Euro Truck Sim 2 has just pulled into town with a new DLC, and it’s already a massive hit. The newest expansion has not only reached the top of Steam’s best-selling games by revenue, but it’s also dragged the base game up to the pinnacle of Valve’s storefront with it. Whether you’re excited about the prospect of swapping traditional cargo for human passengers in ETS 2: Coaches, or simply want an opportunity to grab one of the most beloved simulation games at a hefty discount, now’s a great time to get into the trucking business.
I’ve put my fair share of hours into Euro Truck Simulator 2, and although it’s been a while since I last returned, it’s something I’d always be willing to sink a few more hours into. There’s an elegant simplicity to cruising your way down highways, watching city skylines and countryside float past, European radio blasting in the background. Then you get to your destination, and the intricacy of having to manually maneuver your goods into the correct space (an optional task, but I’ll always do it) provides just enough more-involved challenge to break up the soothing monotony of the open road.
The new Coaches DLC preserves a lot of what makes ETS 2 great, but puts a fresh spin on proceedings by trading out the likes of oil, timber, and medical supplies for flesh-and-blood passengers. There are three licensed vehicles to choose from, all of which have a range of customization options to tweak the chassis configuration, paintwork, trim, lighting, and the likes of LED destination displays to keep your clientele informed.
There are some important differences between transporting living people and inanimate objects, of course. Firstly, you’re not making a simple A-to-B journey anymore; you’ll need to stop off at multiple stations and terminals along the way, and ensure you do so at the correct times so people can keep to their planned schedule. Additionally, smooth driving is even more important, and there’s a G-force indicator and “passenger satisfaction system” to gauge how well you’re keeping your passengers comfortable and content.
As a result of the launch, Euro Truck Sim 2 has shot to the number-one spot on the global Steam top sellers chart, which ranks games by their recent total revenue made, while the Coaches DLC sits at number two. That’s aided by a 75% discount on the base game, inviting fresh driving enthusiasts to find out why it’s been beloved for over a decade, whether you choose to buy into the latest expansion or not. There are also sales on its bonus editions and most of the previous add-ons, so it’s an ideal time to start.
Alongside the global chart, Euro Truck Sim 2 has also reached the top position in the UK, most European countries including France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, and Poland, as well as Canada. It even made the number-three spot in China and comes in fourth in Japan; one of the only notable exceptions is in the US, where it’s down at position 13. I suppose they’ve got their own flavor to enjoy with the equally excellent and ever-expanding American Truck Sim.
The Euro Truck Simulator 2 Coaches DLC is out now, priced at $14.99 / £12.69, while the base game is on sale at a 75% discount through Tuesday, November 24, so expect to pay just $4.99 / £4.24 for that. You can get it right here and join the convoy, where you’ll also find a demo to download if you still need more convincing first.