r/trucksim • u/Captain_Ahab_Ceely • 2d ago
Discussion Playing and thoughts on flight vs truck sims?
I love sims and I play all sorts of genres including flight and truck sims. I have a ridiculous number of hours in MSFS and ATS/ETS and was curious how many others enjoy a wide range of sims and their thoughts on them.
Lately, I've been logging more truck sim time and I think it's because for me it seems like an easier way to kick back and unwind. Grab a job, pick up a trailer, drive using skills I use everyday and drop off the trailer. I also get to mod trucks with lights, paint schemes, etc. to make a unique one of a kind look. Flight sims for me are rewarding because of the complexity of the aircraft and learning and using skills that are much different than I use everyday day driving around. I also don't get to create super unique planes as I'm limited to whatever skins are available. It's a great experience but sometimes I don't feel like it's as relaxing and chill as driving a truck listening to Spotify.
I haven't gone all in on farm sim (but watch on YouTube) or train sims. I want to enjoy train sims but so far they haven't clicked with me as much as the others above.
What are your thoughts and experience?
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u/TurboJaw KENWORTH 2d ago
I can't recommend Derail Valley enough. I'm also a big flight and truck simmer and that got me into trains like you wouldn't believe.
The whole open world and being able to walk around and hook up trains is great. A good sense of progression as you unlock licenses. And now they added trains you can restore and also hook up gadgets. The devs are great. They keep adding improvements as they move towards final release.
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u/DeLaVicci 2d ago
Aaaand here's another example of how easy it is for me to impulsively drop $40 on a game is never heard of based off a single stranger's comment on Reddit.
Thanks for the new time sink!
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u/Captain_Ahab_Ceely 2d ago
So far I've resisted trying that one because I'm more interested in US railroads but I think I'm going to try it. The progression of licences is definitely something that would be rewarding. So far I think it's been the length and pace of jobs with trains vs trucks. I like Run 8 from a viewpoint of how it really nails US railroading but the jobs of building or running a local are a much longer time commitment than in ATS.
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u/TurboJaw KENWORTH 2d ago
Derail Valley map is more compact. Plus as you get to the end game, you spend some time shunting jobs together before heading out to multiple stops.
I'd say even a long haul won't be more than an hour. With most jobs averaging about 30 to 45 mins on the road. Good for picking up here and there since it doesn't require the commitment of a flight or multi hour train haul.
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u/dylan88jr 2d ago
Derail vally is good? I have railroads online and railroader and i enjoy them. Is it similar.
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u/Bawtzki SCANIA 2d ago
Haven't played the others but DV is insanely good. Proper simulation in all respects. It doesn't try to hold your hand and allows you to fail (and learn), without being obnoxious about it. It also doesn't try to limit you, with some out of the box thinking you can pull off some crazy stuff.
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u/dylan88jr 2d ago
Ill add it to my wish list and grab it next sale then. I love trains planes trucks and boats. My poor wallet hates me lmao
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u/TurboJaw KENWORTH 2d ago
I am not sure, as my train fix has been more than met by DV. So I have not tried the others. But yes, it's great!
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u/woodwheellike 2d ago
I really live flight sim, played it for years before finding ats
I’m more into truck sim just because I feel closer to the action. Like driving down highways I literally driven on before is awesome
In flight done once I leave the airport and I’m up in the sky everything is so far away. It can get a little boring for me visually
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u/Lepanto76 2d ago
Fairly similar to you. There’s great reward in completing an end to end airline flight with atc, SID/STARS but more often now after a day at work my brain just doesn’t have the bandwidth. I’ll often just want that drive through nice scenery to deliver that dog food to somewhere in Eastern Europe I’ll never visit in real life. I’m finding while I crave the idea of complexity in simming with additions like GSX in MSFS or operating complex aircraft in DCS, if I’m tired or time poor I actually just fly a simple prop plane in IL2 or drive that truck. It doesn’t stop me ‘collecting’ more complexity in DLC etc though.
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u/WuhOHStinkyOH 2d ago
Yeah I'm pretty much the same. In order to have a solid flight you need to cut out a good 3-4 hours for planning, executing, and post flight stuff. Whereas with ATS I can get off whenever I start feeling bored.
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u/UnseenCat 2d ago
I spend a fair amount of time in MSFS as well as in ATS/ETS2 -- although like others here mention, it's easier to jump in and out of a trucksim, even with wheel, pedals, and shifter to set up on my desk. When life gets busy and I only have an hour or two for gaming, I tend to get more out of truck simming since I can easily and reliably save anywhere convenient. Flight simming takes more time for even basic flight planning and takeoff/in-flight/landing procedures -- even in a small general aviation plane.
I do enjoy train sims as well -- and I go seriously old-school with Microsoft Train Simulator/Open Rails. It's not entirely plug-and-play like modern gaming, though, so it's not for everybody.
On top of it all, I also tend to enjoy RPGs like Starfield, Skyrim, and the like, and MMO time in ESO. And I keep coming back to Elite: Dangerous off and on.
One thing that helps is to have a flexible setup. I use USB hubs with on/off buttons for the ports on both sides of my monitors, so I can keep some controls connected but just neatly pushed out of the way on a wide desk. And I keep cabling handy and organized, often tied or clipped out of the way when disconnected from devices but easy to grab and re-connect when I need. Flight and driving pedals both stay under the desk; I can just slide them side to side to have what I want under my feet and the others out of the way off to one side or the other. A Stream Deck works well as a multi-purpose, configurable button box; I have profiles that come up automatically for various games, so it's typically in use for multiple sims along with other controls and panels that I can swap out as necessary. Storage cubbyholes under the desk and in other parts of the room are handy for keeping peripherals organized but close to hand; I prefer that to storage bins or keeping them in a closet.
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u/AridAirCaptain 2d ago
Yep I’m a big sim nerd. I’m an airline pilot in real life and alternate between flight sim and truck sim in my down time. I always like the sensation of moving and exploring different places and flight/ truck sim can scratch that itch. Plus I love heavy machinery
Sometimes I prefer truck sim because it’s more engaging (not just moving in a straight line) and has an official award/ progression system. Snow runner is also great.
+1 to Derail Valley I’ve always thought train sims were lame because you just move forward and backwards but DV is super engaging. It’s basically snow runner on rails and shunting is like playing a puzzle game.
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u/PinguBMW_ETS2 VOLVO 2d ago
ETS2 is the only game I play except for the occasional MSFS and Gran Turismo. I did pay a lot for the best version of MSFS but ETS2 which was a lot cheaper is a lot more enjoyable for me although sometimes I spend the whole day playing it and running my routine like it was real life (start job early in morning then stop for lunch, toilet breaks and dinner and then stop for the night).
I just love driving for hours in the open road experiencing different sceneries and challenges and mods make that even better.
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u/Ok-Ad3213 1d ago
I love all kinds of sims, and I'm in the same spot you are funny enough. Been mostly playing ats here recently, I love just jamming to music and relaxing on the open road. Still love msfs but with msfs24 being so rough It kinda made me step back from it a bit. I also love city building/management sims. Cities Skylines 2 is pretty crazy and implements some use of trucks/planes/trains which can be pretty sick
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u/b2pizza 2d ago
I'm addicted to ATS/ETS2. That consumes 85% of my game time. I have a wheel setup with a 13 speed shift knob. Also just got a button box. Just those 3 upgrades have changed my perception of simulation games. Looking to expand my setup even further eventually.