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WHEEL APPEAL
Page 58
Page 59
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Once all those mince p ies have been delivered, what's a natural born driver to do over Christmas? Turn on your computer, that's what! Robin Meczes reviews six top-notch driving-related games to keep you amused over the festive season.
Ever fancied earning your living crisscrossing North America in the relative luxury of a big rig? Of course you have — and here's your chance to do it without that pesky Green Card requirement.
18 Wheels ofSteel:Across America is a brand new game that puts you behind the wheel of a big bonneted tractor as an owneroperator. finding and delivering loads right across the US.
Semi-trailers waiting for your skills can be found at sites in major towns and cities, with loads ranging from hazgoods such as liquid nitrogen to books. livestock and cars.
There's a good mix of longand shorthaul work and a variety of rates on offer. All you've got to do is keep an eye on your fuel, avoid going the wrong way and keep from causing a major pile-up. Oh, and drive the truck, of course.
The handling of your default vehicle — a Pacific 531— is excellent: it feels more like driving a real truck than any other game we've played. with the possible exception of King of the Road (see page 59). If you have trouble reversing an artic in real life you'll have trouble here. Flit an upwards stretch and you'll soon enrage other drivers by slowing to a crawl. And if you want to make a turn, don't forget to indicate!
There's also more than a passing nod to modern technology: spot of rain on the windshield? Never mind. the wipers will start up automatically any second. You even get a built-in speedtrap radar warning device as standard, which is an expensive option in many other games.
Apart from stopping regularly for fuel you'll need to maintain your truck from time to time.You can also upgrade various truck components such as the engine, gearbox or tyres. and damage can he repaired at garages along your route. Occasionally, you'll also run across weighbridges... skip past them and the cops will soon catch up with you, as they will if you recklessly smash up other vehicles or run too many red lights.
When you've made enough money there are a variety of truck dealers en route where you can do a deal for other US marques — you can even get a bank loan to help.
There's an excellent mix of road types and driving environments. Some of the work will be on major highways,where the cruise control really comes into its own, but you'll need different driving skills on winding country lanes and congested city streets. You'll also encounter a realistic mixture of day and night, weather conditions and scenery.
All in all. this is a fantastic game and the closest thing to a true haulage simulator we've come across. The only thing it doesn't cater for is rigids,but how many owneroperators do you know crossing the US in an 18-tonner?
We've already put many hours into 18 Wheels of Steel: Across America and every last one of them has been a pleasure. If you're after a 'serious' truck sim. buy this game. You won't be disappointed.