Euro Truck Simulator 2

Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a realistic truck-driving simulator that lets countless players experience the atmosphere of traveling along the open road in a large truck, with no one else around and a long journey ahead. This is a polished, well-crafted sequel that became famous for how engrossing its unhurried pace and driving gameplay can be, as you simply turn the wheel and follow the rules of the road. But stepping into the shoes of a truck driver and becoming a skilled freight hauler isn’t so easy.

Welcome to the European continent, from Britain and Poland to Spain and Italy. It’s filled with farms, villages, towns, cities, and metropolises, all connected by a network of roads ranging from two-lane routes and wide highways to autobahns. Thousands of kilometers of roads, different speed limits and traffic rules, the need to adapt to traffic and respect other drivers — that’s what awaits you in Euro Truck Simulator 2. A variety of colorful landscapes will make the time on the road fly by.

The premise of Euro Truck Simulator 2 is simple: transport cargo across Europe, between different cities and towns. In return, you earn money and experience. Money covers expenses and lets you buy new vehicles, while experience unlocks new trucks, trailers, and jobs. The higher your level, the more money you earn and the more challenging the jobs become.

There are two ways to build your career as a truck driver. You can start your own company, work around the clock, earn money, and hire new drivers. You’ll make more money this way, but you’ll also have to cover the expenses: fuel, maintenance, and repairs are all on you. You’ll also have to pay fines and, if you damage the cargo, compensation.

The second option is to become an employee and haul cargo for other companies. This lets you earn money and try out other heavy-duty trucks, so you can choose the best ones and later buy a truck for your own company that you’ve already driven. You won’t have to pay for anything this way, but your income will be more modest.

Notably, the game features a fatigue simulation system. After 9 hours of rest, you can drive for no more than 11 hours before you need to find a parking spot and take a break. If you don’t, the driver will start to fall asleep, may get into an accident, and will definitely receive a pile of fines for violating labor laws.

Every truck in the game can be customized with body upgrades, improvements to all its components and systems, different paint jobs, and a unique look created with various trinkets.

Truck cabins are modeled with maximum realism and can be customized to your taste.

Decent graphics, a day-and-night cycle, and changing weather conditions—the latter of which affect gameplay. For example, when it rains, visibility and road grip get worse, so you need to drive more slowly.

There are many types of cargo, some of which, such as explosives or chemicals, require special care during transport.

There are two control modes: arcade, where you can take it easy, and advanced. In the latter, you’ll realize that a truck isn’t a car—you need to drive carefully, taking into account the vehicle’s weight and dimensions, as well as how long it takes to maneuver.

Many add-ons have been released for Euro Truck Simulator 2: some introduced new customization options, others added trucks, miles of new roads, or cabin accessories. All of this has made the game a full-fledged, serious simulator, so be sure to check that all the add-ons are included when you buy it.