http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KRQrRt0fLNU/UET4gPjJUEI/AAAAAAAADYw/0Uv--4g2UIs/s1600/ETS2_logo.jpg
Heavy Metal.
http://core0.staticworld.net/images/article/2013/05/eurotruck_1-100037947-orig.gif
The map is staggering, and completely open to explore.
The simulation genre is mostly a joke nowadays. A flood of sub-par, and bizarrely niche simulation games on steam, and the art of making fun of these games on Twitch have created this sort of black hole of simulators. Everyone is jumping on the shitty sim train like it was Train Sim 2015 (complete with obnoxious trailer). Steam's already questionable library is now overflowing with simulation games, with new one coming out seemingly every other day.
But lo, in that dark and murky sea of shit there are a few games that transcend the jokes, and rise above to become actually really fun. The aforementioned Train Sim, despite how it sounds, is definitely one, with a metric tonne of details and free yearly upgrades. There is one sim that goes even further beyond, one game that, despite it's incredibly mundane exterior, is a game that's actually worth playing. That game (as if the fucking title of this article didn't give it away) is Euro Truck Sim 2.
Long Distance Relationship.
http://guides.gamepressure.com/eurotrucksimulator2/gfx/word/537539312.jpg
Get enough money and you can start your own trucking company, complete with AI drivers.
Just like it's title implies, Euro Truck sim is a simulation of driving a truck across Europe. That's it. There's no deeper plot, there's no cleaver jokes, just driving trucks across Europe. If you're looking for explosive action, moment-to-moment non-stop thrills, and exciting set-piece moments you have come to the wrong truck yard my friend. The only things you'll find in Euro truck are:
* Proper adherence to traffic laws.
* Signaling before turning.
* Pumping gas.
* Screaming at irresponsible drivers.
* Waiting at stop lights.
And a whole lot more!
Despite this ETS2 holds a special place in my games library. Its on the same level as games like The Sims, Harvest Moon, or Animal Crossing, for games to relax to. Seriously. I know people generally hate dealing with traffic, but there's an odd catharsis in ETS2 that can't be explained.
Whizzing Past.
http://media.moddb.com/images/mods/1/22/21474/ets2_00005.png
There's a multiplayer mod, for some online trucking action.
What really helps with ETS2 is how great the game looks. It's certainly no ARMA 3 or GTA V, but it does a damn respectable job of creating the world, with different countries and regions all looking visually distinct. You'll almost want to slow down when you're driving, just so you can check out the scenery. There are tonnes of details too, with trucks and cars all looking incredibly realistic. It's unfortunate that cities are so small, and all of them look the same, but this works well from a gameplay point of view, and it's easy to overlook.
That's the important thing about ETS2, is that it's all about the gameplay. This isn't really a hard-core simulator, like AC-10 Warthog or Steel Battalion. Rather ETS2's biggest strength is it's comfort factor. It's a game that's just fun to unwind with. It's certainly best played with anything but a KB&M, but it's cool if you don't have one. There's really no music in game, but you can add your own, or use one of the dozens of streaming radio stations (with the option to add your own too). This is the perfect game to play while listening to a favorite podcast a good audio-book, or some chill ass tunes.
Euro Truck Sim doesn't work for everybody, but it's totally cool with that. It's not a game that demands you pay attention to it, rather it just wants you to have a good time. ETS2 is that friend you have that loves hanging out, but when you got stuff going on he all like "s'cool man, we'll catch up later". Most of all, it's just a slow ride, and a nice change of pace from the hectic shooters and long winded RPGs of the "normal" gaming market.
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