Euro Truck Simulator, yea the first one.
Curiosity and a google search brought me to the v1.3 demo (a version build from 2009 it seems).
The demo is timed (1 hour) and ran under Windows 10 with no problem for me.
Having only known ETS 2 it was a strange feeling to be sitting in the first game and have so much that was both familiar and not(game manual). I really was surprised at the looks. Not just that it's an over 10 year old game(it is of it's time); But that so many in game assets are familiar from seeing them in ETS 2. ETS is the real DNA of the second game. More so than I would have thought. ETS a proud parent indeed.
However no 'licensed' trucks to see here, the in game names have been changed. Like a lot of other games alternative names are used to mimic out of game brands(Scania = Swift, Volvo = Valiant, Mercedes = Majestic). Not that it really matters for gameplay.
Options in the game world are bare-bones compared to ETS 2, like the menu's; Functionality over form. Still not a bad thing. Again the base DNA of ETS 2 shows through.
ETS 2 may do a lot more than just a custom paint job but all things start somewhere. If there was no 'change' option for paint colours in ETS it would have been a bigger deal in ETS 2.
On the minus side(a big one for me) Truck physics are like driving a top heavy wet sponge on ice; Controlling them is an understatement in overcompensation. Takes some getting used to, even after 40 minutes I was put off by it(yet I wanted more).
On the Plus side. The trucks have some basic yet great sound effects. The working clunk and shuffle of the trucks in action; Like the pneumatic's hissing a few seconds after stopping. It's all more pronounced and good to hear. I need to readjust ETS 2 audio to bring those out more.
From the basics to the advanced looking back at ETS and knowing ETS 2 there are two sayings that are very true going between the games.
- The more things change the more they stay the same.
- If it ain't broke don't fix it(enhance it!).
Driver progression....
The job points at depots and the UI are basic, functional and so familiar.
Otherwise I can see what was and why it was added or 'upgraded' in ETS 2.
Like the map and a lack of GPS..... Driving via road signs for directions.... All the time... shocking! Almost like it's a real simulation or something...... I jest, I jest! :)
The more I've played the demo the more I've seen and appreciate it and what was taken into ETS 2(really is more than people know). P still turns on the wipers. L still toggles lights. Indicators, Parking break and Horn, they all activate the same way as ETS 2. It's easy to see how things in ETS 2 have developed/progressed. Jobs still work the same way(mostly). Sleeping, refueling and repairing all act the same way in ETS. All familiar but a little different.
For an 'older' game it's visuals aren't off-putting. Picture is worth a thousand words....
If it wasn't for the handling of the trucks I'd be spending more time with the demo and probably consider getting the full game on this winters Steam sale for €.99 cent. ETS, good to see, if not to stay. If the demo wasn't timed I think I'd potter about with it some more, maybe even looking forf a mod or two. I've not tried resetting/reinstalling it and it's really not that important to me. Not even the full game on sale is now tempting. So like I said, glad to see and be in for some retro show and tell but back to ETS 2 for me. Time for me to stop waffling now.....
*EDIT(14-04-2022)
SCS have updated the old ETS 2 trailer with a 2022 version! ETS, ETS 2, a long way traveled, more road to go!
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