The Road to Freedom Another game that I stumbled upon by accident. After playing all the available parts of "Need for Speed", I went to the depths of the Network to find something similar in order to pass the time and drive at high speeds. I must say that I came across a lot of offers, but by chance my eye caught on a game that is not at all close to the specifics of "NFS". It turned out to be the one in which it was proposed to drive trucks through real cities and countries of Europe and beyond. Interested. And so I went on this adventure. It's been a few years now. Euro Truck Simulator 2 2012 is an amazing combination of relaxing gameplay and deep mechanics that allows players to feel like a real trucker. From the very first minutes of immersion, the game pleases with its graphics, which look quite decent. It doesn't create a wow effect, but it doesn't hurt your eyes, demonstrating in principle everything you need for a pleasant trip. Iridescent sunsets, lights of night cities and detailed trails create an atmosphere in which you want to spend hours. One of the strengths of the game is the flexibility of the control settings. There are plenty of options in the menu to customize the gameplay for yourself. There are dozens of settings in the game. I do not even know the names of many that relate to trucks and their management, but experts, I am sure, will note such customization. For me, the classic "arrows" on the keyboard are enough to challenge the road. And you can also use the steering wheel. I'm sure this is an opportunity to experience the game fully. All these features make the gameplay comfortable for both beginners and experienced players who strive for maximum realism. One of the distinctive features of "Euro Truck Simulator 2" is the detailed study of geography. Each region is conveyed with love and attention to detail. The narrow streets of Italian towns, the endless fields of Poland, the busy highways of Germany, the snow-covered roads of Iceland, the cozy Baltic States, the recognizable tropics of Turkey, rocky Spain, the endless plains of Kazakhstan, the bright greenery of Ireland, diverse Russia — each location feels unique. There are a lot of cities and points on the map that are literally copied from real places or at least created very similar. The alternation of day and night is added here, as well as realistic weather: rain that knocks on the glass, or fog that limits visibility, make you not only admire, but also take these conditions into account in your management. Do not forget about the sound, which is an important component that complements the experience of the game. The roar of truck engines, the noise of tires on wet roads, and the signals of other cars create the effect of total immersion. The music in the game is minimalistic, but ETS 2 offers a great opportunity to listen to your own playlists or favorite radios through the built-in player. This is especially pleasant on long routes. The gameplay offers a lot of possibilities. You can start by transporting goods for employers, accumulate capital, and then create your own transportation empire. Hiring drivers, buying garages, and running a company add a strategic element, making the game more than just a driving simulator. There is an opportunity to take out a loan and immediately break into the automotive world, building your own strategy. An important part of ETS 2 is working with trucks. The game features many brands such as Scania, Volvo, MAN and others, and customizing the exterior and interior is a real gift for fans of customization. From installing new headlights and mirrors to choosing all kinds of "hangers" in the cabin, you can create a dream truck here. The game encourages attention to detail. For example, compliance with traffic rules. Fines for speeding or running a red light add realism and make driving a truck a little more responsible. They also add variety to your speech (which is not very censored) as a driver when you run a red light and immediately see that the balance has dropped by several hundred euros. Well, I guess a real driver has the right to swear once or twice. The penalty system, however, noticeably encourages careful driving, which becomes a challenge on difficult routes or when delivery times are tight. However, this does not save you from reckless drivers who sometimes try to change lanes into your lane, provoking an accident, but at the same time, if you are not even to blame, then you will be fined. This also "boosts" your level of "proficiency in obscene speech" a little more. Interestingly, even the mechanics of refueling a truck and controlling fuel consumption make you feel like a professional. Choosing the right route is the key to saving time and resources. Sometimes you have to decide whether to take a shortcut through a village with narrow roads or take a longer but safer highway. But I want to see every road and not repeat myself, exploring more and more new ways. You also need to stop sleeping periodically when the character gets tired behind the wheel and starts yawning. And it is also better to repair a damaged car, otherwise there is a risk of simply stalling in some wilderness and spending extra money to call for help. It is worth noting the multiplayer mode, which offers a unique opportunity for players to join virtual transport companies, participate in common events, or simply share roads with other truckers. This adds to the game the feeling of a living world where you are part of a global community. The game features a huge number of extras. The official DLCs open up access to new regions, improved graphics, and new trucks, but a lot of custom mods are of particular interest. Thanks to them, you can go beyond Europe, exploring the roads of Asia, Africa or South America. However, the stability of such builds often leaves much to be desired — mod lovers need to be prepared for technical difficulties. The developers continue to support and update the game more than 10 years after its release, which is encouraging. However, not every update is perceived unambiguously — sometimes innovations cause controversy among players, especially in the modder community. "Euro Truck Simulator 2" is a unique game, in my opinion. It relaxes and captivates at the same time. It allows you not only to explore European routes, but also to build your own path to success, turning dreams of long-distance roads into reality. Sometimes it's so nice to just sit down, put on headphones, turn on your favorite music, boot up at the starting point and travel through half of Europe, enjoying the views outside the window. ETS 2 is a world of endless roads where you decide for yourself what it will be like for you. 9 out of 10