Is this game accessible for a non-trucking enthusiast?

[An Easy Target]

I have been thinking about getting this game, as my first driving simulator- either this, or "Euro Truck".

I've just read, however, that there are a lot of detailed specs involved that would intrigue vehicle enthusiasts. I feel happy for them, but... well...

I do not know the first thing about automobiles, I'm afraid. So, I need to ask: Do I need to already be familiar with all the details about auto design in order to play the game? Or, can casual players/newcomers like myself still access and enjoy the game?

I like to think it's the latter, but I understand that these details probably have an impact on gameplay.

[bubbawayne00]

The details do have a major impact in my opinion, I am a son of a truck driver and I know a lot about the trucks and how they work. I do have one friend that I let play the game when he was at my house and he's the more of just games and nothing else type of person but he actually liked it so I bought it for him. Once in a while he will come asking me what some things are and how something is supposed to be done but he does alright with his simple automatic settings. You may be a person that will fall in love with the game but then again you may hate it. So I recommend that you try the demo version to see how well YOU like it.

[Voice From Beyond]

You don't have to get into the details. Just set the game to automatic transmission, back up the truck, press T to connect your trailer, and drive it to where it needs to go.

The tricky part is parking the trailer which is tricky because backing up a huge trailer isn't easy. There are 3 difficulty settings when you get to the destination, just get it to the location and it's delivered with no parking neccessary, a easy parking option, and a challenging parking option.

[Avwriter]

I agree, ATS is fine for non trucker enthusiasts. I am not one either. There is plenty to do with just driving trucks on trips and enjoying the scenery. It is a good game to sort of grow into slowly. After a while, once you have a better handle on the basics of the game, you can always expand your horizons and try to master some of the more complex skills, but it is not required in any way, and you are completely free to set any pace you like. For things like parking there are also numerous YouTube videos that explain and show how to do it when you are ready to give it a go (Squirrels Trucking School is especially good). Enjoy!

[Jonathan J. O'Neill]

I've never driven a vehicle or had much of a trucking passion outside of movies like Black Dog and I love this game for the relaxing travel.

[MrMcSwifty]

Well, my wife has never driven a day in her life; not even a passenger car, let alone a commercial big rig. And despite that she was still able to pick up this game (with all of the "advanced" stuff turned off) and, after a few minutes messing around, actually complete a few deliveries of her own.

I mean, she did take out a few street signs along the way by cutting some corners too tight, and backing up was a bit of a struggle, but I like to think if she can do even that well having literally zero prior experience, then the game is pretty "accessible" to anyone else who's willing to put in a little time.

[David]

Just Remember one thing your not driving a Farari your driving a 18 wheeler with a 53 ft trailer behind you so making turns your going to have to swing wide using the opposing lane so your trailer clears corners. and remember the truckers rule of thumb when backing up if you turn your steering wheel to the left the trailers going to go right if you turn your steering wheel to the right it's going to go left it takes practice but in time you'll master it just like so many others before you .in no time you'll master your skills the best advice i can give is go on you tube and watch squirrels trucking videos for ATS he talks you through everything and has schooling videos on how to handle your Big Rig and all the things about the game . Happy Trucking

[PvtStash]

Go for it, the game is very tunable so you can make it harder as you learn. Anyone can drive ATS, begginers and experienced people find settings that work for them, best off with a wheel/pedal/shifter setup for most fun. :)

[Cyka Blaster]

Well I'm sure alot of us that play either drive one in reality which is much easier in my opinion or we have family that has so we like big trucks but no I wouldn't say you'd have to to play this game and like it, you get a sense of how it really is for the men and women that do drive trucks everyday.

[Fury6]

Originally posted by Ryarod:

I have been thinking about getting this game, as my first driving simulator- either this, or "Euro Truck"

4 words - Try the Demo First.

Then you won't have to guess, or rely on anyone else's opinions besides your own ;)

[v1deonasty]

I've always hated driving games until I played ETS2 & ATS, but now I'm addicted to both of these games, I've also never driven in real life either so I was totally new to it all. So you can easily get into this game as it allows you to make it as easy or as difficult as you want it to be by adjusting the settings to suit you. As somebody said try the demo first to see what you think. I tried the ETS2 demo before I bought it, it only took me to drive out of the yard, turn 2 corners & that was it, I instantly bought it because it had a good feel to it, I knew I was going to like it.

[Asigion]

Originally posted by Fury6:

Originally posted by Ryarod:

I have been thinking about getting this game, as my first driving simulator- either this, or "Euro Truck"

4 words - Try the Demo First.

Then you won't have to guess, or rely on anyone else's opinions besides your own ;)

+1

[Eboreus]

I'm playing the game for, well, sort of meditative reasons. People who want to have realistic gear shifting or something - fine with me. But I put it to automatic and just drive along. Perfect after a stress day. You'd want to have a steering wheel with pedals, though.