Trucking Fun

Fun driving trucks with Euro Truck Simulator 2.

I have expanded my PC gaming controls a little by adding a Thrustmaster T248 powered wheel and pedals plus the add-on shifter.

The shifter add-on was mainly for use in other driving games as most lorries in Europe are now fully automatic, it’s also not that good for trucks as they can have anywhere up to 18 gears. In an auto transmission setup the shifter gets used as a Drive / Neutral / Reverse lever.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a pretty old bit of software now, it came out around 2012 but still has a massive following of users; I wanted to find out why, so I bought it on offer on the Steam website and tried it.

It’s graphically average in the sense that the way it depicts the world is fairly basic and not too realistic, this is really the game’s only downside. The quality of the graphics can be improved a bit by using add-ons but the basic game is poor, especially in the UK as the maps are so outdated. In Europe things are a bit better and in places can be stunning.

The truck driving experience is very good however; there are many ways to enjoy the game – you can do short-haul deliveries, enter the freight market and do longer runs, buy your trucks, trailers and garages, even hire your own drivers and get them to make money while you do short jobs etc. As you earn more more, you can spend it on your truck by adding to it or buy more trucks, trailers etc.

The trucks are pretty good and with a few settings adjustments the physics of the truck can be made pretty realistic, the sounds are good and can also be made better with upgrades. There are traffic violations, fines, accident damage, road blockages, detours, rest breaks and weather to contend with as well.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 has been branded as “the most boring, greatest game ever” – it literally is just driving trucks! I think that is part of what makes it so good; it is a great way to just switch off after a hard day, you can relax, do some deliveries, practice reversing a semi or even a double trailer and so on. There is also a multiplayer online option where they drive convoys etc.