Are there any other truck simulators besides… “Truckers”?! Yes, there are, and quite a few of them. Among them, we can highlight several outstanding projects that are as close as possible to the beloved classics from SoftLab-NSK. Top10 Best Truck Simulators for PC
The genre is defined as a “truck simulator,” but people say it more simply – “truck simulator.” After the spectacular success of the franchise of the same name (especially the second part, which we will remember later), the West suddenly realized that they could do it too. A year later, the 18 Wheels of Steel series appeared, and then Euro Truck Simulator and many others appeared.
Truckers 2
Developer : SoftLab-NSK
Release date : April 17, 2001
The player controls a company that provides trucking services. Initially, there is only one player, and he only has enough money for one batch of cheap rags. The task is to deliver the cargo to the customer with minimal damage. With the proceeds, the player buys new cargo and begins to expand, hiring employees and buying trucks for them.
There is minimal management here; the gameplay focuses on driving and servicing the car. It needs to be repaired, refueled, and undergo maintenance. You can crash or drown it -“Vehicles like these cannot be repaired.”. The goal is to capture at least 51% of all cargo transportation in the region. Then, you can continue in free-play mode.
But that’s not all: the game has a system of fighting competitors and raider takeovers. And if you drive through a red light, you can get into trouble with the law and turn “Truckers” into a light version of GTA for a short time.
Euro Truck Simulator 2
Developer : SCS Software
Release date : October 18, 2012
Download : Steam
As for the second Euro Truck, we are again getting behind the wheel of a truck, but now everything has become more attractive. The traffic is more intense, the AI ​​has become more competent, and there are a lot of road signs on the highways and in the cities that need to be taken into account. In general, breaking the traffic rules here, as in real life, is more expensive for you. Ultimately, you will still be caught, and no one needs a fine or license revocation.
18 Wheels of Steel Series
Developer : SCS Software
Release dates : 2002-2011
18 Wheels of Steel is one of the few game series where it is difficult to single out a separate part. The series has organically evolved with the global game industry: the graphics have improved, and new mechanics, maps, and car models have been added. But in essence, the game has always remained a truck driver simulator – the player traveled along the roads of North America, building his own transport company from scratch.
The critical turn happened in 2009 with the release of 18 Wheels of Steel: Extreme Trucker. In this part, there is no global map. Instead, the guys introduced several independent regions (USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia) and even separate roads, such as the infamous Yungas Road (“Death Road”). Also, all the cars became real – the developer received a license to create full-fledged models of trucks from Mercedes, Volvo, and other brands.
Scania Truck Driving Simulator
Developer : Â SCS Software
Release date : June 8, 2012
Download : Steam
Scania Truck Driving Simulator is a genuinely realistic simulator. It allows the player to drive Scania trucks with complete duplication of the physics of an actual vehicle. In addition to programmers and designers, Scania engineers and “veteran truckers” worked on developing the game.
Ultimately, it turned out to be something hardcore, but hardcore in a good way. To transport cargo along a winding road, you must move at a walking speed and constantly turn the steering wheel furiously in one direction. But in the end, seeing your name at the top of the leaders, you understand that all this was not in vain. Although you can enjoy the keyboard ride, it is better with a gaming steering wheel. Here, it is essential, and the sensations will be completely different.
Spintires
Developer : Oovee Game Studios
Release date : June 12, 2014
Spintires’ path to the masses took a lot of work. The game was initially released on Steam but was soon removed. A critical bug was found in it, which ultimately “crashed” the game, so only a complete reinstallation saved it. Steam no longer wanted to return the product when “The bug has The issue has been resolved..”. This played a cruel joke on the developers, depriving them of their central commercial platform.
And the game was a success! Mighty Soviet trucks, realistically recreated taiga regions, realistic physics, and especially, deformation of the earth’s surface were made possible by the innovative (at the time of the game’s release) Havok engine. What does this mean? Having driven through black soil once, you make a deep rut. If you drive there again in the rain, the third attempt may be your last.
Truck and Logistics Simulator
Developer : Simula Games
Release date : June 23, 2020
Download : Steam
Half of the gameplay in the game is focused on cargo delivery. Everything is standard and pleasant here – trucks, vans, and pickups. There are different types of cargo; some need to be transported more carefully than others. There are dangerous goods – they have problems—many tracks and maps, including city and off-road. You can create entire convoys, but the player directly controls only the leading vehicle.
The physics of control are conveyed realistically, so the game is not arcade. It is strict with 20-ton trucks and trailers. However, a separate feature is the loaders, which range from regular forklifts to telescopic and giant cranes. These moments provide a fundamentally new experience and allow you to distract yourself from driving as such.
MudRunner
Developer : Saber Interactive
Release date : October 31, 2017
Download : Steam
After the infamous Spintires project was handed over to the golden hands of Saber Interactive, they molded what was Mudrunner.
The player controls one of 19 powerful SUVs that carry not consumer goods but logs, oil, or coal. Everything is tough, manly! The tracks are also challenging: the player starts with asphalt, albeit seen, and ends up overcoming water obstacles and completely washed-out dirt roads. He will get stuck; this is a gameplay feature. You must call special equipment and control it to get yourself out of a mud river or from under a mudflow.
And now the main thing is no beacons or GPS navigators. Only a paper map, a compass, a winch, and a radio that doesn’t work everywhere. Considering the vast open sandbox world and detailed graphics, the simulator looks excellent!
Big Mutha Truckers 2
Developer : Strategy First
Release date : August 23, 2005
Old-fashioned entertainment for those who like to deliver orders on time. It’s one of the few truck simulators that has a story. According to the plot, Mama Jackson, a criminal truck driver, goes to jail for tax evasion and about 8 thousand fines. We play in turns for three brothers from the Jackson family. They will need to earn money to hire a lawyer and get their unfortunate relatives out of prison. Top10 Best Truck Simulators for PC
The sequel to Mazatrakers (thanks to Akella for the top translation) stays within the first part. The player also has an open world and needs to drive around and deliver cargo. Often, there are better ways. However, here we have a more comprehensive map and more tasks; you will only sometimes be ready for them.
Hard Truck Apocalypse: Rise Of Clans / Ex Machina: Meridian 113
Developer : Targem Games
Release date : December 18, 2006
Download : SteamÂ
Let’s move away from realistic settings and dive into the sadness of the post-apocalypse. Here, you must turn the steering wheel along destroyed roads from one settlement to another. There are some similarities with Death Stranding because you also become a link between the remains of civilization. Top10 Best Truck Simulators for PC
The storyline is diluted with side quests like “find, save, and give a ride.” Each tune here plays a crucial role in further progress, so it is necessary to update the details promptly. Otherwise, they will become a tasty target for marauders and rogues.
Garbage Truck Simulator
Developer : Darius Bode
Release date : February 9, 2023
Download : SteamÂ
It’s a game that is enjoyable in its quirkiness. The original modes in this game are timed missions and tracked on leaderboards. However, in the 1.1 update, an accessible mode was added, so you can spend all the time smashing 300 unique things and cleaning up their remains after the crusher.
It will take about 5 hours to get all the honorary garbageman achievements. And the primary key to achieving them is to pick up and crush every item in the game. There are no NPCs, multiplayer garbage deliveries, or large numbers of trucks. But the game may interest you with its meditativeness. Top10 Best Truck Simulators for PC
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