Star Trucker Review: Space Hauling Just Got Real & It's Not What You Think

Star Trucker drops you straight into the pilot's seat of a massive space rig, where one wrong move sends your precious cargo drifting into the endless void. Trust me, this isn't your regular trucking simulator - it's way more intense than that.

You'll be wrestling with zero-G repairs while trying not to float away, juggling power systems that could fail at any second, and threading your massive rig through space debris that would love nothing more than to tear your hull apart. Every delivery feels like a fresh challenge, whether you're trying to nail that perfect station dock or scrambling to patch up your suit before the oxygen runs out.

Monster and Monster's latest release hits Steam and PC Game Pass for $25 this September 2024, and it's ready to test everything you've got. From fresh-faced rookie to grizzled space veteran, this game's going to make you earn those space trucking stripes the hard way.

Core Game Systems: Your Space Rig's Not-So-Simple Control Panel

Let's talk about what makes your space truck tick - and trust me, it's not just hitting the gas and hoping for the best. The power management system's gonna be your best friend or worst enemy, depending on how well you handle it. Core systems typically drain 75% power when everything's running, but here's a pro tip - kill those non-essential lights and watch that number drop to 39%.

Space isn't exactly friendly to truckers either. Your climate control's constantly fighting against whatever the void throws at you, eating up precious power along the way. Those thermal insulation upgrades aren't just fancy extras - they're lifesavers when your cabin starts cooking (or freezing).

Here's what you're juggling every time you hit the stars:

Core Systems: The basics that keep you alive and your cargo moving (each switch eats 6% power)
Environmental Controls: Because freezing in space isn't fun
Power Distribution: Your power's gotta go somewhere, might as well control it

That fancy gravity system might feel nice, but it's a real power hog. Most veteran truckers I know just flip it off and strap everything down instead. And don't get me started on the oxygen system - one tiny hull breach and you'll be gasping faster than a fish out of water. Those computer terminals aren't immortal either, so keep those power cells handy.

Your rig's running on three-axis control with some beefy batteries, but that doesn't mean you can get sloppy with power management. Long hauls through nasty sectors need a delicate balance - one wrong move and you'll be floating dead in space.

Essential Equipment: Your Space Rig's Survival Kit

Look, hauling cargo through space isn't like your regular truck sim - you need the right gear or you'll end up as space debris. After countless runs, I've learned what keeps you alive & what's just eating up your credits.

Must-Have Upgrades You Can't Skip

Your first credits better go straight into durability upgrades, focusing on hull strength and thermal protection. That shock shielding system's a game-changer - watch space debris bounce right off your rig instead of turning it into Swiss cheese. And don't sleep on those ECU upgrades - they'll save you serious fuel credits on those long hauls.

Sweet Extra Features That Won't Save Your Life

They've finally added custom control mapping - you can even tweak your keys mid-run now. Hit those mileage marks and you'll unlock some sweet cosmetics too - smoke stacks, grills, hood ornaments, the works. Nice to have, but they won't save you when your oxygen's running low.

Your Emergency Stash - Don't Leave Port Without It

Here's what every smart trucker keeps in their hold:

2 boxes of batteries & air filters (trust me, you'll need both)
1 box of regulators (because they always break at the worst time)
1 box of electrostatic blockers (unless you enjoy random system failures)

Stuff everything in hard containers unless you want your gear floating around when gravity cuts out. That suit charger's your best friend - dock it right & it won't drain your precious power cells. Pro tip: those empty batteries & filters? They're worth their weight in gold in certain sectors.

Cargo Operations & Why Most Space Truckers Fail

Your cargo hold's where dreams of easy credits go to die. After watching countless rookies lose their shipments (and their ships), here's what separates the pros from the space debris.

Loading Cargo Without Losing It

Hard containers aren't just fancy storage boxes - they're your cargo's life insurance when gravity decides to take a break. Sensitive equipment needs that extra protection, or you'll be explaining to your client why their million-credit tech is now space confetti. Got oversized cargo? That airlock's not just for EVA - it's prime secure storage space.

Docking Without The Drama

Here's the thing about docking - it's all about the dance. Roll up to that port head-on, truck length away. Pull that sweet 180, then let your docking camera guide you home. Watch for that maglock "ready" signal at 2.5M - that's your cue to hit the hitching lever.

Rookie Mistakes That'll Cost You

You know what screams rookie? Floating away from your controls while your rig's still moving. Or my personal favorite - ignoring that hull integrity warning until your oxygen's waving goodbye.

Here's your survival checklist:

Lock down everything in hard cases before killing gravity - physics is brutal in space
Keep your eyes glued to that docking camera - cargo stability isn't optional
Full stop means FULL stop during loading - no exceptions

Try playing speed demon through debris fields or treating sensitive cargo like a bag of space rocks, and you'll learn why repair shops love rookie truckers. Take it slow, learn the ropes, and maybe you'll actually turn a profit in this business.

Space Trucking Economy: Your Guide to Not Going Broke

Let's talk credits & why most rookie truckers end up eating space dust. The market's wild out here - electronics prices swing up to 45-50% between sectors, and that's where the real money's hiding.

Each sector's got its own price sweet spot, and smart truckers know it. Science gear's always hot in Enigma sectors, while Spark City can't get enough food supplies. Don't be that rookie taking every job that pops up - watch those sector prices like a hawk.

The Routes That'll Make or Break You

Those danger zone runs look tempting, but they're not for the faint of heart. Hauling volatile cargo's a gamble - one wrong bump and your payday turns into space confetti. When basic air filters cost you 3,000 credits, you better believe equipment costs can eat your profits alive.

Supply Chain Secrets

Here's how the pros play it - buy low, sell high, just like the old Earth traders. Snag supplies at 10-20% below market and wait for those juicy price spikes. Check this out:

Bulk buy when prices tank
Crate up the valuable stuff
Track sector demands like it's your job (because it is)
Keep emergency gear - you'll thank me later

Play it smart, and this game's economy becomes your personal credit printer. Salvage runs can pad your wallet, and if you nail those sector trades, we're talking 70,000 credits per run. Not bad for a day's work in the void, right?

Advanced Gameplay: Space Physics & Why Your Rig Won't Stop Moving

Flying through space isn't like your regular truck sim - physics plays dirty here. Your rig keeps moving in whatever direction it was headed, even after you turn. That fancy driver assist system helps tame the momentum, but veteran truckers usually switch it off for better handling.

Flying Without Crashing

Here's the real deal with momentum - you can't fight it, but you can trick it. Want faster turns? Hit the accelerator while you're turning. Sweet spot for control? Keep it between 120-160 units and you'll dodge most of that space junk coming your way.

Space Weather's No Joke

Each sector's got its own nasty surprises. Solar storms love frying shock pods and electrical systems, so route planning's not optional. Your shutter system's the only thing between you and becoming a space popsicle (or a crispy critter). Some stations offer weather shields, but timing that dock just right makes all the difference.

When Everything Goes Wrong

Survival out here comes down to quick thinking. Remember these or die trying:

Park it completely before leaving your seat
Jump in that EVA suit when systems go dark
Fix hull breaches fast - oxygen's precious out here

Hit something? Check that hull before your oxygen decides to take a space walk. Those thrusters love overheating too - nothing like a spacewalk to fix a hot vent. Smart truckers hit the repair stations early and often, especially before reaching the 80,000-mile mark while repairs won't cost you a credit.

Building Your Empire & Why Most Space Truckers Stay Small

Want to make it big in the void? Basic hauling permits are just the start - you'll need those sweet experience points to unlock the real money-making certifications.

License System That'll Make or Break You

Here's where it gets interesting - 13 "Fast & Risky" paths, 13 "Safe & Sound" routes, plus 7 shared skills everyone needs. Each cert opens new doors - from hauling stuff that might explode to cargo worth more than your rig. That EVA cert? It's a game-changer - cuts power use by 30% and your suit drains 15% slower.

Quick Cash Contracts You Can't Ignore

Single-jump runs with perfect cargo? That's your bread and butter. Stack those contracts right - mix heavy loads with long hauls and premium cargo, and watch those experience points pile up. Keep your eyes on those sector prices too - electronics can jump 50% if you time it right.

Running Your Rig Right

Your truck needs love to keep flying. Good news? Repairs won't cost you a credit until you hit 80,000 miles. Here's what you're juggling:

Power cells & filters - grab 'em cheap when you can
Hull checks & system tweaks
Smart upgrade planning

Pick your path, but remember - profits only count if you're not bleeding credits on repairs. That warranty's got your back early on, and smart sector trading keeps your account growing. Just watch that overdraft - it tops at 500,000 credits, but life gets rough past 250,000.

Star Trucker's Not Perfect, But It's The Space Sim We Needed

Look, after burning countless hours in Star Trucker's cockpit, I've got to tell you - this isn't just another hauling sim with a space skin. This game's got teeth, and it'll bite if you're not ready.

Sure, that learning curve's steeper than a vertical takeoff, but there's something addictive about finally nailing that perfect zero-G repair or threading your rig through a debris field without losing your cargo. Every system you master feels like a real achievement, not just another checkbox ticked.

Here's what nobody tells you - skip those fancy specialized permits at first. Pour your credits into durability upgrades and basic certs. Trust me, I learned this one the hard way after watching my first rig (and all my starting credits) disappear into the void. The real magic happens when you start connecting those sector routes and playing the market like a pro.

Star Trucker's not trying to be the next flashy space game - it's doing its own thing, and it's doing it right. Between juggling power systems that love to fail, physics that want you dead, and an economy that's always shifting, there's always one more run calling my name. And somehow, I keep answering that call, even when my cargo hold's falling apart and my oxygen's running low.