Simulation game realistically emulating the experience of driving European model semi-trucks on accurately modeled European roadways
Simulation game realistically emulating the experience of driving European model semi-trucks on accurately modeled European roadways
Pros
- Very low resource requirements
- Many different areas to explore
- Excellent sound effects and soundtrack
Cons
- Slow gameplay
- Few vehicle customizations
- Outdated graphics
Euro Truck Simulator is a classic simulation game that allows you to explore huge swaths of Europe as you transport goods in powerful commercial vehicles.
Driving simulators have been around for many years, and this genre was built on games like Euro Truck Simulator. This classic title was originally released in 2008, and it quickly became one of the most popular computer games around with just over 300,000 copies sold. While this game has spawned a huge lineup of world-class spin-offs and sequels, fans of the genre should be sure to add this amazing title to their gaming library.
The premise of Euro Truck Simulator is fairly simple, and anyone who has played a driving simulation game should be able to learn all of the mechanics within a few minutes. In Euro Truck Simulator, you play as a new truck driver who is trying to work their way up the system and potentially build a transportation company from the ground up. To start off, you are given an entry-level truck that has very little power and can’t pull very much weight. When you complete a mission, you are awarded credits, and those credits can eventually be used to purchase stronger and more exotic trucks.
For many people, the aging graphics will be the first thing that is noticed in this game. That being said, the graphics stand up relatively well for a game that is over a decade old, and the development team went to great lengths to add a variety of unique details. As you drive through Europe, you are going to notice amazing natural scenery, popular cars out on the road, changing weather patterns, and recognizable landmarks. That attention to detail gives this game quite a bit of content, and it can break up some of the monotony that is very common in this genre.
Over the course of the game, you are going to run into many different challenges that require excellent coordination and timing. One of the biggest challenges in the game is following all of the rules of the road. If you begin to speed or drive recklessly, then there is a very good chance that you are going to be monetarily penalized. You could also damage or completely wreck your truck, and that will have a huge impact on your progress. Once your truck is damaged, you could spend your entire stockpile of credits on repairing or replacing it.
Another challenging aspect of this game is learning how to quickly and safely back up a large commercial vehicle. There is a small training tutorial that teaches you the basics of going in reverse, but parking your vehicle will get more difficult as you progress through each mission. Near the end of the game, you will need to back down long and narrow pathways that curve from one side to the other. If you hit the walls or damage your truck, then you will have to pay quite a bit out of your own pocket. You are also going to lose some of your credits if your cargo isn't perfectly aligned in the loading docks.
Those who are fans of slower simulation games that don’t require too much strategy are sure to fall in love with the pace of this game. As a general rule, you are going to do nothing more than haul various loads throughout Europe for long periods of time. The only strategy that you will need to think about is what type of truck you would like to use for each mission. Some trucks are stronger, but they might not be as easy to control on winding streets. Other trucks have limited battery life or smaller fuel tanks, and that will impact what type of routes you need to take.
Even though the scenery and graphics can get old, the soundtrack and sound effects are excellent. All of the sounds add to the immersive nature of the game, and it will be very easy to let your mind wander as you haul huge loads from one famous European city to the next. Even though this game might show its age, it is still an excellent title in the driving simulation genre.
Pros
- Very low resource requirements
- Many different areas to explore
- Excellent sound effects and soundtrack
Cons
- Slow gameplay
- Few vehicle customizations
- Outdated graphics
Pros
- Fun challenges
- Nice graphics
- Upgrade trucks
Cons
- Slow movements
- Not many customization options
- Saving can be tricky
Get behind the wheel of a variety of large trucks to start a career as a driver.
Choose from one of the several roads to drive on in Europe as well as a variety of trucks that are available. The scenery is beautiful as you're driving along in free play mode or in challenge mode. Your view can be either be one of looking out the windshield of the truck, which offers a realistic way of enjoying the drive, or controlling the truck while it's on the road with the gears and features at the bottom of the screen. The weather changes during the game, which is what you would expect if you were driving a real truck.
You can't really customize your truck that much, but you can choose the challenges that you complete. The credits earned when you complete challenges can be used to purchase more trucks that you can choose from when you set out on the road. You can also get batteries that last longer. Some of the challenges include delivering your cargo to its destination by a certain time and getting from one location to another as quickly and as safely as you can. You do have to abide by the rules of the road when you drive, so you can't speed or perform in a manner that is reckless because there is a possibility that you will wreck your truck. You can also choose the country that you want to depart from, which can sometimes indicate how long you're going to be on the road. The animations in the game are a bit robotic, but the details make up for this lack of attention. The sound effects are realistic, especially when you first take off on the road.
Pros
- Fun challenges
- Nice graphics
- Upgrade trucks
Cons
- Slow movements
- Not many customization options
- Saving can be tricky
