Star Trucker

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,738 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • music
Star Trucker Game Cover
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Haul cargo, trade salvage and keep your space suit close as you search for fame and fortune among the stars in a game that puts an interstellar twist on the truck sim genre.

Play Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,738 reviews
gameplay95 positive mentions
grinding56 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique blend of space exploration and trucking simulation, providing an engaging experience.
  • The visuals and atmosphere are stunning, creating an immersive environment for players.
  • The gameplay mechanics, including resource management and maintenance, add depth and challenge to the experience.
  • The difficulty balance is off, with many players finding the recommended settings too punishing and frustrating.
  • There are significant quality of life issues, such as the lack of keybinding options and the inability to change difficulty mid-game.
  • The AI drivers can be erratic, often causing collisions that result in costly fines and damage to the player's truck.
  • gameplay363 mentions

    The gameplay of this space trucking simulator is characterized by a mix of engaging mechanics and frustrating elements. Players appreciate the core loop of hauling cargo and managing truck maintenance, but many express concerns about the balance and complexity of survival mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience. While the game offers a visually appealing atmosphere and multiple modes, it suffers from repetitive tasks and a steep learning curve that may overwhelm some players, leading to a mixed reception regarding its fun factor and accessibility.

    • “Great characters, great gameplay, addictive gameplay loop too.”
    • “I really like that there are multiple game modes, so you can have a save that's more casual with few of the survival mechanics, or go up to hardcore mode.”
    • “I love driving around, taking jobs, hauling loads between systems, dropping them off, trading in system, maybe hopping out on EVA to grab some salvage to sell later, buying low, selling high for massive profits, maintaining the truck through batteries, filters, and control circuits, upgrading and servicing it, very fun gameplay loop.”
    • “But the gameplay isn't fun, the controls are clunky, needs a help key, and it honestly feels like I'm fighting the game rather than having fun with it.”
    • “The concept is outstanding and has so much potential to be a lot of fun, but is held back by poorly executed mechanics that left me feeling deeply frustrated with the experience overall.”
    • “The gameplay loop is as simple as it gets: pick up a load, point at the gate, hit cruise, jump, and repeat. Unfortunately, the lack of depth in both the mechanics and the characters leaves much to be desired.”
  • story360 mentions

    The game's story is generally viewed as a mixed bag, with players appreciating the engaging voice acting and character interactions, but criticizing the blandness and repetitiveness of many missions. While the narrative provides a framework for progression and unlocks new areas, it often feels disjointed and lacks substantial rewards, leading to frustration as players must balance story missions with resource management. Overall, the story adds a layer of charm to the gameplay, but many players feel it could benefit from more depth and variety.

    • “The music and surprisingly fleshed out story with voice acting are really good and well beyond what I had expected going in.”
    • “The story and writing are not the game's strong points, but the voice acting is great and elevates the NPC interactions.”
    • “The characters are charming, and interacting with them is a genuine motivator to progress in the story.”
    • “The story missions feel very disjointed, and their existence seems more out of obligation to somehow pace your progress through the game than anything else.”
    • “The biggest problem with this game is the terrible storyline you are forced to follow to obtain key upgrades and unlock new sectors.”
    • “Story missions usually don't pay at all, so if you rush storyline without doing side-jobs, you are screwed.”
  • music198 mentions

    The music in the game has received praise for its fitting atmosphere and original compositions, enhancing the overall experience. However, many players express a desire for a larger variety of tracks, as the limited selection can become repetitive over time. Suggestions for improvement include adding more radio stations, allowing players to upload their own music, or expanding the existing soundtrack to maintain engagement during longer play sessions.

    • “The music in the game is great as well.”
    • “There's also a radio station with completely original music that'll make you believe there are bands of space cowboys out there making trucker music in space!”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing and it always leaves me wanting more, the trucks sound and feel meaty, and being able to adjust difficulty is such a lifesaver.”
    • “I think that there should either be more stations, more songs, or ways to upload your own music because the current amount of songs to listen to gets repetitive fast.”
    • “The only gripe I have is that the radio that plays music in-game is quite limited in tracks (or they just seem to repeat themselves too often), but I've circumvented that by using other soundtracks or just any old Spotify playlist.”
    • “There are 15 songs currently in the soundtrack (just shy of an hour's worth of listening time), so you will start hearing repeats if you play with the radio on for any length of time.”
  • graphics156 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received largely positive feedback, with many players praising the stunning visuals, unique art style, and immersive atmosphere. While some users noted minor performance issues and glitches, the overall aesthetic and attention to detail were highlighted as standout features that enhance the gameplay experience. However, a few reviews mentioned that the graphics may not be technically advanced, but they still contribute significantly to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The game has gorgeous visuals; I was blown away to see it was only 5 gigs.”
    • “The graphics are some of the best I have seen, and it is fluid.”
    • “From the moment you launch into the game, you’re greeted with stunning visuals that make the vastness of space feel both majestic and intimate.”
    • “For a game where hardly anything is present on screen (cartoony space graphics), it could run better, or provide more graphics customization settings to better compromise on whatever is hogging the GPU.”
    • “I was literally getting 1fps after the tutorial regardless of display & graphics settings.”
    • “If offers a slow, tedious, unfulfilling, bug-plagued grind with a pretty background graphic.”
  • grinding56 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it overly tedious and frustrating, particularly in terms of maintenance and resource management. While some appreciate the customizable difficulty settings that allow for a more relaxed experience, others feel that the constant need to manage various systems detracts from the enjoyment, making the gameplay feel like a chore rather than a fun trucking simulation. Overall, the game is seen as a niche title that may appeal to fans of the genre but can be off-putting due to its grind-heavy mechanics.

    • “At the moment though, it is just a bit too grindy and stressful to fit the 'chill trucking game' genre, but I have faith it will get there.”
    • “The game is a harrowing experience of terrible user interface and tedious grind.”
    • “It's tedious and unforgiving, to the point you will have to restart your entire save after several hours.”
  • optimization56 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering and frame rate drops, particularly in dense areas or specific settings. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay on mid-tier systems, others have noted that the game is poorly optimized, requiring adjustments to settings even on powerful rigs. Many reviewers agree that the game needs further optimization to enhance the overall experience and address the inconsistencies in performance across different hardware configurations.

    • “The maintenance aspect is also nothing new; after all, it makes sense to maintain your rig for optimal performance.”
    • “The performance is also very good on a mid-tier setup, which is a great bonus.”
    • “Highways, police checkpoints, portals, the ability to jump out of the truck and play with gravity and much more... what's more, even in terms of optimization, I can't believe how perfectly it runs without a single jam or crash.”
    • “Game is not optimized at all.”
    • “Had to refund unfortunately due to poor performance; the main menu runs at the expected 120hz of my monitor, but upon entering the game, sitting in the cockpit will not exceed 60fps (it also frequently dips below this).”
    • “Optimization is lackluster and it's leaving huge amounts of performance on the table.”
  • atmosphere53 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and charming qualities, featuring beautiful visuals, engaging sound design, and a nostalgic trucker vibe set in a futuristic context. Players appreciate the relaxing and serene environments, complemented by a fitting music selection, although some feel that maintenance aspects can detract from the overall chill experience. Overall, the atmosphere enhances the gameplay, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate a unique space trucking experience.

    • “The atmosphere is amazing.”
    • “One of the game's biggest strengths is its charming atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is gorgeous, the story is engaging, the sounds are just right, the controls really feel like you're driving a heavy vehicle.”
    • “In my opinion, the maintenance aspect of this game somewhat ruins the chill 'truck driver' atmosphere, since I found myself sweating about whether I should fill my truck's gas tank, if I need to buy batteries (since there are 8 items that need batteries, with no way to recharge them), or if I could buy an upgrade for my truck for the shop.”
    • “- radio music, while fitting the theme of the game, is way too high energy for the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The maintenance, upgrades, and some of the atmosphere just seems so much more shallow than it should/could.”
  • stability38 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, particularly during critical moments. While some users have experienced smooth performance, especially on devices like the Steam Deck, others have faced significant issues such as soft locks, collision problems, and frustrating penalties for glitches. Overall, while the game shows potential and runs well for some, it is marred by stability concerns that could hinder the experience for many players.

    • “This game is not very buggy.”
    • “No glitches; I mean since I got it, I've never had one performance issue.”
    • “Game runs great and looks fantastic.”
    • “There's always some maintenance to do, and if you're trying to focus on taking zero damage, then you're going to get frustrated with some collisions or occasional glitches.”
    • “The game needs to fix bugs and glitches, as well as reconsider what 'difficulty' is for 'normal' players.”
    • “Thers also some glitches which can result in being severely punished by the game, and you only get 3 save states for some reason, so a lot of things can go wrong, glitches or not, and you could end up totally stuck in debt and end up having to restart your entire game.”
  • humor17 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of absurdist and situational comedy, particularly evident in scenarios like malfunctioning gravity and the juxtaposition of space trucking with blue-collar themes. Players appreciate the well-written characters and amusing dialogue, though some find the humor hit-or-miss, with a mix of corny jokes and ironic situations. Overall, the game successfully delivers a lighthearted experience, though it is occasionally overshadowed by frustrating mechanics.

    • “The system management has just the right amount of manual and sci-fi technowizardry cheese, and there can be some rather hilarious circumstances, like realizing too late that your gravity is about to lose power, then spending a frantic few moments trying to turn it back on, only to then discover that objects in your cabin have durability they lose when they come crashing into each other or the floor when the gravity is restored, lol.”
    • “A great little game that delivers on the funny idea of driving a typical American truck in space.”
    • “The dialogue is well voiced and often chuckle-funny.”
  • monetization11 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with players appreciating the immersive in-game radio ads and original music that enhance the atmosphere. However, there are concerns that the advertising does not accurately represent the game, leading to a disconnect between expectations and reality. Overall, while the creative elements are praised, the effectiveness of the advertising strategy is questioned.

    • “Wish the people advertising this game actually knew what they were talking about.”
    • “Because of that, it narrows the scope so much as to make the game feel like something else instead of what it's advertising.”
    • “I am sure the game is great, but the advertising is not.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players find the game emotionally engaging, with a mix of enjoyment and frustration stemming from its mechanics and challenges. The interactive elements evoke a sense of curiosity and nostalgia, while the early financial and emotional struggles can lead to a feeling of being overwhelmed. Overall, the game is described as wholesome, yet it leaves some players feeling conflicted about its balance and difficulty.

    • “Recommended will hurt early game, financially and emotionally.”
    • “Such a wholesome game!”
    • “Hopefully they can update the game with a very, very much needed balance pass but until then I'm not touching this thing again.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, the game has significant replayability issues, with many players feeling that once completed, there is little motivation to return unless major updates are introduced. While some enjoy the single-player experience and see potential for replayability, the consensus leans towards a lack of compelling reasons to replay the game.

    • “If you're on board with those, then this will be an excellent single player experience that I'm sure has quite the replayability potential.”
    • “Replayable: 7/10, I'll definitely play again later tonight but I can't see myself grinding this game out.”
    • “There is no replayability, and you will be done with the game, unless they decide to make some major changes.”
    • “It seems like their goal is to extend the story more in the future, but nothing that will fix the replayability issues.”
    • “It lacks any replayability or motivation to try new things.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted for its decent variety, particularly in the main missions, which provide enough depth to engage players. However, reviewers express a desire for more interaction with characters, such as random encounters and additional content, to enhance the overall experience.

    • “The procedural jobs have some good variety for a trucking game, and the main missions (called side quests) have just enough character development to be worth finishing.”
    • “I appreciate the character development and the opportunity to encounter characters randomly throughout the game, rather than just talking to ghosts. I hope to see more content added in the future.”
    • “More character development or more interaction with the characters, like running into them randomly or having their rigs waiting for you at waypoints, would enhance the experience. I dislike talking to ghosts, and I wish there was more content in the game. I understand this is a new game, and hopefully, more content is on the way.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

7hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
4-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 20 analyzed playthroughs

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