The truck simulation genre has long been dominated by the valiant efforts of SCS Software. From Hard Truck, to 18 Wheels of Steel, to now the well-supported American & Euro Truck Simulator 2 duality, this studio has basically claimed the genre almost as its own. While there are a few well-known semi-competitors in the form of Spintires and MudRunner/SnowRunner from Saber Interactive, SCS’ projects remain at the top of the delivery truck sim ‘A-List.’ Thus, the arrival of Road Studios’ Alaskan Road Truckers is perhaps the closest newcomer I’ve seen to truly being able to raise a cannon towards SCS’ empire.
Set in the harsh landscape of what is considered by some to be America’s true ‘Final Frontier,’ Alaskan Road Truckers takes players on an adventure that will test their survival and driving skills in a variety of unfavourable conditions. In addition to the experience being far less ‘vanilla’ than that of American & Euro Truck Simulator 2, perhaps the biggest advantage this new sim has is that it finally frees you of the confines of your truck cab.
The following preview is based on experience with the public beta playtest version of Alaskan Road Truckers.
Stretchin’ your legs
The fact that mere weeks ago I wrote an entire article about my wishlist for big improvements I’d love to see implemented to SCS’ current set of twin sims is quite interesting when I compare its contents to my experience with Alaskan Road Truckers.
Notably, I mentioned how great it would be to finally have the ability to enter/exit the truck cab at will and even perform tasks when roaming on-foot. What exactly does Alaskan Road Truckers feature? Just what the podiatrist (fancy name for “foot doctor”) ordered.
Right from the get-go, you’re allowed to create a character who you’ll then take control of, rather than them just being a tiny model sitting in a virtual cabin at all times.
As you accept the introductory job, you then move your way over to your trusty steed and get her prepped and ready for the journey ahead. With your virtual hands, you’ll connect the truck’s power cables to the ports at the front of the trailer, raise the trailer legs with the crank, and then make sure its securely attached to the hitch of the truck.
After all that’s done, you can step up into the cab, flip on the ignition, turn on the lights, release the handbrake, grab the steering wheel, and be on your way.
The fact that all of these operations are done manually, with (semi) appropriate animations of your character’s virtual hands carrying out each function is simply sensational to me. So many sims tend to skip this level of practical, rather mundane series of operations for that very reason—it’s boring.
Some folks consider the genre as a whole to already be a snooze-fest since you’re often simulating very repetitive, drab tasks.
Ploughing fields, manning a train on a series of very straight tracks, or in the case of this sim specifically, hauling a heavy trailer to and fro—where’s the action? Where’s the ‘pew-pew’, ‘boom,boom’, ‘pow-wow!’ that most other games feature in spades?
Well, that’s the point of most vehicular sims like this: they’re grounded in reality and all the humdrum that comes with the activities they’re simulating.
But, since they are still games (although some sim fans will fight me for using that term,) these titles still often take some liberty in simplifying the experience by just cutting out a lot of the busywork and thrusting you into the most engaging part of the package.
Even so, the fact that Alaskan Road Truckers goes against the grain and actually allows you to fully interact with the operations of your truck, rather than being disappointing, this is instead a very refreshing change of pace for someone who’s wanted to see this for quite some time in other driving sims.
The journey ahead
Of course, more important than that of the on-foot mechanics is that of the driving experience. Thankfully, Alaskan Road Truckers doesn’t reduce them to playing second-fiddle.
Right off the bat, I noticed the truck’s handling to feel properly weighty. Steering is certainly not like trying to drive a Lambo in The Crew Motorfest.
However, the semi took its time to corner and used many degrees of width to do so. While it is a bit heavier than I’d like, perhaps this is something that can either be adjusted by release, or even an attribute that can be improved with vehicle upgrades.
That covered, none of the in-game trucks are based on real-world brands, unlike that of other driving sims such as SCS’ projects and even the Runner titles.
Even so, as seems to always be the case when virtual renditions of a vehicle aren’t officially badged, eagle-eyed players should be able to discern what each ‘fictional’ truck here in this sim is actually modelled after. Since the playtest only lasted for 3 hours, I wasn’t able to buy another truck to see the differences, however.
Upgrading and repairing your truck is done either via a workshop at your HQ, or the very scattered truck shops around the map.
Now is a good time to mention that the map does appear to be rather expansive, with a good variation of dirt roads and proper pavement. This mix is to be expected given Alaska’s rugged nature. Nevertheless, the off-road simulation is nowhere near as complex and rich as the likes of the Runner sims, which remain to be mostly in a league of their own.
Perhaps these elements can be improved upon in the future, as it would add some exciting and challenging technicality to the depth of the gameplay.
Stat track
As you play through the campaign, your character will gradually level up across a variety of areas. Once a new level is achieved, a skill point is earned and they can be used to progress skill trees for specific categories. For instance, there’s a truck skill tree and another for managing your HQ, to name a few.
As mentioned before, while your truck can be worked on (at a reduced cost, even) at the HQ, one must unlock the needed skill to the be able to construct a Workshop on the site of the HQ.
This system certainly does add value to the gameplay, providing a breadth of avenues to progress through, rather than just having your sole objective to be squarely focused on driving from point A-to-B.
On that note, bringing it back to gameplay mechanics surrounding your character, you’re also responsible for taking care of your virtual self just as much as your ride.
“It’s dangerous to go alone!”
Your character gets fatigued and hungry over time and even must be armed with the needed tools for surviving the harsh weather conditions Alaska has to offer in its ferocious winter season. Food can be purchased and eaten, beds can be slept in, and a winter coat can be put on.
Very surprisingly, death, yes, death is valid here in Alaskan Road Truckers; quite unconventional for a sim of this kind.
The death of your character will result in a heavy financial loss, especially if the act of perishing takes place while attempting to complete a delivery. Well then, it appears that even in the virtual world dying on the job is a major inconvenience.
Beyond the ethics of that matter, this is yet another interesting way that the devs have added more depth to the sim’s gameplay formula.
Jack of all trades, master of…?
Clearly, there’s a lot of different instruments at play here, all of which are trying to work together in harmony to create a truck sim experience that truly differentiates itself from the other big rigs out there.
I not only respect all that Alaskan Road Truckers is trying to pull it off, but also find these features to be truly meaningful.
While I certainly need more time in the full game to judge if all of these hold more weight than just being fancy showpieces, they at least make a good first impression.
That said, if there’s ever a time where I have questions about a title’s true potential, it’d be now. I like a lot of Alaskan Road Truckers, but it certainly does have its work cut out for it.
While it’s not realistic to expect this to swoop in and usurp the throne from the likes of American & Euro Truck Simulator 2 overnight, it still has the job of garnering a following of its own.
Soedesco, another fairly capable studio, has tried this feat a few years ago with Truck Driver, and for the most part, it hasn’t quite stuck the landing. In my experience, it just came off as feeling like a poor man’s Euro Truck Sim which is not what I want for Alaskan Road Truckers. I want to root for the little guy.
Keeping an eye out
When all is said and done, the folks over at Road Studio knew what they were up against when they set out to create this new truck sim. I almost even wonder if the decision to choose Alaska as the centrepiece was done to illustrate the team’s quest on proving it could a deliver a ‘rich,’ ‘hardcore’ trucking sim experience that could challenge the likes of the more simplified and routine formula that SCS’ projects have.
The fact that it already features so many extra facets of gameplay, right down to repairing and managing individual parts of your truck with your hands, to having a true player survival system shows that the scope is aimed to be wide. Here’s hoping it just doesn’t spread itself too thin.
We’re soon about to see what comes of all this, as Alaskan Road Truck simulators begins its trek into America’s Final Frontier on October 18.
