For players deeply familiar with the sprawling highways of American Truck Simulator (ATS), venturing into Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) opens up a fascinatingly different world of trucking. As an ATS enthusiast myself, stepping into the cab of a Euro truck for the first time was an eye-opening experience, revealing both the familiar and the distinctly unique aspects of this European counterpart. Both games run on the same engine, yet the nuances between them are significant, particularly when it comes to the feel of driving and the environments you traverse.
One of the first things you’ll notice when transitioning to Euro trucks is the heightened sensitivity in handling. The Euro trucks respond more readily to inputs on the accelerator, gear changes, and RPM management compared to their American counterparts. This difference in responsiveness can initially feel a bit touchy, demanding a more delicate and precise driving style. It’s a learning curve, but mastering this sensitivity adds a layer of engagement to the driving experience, requiring you to be more attuned to the vehicle’s dynamics.
While some might point to older areas within ETS2 that may not boast the visual fidelity of the latest ATS expansions, particularly when compared to newer DLC landmarks and cities, this distinction becomes largely unnoticeable when you’re immersed in the act of driving. For someone new to the European setting, the novelty of navigating foreign roads and cities is captivating enough. The detailed replication of landmarks in ATS cities is commendable, but ETS2 compensates with a different kind of visual appeal – the charm of diverse European architecture and landscapes.
The true strength of ETS2 lies in its unparalleled environmental and cultural variety. ATS provides excellent environmental diversity within the American Southwest and Great Plains, faithfully capturing the feel of different states. However, the sheer breadth of countries in ETS2 inherently offers a richer tapestry of cultures and biomes. Traveling through Germany feels distinct from driving in Poland or Italy, each country presenting its own unique architectural styles, road layouts, and even vegetation. This constant change of scenery, driven by cultural differences, provides a level of variety that ATS, with its inherent American homogeneity, cannot quite match.
For American players considering their entry point into truck simulation, starting with ATS can be advantageous. The familiarity of American trucks and environments provides a comfortable foundation, allowing you to focus on mastering the core driving mechanics without the added layer of cultural unfamiliarity. However, the allure of exploring diverse European landscapes and experiencing the unique handling of Euro trucks makes ETS2 an equally compelling, and perhaps ultimately richer, experience.
In conclusion, neither ATS nor ETS2 definitively surpasses the other; they simply offer different strengths. ATS excels in familiar American settings and a more forgiving truck handling model, while ETS2 shines with its diverse European environments and a more engaging, sensitive Euro truck driving experience. Ultimately, both games provide a solid core driving simulation and offer valuable insights into the world of trucking, making them both worthwhile journeys for any simulation enthusiast.
