Realistic trucking simulation game
American Truck Simulator is a single-player trucking simulation game that lets players drive trucks across the United States of America with cargo for fun and for profit, either as a freelancer or a business owner. This game provides updates and expansions that add new states, features, and customization options, making it a standout in the simulation genre. Developed by SCS Software, it’s available on PCs.
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American Truck Simulator works similarly to games like Star Trucker, SnowRunner, Train Sim World®️ 4, and Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, which allows players to unleash their inner explorer skills by driving a truck or a train to various roads and locations.
How does American Truck Simulator work?
In American Truck Simulator, you can start as a new hire, and once you advance professionally, you can become the owner. To gain experience and money in this game, you need to take on freelance opportunities. To do this, on the home screen, scan the list of open positions on the market to view the hiring company’s types of trucks, route lengths, the estimated amount of time, salaries, and item descriptions.
Once you choose a proposal, you can see your path being highlighted on a map to the left, and you can view the vehicle that you need to drive within the queue. If you’re done analyzing your route and have decided on your role, you can start the game by using a built-in satellite GPS to plot your preferred routes on the map. In this game, you can discover new cities, recruitment agencies, and vehicle dealers.
Additionally, you can earn extra profit by unlocking driver skills, transporting fragile, hazardous, and high-value objects, driving long distances, and performing just-in-time deliveries. This feature lets players be rewarded once they arrive at the destinations on time and with the vehicle and products in pristine condition. However, a tardy arrival with damaged items can result in receiving complaints and being penalized. Occasionally, you also need to back up into a garage to complete tasks, which is challenging as the space can be tiny compared to vehicles.
Offers a wide variety of locations and features
Each state that is offered within the game resembles the real-life locations in the USA. The game places players in the front seat of a freight truck to transport items across states like Washington, Montana, California, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and many more. These locations can be accessed through the game’s various DLCs. If you wish to drive in a certain location, you need to download its corresponding DLC.
Furthermore, the game includes encounters with police officers when there is a breach in safety regulations, such as collisions, refusing to stop, running red lights, and speeding. The game supports the ability to turn right on red, as the law permits this in most states in the US. The financing system in the game is also considered authentic, as players can purchase garages and trucks to embark on creating their businesses.
Here, gamers need to either save up enough money from completing gigs or secure a bank loan. To expand the LLC, players can hire drivers wherein similarly, this is done in the same type of system that was used to recruit the players as truck maneuvers. During the hiring process, you can examine the potential hires’ names, pictures, preferred wages, ratings, and skills. As a recruiter, it’s up to you who you want to give a job opportunity.
The game’s 1.51 update
In its updated properties, the game greets its players with a new title screen, additional UI tweaks, a reordering of options, and the introduction of a search bar. Players can also preview custom backgrounds for a more tailored gaming experience. Additionally, players can now equip aerodynamic fairings and wheel covers by FlowBelow on a variety of trucks like the Kenworth T680, Peterbilt 579, and Volvo VNL, adding a more polished look and potentially improving truck performance. Furthermore, dynamic loading and unloading mechanics have been expanded to grain hopper trailers, enhancing the realism of logistics operations.
The game’s DLCs also enhanced its features; in the Oklahoma DLC, a new section of Interstate 44 through the city center has been added, along with new depots such as a furniture store and construction site. The I-40 route also gains two new truck stops, expanding the network of rest areas for long hauls. Meanwhile, the Texas DLC receives a visual upgrade with more detailed vegetation, including the addition of loblolly pine trees, adding to the natural realism of the game’s environment.
On the other hand, players of the Oregon DLC can now also customize city introduction screens, allowing for a more personalized touch. The Nebraska, Kansas, and Arkansas DLCs also upgraded their depots for players. Further, the Mack Anthem in the game has become a lot cooler too, as a Limited-Edition Mack Black Anthem® is now available. This features a blacked-out exterior trim package and other additional interior features. However, as the game focuses on truck driving, it doesn’t have a character development feature. It is not ideal for players seeking purely character-driven gameplay.
New terrains and ways to drive in the V1.53 update
The recent V1.53 update for American Truck Simulator changes the game in a big way, combining smooth performance upgrades with massive new areas to explore. The biggest addition is the South Dakota DLC, which lets you drive through the wide-open Great Plains, the rugged Badlands, and right past iconic spots like Mount Rushmore. It joins other recent map updates like the Illinois DLC—where you can navigate the busy streets of Chicago—and the Louisiana DLC.
But this update isn't just about driving big 18-wheelers anymore; it introduces a totally new way to play called Road Trip mode. Paired with the Road Trip: Ford DLC, you can step out of the massive commercial trucks and hop into everyday personal vehicles instead. You can customize and drive popular rides like a brand-new Ford F-150 or a classic 1967 Mustang Fastback. Instead of hauling giant trailers, you get to explore the massive map at your own pace, take on smaller package delivery jobs, and snap pictures for your postcard collection.
This casual mode breathes fresh life into the game. It gives longtime players a fun reason to rediscover old roads from a completely different perspective, either solo or with friends in multiplayer. On top of that, smaller updates like the Bobcat Cargo Pack let you transport authentic compact machinery, adding even more variety to your daily routes. With even more states like North Dakota and Indiana already on the horizon, the game shows no signs of slowing down and remains the absolute best open-road driving simulator out there.
Become the king of the road
As this truck simulator game allows players to experience the lifelike scenery of American roads, American Truck Simulator is a must-try game for every truck enthusiast. Along with imaginative travel opportunities, it allows people to practice their trucking and business skills. In this game, players can be familiar with purchasing immense items, hiring people, and reimbursing loans. It lets players drive various licensed trucks from major manufacturers, each faithfully recreated with detailed interiors and exteriors.
