Players can also buy things to protect themselves.
However, other graphical features such as dynamic dashboard gauges were replaced with simple inanimate textures, although this and minor bugs were fixed with a patch released by SCS Software in 2008.
The graphics are also much improved in this version, and users can see drivers in other vehicles and when the trucks are "lugged" under 1500 RPM, they emit black exhaust much like older non-computerized trucks do. The player has to use the mouse to look outside of the cab at the mirrors. The player can travel through 30+ cities and choose from 35+ rigs, 45+ cargoes and 47+ trailers. In this updated installment, the player can travel through the United States, as well as southern Canada, though it differs from 18 Wheels of Steel: Pedal to the Metal in that Mexican cities are not present. It also has the fastest map to date besides Haulin' and is the first trucking game to feature more than one country. 18 Wheels of Steel: Pedal to the Metal requires OpenGL. The sleep timer was brought back in this version. In this installment, released in 2004, the user can travel across the entire continental US, and also through northern Mexico and southern Canada, through 30 cities. There is an improved traffic model as well as airplanes, helicopters, and trains with authentic sounds. Unlike Hard Truck: 18 Wheels of Steel, Across America does not feature a sleep timer. Players also go against three AI drivers. This game focuses on the delivery of cargo. Time is made up of a total of 24 minutes in a day in the clock. In this version, players can choose from 30 trucks and 40+ trailers. This installment is very similar to Hard Truck: 18 Wheels of Steel except that the graphics were updated, more trucks and cargo were added, and a new map was created that enables users to travel across the entire continental U.S., through 30 cities. The first installment in the series, released in 2002. Those who have played other games in the 18 Wheels of Steel line will find it very familiar.Main article: Hard Truck: 18 Wheels of Steel It does take a while to get the hang of driving these big rigs, especially if this is your first time playing a game in this series.
The gameplay is fun, but it is also challenging. As well as bidding on jobs, you also need to make sure that your truck is in tip-top condition so make sure you take care of it with fuel and any repairs as well as driving good. Growing your trucking empire is what you are all about and it is pretty addictive. You take jobs, deliver goods, and make money. The gameplay on offer here is the same as it was in the last two games. Although, this does come at the expense of Mexico which was in the first game. Actually, speaking of environments, this game lets you drive and deliver loads in southern Canada which I thought was pretty cool.
The many different trucks, trailers, and other vehicles on the road have more detail to them as do the environments.
However, they did update many of the visuals over the last couple of games here. Do not get me wrong, looking at this game now, it is nothing to brag about. 18 Wheels of Steel: Convoy was the first time that the visuals of the game had been given a noticeable upgrade.
I would say that by the time we got here to this game the series was really looking stale in terms of the visuals. However, by the fourth game in the series, they could have expanded it a bit. It is a concept that I enjoy as TV shows like Ice Road Truckers have always appealed to me. You still want to be the best trucker around and make your company the number one hauling company in the USA! You do this by bidding on jobs and delivering your hauls on time and in the best condition possible.