18 Wheels of Steel: Across America Review

18 Wheels of Steel: Across America Review

Review by Mick

Getting behind the wheel of an enormous 18 wheeler is not something most people will experience in their life, but 18 Wheels of Steel: Across America makes just that happen. This game uses amazing attention to detail to create the most lifelike truck driving experience imaginable. You will be picking up and dropping off loads, refueling and even stopping to weigh your truck. Watch out for the police, because if they catch you doing something wrong they'll slap you with some hefty fines.

Several Game Modes Keep It Interesting

Using a unique blend of driving and strategy, 18 Wheels of Steel lets you manage your own trucking company as well as being the driver. You can play in several modes: “Devil of the West Coast”, “Become a Millionaire”, “The Longest Journey”, “New York Cargo Madness” and free play. Devil of the West Coast has you delivering cargo up and down the west coast as fast as you possibly can. Become a Millionaire has a simple premise, make a million dollars faster than your fellow truck drivers and you win.

In The Longest Journey you must deliver cargo from Seattle to Miami and back. The reason for the name, this is the longest trek the game has to offer. If you want to add a bit of mystery to the game, New York Cargo Madness might be the right choice. In this mode you must bring the right cargo to New York, but the cargo could be in any loading dock in Seattle, Los Angeles or San Francisco.

Free play allows you to manage your company however you see fit. You pick up the loads you want and take them to the required destination. In all modes the difficulty can be adjusted from easy to hard.

Great Attention To Detail

Most of the game will be spent on the road delivering goods. That being the case, the well done graphics add a bit of realism to the game. Every detail is carefully crafted down to the occasional critter running across the road in front of your truck. The highways are all correctly named and placed and even include exit signs to let you know where to turn. The cab view of the truck makes it feel like you are really behind the wheel on the open road. The level of detail achieved in this game is astounding.

Long Haul

A few minor drawbacks exist in this game, but if you are prepared for them it won't be a big deal. First, there is the issue of how long it takes to get around. Even some of the shortest city-to-city distances can take upwards of 15 minutes. A cross country haul can set you back more than an hour. The trucks move at relatively slow speeds so long hauls can get boring. The second drawback is getting stuck. If you manage to get your truck stuck, there is no way to get it unstuck. This means you have to revert back to your last save point and start over again. Saving frequently will reduce the amount of tasks you will have to repeat.

Conclusion - Realistic Truck Driving

18 Wheels of Steel allows you to experience the life of a long haul truck driver from the safety and comfort of your own home. Picking the profitable loads and keeping everything nice and legal are just a few of the challenges you will face. When you sit down to play just be prepared to invest some time. Remember to keep your eyes on the road and watch out for “smokey”.