Euro Truck Simulator

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.

Euro Truck Simulator is a very interesting game for those who enjoy a sense of the open road and yet have become tired of traditional racing platforms. As the name suggests, this game is centred around a truck driver who navigates throughout Europe. Still, this is much more than a simple driving platform alone. Alongside realistic depictions of the routes themselves, players will have a chance to make scheduled deliveries, purchase upgrades and even securing an entirely new truck is a possibility. It should still be noted that this may not be the best choice for those who enjoy a white-knuckle ride. Euro Truck Simulator is more "geared" towards anyone who prefers a relaxing and realistic depiction of European roads.

Realistic Lorries

One of the first aspects that the player will note is that the lorries to be driven have been replicated to the minutest of details. Not only is their handling much like would be experienced on the open road, but their interiors offer all of the gauges and instruments that long-haul drivers have become familiar with. These include flashing indicators, petrol warning lights, oil pressure readings and a speedometer. Even the windscreen wipers will become activated should the driver encounter inclement weather along a journey. So, there is very little left to the imagination and Euro Truck Simulator is a great choice for anyone who has an affinity for these vehicles.

Based on Reality

Another striking aspect of Euro Truck Simulator is that the environments are based on actual regions. In simpler terms, this game can be thought of as a first-person journey through the world of Google Street View. Motorway markers, exits, entrances and even cityscapes are all portrayed much as they would appear in real life. Daytime and overnight missions can be chosen and as should be expected, a number of different weather conditions must be dealt with. This adds a bit more variety to the game while also enhancing the skills of the driver. However, keep in mind that Euro Truck Simulator is only the first in a series of games of the same name (Euro Truck Simulator 2 and 3 also exist). Some may be disappointed at the moderate levels of 2008 graphics that are displayed.

A Choice of Countries

This game will allow the player to choose his or her point of origin. They can select Austria, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Portugal and Spain (amongst others). Note that versions 1.2 and 1.3 include the United Kingdom within this list. Once the country is selected, an impressive budget of €100,000 euros is offered. This will enable the first truck to be purchased. One of the more challenging features of Euro Truck Simulator is that most countries are "locked" until a certain number of missions are completed. As one gains experience points, he or she will be able to commute to different regions within Europe.

The Lorries Themselves

Even though Euro Truck Simulator was released as far back as 2008, the lorries that are depicted are still considered to display reasonably high levels of accuracy. A handful of the vehicles to be chosen (depending upon one's funds) include the Mercedes-Benz Actros, the Volvo FH16, the Scania R-Series and the Renault Magnum. Of course, there are other makes and models present as well. One of the thrills of the game is to be able to complete enough deliveries in order to upgrade one's vehicle.

Game Specifications

The overall file size of Euro Truck Simulator is 120 megabytes. This is primarily due to the fact that its early manufacture was meant to accommodate operating systems with a smaller memory capacity at the time. Therefore, it is considered to be a relatively small download in comparison to more recent platforms. A minimum processing power of 2.4 gigahertz is required alongside 512 megabytes of memory. An additional 128 megabytes will be allocated toward video processes. Direct X version 9.0 is recommended for the proper execution of the game.

Supported Operating Systems

Euro Truck Simulator is able to be installed in Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. On an important side note, there is also a version of this game designed for Mac operating systems.

The Verdict

Although some players may think that Euro Truck Simulator is slightly outdated, the truth of the matter is that the graphics as well as the game play are both still impressive. Let us take a final look at some of the benefits and pitfalls of this platform.

Drive one of the many available tractor-trailer trucks on various roads in Europe.

If you're looking for an extraordinary simulation game, consider trying Euro Truck Simulator. The graphics are highly detailed, making you think that you're really in the cab of a big tractor-trailer. From the realistic sounds to the maneuvers that you have to make in order to turn and get around obstacles, it's about as close to being behind the wheel of a large truck as you can get.

When the game begins, you get to choose the kind of the truck that you want. You can change to another vehicle or add a few upgrades later if you want. Next, you'll find a country in Europe where you want to drive. If you've never played the game, it's best to make a selection that has few hills and curves. This will help you get used to the controls before you engage in more complex driving.

The controls are fairly easy to learn; there are only a few keys that are used in the game. When you back up, make sure you look behind you in the mirrors; there are cars that sometimes appear unexpectedly. Your goal in the game is to make deliveries to various cities within a certain timeframe. When you complete a delivery, you earn money. Use the cash to buy better trucks that have more speed and batteries that last a little longer. You will see that the truck you start with needs to be recharged in a short time.