Experience the open road like never before with American Truck Simulator, the acclaimed sequel to Euro Truck Simulator 2. Boasting a massive player base and a thriving modding community, ATS offers endless possibilities for customization. Choosing from the vast array of mods can be overwhelming, so here are ten top picks to significantly enhance your gameplay. Remember, compatibility may vary, but you can easily manage mods individually within the game.
TruckersMP: Multiplayer Mayhem
While American Truck Simulator now features a built-in multiplayer mode, the fan-created TruckersMP mod remains a popular choice. Connect with up to 63 other players for collaborative trucking adventures across multiple servers. A dedicated moderation team ensures fair play, so reckless driving might result in a ban. TruckersMP offers a richer multiplayer experience compared to the game's native Convoy mode.
Realistic Truck Wear: A More Authentic Driving Experience
ATS allows truck purchases, but on the road, you're stuck with your current vehicle. Maintaining its condition is crucial, as collisions cause damage. While repairs are possible, this mod refines the damage system for increased realism. Instead of immediate tire replacements, retreading becomes an option, adding a layer of strategic management. However, this realism extends to higher insurance costs, incentivizing safe driving. Even without installation, browsing the Steam Workshop discussions, which include insights from real truckers, is worthwhile.
Sound Fixes Pack: Immersive Audio Enhancements
Also available for Euro Truck Simulator 2, this mod significantly improves the game's audio. It introduces numerous sound tweaks and additions, enriching the driving experience. Noticeable improvements include enhanced wind sounds with open windows and realistic reverb effects under bridges. The inclusion of five new air horns is an added bonus.
Real Companies, Gas Stations, and Billboards: A Touch of Reality
Real-world brands are rarely featured in open-world games. This mod, however, adds a touch of authenticity by incorporating various real-life companies like Walmart, UPS, and Shell into the game's environment, enhancing immersion.
Realistic Truck Physics: Enhanced Handling and Suspension
This mod enhances ATS's realism by improving vehicle physics, specifically focusing on suspension and handling. It's designed to refine, not drastically alter, the driving experience, appealing to players who appreciate accurate vehicle behavior. A similar mod is available for Euro Truck Simulator 2.
Ludicrously Long Trailers: A Hilarious Challenge
This mod introduces comically oversized trailers, creating a unique and challenging gameplay experience. While not compatible with multiplayer, it's perfect for solo players seeking a humorous and difficult trucking adventure.
Realistic Brutal Graphics and Weather: Enhanced Visuals
Despite its name, this mod doesn't transform ATS into a chaotic hellscape. Instead, it enhances the game's weather system with improved visuals, including dynamic skyboxes and realistic fog effects, without demanding high-end hardware.
Slow Traffic Vehicles: Increased Road Challenges
This mod introduces slow-moving vehicles like tractors and garbage trucks to the game's roads, adding a layer of realism and challenge. Overtaking becomes a more strategic maneuver, adding a new dimension to the driving experience.
Optimus Prime: Transform Your Trucking Experience
Transformers fans rejoice! This mod offers multiple paint jobs for Optimus Prime, including his G1 and movie iterations. Requires purchasing the appropriate truck model (Freightliner FLB), but the result is well worth the effort.
More Realistic Fines: A Riskier Driving Experience
This mod modifies the game's law enforcement system, making it more forgiving. Speeding and running red lights might go unpunished if not witnessed by police or cameras, adding an element of risk and reward to your driving.
These ten mods offer a range of enhancements for American Truck Simulator. For European adventures, explore the top mods for Euro Truck Simulator 2.
