American Truck Simulator

About

American Truck Simulator is a single player and multiplayer open world racing game with a business theme. It was developed by SCS Software and was released on February 1, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"American Truck Simulator" is a vehicle simulation game that allows players to become truck drivers and deliver goods across the United States. The game features a detailed map of the Western and Southwestern junkyard of the US, with numerous cities to explore. Players can manage their own trucking business, purchase and customize their trucks, and follow real-world driving rules and traffic laws.

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 152,092 reviews

graphics4.7k positive mentions

story228 negative mentions

graphics
8,032 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
39%
3%
The graphics in American Truck Simulator are widely praised for their stunning detail and realism, effectively capturing the diverse landscapes and iconic landmarks of the United States. Many players appreciate the game's ability to run smoothly on a range of hardware, with options to adjust settings for lower-end systems, while mods can further enhance visual quality. However, some reviews note that the graphics engine feels dated and could benefit from updates to improve texture quality and overall fidelity.
- “✨ The attention to detail in the graphics and the vast, beautifully crafted landscapes make every drive a joy.”
- “The graphics are stunning, with each state feeling uniquely authentic—whether you're cruising through the lush forests of Washington or the arid deserts of Arizona.”
- “The graphics are unbelievable; it makes it so real when you have triple monitors, bringing me back to when I used to drive trucks for a living.”
- “Like horrible AI, arcade physics, poor graphics optimization, extreme lack of content to the base game and last but certainly the worst of all, integration of triple monitor support leaves the user pulling hairs.”
- “The game feels dated, yes it's been out for a very long time.. but it doesn't seem to have had much improvements via graphic fidelity.”
- “Pop-in and blurry textures are constant problems even with better graphics card and setting the graphics settings to max. It really sells the trucker experience, because you better believe you'd be constantly hallucinating and having visual screen tears if your job was to stare at the sun all day hauling someone else's stuff.”
gameplay
3,584 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
64%
2%
The gameplay of American Truck Simulator is characterized by its realistic driving mechanics and immersive experience, allowing players to manage their own trucking company while navigating expansive maps filled with stunning landscapes. While the core gameplay loop of delivering cargo can become repetitive over time, the game offers a relaxing and engaging experience, enhanced by a robust modding community that adds variety and depth. Overall, it strikes a balance between accessibility for newcomers and complexity for seasoned players, making it a standout title in the simulation genre.
- “The gameplay mechanics are smooth and intuitive, allowing for a relaxing yet engaging experience.”
- “The gameplay strikes a perfect balance between simulation and relaxation.”
- “With its attention to detail, realistic mechanics, and captivating gameplay, it successfully captures the essence of the American trucking experience, making it a must-play for trucking enthusiasts and open-world gamers alike.”
- “However, the gameplay can become repetitive over time, as the core mechanics remain consistent throughout the game.”
- “Every second I play, I feel more like I want to die; it has terrible gameplay due to every single hill being relatively impossible to get over and all the mechanics just hurt it overall along with the violations for everything, including being sleepy.”
- “The gameplay loop of driving from point A to point B can become monotonous after a while, especially if you're playing for long periods.”
music
2,484 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
70%
2%
The music aspect of "American Truck Simulator" is highly praised for its ability to enhance the driving experience, with many players enjoying the option to listen to their own music or utilize the in-game internet radio stations. While the default soundtrack is often described as generic and repetitive, the ability to import personal playlists adds a significant layer of enjoyment, making long drives feel therapeutic and immersive. Overall, the game is recommended for those looking to relax and unwind while cruising through beautiful landscapes with their favorite tunes.
- “The soundtrack is a perfect companion during long hauls, and I enjoy listening to the radio stations as I drive.”
- “With a carefully curated selection of radio stations, players can lose themselves in a soundtrack that feels tailor-made for their journey.”
- “The music enhances the atmosphere, making every drive feel like a scene from a classic road movie, where each song tells your story—evoking nostalgia and desire as you navigate the highways.”
- “Constant ads for COVID and Kamala are overly annoying to hear every other song and first thing when the radio is turned on.”
- “The music feels like it comes out of a corporate safety video, and while jarring, feels appropriate to the genre.”
- “The ui is just bad with no real instructions on how to get around in the menu, the menu music guitar is blasting constantly at full volume with no way to turn it down.”
story
1,318 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
75%
17%
The "story" aspect of American Truck Simulator is largely absent, as the game does not feature a traditional narrative or quest line. Instead, players engage in a series of straightforward delivery missions across various American landscapes, creating their own experiences through gameplay. While some players express a desire for a more developed storyline or character interactions, the focus remains on the simulation of trucking and the enjoyment of the driving experience itself.
- “The music enhances the atmosphere, making every drive feel like a scene from a classic road movie, where each song tells your story—evoking nostalgia and desire as you navigate the highways.”
- “This isn't just a game, it's a love letter to the open road, where every highway is a story and every delivery is a mini-adventure.”
- “American Truck Simulator does not have a traditional story, but the game's narrative is revealed through the player's experiences on the road.”
- “There is no deeper meaning or story to be told, just drive a truck for a few hours.”
- “Once you do, the game is very basic and straightforward with fast progression and no quest line or story to follow.”
- “The game's lack of variety in cargo and delivery missions makes it feel like a chore to play.”
grinding
704 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
65%
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as extensive and time-consuming, often requiring players to invest significant hours to progress and unlock features. While some players find this grind tedious and repetitive, others appreciate the therapeutic nature of the gameplay, likening it to experiences in farming simulators. Overall, the game is best suited for those who enjoy grind-heavy simulations and are willing to embrace the slow-paced progression.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “This is one where the repetitive gameplay is enjoyable and not grindy.”
- “The vanilla game will hold you over for some time until you get tired of grinding for player levels in order to customize your truck.”
- “It can get a bit tedious and the grind is real, but some of those vistas on the interstate are so beautiful.”
- “The reason I graded this game only a 6/10 is because of the grind; the game is mostly just grinding and buying new trucks, and it tends to get old after a while.”
optimization
660 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
51%
13%
The optimization of American Truck Simulator has received mixed reviews from players. While some commend its ability to run smoothly on lower-end systems and appreciate the overall performance improvements, many others report significant issues such as stuttering, frame rate drops, and poor CPU utilization, particularly in densely populated areas. Overall, while the game shows potential for good performance, it still requires further optimization to cater to a wider range of hardware configurations.
- “The graphics are stunning, and the optimization is excellent.”
- “This game is optimized extremely well and can run on even the lowest end computers.”
- “The game runs smoothly and delivers a near perfect truck simulation.”
- “The optimization is terrible even if you turn graphics down and have no traffic mods.”
- “Terrible optimization makes the game run at very low fps to the point it's unplayable.”
- “It's bad, this game is the definition of 'lack of optimization' for the deck.”
humor
390 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in American Truck Simulator is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the comedic mishaps caused by the AI, such as reckless driving and glitchy behavior, which lead to hilarious moments during gameplay. Many reviews emphasize the fun of playing with friends, where chaotic convoys and unexpected crashes create memorable and laugh-out-loud experiences. Overall, the game combines realistic driving with a lighthearted approach, making it a source of entertainment and laughter for players.
- “Maneuver your mammoth rig through traffic, dodge reckless drivers, and try not to spill your virtual coffee – it's a hilarious ride from start to finish.”
- “Spent 3 hours pissing myself laughing while on a convoy with friends, doing literally nothing but driving.”
- “It's relaxing unless you want to be crazy and then it's hilarious.”
- “So lifelike it's not funny.”
stability
386 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
1%
74%
The stability of American Truck Simulator has received mixed feedback from players. While many enjoy smooth gameplay with minimal issues, a significant number report frequent bugs, glitches, and controller malfunctions, particularly after recent updates. Overall, the game is described as fun and engaging, but its stability issues can detract from the experience, especially for those using certain hardware or mods.
- “The game runs great and the attention to detail is impressive to say the least.”
- “Very stable and bug free.”
- “I have had no glitches or crashes using the vanilla version in quite a bit of driving.”
- “At this time I would not recommend this game when using any Xbox 360 controllers for Windows. Everything worked fine before the 1.51 update; the new controller update made the game unplayable. All the controllers I own, even the commands I use on my keyboard, do not work correctly. I will not buy any more DLCs and recommend this game until ATS/SCs Software either reverts back to the 1.50 update or fixes the buggy/non-working controller configuration.”
- “The game is legitimately getting less fun to play the further you get into it; it's riddled with various bugs and glitches, and if it didn't have co-op, I probably wouldn't play it at all.”
- “I no longer can play the game because it crashes and freezes up all the time. I got tired of messing with it and quit, and have not touched it in a few months. Now I had to go through Google Chrome to get into the Steam side of things because Steam and American Truck Simulator will not open on my computer.”
atmosphere
252 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
51%
2%
The atmosphere in American Truck Simulator is widely praised for its immersive and relaxing qualities, effectively capturing the essence of various U.S. landscapes and cultures. Players appreciate the game's attention to detail, from the realistic lighting effects during different times of day to the nostalgic soundtrack that enhances the driving experience. Overall, the game creates a tranquil environment that allows players to enjoy long drives through beautifully rendered scenery, making it a standout in the trucking simulator genre.
- “The music enhances the atmosphere, making every drive feel like a scene from a classic road movie, where each song tells your story—evoking nostalgia and desire as you navigate the highways.”
- “The sounds and the atmosphere are so well done I can almost smell the desert sage on the wind as I move through Arizona and New Mexico, or the evergreens and aspens as I go over I-70 to Denver.”
- “The atmosphere of ats is less stimulating and feels more like the bland trucking games of the 00s.”
- “Playing on monitor really takes out the depth in which this game atmospheres provide; some landmarks are really impressive in VR.”
- “The atmosphere of driving through the night in the middle of the desert or Moab with rain hitting the windshield and beading off really does something for me; you feel all cozy inside your cab with nothing to worry about.”
replayability
174 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
57%
2%
The game boasts exceptionally high replayability, with many players noting its near-infinite potential due to a vast array of routes, trucks, and mods, as well as a deep career mode that allows for extensive company management. Regular updates and a supportive modding community further enhance the experience, making it appealing even to those who may not initially be interested in trucking. Overall, players consistently rate the replay value as outstanding, often describing it as endlessly engaging.
- “There are no microtransactions, which adds to the game’s appeal, and its replay value is very high, thanks to the sheer variety of routes, trucks, and mods available.”
- “The depth of the career mode, including managing your own trucking company, adds layers of strategy and replayability.”
- “The game's support for mods adds a layer of replayability, with a vibrant community constantly contributing new trucks, maps, and features.”
- “Unfortunately, the amount of DLCs you 'have' to buy to make this game somewhat less boring and more playable is just unimaginable. I mean, if they were like $5 each, then that would be somewhat understandable, but some of these DLCs cost as much as the base game itself.”
- “Honestly, there's no replay value if you have played ETS and ETS2.”
- “Safe to say those 9 hours won't be the rest of me playing this game, because from what I can tell, it has this very replayability factor of leveling up, buying more trucks, and hiring more drivers.”
monetization
140 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
17%
79%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn mixed reactions from players. While some appreciate the absence of intrusive microtransactions and the availability of charity packs, others criticize the introduction of real-world advertisements and the necessity to purchase multiple DLCs for full content access, leading to perceptions of it being a cash grab. Overall, the game's monetization approach is seen as a double-edged sword, balancing between providing value and feeling exploitative.
- “There are no microtransactions, which adds to the game’s appeal, and its replay value is very high, thanks to the sheer variety of routes, trucks, and mods available.”
- “No annoying microtransactions or in-game store.”
- “In a world full of games that want you to spend 23 hours a day with microtransactions, this game is a refresher to the days of old.”
- “Can't really recommend this game anymore as they've decided to start using it as an advertising and recruitment platform that is enabled by default.”
- “This game is an unfinished cash grab; it has supposed to be in production for a long time but come on, at launch it had 2 states and 2 trucks and now has 3 trucks and 3 states.”
- “Would not recommend this blatant cash grab to my worst enemy.”
emotional
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
3%
Players describe the emotional aspect of American Truck Simulator as a deeply moving experience that evokes nostalgia, warmth, and a sense of connection to the American landscape. Many express feelings of joy, heartbreak, and reflection while driving, often highlighting the game's beautiful scenery and soundtrack as key contributors to its emotional impact. Overall, the game is seen as a wholesome journey that resonates with players on a personal level, making them feel less alone and more connected to their memories and experiences.
- “American Truck Simulator is not just a game; it's an emotional odyssey that captivates players with its charm, warmth, and delightful road trips.”
- “Each state you drive through is breathtakingly heartfelt, contributing to an experience that effortlessly tugs at the heartstrings.”
- “When I first launched this game, I cried... I cried at the absolute beauty I was witnessing.”
- “The game tries to play with your emotions, but it often feels forced and manipulative.”
- “While the game aims to evoke strong feelings, it ultimately falls flat and feels insincere.”
- “The emotional moments seem contrived, lacking the depth needed to truly resonate with players.”

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69%Critics’ scoreBased on 13 critic reviews

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54h Median play time

162h Average play time

23h Main story

108h Completionist

13-244h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 626 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

American Truck Simulator is a open world racing game with business theme.

American Truck Simulator is available on PC, Mac OS, Steam Deck, Windows and others.

The main story can be completed in around 23 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 108 hours to finish. On average players spend around 162 hours playing American Truck Simulator.

American Truck Simulator was released on February 1, 2016.

American Truck Simulator was developed by SCS Software.

American Truck Simulator has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its story.

American Truck Simulator is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Euro Truck Simulator 2, Euro Truck Simulator, Motor Town: Behind The Wheel, Farming Simulator 19, MudRunner and others.

American Truck Simulator

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Review: American Truck Simulator