18 Wheels of Steel: Convoy is the next installment of the popular truck simulator cycle. As the name suggests, the subject matter of this program concerns eighteen-wheeled convoys, which travel long distances throughout the United States day in and day out.
Heed the call of the open road, throw the gears in motion and take off in a tractor trailer. Be your own boss behind the wheel of your big rig. Over 40 cities, over 30 trucks, and much larger variety of cargo compared to the previous titles in the 18 Wheels of Steel franchise. Huge driving distances. New approach to real-time chrome reflections. Meet many trucks on the road to form long convoys on your way to fame and fortune!
Addictive Gameplay: Many users found the game engaging, especially for fans of driving simulators and trucking games.
Graphics and Visuals: Players appreciated the accurate reflections on trucks and the overall graphics for a game from 2005, with some noting the scenery as visually appealing.
Soundtrack: High-quality in-game music received positive remarks.
Large Map: The game features a vast map covering major highways in the U.S., providing a sense of realism and immersion.
In-Game Features: Good tutorial and offline functionality without requiring Steam were highlighted as benefits.
Variety of Trucks and Missions: Users enjoyed the diverse range of trucks and side missions available.
The main cons of the game
Lack of Save Option: A significant drawback is the inability to save during deliveries, leading to frustration for players who cannot commit long periods to the game.
Outdated Graphics: While some praised the visuals, others felt the graphics were outdated and simplistic, lacking the quality of modern games.
Poor AI and Game Mechanics: Users criticized the lack of realistic AI behavior, boring gameplay due to long, straight roads, and simplistic game mechanics that made the experience less engaging.
Keyboard Handling Issues: Many found the keyboard controls to be too sensitive and lacking damping, making it difficult to handle the trucks smoothly.
Bugs and Technical Issues: Several reviews mentioned bugs, crashes, and performance issues, detracting from the overall experience.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
Customization Options: Players expressed disappointment over the lack of customization stations for trucks, limiting their ability to change colors or parts.
Realistic Gameplay Elements: Users wanted features like GPS, a radio option with trucking tunes, and more engaging missions that offer variety beyond simple deliveries.
Improved AI and Traffic Dynamics: Many reviews pointed out the need for better AI behavior for other vehicles and more dynamic traffic situations.
Windowed Mode and Configurations: The absence of a proper windowed mode and issues with the configuration settings were noted as frustrating aspects of the game.
In-Game Indicators: Players mentioned the lack of visible indicators in first-person mode and the inability to activate mirrors effectively.
Summary
Overall, while "18 Wheels of Steel: Convoy" has a nostalgic appeal and some enjoyable elements, it suffers from significant shortcomings that affect the gameplay experience, particularly for new players unfamiliar with the series.
