Universal Truck Simulator vs Truckers of Europe 3
Universal Truck Simulator vs Truckers of Europe 3: Which One Is Actually Worth Your Money?
So last weekend, I finally caved and bought both Universal Truck Simulator AND Truckers of Europe 3 after my buddy Jake wouldn’t shut up about them. I’ve sunk about 30+ hours into both games since then (don’t judge me, I had a long weekend!), and thought I’d share my honest thoughts for anyone stuck deciding between these two truck sims.
Quick backstory – I’ve been playing truck sims since the original 18 Wheel of Steel way back in the day, so I’m coming at this with some perspective, but I’m definitely not a simulator elitist. I just like driving big rigs around while listening to podcasts!
The Basics – What You’re Getting
Universal Truck Simulator came out in January and costs about $40 (though I got it on sale for $34.99). It’s available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Truckers of Europe 3 dropped a few months earlier in October 2023, costs $25, and you can play it on PC, Android phones and iPhones/iPads.
Right off the bat, if you’re on a budget or mostly game on your phone, Truckers of Europe 3 might be your only real option here. But there’s a LOT more to consider.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Universal Truck Simulator | Truckers of Europe 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.99 | $24.99 |
| Release Date | January 2024 | October 2023 |
| Platforms | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | PC, Android, iOS |
| Map Size | ~150,000 sq miles | ~65,000 sq miles |
| Truck Brands | 78 trucks | 32 trucks |
| Play Style | Simulation-focused | Arcade-friendly |
| Multiplayer | Up to 8 players (convoy) | Up to 100 players (MMO-style) |
| Business Depth | Complex management | Simplified progression |
Graphics – Do They Actually Look Good?
Ok, so Universal Truck Simulator is freaking GORGEOUS… if you have the hardware to run it properly. I’m running it on my PC with an RTX 3070, and wow, the lighting effects are insane. There was this one moment driving through the Alps at sunset where I literally pulled over just to watch the sky. My girlfriend walked by and thought I was watching a travel documentary lol.
The trucks are super detailed – you can practically count the rivets. The interiors are spot-on too. I drive a real Peterbilt for my cousin’s moving company occasionally, and they really nailed the cab feel.
BUT – and this is a big but – when I tried running it on my old gaming laptop, it was a slideshow. So keep that in mind.
Truckers of Europe 3 looks… fine? It’s definitely designed with mobile in mind. Everything is a bit brighter, more colorful, less photorealistic. Some people might actually prefer this style. It runs super smooth even on my ancient iPad, which is impressive. The trucks look good enough that you can tell a Scania from a Volvo, but don’t expect to be blown away.
One weird thing I noticed – Truckers of Europe 3 actually has better-looking weather effects in some ways? The rain especially looks more natural to me, while Universal sometimes has this weird artificial-looking rain pattern.
How They Actually Play
This is probably the biggest difference between the two games.
Universal Truck Simulator is hardcore. There’s no other way to put it. You need to warm up your engine properly before driving. Your cargo has physics – I learned this the hard way when I took a corner too fast with a load of pipes and they literally rolled my truck. I had to pay for damages and the delivery was canceled! The fatigue system means you really do need to find hotels or rest stops, and driving tired leads to handling penalties.
Is it fun? YES, but in that slow-burn satisfaction kind of way. It’s definitely not a “quick gaming session” kind of game.
The controls took me a solid 2-3 hours to get comfortable with using a controller. I can’t imagine trying to play with just a keyboard. If you have a wheel setup though, this game absolutely shines with it.
Truckers of Europe 3 is way more pick-up-and-play. The trucks basically drive like slightly heavy cars. You can take corners at unrealistic speeds, the damage model is forgiving, and the whole experience is just more arcade-like.
I was able to jump right in and start making successful deliveries within like 15 minutes. It’s definitely designed for shorter play sessions – most deliveries take 10-20 minutes, compared to some in Universal that can literally take over an hour of real time.
Gameplay Features Comparison
Universal Truck Simulator Features:
- Realistic engine warm-up requirements
- Physics-based cargo that can shift and affect handling
- Fatigue system requiring rest stops
- Realistic fuel consumption and management
- Complex damage model with financial consequences
- Weather affects road conditions and handling
- Realistic braking distances and weight distribution
- Traffic follows actual road rules
Truckers of Europe 3 Features:
- Simplified driving mechanics
- Fast-travel options between cities
- Arcade-style handling for easier control
- Quick refueling and rest stops
- Forgiving damage model
- Simplified maintenance
- Quick-save system for shorter sessions
- Mobile-friendly controls with touch support
The Maps – Where Can You Actually Drive?
Universal Truck Simulator has this massive, MASSIVE map covering big chunks of North America, Europe, and even parts of Asia. It’s mind-bogglingly huge. Like, driving from Seattle to Miami would take you hours of real-time driving. The scale is pretty realistic.
The downside? Sometimes it gets boring. There are these long stretches of highway that are just… highway. Very accurate to real trucking I guess! But maybe not always super engaging gameplay.
Truckers of Europe 3 focuses just on Europe (duh, given the name), and the map is way more condensed. You can drive from Lisbon to Moscow in like 30 minutes. Everything is squeezed closer together.
Is this realistic? Heck no. Is it actually more fun sometimes? Honestly, yeah. There’s always a new city or landmark coming up, which keeps things interesting.
One advantage Universal has is the terrain variety. You get deserts, mountains, coastal highways, dense forests… Truckers of Europe has decent variety too, but doesn’t quite match up.
Top 5 Most Scenic Routes in Universal Truck Simulator
- Pacific Coast Highway – Stunning ocean views and cliff-hugging roads
- Rocky Mountain Pass – Challenging elevation changes with breathtaking vistas
- Scandinavian Fjords – Serene waterways with impressive tunnel systems
- Arizona Desert – Beautiful sunsets across wide-open landscapes
- Alpine Highway – Twisting mountain roads with snow-capped peaks
Top 5 Most Scenic Routes in Truckers of Europe 3
- Mediterranean Coastal Road – Beautiful beaches and seaside towns
- Northern Lights Highway – Night drives with aurora effects in Scandinavia
- Tuscan Countryside – Rolling hills and picturesque villages
- Black Forest Highway – Dense woodland and charming German towns
- Pyrenees Mountain Pass – Challenging climbs with spectacular views
The Trucks – What You’ll Be Driving
I counted 78 trucks in Universal Truck Simulator (though they keep adding more with updates). You get all the American brands like Peterbilt, Kenworth, Mack, and International, plus European manufacturers like Volvo, Scania, Mercedes, and DAF. They even have some classic/vintage trucks which are super cool but hard to drive.
Truckers of Europe 3 has 32 trucks, mostly focused on European brands. No classic trucks yet, though rumor has it they’re adding some in the next update.
The customization in Universal is INSANE. You can change literally everything – engines, transmissions, differential ratios, interior upholstery, dashboard accessories. I spent a solid 3 hours just building my perfect Peterbilt 389.
The paint job editor is basically Photoshop-lite. My artistic skills are non-existent though, so my truck ended up looking like a 5-year-old designed it.
Truckers of Europe 3 has decent customization, but it’s way more streamlined. You pick from pre-made paint jobs, can upgrade a few key components like the engine and brakes, and add some basic accessories. It’s satisfying enough but not nearly as deep.
Top 3 Trucks in Each Game (My Personal Favorites)
Universal Truck Simulator:
- Peterbilt 389 – The classic American long-nose truck, handles like a dream once you get used to it
- Volvo FH16 – Perfect balance of power and comfort, great for European highways
- Kenworth W900 – Feels like you’re driving a piece of trucking history
Truckers of Europe 3:
- Scania S730 – Best all-around performer, great balance of power and handling
- Mercedes-Benz Actros – Super comfortable for long hauls, good fuel economy
- DAF XG+ – Newest truck in the game, has some cool tech features
Career Mode – Making That Truck Money
Both games have you start as a nobody and work your way up to owning a trucking empire.
Universal Truck Simulator is SLOW progression. I’m about 20 hours in and just barely saved enough to buy my first truck (had been doing jobs for other companies). It makes each milestone feel huge though. When I finally bought that Volvo VNL, I felt like I’d actually accomplished something meaningful!
The business management gets pretty complex once you start hiring drivers and buying more trucks. You need to take out loans, manage garage leases, balance maintenance costs, hire good drivers, and find profitable routes. It’s almost like two games in one – a driving sim and a tycoon game.
Truckers of Europe 3 throws money at you much faster. I owned my first truck within about 2 hours, and had three trucks and two employees by the 10-hour mark. The business side is much more simplified – hire drivers, buy trucks, make money.
They do have this cool “contract” system where companies offer you special ongoing work opportunities if you build a good reputation with them. I’ve got a sweet deal with a car manufacturer that keeps me in steady work.
Career Progression Timeline Comparison
| Milestone | Universal Truck Simulator | Truckers of Europe 3 |
|---|---|---|
| First job completed | 1 hour | 30 minutes |
| Bank loan available | 5 hours | 1.5 hours |
| First truck purchased | ~20 hours | ~2 hours |
| First employee hired | ~30 hours | ~6 hours |
| Fleet of 5 trucks | ~60 hours | ~15 hours |
| Multiple garages | ~80 hours | ~25 hours |
| “End-game” fleet | 150+ hours | ~50 hours |
Multiplayer – Playing With Friends
Universal’s multiplayer lets you form convoys with up to 8 friends. It’s a blast driving in formation on the highways. You can all take jobs from the same company to deliver goods together, which is pretty cool. The voice chat is built right in which is convenient.
My buddy Mike and I did a Seattle to Denver run together last night, listening to 80s rock and just chatting. Good times.
Truckers of Europe 3 goes in a totally different direction with multiplayer. It’s more like an MMO, with up to 100 players in the same world. You’ll see random players driving around, and there’s a global chat system.
They have these weekly community events and competitions too. Last week was a speed delivery challenge on mountain roads that was pretty intense. I came in 24th place, which isn’t great but not terrible considering there were hundreds of participants.
So Which One Should You Actually Buy?
After way too many hours with both games, here’s my take:
Universal Truck Simulator
PROS:
- Photorealistic graphics and stunning environments
- Incredibly detailed truck models and interiors
- Deep simulation of actual trucking physics
- Comprehensive business management system
- Massive, realistic map with diverse terrain
- Extensive customization options
- Satisfying long-term progression
CONS:
- Requires powerful hardware to run well
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Slow progression might feel grindy
- Long routes can get boring
- Needs significant time investment
- Higher price point ($39.99)
- No mobile version
Truckers of Europe 3
PROS:
- Available on mobile devices
- Accessible, pick-up-and-play gameplay
- Faster career progression
- Vibrant MMO-style community
- Regular events and competitions
- More affordable ($24.99)
- Runs well on modest hardware
- Perfect for shorter play sessions
CONS:
- Less realistic graphics and physics
- Limited truck customization options
- Smaller map with condensed scale
- Simplified business management
- Fewer truck options (32 vs 78)
- More arcade-like experience
- Mobile-focused design might turn off simulation purists
For what it’s worth, I find myself playing Universal when I have a free evening and want to really immerse myself, but I actually play Truckers of Europe 3 more often just because I can grab my phone and do a quick delivery while waiting for dinner to cook.
Some Random Tips I Wish I’d Known Earlier
- Universal Truck Simulator has this weird bug where sometimes cargo doesn’t register as delivered. Save before you arrive just in case!
- In Truckers of Europe 3, the fastest way to make early money is doing the car transport jobs – they pay more per mile than most other cargo types.
- For Universal, set your fuel usage to “realistic” rather than “simulation” unless you want to micromanage every drop of diesel.
- Truckers of Europe 3 runs MUCH better on phones if you turn off the dynamic shadows option.
- The used truck market in Universal refreshes every Monday (game time), so check back regularly for deals.
- Join the Truckers of Europe discord – they give out free paint job codes every weekend!
That’s about it! I’m heading back to the virtual road now. Got a delivery of cheese due in Budapest in Truckers of Europe 3, and I can’t be late!
If you pick up either game and want someone to convoy with, my username is RoadWarrior426 on both platforms.
Happy trucking!
- Dave
PS – If you’re completely new to truck sims, I’d probably recommend starting with Truckers of Europe 3 mod APK, then upgrading to Universal once you know you love the genre. The $25 entry point is a lot more palatable when you’re not sure if trucking is your thing!
PPS – Neither game developer paid me for this comparison, though I wish they would! These are just my honest thoughts after dropping way too many hours into both games when I should have been doing yard work instead.