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Pardon the dust! This page includes some jargon that hasn't been added to the site's glossary yet. I'll be around to fix this later, but sorry for the inconvenience in the meantime. |
Review: American Truck Simulator
At a Glance
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How to Save and Pause:Your progress is periodically saved, though you can also manually save at any time. To pause a single player game, just bring up the map (press M) or the pause menu (press ESC). Time needed per session:Expect to play for long periods of time - often over an hour - as it can take a long time to complete a single delivery and you can easily lose track of time while playing.
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Does this game pose issues for Christian players?
 | No - this is a great game for Christians Every so often, there's a new DLC or in game billboard that exists to raise awareness of some real life issue, but this is hardly a problem. |
Screenshots
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/american_truck_simulator_0.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/american_truck_simulator_1.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/american_truck_simulator_2.jpg)
Game Overview
Are you one of those people who enjoys fetch quests in games? Are you also a big fan of large trucks? Well then this game was practically tailor made for you. American Truck Simulator is a game about driving "big rigs" or "semis" around the United States, with the only real goal being to deliver freight on time.
Now, this isn't your normal driving game. This time around, you're actually expected to follow traffic laws. This means that you'll need to stop at red lights, use your turn signals, obey the speed limit, and use your headlights when it's raining. Failure to comply with these rules will result in you being fined, and if the police see you breaking the law, the fine is increased sharply.
Another way ATS is unique is that, just like in real life, drivers need to rest every so often. There's an indicator on the GPS that slowly turns blue as time passes, so you can easily track how tired your character is. Once it fills up, the graphic turns red and your character will begin to yawn. This is the sign that you need to find a rest stop and sleep for a while. Rest stops are fairly well spaced out and are clearly marked on your map, so they're easy to find and you can even plan your rest stops ahead of time.
But, if you don't stop for some downtime, you'll start falling asleep at the wheel. When this happens, the screen will go black and the controls stop responding. Although these "naps" only last a moment, your truck will have covered a lot of distance and can easily crash into something before you regain control. Since you pay for repairs out of pocket and are paid less for damaged cargo, this isn't something you want to risk.
Other obstacles that prevent you from making an easy delivery include wrecks, road construction, and detours. None of these appear on your GPS, nor does it take them into account when plotting your route. Fortunately, you can tweak the route manually at any time, allowing you to have a clear path to wherever you're going.
As you progress, you'll unlock new content in the form of different types of cargo and longer routes. This is done via an experience and skill system; every time you level up, you geet to place another rank in one of the provided skills. Each skill corrisponds to either a type of cargo, type of order, or special ability (such as reduced fuel consumption or longer route options).
All in all, for a game that's entirely about completing glorified fetch quests, it's actually a lot of fun and very relaxing. Not only would I suggest giving this a whirl, I'd also recommend turning off the in-game music and queuing up an audiobook to listen to as you drive through the US countryside.
Now, this isn't your normal driving game. This time around, you're actually expected to follow traffic laws. This means that you'll need to stop at red lights, use your turn signals, obey the speed limit, and use your headlights when it's raining. Failure to comply with these rules will result in you being fined, and if the police see you breaking the law, the fine is increased sharply.
Another way ATS is unique is that, just like in real life, drivers need to rest every so often. There's an indicator on the GPS that slowly turns blue as time passes, so you can easily track how tired your character is. Once it fills up, the graphic turns red and your character will begin to yawn. This is the sign that you need to find a rest stop and sleep for a while. Rest stops are fairly well spaced out and are clearly marked on your map, so they're easy to find and you can even plan your rest stops ahead of time.
But, if you don't stop for some downtime, you'll start falling asleep at the wheel. When this happens, the screen will go black and the controls stop responding. Although these "naps" only last a moment, your truck will have covered a lot of distance and can easily crash into something before you regain control. Since you pay for repairs out of pocket and are paid less for damaged cargo, this isn't something you want to risk.
Other obstacles that prevent you from making an easy delivery include wrecks, road construction, and detours. None of these appear on your GPS, nor does it take them into account when plotting your route. Fortunately, you can tweak the route manually at any time, allowing you to have a clear path to wherever you're going.
As you progress, you'll unlock new content in the form of different types of cargo and longer routes. This is done via an experience and skill system; every time you level up, you geet to place another rank in one of the provided skills. Each skill corrisponds to either a type of cargo, type of order, or special ability (such as reduced fuel consumption or longer route options).
All in all, for a game that's entirely about completing glorified fetch quests, it's actually a lot of fun and very relaxing. Not only would I suggest giving this a whirl, I'd also recommend turning off the in-game music and queuing up an audiobook to listen to as you drive through the US countryside.
Points of Interest
Regular updates
Currently, 10 of the 50 states are available either as part of the game or as a DLC expansion. More are being released regularly, as are other DLCs that offer specialized cargo types or new paint jobs.
There's also an optional online portion of the game that regularly features community-wide events that players can participate in.
There's also an optional online portion of the game that regularly features community-wide events that players can participate in.
Multiple Control Schemes
This game is all about making the drive comfortable, so you can make the controls as realistic as you want. In other words, you have the option to let the computer handle shifting gears for you, or you can play it like a virtual stick shift. You can change these options at any time by bringing up the options menu.
Own your own trucks and company
Once you have enough captial, you can create a business by purchasing trucks and hiring computer-controled drivers. You'll need to provide each driver with the truck they'll use and a parking space at one of your garages, but they'll handle the rest.
Alternatively, once you own a truck of your own, you can just drive around and explore for the fun of it. This also provides another, more immersive, method to find work in your current area.
Alternatively, once you own a truck of your own, you can just drive around and explore for the fun of it. This also provides another, more immersive, method to find work in your current area.
Steam community features
Currently, there are 75 achievements available for the dedicated drivers out there. Many of these involve leaving the rat race to explore or see the sights, but the majority of them involve hauling specific types of cargo in certain areas. For example, there's an achievement for hauling a load of vegetables up Cabbage Hill.
Since most achievements are tied to specific states, more will be added as time goes on and more content is released.
Since most achievements are tied to specific states, more will be added as time goes on and more content is released.
Long games
Despite the fact that the country is greatly scaled down, longer routes still take a fair amount of time to travel. In fact, it can often take an hour for some of the longest trips.
Of course, you can save and quit at any time, but who wants to do that?
Of course, you can save and quit at any time, but who wants to do that?
Expensive DLC
Right now, there are 28 DLC packages available, totaling over $130. Remember, that figure doesn't include the base game, which is $20. The more expensive DLCs are the ones that unlock new states, so the price is probably reasonable for the amount of work involved.
The good news here is that this game and its DLC goes on sale very often, so with a little patience you'll be able to get everything for a song.
The good news here is that this game and its DLC goes on sale very often, so with a little patience you'll be able to get everything for a song.
Concerns and Issues
Road laws
Players that are used to driving like crazy are in for a big surprise when they find that this game takes the traffic laws seriously. It doesn't help that the game automatically fines you when the infraction occurs.
This is particularly a problem with the headlight violations. You're required to switch your headlights on when it's raining, but the rain isn't always visible, leading to you getting unwelcome surprises.
This is particularly a problem with the headlight violations. You're required to switch your headlights on when it's raining, but the rain isn't always visible, leading to you getting unwelcome surprises.
Billboards can reference worrisome things
In this game, billboards and other advertisements placed near the roadway are usually there to give the world some additional flavor, often by advertising fake products like "food" or "cold drink". However, they sometimes refer to real life issues, such as mental health awareness or drunk driving.