All That Junk is an indie casual simulation game centered on automation and precise organization. Players tackle the task of sorting an enormous pile of mixed junk into appropriate containers using a combination of conveyor systems and specialized machines on PC.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around processing large volumes of procedurally generated junk items. Each piece undergoes real physics simulation that accounts for its weight, size, material properties, and whether it is hollow or solid. Six different materials appear across dozens of junk varieties, creating varied sorting challenges that demand careful machine configuration.
Four primary machines assist in separation. A magnet arm lifts steel items. A screen allows smaller objects to pass through its adjustable holes. A shaker applies kicks to dislodge lighter materials. An eddy current separator ejects items that conduct electricity effectively relative to their weight. Copper and lead, for example, prove difficult to distinguish by density alone but separate cleanly via conductivity differences in the eddy current process.
Players chain these machines together with conveyors, lift belts, and grapple cranes. Each machine requires manual lever adjustments for parameters such as hole size, kick intensity, and rotor speed. Imperfect sorting is inevitable, with a tolerance of up to ten misclassified items permitted. A jetpack provides overhead views of the entire yard, while a control tower houses a prominent stop button for halting operations.
Controls support both mouse and keyboard or gamepad input, allowing direct interaction with the layout and settings. The emphasis remains on iterative refinement of machine combinations rather than speed or combat elements.
Game Modes
The experience centers on a single-player sorting challenge without additional named modes or multiplayer components. Players progress by experimenting with machine chains and settings to handle increasingly complex junk mixtures. The procedural generation of items ensures each session presents fresh combinations of materials and shapes that test the limits of any given setup.
Success depends on understanding material properties and machine interactions. No line achieves perfect separation due to overlapping characteristics like density and conductivity, so the goal shifts toward minimizing errors within the allowed margin. This structure encourages repeated attempts at optimization rather than linear progression through distinct stages.
Key Mechanics and Features
Real physics governs every item, with individual measurements for weight and dimensions feeding directly into machine behavior. Conveyors, lift belts, grapple cranes, magnet arms, screens, shakers, and eddy current separators form the toolkit for building automated lines. The jetpack and control tower add practical tools for oversight and emergency intervention.
Procedural junk generation introduces variety in shape, material, and internal structure, preventing any single configuration from working universally. Adjustments to machine levers happen by hand, rewarding precise tuning over broad automation. The system highlights differences between materials, such as conductivity gaps that enable separation where density-based methods fall short.
Is It Worth Playing?
All That Junk suits players who enjoy methodical automation and puzzle-like optimization in a casual simulation setting. The focus on combining imperfect machines to achieve acceptable results creates a steady loop of testing and refinement. Those drawn to physics-driven sorting challenges and hands-on machine tuning will find the described systems engaging without extraneous layers.
Availability remains limited to PC, with support for both traditional and gamepad controls. The absence of confirmed updates, seasons, or additional content means the core experience stands on its described mechanics alone. Individuals seeking straightforward organization gameplay with real physics feedback may appreciate the direct approach to sorting large junk volumes.
