Secret Trucker

As I continue trying to sort out my sale purchases, I've finally come across a game (games actually) that I feel good about.  Yes!  I can live with the satisfaction of knowing that I didn't completely impulse buy my way into a pile of games that I hate and will never play.  I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but I have been successfully virtually piloting big rigs on the roads of Europe and the United States....and I like it.

There have always been a few games that I've felt really uncool playing--The Sims would top that list.  For some weird reason I enjoy simulation games.  I don't think they are for everyone and that most people would scoff at games like Viscera Cleanup Detail.  Well, you can add Eurotruck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator to the list.  What kind of weirdo wants to play a game where you are doing a job?  Not only that, but a job that sounds immensely boring....you drive a truck, deliver freight, and manage your own trucking company.  It turns out that it's not boring and that there's something enjoyable about cruising around, making money and pimping out your truck.

So what's the point of ETS2 or ATS?  Exploration and world domination.  As you make more money you can buy more garages and trucks, hire more drivers and go on to become a virtual trucking billionaire.  Billionaire might be a little far fetched...but you get the picture.  Or you can go at it from more of the exploration viewpoint--there are thousands upon thousands of virtual miles of roads to drive.  The landscapes are beautiful and inspired by real places in Europe and the United States.  Not that you have much time to be admiring the scenery...

My purple Peterbilt in American Truck Simulator.

I decided to start my adventures in trucking in Europe.  Starting a new game in ETS2 can be a little intimidating--you have to pick a preferred control scheme (there are a wide variety of options including keyboard controls, mouse controls, and options for those with fancy wheel controller setups), a type of truck you prefer (I don't know anything about trucks so I picked the prettiest), your preferred type of transmission (as a beginner I would highly recommend going with simple), and a name and logo for your new trucking company.  Phew!  After you've done all those things you are given a tiny garage and your first job.

Getting used to driving with the keyboard and mouse controls took me a little while.  The keyboard controls the throttle and you steer by gently pushing the mouse either left or right (notice that I said gently.  If you jerk the mouse around you are bound to have problems).  It's not too difficult.  The real difficulty comes from driving a behemoth truck with a huge trailer.  Unlike being in a normal car or truck, you have to be very aware of the position of your trailer.  If you take a corner too sharply you risk ramming your trailer into a variety of objects...other vehicles, guardrails, walls, road signs, road signals, etc.  None of these actions result in anything good--hitting objects can damage your freight resulting in penalties and hitting other vehicles will result in a fine that is deducted from your bank roll.  You also have to manage costs for things like refueling and repairs.

As you get more experience you are able to pick talents that allow you to make the most of your driving skills.  You can pick longer trips, carry high value or even dangerous cargoes, or get better gas mileage.  All of this is in pursuit of earning enough cash to buy a bigger garage and expand your fleet.

My first thought when I first started playing ETS2 was "ooh this is like Grand Theft Auto!"  Don't be tempted into that thinking!  In ETS2 you are expected to (mostly) follow the rules of the road.  There's no cruising through traffic signals (I suppose you could if you wanted to accrue some crazy fines) or ramming your way through other vehicles.

Just like driving in real life, the Truck Simulator games require a large amount of focus.  I have found that I have to pace myself when playing or else I get tired.  There are fun details in the fact that you can add your own music or internet radio streams to play while you drive.

If you're in the market for a low-stress game to enjoy I would recommend either Eurotruck Simulator or it's American cousin, American Truck Simulator.  So far they have been my favorite purchases from the recent Steam Summer Sale.