Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I wasn't to impressed with Convoy which had some stability issues. Haulin continues (leaps over Convoy) the incredible style of the 18WoS series in a tycoon game that certainly is in a very thin class of terrific tycoon games. Haulin allows you to drive and pick up cargo in the United States and Canada. If you can accumulate enough money you can hire drivers, buy more trucks as well as trailers and retire to the office.
The driving laws are slightly tighter in this game meaning the cops will certainly get on your case if the meter showing your calious regard for driving laws such as running red lights, crossing the divider, and having an accident. The fines are stiffer. The minor issue is if a gas station, a service station, and/or a company is on the opposite side of the street when you cross the divider even with your turn signal on, the red meter starts moving.
So you're a truck driver going to over 40 cities to pick the cargo that you want to haul. The price is next to it and the farther you have to go for adrop off, the more money you make. It also varies whether you want to take a chance and haul precious cargo, overweight cargo or fragile. At the time of this review, I was hauling overweight coal from Phoenix to Montreal for $38k. Ive hits lots of traffic and caused 2 accidents lol. Already, I've been fined up to $12k. With Haulin, the traffic is more diverse, more traffic jams, and the traffic lights seem to last slightly longer but still can be very fast. The AI traffic is slightly better but beware of those quick lane changes. Just like in real life, expect the unexpected. The 18WoS series seems to add a little more with each passing title.
Minor issues: Would like to see more cities, roads, highways/expressways, inclusion of parkways (you hear in real-life a lot of trucks going on parkways when there not suppose to and get stuck which would add more realism), live people (the streets are empty with no movement of people), diverse traffic signals, turn signals at busy intersections, larger cities, dont cross/cross signals for people crossing the street, your character being able to get out of the truck and go into diners, truck stops, motels, and interact with other truckers, mechanics at service stations, more lively gas stations (getting out of your truck and pumping gas) buying food and drinks (water of course), being able to open the hood of your truck, checking the engine, for leaks, filling fluids ect. How about the option of owning a home and buying office property with a dock to park your truck, and go into the office and give the paperwork of the jobs, hiring secretaries as well as other truckers in your company. Being able to get off work and drive off to your home and relax. Actually driving home not those unappealing cut scenes that say 'Next Day". I would also like to see active places all over like seeing other trucks and cars parking in parking lots either at truckstops, gas stations, service stations ect. Sometimes going to mechanic and he cant work on your truck immediately. Dual core processors are mainstream now, lets optimize the next 18WoS title to use it.
In short, this game is quite addictive and one of the best buisness simulators and truck driving games. It has the potential to go even farther if more content can be added. Many games are coming out on DVD's or are already out (for example: The Sims2) to add more content and add totally more realism, the future of this truck driving buisness sim should be released on DVD.
You need a good processor/video card/ and at least 2GB ram to run this game. Im running mine at the time of this review on a Core2Duo E6300 (Dual core 1.66GHZ) and presently 2GB of Ram (one stick died and I RMA'd it) a Saphire x1900xtx and it runs great. Be careful with onboard graphics.
I wonder if the makers of the 18WoS series will add an online version which can allow players to interact with each other on the CB, meet at gas stations, diners, motels, at a truck stop ect. People can buy homes , cars, truck dealerships, service stations with actual moving bays when your truck goes on a lift, gas stations vibrant and working pumps either self or full serve, auto parts stores within cities (where you can actually park on the street or in parking lots) , or work in the office of the trucking company. One can only hope. I think I might be the only one, lol. After Haulin, I'm hoping the graphics will be updated and new content is as well.
*Please Note*
If you own this title, you will not need American Long Haul. It's 99 percent the same. Extreme Trucker is totally different.
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18 Wheels of Steel: Haulin'Product Description: 18 Wheels Of Steel: Haulin' gives you a chance to haul some -- and kick some! Do you have the juice to go from gearjammer to boss man in the trucking business? Life on the road is filled with obstacles - are you man enough for that? Climb in the can and find out!
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