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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.

18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul screenshot
18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul screenshot
18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul screenshot
18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul screenshot

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 322 reviews
music4 positive mentions
graphics13 negative mentions

  • The game has a huge map covering the entire USA and parts of Mexico, providing a vast area to explore.
  • It offers a nostalgic experience for players who enjoyed it in their childhood, with many recalling fond memories.
  • The game runs well on low-end PCs, making it accessible to a wider audience.
  • The graphics and overall design feel outdated, making it less appealing compared to modern trucking simulators.
  • The driving mechanics, particularly the braking system, are often criticized for being unrealistic and frustrating.
  • There are numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including issues with AI traffic and game crashes.
  • graphics
    57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated and mediocre, with many players noting that they do not hold up well compared to more recent titles. While some appreciate the game's attention to detail and realism, the overall consensus is that the visuals are lackluster, with numerous references to graphical glitches and a cluttered interface detracting from the experience. Despite being playable, the graphics are often described as dull and reminiscent of older games, leading to disappointment for those expecting modern standards.

    • “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!”
    • “Graphics: the game's graphics are adequate but not particularly impressive.”
    • “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 nowhere near as sophisticated as they are in ETS 2 (they resemble the graphics in Bus Driver, an SCS game of a similar vintage to this one).”
  • gameplay
    29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in "18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul" is characterized by well-crafted mechanics and engaging challenges that accurately reflect the trucking experience. However, players often find the gameplay repetitive, with long delivery missions and frustrating AI behavior detracting from the overall experience. While the game's attention to detail and immersive world are praised, issues like mediocre graphics and bugs can hinder enjoyment for some players.

    • “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 driving mechanics are okay, it's annoying that there is no completely player-controlled shifting mode.”
  • music
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 criticize the limited in-game music, noting that there are only a couple of tracks available, which detracts from the overall experience. While the soundtrack has its fans, the lack of variety and presence of music during gameplay is a common point of contention.

    • “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.”
    • “There is a lack of music.”
    • “Besides the menu music, there is no music in-game whatsoever.”
  • stability
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is significantly hindered 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, and problems with controls, which detract from the overall experience. While some minor glitches are noted, the overall consensus is that the game's stability issues are a major drawback.

    • “Going into the notepad sometimes freezes the game after doing this.”
    • “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.”
  • story
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "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 storytelling elements. Overall, the game offers a basic plot centered around truck driving and cargo delivery, but fails to engage players meaningfully.

    • “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 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

    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.

    • “Additionally, the game's ability to customize trucks and choose routes adds to the game's replayability and longevity.”
    • “The 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

    Players find the grinding aspect of "18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul" to be a mixed experience; while the game offers a moderate level of complexity compared to other simulation titles, certain routes can feel easy and tedious, whereas others present a more challenging grind.

    • “I found the west and east legs to be easy and tedious, with the north and south legs to be more difficult.”
    • “Grinding in this game feels repetitive and lacks the excitement found in other simulation titles.”
    • “The amount of time required to progress feels excessive, making the experience more of a chore than enjoyable.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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, rekindling a sense of joy and adventure.

    • “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

    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 different 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 lack of character progression makes it hard to feel invested in the story.”
    • “Character development feels shallow and uninspired, leaving players wanting more depth.”
  • humor
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players appreciate the humor in the game, highlighting its entertaining road trip scenarios that add a lighthearted and enjoyable element to the 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 keep me laughing all the time.”
  • atmosphere
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 top 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.”

70%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

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