18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul

About

18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul is a single player racing game with a business theme. It was developed by SCS Software and was released on January 29, 2008. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

In 18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul, players operate their own trucking business, bidding on jobs, hauling cargo across 48 states, Canada, and Mexico, and managing trucks to outperform competitors. Success depends on profitability, timely delivery, and maintaining truck conditions. The goal is to build a trucking empire and grow the business.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul screenshot

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71%

Audience ScoreBased on 324 reviews

music4 positive mentions

graphics14 negative mentions

Nostalgic experience for players who enjoyed the game in their childhood.
Large map covering the entire USA, parts of Canada, and Mexico, providing a sense of freedom on the road.
Low-end PC friendly, making it accessible for players with older hardware.

Poor braking mechanics and unrealistic traffic AI lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
Lack of a tutorial and confusing controls make it difficult for new players to get started.
Repetitive gameplay and outdated graphics diminish the overall enjoyment compared to modern trucking simulators.

graphics
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
62%
23%
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated and mediocre, with many players noting that they do not hold up well compared to other titles from the same era. While some appreciate the game's attention to detail and realism, the overall consensus is that the visuals are lackluster, repetitive, and can detract from the gameplay experience. Despite being playable on modern systems, the graphics are often described as dull and not impressive, reflecting the game's age.
- “Running it in high shading quality using my AMD integrated graphics and still has about more than 200 fps.”
- “This game is definitely worthy of its 100 Metacritic rating, not only is the story immensely well thought out, the graphics beautifully detailed and the game so massively atmospheric but it's also a gameplay experience like no other.”
- “The stunning graphics will amaze you and leave you tooting your horn and tapping the airbrakes!”
- “The graphics are terrible.”
- “Graphics are so old, I can name 20 games right now that were released 5 years before this game with 10 times better graphics. I love old games, but this is a floppy era game!”
- “The graphics are rather 'meh' at least when I play it now, unlike before when the graphics were amazing when it got released years ago!”
gameplay
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
52%
34%
The gameplay in "18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul" is characterized by well-crafted mechanics and engaging design that accurately reflect the challenges of truck driving, offering a rewarding experience for fans of the genre. However, players have noted that the gameplay can become repetitive due to the constant delivery missions, and issues such as mediocre graphics, a cluttered interface, and frustrating AI detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the game's attention to detail and immersive landscapes, others find the driving mechanics lacking and the gameplay ultimately boring.
- “The game's trucks and cargo are modeled accurately and realistically, and the game's mechanics accurately reflect the challenges faced by truck drivers on the road.”
- “Gameplay: the gameplay in 18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul is engaging and challenging.”
- “The map is just enormous, deliveries can take hours, which makes it more fun while listening to some music. The game may look old and the gameplay can feel a little like driving a vehicle with bald tires, but that doesn't matter because if you are the type of person who enjoys landscapes and long hauls, this game is a good fit.”
- “One of the weaknesses of the game, however, is its repetitive gameplay.”
- “However, the game's repetitive gameplay, mediocre graphics, cluttered interface, and bugs and glitches can be detractors for some players.”
- “The game feels even slower, the braking is atrocious, the traffic AI is downright suicidal (cars turning right while they're in the left lane) and the gameplay is boring.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The music aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the epic soundtracks and the ability to play personal music through the truck's radio, enhancing the long delivery experience. However, many users express disappointment over the limited in-game music, noting that there are only a couple of songs and a lack of variety, which detracts from the overall experience. While the soundtrack has its fans, the absence of more diverse music options is a common critique.
- “The map is just enormous, deliveries can take hours, which makes it more fun while listening to some music. The game may look old and the gameplay can feel a little like driving a vehicle with bald tires, but that doesn't matter because if you are the type of person who enjoys landscapes and long hauls, this game is a good fit.”
- “And because you can play your own music using the truck’s radio player, it’s a great experience to have (yet the music needs to be in .ogg format).”
- “The soundtrack was an instant classic, combining folk, bluegrass, and country, and leaving the player with an urge to recite the lyrics for days after.”
- “Could have a better soundtrack.”
- “Just 2 songs =/”
- “Besides the menu music, there is no music in-game whatsoever.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is significantly hampered by frequent bugs and glitches, leading to crashes and freezes that frustrate players. Many users report issues such as the game freezing when accessing certain features or using specific equipment, which detracts from the overall experience. While some minor glitches are noted, the overall consensus is that the game's stability issues are a major drawback.
- “Buggy mess that's way too frustrating to play as it breaks one way or another every couple of minutes.”
- “Bugs and glitches: during my time playing the game, I encountered several bugs and glitches that caused the game to crash or freeze.”
- “If you purchase the oversized load trailer and try to take it, it freezes the game.”
story
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The story in "18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul" is generally viewed as lacking depth, with players often feeling lost and uninterested in the mission structure. While some praise the game's atmosphere and visuals, the narrative is described as thin and repetitive, leading to a mixed reception regarding its overall engagement.
- “This game is definitely worthy of its 100 Metacritic rating; not only is the story immensely well thought out, the graphics are beautifully detailed and the game is so massively atmospheric, but it's also a gameplay experience like no other.”
- “Stunning visuals and an incredible story make for one game I won't soon forget.”
- “The tissue-thin plot has good ole boy pals running a load of fosters cross-country on a tight deadline while trying to avoid an assortment of less-than-bright cops.”
- “The game is bad; after you push 'new game' in the campaign, there is no indication whatsoever of where you must go or what you must do. I finally managed to figure out how to start one mission, and the whole thing is unplayable!”
- “Couldn't figure out how to start a mission or go anywhere, and frankly didn't care.”
- “While the game's mechanics and design are engaging, the constant delivery missions can start to feel repetitive after a while.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's replayability is significantly enhanced by its truck customization options and route selection, allowing players to tailor their experience. This attention to detail and realism contributes to a unique and rewarding gameplay experience, encouraging players to return for more.
- “The ability to customize trucks and choose routes adds to the game's replayability and longevity.”
- “Additionally, the game's ability to customize trucks and choose routes adds to the game's replayability and longevity.”
- “Its attention to detail and realism make it a unique and rewarding experience for fans of the genre, while the ability to customize trucks and choose routes adds to its replayability and longevity.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of "18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul" to be a mixed experience; while it offers a moderate level of complexity compared to other simulation games, certain routes can feel tedious, particularly the easier legs, while others present a more challenging grind.
- “I found the west and east legs to be easy and tedious, while the north and south legs were more challenging.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, reminiscing about their childhood experiences and the nostalgia it evokes. The immersive gameplay transports them back to simpler times, making them feel as if they are truly on a highway, enhancing their overall enjoyment.
- “After years and years, coming back to it made me feel like a kid again, driving miles and miles and never getting tired of trucks along the U.S.”
- “I love this game; it made me feel like I was on a real highway.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Character development in "18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul" is minimal, but the game's emphasis on the truck driver as the central character offers a unique and engaging perspective.
- “The game's focus on the truck driver as the main character is unique and engaging, providing a fresh perspective on character development.”
- “While there isn't much in the way of character development, the interactions and experiences of the truck driver create a sense of growth throughout the journey.”
- “The character of the truck driver evolves through the challenges faced on the road, making the gameplay feel more immersive and personal.”
- “There isn't much in the way of character development in '18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul'; the focus on the truck driver as the main character feels underdeveloped.”
- “The lack of meaningful character progression makes it hard to feel invested in the story or the characters.”
- “Character development is almost non-existent, leaving players with a sense of detachment from the game's narrative.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players appreciate the humor in the game, highlighting its entertaining road trip scenarios that add a comedic element to the gameplay experience.
- “The humor in this game is absolutely hilarious, making every moment a joy.”
- “I love the witty dialogue and clever puns throughout the game.”
- “The quirky characters and their funny interactions kept me laughing the whole time.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised, with users highlighting its beautifully detailed graphics and immersive storytelling, contributing to a unique gameplay experience that justifies its perfect Metacritic rating.
- “This game is definitely worthy of its 100 Metacritic rating. Not only is the story immensely well thought out, but the graphics are beautifully detailed and the game is massively atmospheric. It's also a gameplay experience like no other.”

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70%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions

18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul is a racing game with business theme.

18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul is available on PC and Windows.

18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul was released on January 29, 2008.

18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul was developed by SCS Software.

18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its music but disliked it for its graphics.

18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul is a single player game.

Similar games include Euro Truck Simulator, American Truck Simulator, Rig n Roll, Euro Truck Simulator 2, Truck & Logistics Simulator and others.

18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul

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