80Suggestion

    players want more unlockable customization options

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report

What landed (17)

Moments players clearly enjoyed.

  1. #81Highlight

    players enjoy picking fun cosmetic customization options

    2 of 8 streams · 5 moments

    5 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  2. #82Highlight

    players take pride in bridges and staircases they build

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  3. #83Highlight

    players enjoy the lack of on-screen guidance compared to other games

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  4. #84Highlight

    fixing broken tv reveals a nice nod to the original game

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  5. #85Highlight

    players can injure and sabotage teammates using tools and gadgets

    1 of 8 streams · 3 moments

    3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  6. #86Highlight

    small environment visual details delight players

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  7. #87Highlight

    destructible and interactive environment objects are a strong highlight

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  8. #88Highlight

    goofy actions like sledgehammer hits and jaywalking unlock hidden achievements

    1 of 8 streams · 2 moments

    2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  9. #89Highlight

    character creation is quick and easy to use

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  10. #90Highlight

    specific creature designs get a strong positive reaction

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  11. #91Highlight

    catching boss enemies is a pleasant surprise

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  12. #92Highlight

    players enjoy taking photos with the camera

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  13. #93Highlight

    starting structure looks unstable with chaotic ragdoll physics

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  14. #94Highlight

    nail gun tool feels fun to use

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  15. #95Highlight

    players feel proud watching their build's dollar value climb

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  16. #96Highlight

    a drink item that alters your voice delights players

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
  17. #97Highlight

    the plunger gun is a fan favorite silly weapon

    1 of 8 streams · 1 moment

    1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report

More games we analysed

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    55 problems · 22 highlights · 8 streams

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    62 problems · 14 highlights · 8 streams

    shark boss gatekeeping the cooking unlock feels overly difficult

  • Big Walk

    57 problems · 25 highlights · 8 streams

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  • Waterpark Simulator

    70 problems · 21 highlights · 8 streams

    overview camera doesn't show which pool has an incident

  • Mimic Party

    19 problems · 8 highlights · 8 streams

    sabotage mechanic repeatedly frustrates players across sessions

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    45 problems · 18 highlights · 8 streams

    players repeatedly lack gold to buy wanted shop items

All 62 games we analysed

About this page

Speech was transcribed on our own machine and an AI model picked out the moments. Every item in the full report quotes the streamer's actual words, checked against the transcript; 144 of 145 candidate moments passed that check. Only counts and short issue titles are public. Quotes and streamer names stay in the private report.

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