Truck Simulator USA Revolution

- Reviewed on Switch 2 -

Truck Simulator USA Revolution released on February 8th, 2024.

Developed as a truck driving simulation experience, Truck Simulator USA Revolution caught my attention because I've always been interested in games that try to make something as simple as driving feel like an actual career. 

And after playing this one on Switch 2, I can confidently say that, as of writing this blog post, Truck Simulator USA Revolution is the best truck simulator game I've played on the Switch 2! 

Though there are certainly some things that hold it back, the actual driving, career progression, and number of things you have to manage, make this a surprisingly enjoyable truck simulator.

This review WILL have Major Spoilers so keep that in mind before continuing...

The main goal of Truck Simulator USA Revolution is pretty straightforward. 

You are a truck driver, and you need to take different jobs, transport cargo, and earn money to build your trucking career. 

It sounds simple enough, but there is actually a lot more going on than just picking up cargo and driving from Point A to Point B. 

As you progress, you can upgrade your trucks, purchase entirely new trucks, and even hire other truckers to work for you and generate daily income. 

Some of the new trucks you purchase will also unlock additional jobs, meaning your career progression actually feels like it is moving forward as you continue playing.

Speaking of the career system, this is probably one of the strongest parts of Truck Simulator USA Revolution. 

Starting out, you're not some huge trucking company with a giant fleet of vehicles. 

You're working your way up and slowly building your business. Completing jobs gives you the money needed to improve your equipment, while purchasing additional trucks opens up more opportunities. 

Eventually, you can have other truckers working for you, which gives you another source of income without having to personally complete every single job. 

Everything works together nicely, and I really enjoyed watching my trucking career slowly grow.

Of course, the most important part of any truck simulator is going to be the actual driving. 

Thankfully, Truck Simulator USA Revolution does a great job in this area. 

The controls and overall gameplay feel are realistic enough to make actually driving the trucks enjoyable. 

There is a noticeable difference between driving your truck without cargo and driving while hauling something behind you. 

You have to be more aware of how you're moving, how you're turning, and how the truck feels while carrying a load. 

This isn't a racing game where you can just slam the accelerator and throw the truck around every corner!

One of my favorite features in Truck Simulator USA Revolution is actually the different camera options. 

There are multiple perspectives to choose from, but my personal go-to is definitely the first-person perspective from inside the truck. 

Sitting in the driver's seat and looking through the windshield makes the whole experience feel much more like actually being behind the wheel. 

This is where I think the game can be at its most immersive, even though the graphics unfortunately work against that immersion at times.

The world map is another aspect I really enjoyed. 

There are many different landscapes and environmental themes to drive through, and the areas generally make sense for where your jobs are sending you. 

You're not just driving through the exact same environment over and over again. 

Depending on where you need to go, the scenery can change, giving your long drives a little more variety. 

For a game primarily focused on driving, having a world that actually feels different from location to location is important.

There is also quite a bit to manage while you're on the road. 

Fuel is something you'll obviously need to keep an eye on, but that's far from the only thing. 

You have your truck's oil, cleanliness, and even your driver's sleep to monitor. 

There are also weigh stations that you'll have to deal with along your journeys. 

All of these mechanics help make the game feel more like a truck simulator rather than simply being a driving game with large vehicles.

And yes, there are even electric trucks! 

If you're interested in going the electric route, you can use electric trucks and manage their charging instead of relying entirely on traditional fuel. 

I appreciate having this option because it gives players another way to approach their trucking career, while also adding another thing to think about when planning out your trips.

Unfortunately, the presentation is where Truck Simulator USA Revolution starts to lose some of its appeal. 

The graphics aren't exactly the most pleasing to look at. 

At times, objects and environmental details can look more like they have been plastered onto the world rather than actually existing inside of it. 

This becomes especially noticeable when playing from the first-person perspective. 

Since you're spending so much time looking directly at the world from inside your truck, graphical imperfections can become much more obvious.

The NPC traffic doesn't help with the immersion either. 

The other vehicles on the roads don't always behave like realistic drivers. 

One of the most noticeable examples is when vehicles approach traffic lights or stop signs. 

They'll sometimes come to a stop so abruptly that it looks unnatural. 

This might seem like a small complaint, but when you're playing a simulation game where realism is supposed to be a major part of the experience, little things like this can stand out pretty quickly.

Then there is your character. 

Your driver will occasionally make these muffled-sounding one-liners during gameplay. 

Personally, I've never really liked this feature, and I don't think the game needed it. 

I'm already sitting in the driver's seat, managing my truck, watching the road, checking my fuel, and trying to complete my job. 

I don't really need my character randomly mumbling something in the background while I'm doing it!

The police are another feature that I had mixed feelings about. 

They feel a little too strict at times, and the police chase mechanic in particular doesn't feel very well integrated into the rest of the game. 

When something happens, there isn't always a clear direction telling you exactly what you're supposed to do during the chase. 

It almost feels like this mechanic was added toward the end of development, rather than being something that naturally fits into the trucking experience.

With that being said, I don't think these issues completely ruin Truck Simulator USA Revolution. 

The actual trucking is still enjoyable, and that's ultimately what matters most. 

The career progression gives you something to work toward, the world provides plenty of different areas to explore, and there are enough management mechanics to keep you thinking about more than just the road directly in front of you.

Truck Simulator USA Revolution isn't going to be the most beautiful game on the Switch 2, and some of its features definitely need more polish. 

The NPC traffic can be strange, the police mechanics aren't great, and the character dialogue isn't something I personally enjoyed. 

However, when you're actually behind the wheel, hauling cargo, managing your truck, stopping at weigh stations, keeping an eye on fuel and sleep, and eventually building your own fleet, the game starts to show what makes it enjoyable.

As I stated earlier, Truck Simulator USA Revolution is, as of writing this blog post, the best truck simulator game I've played on the Switch 2. 

If you're looking for a realistic driving experience with a career system and plenty of things to manage, then I think there is definitely some fun to be had here. 

Just don't expect the other drivers on the road to behave like actual drivers!

Pros: 

    - Realistic Truck Controls / Driving Feel

    - Great Career Progression

    - Upgradeable / Purchasable Trucks

    - Great World Map / Different Landscapes

    - Lots of Truck Management

    - Multiple Camera Options

Cons:

    - Unappealing Graphics

    - NPC Traffic Drives Unrealistically

    - Unnecessary Character One-Liners

    - Police Chase Mechanic Feels Underdeveloped

My Rating for Truck Simulator USA Revolution (on Switch 2):

3 / 5

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Disclaimer

All Reviews, Ratings, Pros, Cons, and Opinions Shared on this Blog (Press A Reviews) are my (Connor Butler) own Thoughts and Feelings.