Today, we can confidently say that the hardcore simulator genre is experiencing a real renaissance. Games where it is important not only to quickly press buttons, but also to thoughtfully master the mechanics, have begun to attract the attention of even those who are accustomed to dynamic shooters or deep RPGs. Of course, such projects are unlikely to compare in sales with large blockbusters, but thanks to the development of technology and the growing interest in niche games, their success is becoming more and more noticeable.

Today we are reviewing a fresh truck simulator – Euro Truck Simulator 2 from the Czech studio SCS Software. This is the ideological successor to the cult game “Truckers 2”, released back in 2001 by the Novosibirsk studio SoftLab-NSK. For many, this was not just a game, but a real adventure on the vastness of virtual roads.

Before ETS 2 was released, the Czech studio managed to release a dozen projects dedicated to cargo transportation. However, early attempts such as Hard Truck and 18 Wheels of Steel could not boast of being sophisticated or atmospheric: similar locations, weak AI, outdated graphics and primitive physics prevented full immersion. At the same time, the Russian “Truckers” won the love of players thanks to its living world, criminal showdowns and varied gameplay. The developers from SCS Software understood that in order to make a truly high-quality simulator, they needed to review old mistakes. Therefore, they focused on a deep rework of their Prism3D engine, on which their previous games were built. This decision became a key step towards the creation of ETS 2 – a simulator that was able to win the hearts of virtual truckers around the world.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 Free Steam Account

The first Euro Truck Simulator was released back in 2008 and at first glance seemed like a rather modest game. The distribution weighed only half a gigabyte – for a modern gamer, this looked suspicious. However, behind this lightness was a technologically advanced graphics engine Prism3D, which used original algorithms for modeling the environment. Thanks to these solutions, the game could dynamically change the road surface – simulate repairs, combine different types of asphalt and not overload the system. The developers were able to achieve visual diversity of road junctions without creating hundreds of unique textures – a dozen were enough to give each city its own face. In addition, unlike the 18 Wheels of Steel series, Euro Truck Simulator significantly expanded the vehicle fleet, added TrackIR support for tracking head movements and compatibility with various gamepads and steering systems, up to a full-fledged manual gearbox.

But, despite the innovations, the game also had serious shortcomings, many of which migrated from the studio’s previous projects. The traffic was inappropriate, the cities looked monotonous and resembled scenery, and the physics left much to be desired. The economic component was also not very deep. In addition, the choice of trucks was small – only four models, which seemed too modest for a truck simulator. In addition, in 2009, another sad milestone in the genre occurred – the SoftLab-NSK studio effectively buried the legendary “Truckers” series, releasing a disastrous third part. Against this background, the choice of games about trucking remained depressingly modest: 18 Wheels of Steel: Extreme Trucker, where there was practically no freedom of movement, and the imperfect Euro Truck Simulator. German Truck Simulator, Austrian Truck Simulator and UK Truck Simulator, released a little later, were more regional projects than full-fledged games for the mass market. All this suggested that the genre was slowly but surely fading into oblivion, and with it the hope for a sequel to the cult “Truckers 2”.

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But the situation changed dramatically when SCS Software unexpectedly got a major investor. The funds received allowed the developers to completely rework the Prism3D engine, updating it first in 18 Wheels of Steel: Extreme Trucker 2, then in Trucks & Trailers and Scania Truck Driving Simulator. The latter turned out to be especially successful – it offered players to experience all the intricacies of driving Scania trucks in the most difficult road conditions. At that moment, it became clear: physics in Prism3D now takes into account hundreds of parameters – cargo weight, road surface, dynamic calculations at each turn and much more. Therefore, by the release of Euro Truck Simulator 2, scheduled for 2012, interest among fans of the genre was already noticeable. All that remained was to wait whether the new part would be able to meet their expectations.

Euro Truck Simulator 2: A Virtual Journey Across Europe

I have spent a lot of time in various simulators, but I have never seen such a careful approach to creating the surrounding world as this time from SCS Software. Of course, in Train Simulator 2013 from RailSimulator.com the landscapes were pleasing to the eye, but in Euro Truck Simulator 2 the developers went much further. Here you can not only watch picturesque highways, but actually immerse yourself in the atmosphere of real cities, where recognizable architectural monuments, famous bridges, rivers and skyscrapers make traveling around Europe truly authentic. True, you will not be able to drive along the central streets in a multi-ton truck, alas – no one has canceled the traffic rules. But from the territory of bases and bypass highways you can admire the port cranes of London, the majestic St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna or the aviation museum near Prague. The detail of these places is simply amazing.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 awakens the spirit of a traveler in players. If you have ever been to Europe, many of the landscapes will seem surprisingly familiar. The developers have finally paid attention to the surrounding world – previously, local views were rather depressing. Now, with a realistic change of day and night, the sound of rain or sun glare on the asphalt, you can turn on a virtual radio with support for Internet stations, choose a route in a convenient 3D navigator and hit the road.

The game recreates thousands of kilometers of European roads, each of which has its own characteristics:

• Germany — fast autobahns with no speed limits, where you can really speed up.
• Switzerland — narrow mountain roads with dense traffic and strict speed limits.
• Great Britain — left-hand traffic and the imperial system of measurements, which will take some getting used to.
• France — picturesque rural routes alternating with modern motorways.
• Italy — mountain serpentines and tunnels leading to sunny coasts.

Players have access to more than 60 cities, and the route can run from Britain to Italy or Poland. So realistic that even “Truckers 2” could not dream of such a thing.

AI on the Roads ETS 2: How Virtual Drivers Behave in Real Life

The virtual roads in Euro Truck Simulator 2 not only delight with realistic landscapes, but also with lively, well-thought-out traffic. The artificial intelligence behaves in such a way that sometimes it seems as if there are real drivers around. For example, if you are leaving a secondary road, they may let you pass by flashing their high beams. Or, say, when overtaking at night, the headlights of an oncoming car may flash, warning you of a maneuver. Such little things not only create an atmosphere, but also really help – after all, in the game the darkness is as thick as in life, and in the mirrors it is easy not to notice a car rushing behind. You involuntarily think: “I wish it were like this on our roads,” – and you remember how in Europe drivers really adhere to such rules. Well, in reality, this is far from true, all that remains is to enjoy the virtual politeness.

You can tell stories about the behavior of the local AI, as if after a real trip. The developers from SCS Software managed to create traffic that lives its own life, and does not just drive according to scripts. Once I got stuck in a traffic jam at a motorway exit near Brno. It seemed like a classic situation: someone had made a bad turn and blocked the road. In most games of this genre, this would mean a dead end: no going back, no going forward. I was about to frantically look for a way around, but suddenly the cars themselves started driving around the obstacle, someone backed up, and the traffic jam cleared up in literally a minute. And then one of the drivers flashed his headlights at me, as if to say, go ahead, don’t stand here all day.

What makes the AI ​​in Euro Truck Simulator 2 so alive and realistic?

• Gives way if it sees that it is difficult for you to get out.
• Warns with headlights when overtaking at night.
• Goes around obstacles if the road is blocked.
• Reacts to traffic jams and finds ways to resolve them.
• Overtakes according to all the rules.

Perhaps the most surprising thing is the last points. In most games, traffic either tramples in one rhythm or behaves too scripted. But here, on a narrow two-lane road, AI is really capable of going into oncoming traffic and overtaking according to all the rules. Probably for the first time in the history of the genre, virtual drivers demonstrate not just movement, but intelligent behavior, making you believe that you are not alone on the road.

Detail, physics, career — what makes ETS 2 so appealing to players

Euro Truck Simulator 2 uses the latest version of the Prism3D graphics engine, which copes with its task with honor. It accurately conveys lighting and shadows, and the physics work out the nuances of the suspension behavior of both the truck and the trailer. The sound system is also not far behind: a powerful hum of the engine, the hiss of the air brakes – all this creates a feeling of real driving. Such a detailed picture would certainly appeal to those who once read “Truckers 2” and dreamed of something like this. In the game, you can adjust the mirrors, monitor the instrument panel, feel how the cabin rolls on turns, and the trailer bounces on bumps. Everything looks and feels realistic, but what is really missing is a global goal. However, the developers have provided an option: to create your own transport company. To do this, you will have to expand the business – open branches in different cities, hire drivers and replenish the fleet with new trucks. As your company grows, you can increase the capacity of your garages, and most importantly, watch your headquarters change. The more successful your company is, the more impressive its office becomes.

But business is not only about cars and warehouses, it’s also about experience. Drivers, including us, develop skills over time that can be customized to your liking. Do you like long routes? Having mastered the corresponding skill, you will receive more profitable orders for long-distance transportation. Do you prefer careful driving without accidents? Then it’s worth investing experience points in the ability to work with fragile cargo. Those with a steering wheel and a manual transmission will benefit from an economical driving style, which allows you to reduce fuel consumption and increase profits.

And if you want something truly extreme, you can master the transportation of hazardous cargo. Turn on the beacons, take an order for radioactive waste and hit the road! Just don’t be surprised if the virtual police become interested in your business. And the drivers you hire don’t sit idle either: they go on trips, develop their skills and bring profit to your company.

What Euro Truck Simulator 2 is missing and what might appear in the future

SCS Software has once again tried to create an exciting and visually impressive trucking simulator, but as before, it was impossible to avoid problems. Euro Truck Simulator 2 has a number of shortcomings that, fortunately, can be corrected in the future. For example, at the time of the game’s release, only Scania had an official license, and the other brands were represented only by similar prototypes. The developers tried to establish contact with car manufacturers, but their requests were simply ignored. As a result, fans took matters into their own hands – mass requests on social networks led to the fact that SCS Software was able to conclude agreements with several companies. Now the game already features Renault Trucks, Scania and MAN, and in the future, other well-known brands may appear. In addition, enthusiasts have long filled the game with user modifications that add detailed models of trucks that are in no way inferior to the official ones.

Another controversial point is the lack of police chases and a radio, which were important elements of the latest parts of “Truckers”. It is thanks to such features that the third part of the series somehow stayed afloat. In ETS 2, the radio was replaced by e-mail, which mainly receives spam from banks and advertising agencies, occasionally interspersed with unique orders. However, the developers have room for further development of this mechanic. Rumors have already flashed on the Internet about plans to expand the game world – they promise southern Italy and vast territories of Spain. Along with this, you can expect new gameplay innovations. Some of them have already been tested in Scania Truck Driving Simulator, which means that their appearance in ETS 2 is only a matter of time. Among the possible innovations:

• Natural disasters affecting the road conditions.
• Exciting endurance and maneuverability competitions.
• Dangerous serpentines and difficult routes.
• Additional mechanics that make the game even more realistic.

With such improvements, Euro Truck Simulator 2 will be able to become even deeper and more diverse, giving players new challenges and impressions.

Why Euro Truck Simulator 2 became a hit among simulators?

SCS Software has never been famous for aggressive marketing, unlike the same series “Truckers 3”. Their projects were often lost among many releases and did not make it to the top sales. However, the release of Euro Truck Simulator 2 was a pleasant exception. The developers and publishers happily celebrated the success – in the first 15 hours, the digital version of the game sold 2,000 copies, and this is only on the official website! And there is still a retail release ahead, scheduled for November 13. Such an occasion could not be left without celebration – if anything, then now there will definitely be enough for a symbolic toast to the best truck simulator.

Pros:

• A huge world with thousands of kilometers of roads, complex interchanges and diverse landscapes.
• 60 European cities with unique architecture and landmarks.
• The most advanced traffic among all car simulators.
• Realistic weather conditions and day/night cycle.
• The physics of trucks and their systems is worked out to the smallest detail.
• Economy, truck upgrades and driver skill upgrades.
• Flexible modification system with plugin support.

Cons:

• No story missions and quests.
• No police chases.
• External damage is not displayed, only its status.
• A small number of pedestrians and cyclists.
• The traffic, although smart, is not diverse enough.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 System Requirements

Before you embark on a journey across Europe’s highways, it’s essential to check whether your PC meets the system requirements for Euro Truck Simulator 2. Whether you’re planning to run the game on a budget setup or looking for a smooth experience with high-quality graphics, here are the specifications you need to consider. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the minimum and recommended system requirements.

How to play Euro Truck Simulator 2 for free on Steam via VpeSports

Want to feel like a real truck driver without spending money on buying Euro Truck Simulator 2? Now it’s quite possible thanks to our service, which provides free access to shared Steam accounts with the game already installed. It’s simple: visit us at VpeSports, create your personal account and get access to a free steam account with your favorite games are collected. Once you log in to your profile, find the Euro Truck Simulator 2 review, where there will be a download button. Clicking on it, you will see detailed instructions, written as clearly and accessibly as possible. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us, we are always in touch and ready to help!

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