I just barely recommended this game, and my opinion is subject to change as the game progresses; but as of now, my review is as follows.

I am an American trucker. I have been for a while now. I own my own rig. I run all 48 states, plus Canada and Alaska. I played ETS2 more than any other game in the past 30 years. (even more than super mario) I loved that game. It was the first simulation game for trucking that came anywhere near the real thing. Now, I do not live in Europe. I cannot say how similar it actually is to true Euro Trucking. Well, this is American Truck Simulator and I am an American trucker, so certain things do stick out to me. For one, no where in the USA, will you have an interstate with a state road just turning into it. You'll never find that. You will have a long on ramp and off ramp for these. Every single time. There are no splits in the interstate. Also, the layout of the truck stops is way too similar to ETS2, and nowhere near similar to true American truck stops. Yeah, I see that there are some legal issues dealing with naming the big truck stops (Loves, Petro, Pilot, Flying J, TA), but don't take something that is never a truck stop (Chevron) and turn it into one. Also, you'll never find a truck stop that just turns off of the interstate. You'll always take an exit, go a few blocks down and then it will be all by itself or surrounded by other buildings. I was really hoping that this would be more accurate. Some truckstops are challenging, while others are a cake walk. However, you will never find a truck stop that pulls off of the interstate like a rest area, and you will never find a truck stop with parallel parking. It will always be back in parking.

Now onto the trucks. I get it, the game is new. But why only 2 trucks to start out with? Maybe I'm playing it wrong, but maybe not. I'm not going to touch too much on this; but I will say I hope to see more trucks appear very soon. (Not just models, but other makes also)

My biggest beef, besides the interstate shortcomings, is the fact that the game devs decided to put this in California. (Or as some truckers call it, Commiefornia) This is the single worst state to drive a truck in. It is far from the "American spirit" in regards to trucking. It has the slowest speed limit, the highest emissions laws, and the most corrupt state Department of Transportation in the country. If this game were to really see the heart of American trucking, they should have started it off in the Midwest or the South. Anywhere from Kansas to Texas would have been best. Something with a high agriculture outport, high manufacturing, and even high livestock. But no, we had to go with California, who imports most of what they ship from China. Oh well, I can only hope that more states will be added, and soon. I see that Arizona is next on the list to be released, and I am just curious as to what cities they are planning on introducing, and what they believe actually ships out of Arizona. Should be interesting to see.

I really also wish that the backing in the game was harder. I see that it has gotten more difficult from ETS2, but it is FAR from being accurate with some of the shippers and receivers around this country. How about some 90 degree blind side alley backs? Or how about some blindside parallel parks for flatbeds? These are what truckers have to deal with daily here; so why not throw a few, or a ton, of them into the game? It would add more of a challenge while, at the same time, becoming a bit more realistic.

Now, I did give this a "yes I would recommend" vote. It is a fun simulation, and for what it's worth, the simulation is fairly accurate. You won't find a better trucking simulator out there. Hell, even trucking schools have worse software to teach people how to drive a truck. This is a cheap game, at only $20, but it has amazing potential. I hope to see this game live up to my expectations, especially after having waited so long to get it.

If you are not a trucker, this game will be great for you. If you are a trucker, you'll find the same gripes about it as I did; but you'll still play it.