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Euro Truck Simulator 2

Unexpectedly engrossing. Heed the mockers and youll miss one of the PCs finest and freshest driving games.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 Game Cover
95%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
story, grinding
98% User Score Based on 172,484 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Playstation 5Playstation 4XboxWindowsPlayStationLinuxXbox Series X|SPCTabletCloudMac OSPhoneXbox OneNVIDIA GeForce NOW
Euro Truck Simulator 2 Game Cover

About

Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a single player and multiplayer open world racing game with economy and business themes. It was developed by SCS Software and was released on October 11, 2012. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

In Euro Truck Simulator 2, become a skilled long-haul trucker, delivering cargo to over 60 European cities. Manage your own trucking business, hire drivers, and tune your fleet for maximum profits. The recently added 8-player Convoy multiplayer mode allows you to team up with friends for collaborative gameplay.

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98%
Audience ScoreBased on 172,484 reviews
graphics4.2k positive mentions
story352 negative mentions

  • The gameplay offers a relaxing and immersive experience, allowing players to enjoy long-haul trucking across beautifully rendered European landscapes.
  • The game's attention to detail, realistic driving mechanics, and extensive modding community enhance replayability and provide a satisfying blend of simulation and casual gameplay.
  • Players appreciate the emotional connection and nostalgia evoked by the game's realistic mechanics, beautiful scenery, and engaging soundtracks.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive over time, especially during extended sessions, leading to a monotonous experience for some players.
  • The game suffers from frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues, which can disrupt gameplay and frustrate users.
  • Many players criticize the abundance of DLCs as cash grabs, expressing frustration over the reliance on paid content to unlock certain features.
  • graphics
    7,462 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in Euro Truck Simulator 2 are generally praised for their realism and detail, especially considering the game's age since its release in 2012. Many players appreciate the stunning landscapes, well-designed truck models, and the immersive experience provided by the dynamic weather and day-night cycles. However, some reviews note that the graphics can feel dated compared to modern titles, and there are calls for further updates or enhancements, particularly in older map areas. The modding community plays a significant role in improving graphics, offering various mods that enhance visual quality and overall gameplay experience.

    • “The graphics and detail in this sim are unbelievable.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, the environments feel alive, and there's something incredibly satisfying about cruising through rain-soaked highways or watching the sunrise over the Alps.”
    • “The graphics, the realism of driving, and the attention to detail are all amazing.”
    • “The moment you try to drive into a busy area, your FPS drops to 1 no matter what graphics settings you use.”
    • “Let's not talk about lighting, textures, and graphics that are completely outdated, thanks to modders who can make this rendering acceptable by today's standards.”
    • “The graphics are starting to show their age, especially in older map areas.”
  • gameplay
    4,537 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) is widely praised for its relaxing and immersive experience, allowing players to enjoy long-haul trucking across beautifully rendered European landscapes. While the core mechanics focus on driving and delivering cargo, many players find the gameplay can become repetitive over time, especially during extended sessions. However, the game's attention to detail, realistic driving mechanics, and extensive modding community enhance replayability and provide a satisfying blend of simulation and casual gameplay, making it a favorite among both simulation enthusiasts and casual gamers.

    • “The gameplay loop is surprisingly rewarding, allowing players to experience the life of a truck driver while managing their own trucking business.”
    • “The driving mechanics are smooth and rewarding, especially when navigating tight corners or cruising down open highways.”
    • “With its relaxing gameplay, expansive world, and deep customization, Euro Truck Simulator 2 has become the gold standard of vehicle simulation.”
    • “The AI mechanics are awful.”
    • “The gameplay loop can feel monotonous after a while, especially if you're not a fan of slow-paced, methodical gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is very relaxing, but it can become repetitive over time.”
  • music
    2,971 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music aspect of Euro Truck Simulator 2 is highly praised for its ability to enhance the overall gaming experience, with players enjoying the option to listen to their own music or tune into various internet radio stations while driving. Many users find the combination of cruising through beautifully rendered European landscapes and listening to their favorite tracks or podcasts to be a relaxing and therapeutic experience. The game's built-in radio feature, which allows for streaming real-world stations, adds to its immersive quality, making it a popular choice for those looking to unwind after a long day.

    • “There's something special about hitting the highway at sunset, music playing in the background, and just cruising through Europe while managing your growing trucking company.”
    • “If you like realistic driving and chill vibes while listening to music or podcasts, this game is 100% worth it.”
    • “The game lets you drive across a beautifully recreated version of Europe, from small countryside roads to busy highways, all while listening to your favorite radio stations or in-game music.”
    • “Without music, it gets boring fast.”
    • “The only downside of this game is the stressful music that plays while carrying a load to its destination.”
    • “The music in the menus is a bit generic, but you won't hear it when you have the internet radio on.”
  • story
    1,849 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews for the "story" aspect of Euro Truck Simulator 2 overwhelmingly indicate that the game lacks a traditional narrative. Players often describe the experience as one of personal storytelling through their journeys, with each delivery mission serving as a unique, self-created story rather than a structured plot. While some players appreciate the freedom and realism of the gameplay, many express a desire for more varied missions or a deeper storyline to enhance engagement. Overall, the game is recognized for its simulation elements rather than a compelling narrative.

    • “To me, Euro Truck Simulator 2 isn’t just a game, it’s part of my story.”
    • “Whether you're delivering fresh produce to Rotterdam or hauling industrial machinery to Bucharest, every trip feels like a small story.”
    • “The detailed environments, realistic physics, and lifelike traffic make each trip feel like a journey rather than just a mission.”
    • “The slow-paced nature of the game, focused on long-distance hauling, may feel monotonous for players seeking more action-packed or story-driven experiences.”
    • “The fetch quest to end all fetch quests.”
    • “The lack of variety in quests, the lore of the game (story), and the general repeating of the game's mechanics with time make the game boring, and this happens fast if you are not some kind of trucking enthusiast.”
  • grinding
    826 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of Euro Truck Simulator 2 is frequently described as both tedious and rewarding, requiring significant time investment to progress, especially in the early stages. Many players find the repetitive nature of long-distance deliveries and the slow accumulation of resources to be a grind, yet some appreciate the immersive experience and the satisfaction of building a trucking empire. Overall, while the game can be seen as grindy, it offers a relaxing and enjoyable experience for those who appreciate simulation games.

    • “I liked the time scaling feature so it doesn't take ages and isn't grindy, but still has drives that are long enough to be realistic and interesting.”
    • “No grinding (at least there's no stress to it in this game), no people complaining, just pure relaxation!”
    • “It's not tedious and plus you know you're in charge and you can make choices that will reflect the game experience later on.”
    • “Unlocking new trucks and upgrades requires grinding through countless hours of repetitive driving, with little sense of accomplishment or reward upon completion.”
    • “The process of earning money and expanding your trucking business feels slow and grindy, leading to a lack of motivation to continue playing.”
    • “Driving across Europe can get pretty tedious at times, especially when you're on a highway with cruise control on; you're really only just pressing left and right to steer.”
  • humor
    812 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in this game is widely praised, particularly in multiplayer settings where players can engage in chaotic antics, such as crashing into each other and experiencing hilarious physics glitches. Many users find the game funny both in its absurd scenarios and the interactions with friends, leading to memorable and laugh-out-loud moments. While some players note that the humor can wear off during solo play, the overall consensus is that playing with friends enhances the comedic experience significantly.

    • “It's so funny to play with friends and just goof around, crash and annoy each other.”
    • “From relaxed drives to situations where the physics act up so much that you end up laughing with tears in your eyes.”
    • “The chaos of causing a car to go flying off the road or taking a tight bend way too fast and trying to cope is hilarious every time.”
    • “This game is not funny and the multiplayer doesn't work.”
    • “Not funny to play anymore; I'm downloading mods to the same update and it doesn't work!”
    • “I recommend this game if you're a car lover or something like that because I played about 10 hours and it was not funny yet.”
  • optimization
    706 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, particularly in multiplayer modes and during complex scenarios like rainy weather or in densely populated areas. While some users report smooth performance on lower-end systems, others experience frequent stuttering, frame drops, and lag, especially with newer DLCs. Overall, while the game is praised for its graphics and extensive customization options, there is a strong consensus that it requires further optimization to enhance the experience across a wider range of hardware configurations.

    • “The gameplay, the graphics are pretty good, it even runs on a low-end device on low graphics and gives a great performance!”
    • “It's optimized to take full advantage of the Mac's hardware capabilities, ensuring that you don't experience any lag or glitches.”
    • “The game has been available for 12 years and it is still constantly updated with new content, better graphics, quality of life improvements, optimizations, you name it.”
    • “But the optimization, especially in multiplayer (TruckersMP), is absolutely terrible.”
    • “What’s worse is that instead of fixing these long-standing performance issues, the developers just keep releasing new DLCs — new maps, new accessories — anything they can sell for more money.”
    • “The optimization—or lack thereof—seems to be an afterthought, leaving players with an experience that is at best distracting and at worst unplayable.”
  • stability
    363 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and occasional crashes that disrupt gameplay. While some users find the game generally playable and enjoyable despite these issues, others express frustration over persistent technical problems, particularly with AI behavior and multiplayer functionality. Overall, while the game can run well on various systems, it is often described as "buggy" and in need of further optimization and fixes.

    • “Runs great in general and is reasonably playable on older systems, just make sure to restart the program every few hours to avoid stuttering.”
    • “Everything works perfectly, no glitches, no artifacts or bugs until now, albeit my rig is quite mediocre.”
    • “This game is pretty much bug free and they continue to add things to it on a pretty regular basis.”
    • “The game will constantly freeze now and then.”
    • “The amount of glitches, bugs, and the countless times it has made my PC crash just isn't worth it.”
    • “Euro Truck Simulator 2 suffers from frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues, ranging from minor annoyances to game-breaking problems.”
  • atmosphere
    300 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in Euro Truck Simulator 2 is widely praised for its immersive and calming qualities, enhanced by detailed graphics, dynamic weather, and a day-night cycle that create a realistic driving experience. Players appreciate the authentic feel of long-distance trucking, complemented by the integration of real radio stations and ambient sounds that contribute to a soothing environment. Overall, the game's meticulous attention to detail and scenic European landscapes make it a standout choice for those seeking a relaxing and atmospheric simulation experience.

    • “What really makes ETS2 stand out is its atmosphere — it's not about high-speed thrills, but about the peaceful, almost meditative feeling of long-distance driving.”
    • “The meticulous attention to detail, from the realistic truck physics to the accurate European road networks, contributes to an incredibly immersive and calming atmosphere.”
    • “The dynamic weather system and day-night cycle further contribute to the game's immersive atmosphere, making each journey feel unique.”
    • “If we toss the atmosphere aside, ets2 is a very mediocre driving game.”
    • “Holy damn, I bought this and all the DLC as I adore ATS and I thought this would be the equivalent in Europe, but everything feels very inferior to that former experience - both in atmosphere and also visuals.”
    • “The only thing that's missing is the radio with various music stations to fulfill the atmosphere, but the game offers a special folder where you can put your music which will play in-game.”
  • replayability
    278 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Euro Truck Simulator 2 is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, largely due to its expansive map, extensive customization options, and a vibrant modding community that continually introduces new content. Players appreciate the game's ability to offer varied experiences through different routes, job types, and community-driven enhancements, making it a highly engaging and relaxing simulation. While some players note a potential for repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the game provides nearly infinite replay value, especially for fans of the trucking genre.

    • “With mods, DLCs, and a huge community, ETS2 offers endless variety and replayability.”
    • “The game's depth in customization, along with a strong modding community, ensures hours of replayability.”
    • “This vibrant community keeps the game fresh and continually evolving, offering endless replayability.”
    • “However, for players who are not deeply invested in the simulation aspects, the repetitive nature of the gameplay can limit replayability.”
    • “The main issue with this game is with its replayability.”
    • “Somewhat limited long-term replayability, but an official multiplayer mod exists that can be fun too.”
  • emotional
    130 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a profound emotional connection to the game, often forming attachments to their virtual trucks and the immersive experiences of driving across Europe. Many describe moments of nostalgia, joy, and even sadness, highlighting the game's ability to evoke strong feelings through its realistic mechanics, beautiful scenery, and engaging soundtracks. Overall, the emotional depth of the game transforms what might seem like a simple trucking simulator into a heartfelt journey that resonates with players on a personal level.

    • “I never thought I’d get so emotionally attached to a playlist full of 90s rock and elevator music, but here we are.”
    • “Scs software has masterfully crafted a game that not only replicates the nuances of truck driving but also offers a surprisingly emotional connection to the open road.”
    • “This game is emotional; you take hours of your life in-game, trying to bring money home for your kids because your wife left you with both kids. You still want to support them, you work long hours and have no time to be with them. You think a lot on the roads about how you could have changed that and been a better man, but the trucks make you feel powerful and you become addicted. This game is truly gripping; the story is sad and at times very, very feel-good.”
    • “boring storyline”
    • “heartbreaking”
    • “heartbreaking”
  • monetization
    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the abundance of DLCs as cash grabs, while others appreciate the lack of intrusive microtransactions and the option to enhance gameplay through mods. Some users express frustration over the delayed DLC releases and the reliance on paid content to unlock certain features, yet others commend the developers for providing free updates and maintaining a strong community. Overall, while there are concerns about the monetization strategy, many players find value in the optional content and the game's overall experience.

    • “I like the goal-oriented nature of the game, and the fact that it does not have 'in-app purchases' like so many games these days.”
    • “Never once does this game nag you to buy a DLC, or charge you microtransactions to unlock a truck (extra points because all of the trucks SCS releases as patches are free).”
    • “No stupid microtransactions - just a few bits of good old DLC, the way it should be.”
    • “This is just a lazy cash grab to pretend they've covered one more black spot on the map.”
    • “Dovetail are a shameless cash grab company who are more concerned with churning out overpriced content and annual versions of their game than actually optimizing or fixing the core rendering and performance problems of their glitchy engine.”
    • “It might be a decent game, but in the last 10 years, SCS has already released nearly 100 DLCs and another copy-paste game called American Truck Simulator, so it feels more like a cash grab rather than supporting the game with actual updates and fixes.”
  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is considered comparable to that of Counter-Strike and Burnout Paradise, suggesting a focus on gameplay mechanics over deep narrative or character arcs.

    • “The depth of character development really allows players to connect with their avatars on a personal level.”
    • “I love how the character arcs evolve throughout the game, making each decision feel impactful.”
    • “The character development is on par with Counter-Strike and Burnout Paradise.”
    • “The characters feel one-dimensional and lack meaningful growth throughout the game.”
    • “I was disappointed by the lack of depth in the character arcs; they felt predictable and uninspired.”
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115h Median play time
296h Average play time
47h Main story
442h Completionist
22-453h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 520 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a open world racing game with economy and business themes.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox Series X|S and others.

The main story can be completed in around 47 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 442 hours to finish. On average players spend around 296 hours playing Euro Truck Simulator 2.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 was released on October 11, 2012.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 was developed by SCS Software.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its story.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include American Truck Simulator, Euro Truck Simulator, Cities: Skylines, CarX Drift Racing Online, MudRunner and others.