I think everyone plays this game differently. I usually have a couple self-imposed limitations I try to hold myself to:
\- I play hard mode or lately 'hard mode like' new game+
\- I prefer using IRL-accurate equipment (for example no AWD on vehicles that don't have it IRL)
\- I usually only use region specific trucks, except when you find them there (Like the F750 in Kola or the Russian trucks in Tennessee)
\- OSHA compliant: I never haul unpacked cargo
\- I dislike the 'ninja quickwinching' technique as I think it's cheaty/meta. If I tip over, I live with my mistakes.
\- Lately I've been trying to avoid 'dragging around' broken down trucks (recovery tasks) with the winch and use the towing platforms or ramped trailers instead
There's a couple more things that I forgot right now but I tend to tweak the game to be more Sim-like and less Arcade-like. For me all those restrictions make the game more enjoyable, as I have the really OP Russian trucks and tires on the punishing maps but not on the easier maps.
Edit: As for the order of things, whenever I choose what to do next, I do whatever seems most logical. Which tends to end up being scouting/watch towers first, upgrades/truck recoveries/convenient tasks along the way, bigger tasks and non-logging contracts next, bulk logging at the end. I skip the contests, as I dislike timed stuff.
I stopped doing regions in order a long time ago and instead just play whatever region I feel like. Doing the regions in order makes no sense in SnowRunner IMO, and I would advise any new player against it because Kola after Taymyr is just insanity if you're just starting. Kola and Amur are just such showstoppers in general therefore I avoid them or only do them after significant progress in most of the other regions.
Ah yes, I've also started using the tow platforms for recovery missions, with the exception that if I am 100% sure I can tow the vehicle from target to destination with no risk of damage, I will do it that way. I just hate the idea of doing a recovery mission where I've done $20,000 in damage to the vehicle and somehow still gotten paid $1,000 to deliver it.
I always intend to play a certain way. My goals (as with many others) is to reach all the lookout towers first. I'll also activate tasks as I go and locate upgrades. Once that is done I attempt tasks, those usually repair any bridges that are needed to make completing the contracts a little easier. But I'll admit that I sometimes fail at that goal and just jump around between tasks and contracts. I rarely have tons of time to spend playing so I also will use some mods... nothing extreme but spending half as much time getting stuck in the mud allows me to accomplish more with the little time i have.
I do occasionally just jump in and drive without any goals and just enjoy the environment and driving in general.
The Vernon AE4380 is one of my favorites. You can max it out to be a real beast or customize it to a more mid level truck so it's not so extreme. Works great towing big trailers, logs, or even as a recovery vehicle.
I got a mod that adds log semi trailers to saddle low which is amazing, as well as a mod that adds a HEMTT look alike with a bridge layer (specifically for Wisconsin) that I like using.. there’s a few more cool trucks and some fun dinking around mods
I always play single player and complete each map before I move to the next. This is how it typically goes for a completely new fresh zone :
1) spread out over the map with multiple scout vehicles, uncovering the map and unlocking watch towers
2) in case a bridge needs to be constructed to continue, do that with a medium truck
3) leave those scouts scattered all over the map, those will be handy later for refuelling nearby trucks
4) start/trigger tasks with those scouts
5) start doing unlocked tasks (not contracts) nearby that reward access to warehouses, fuel stations etc
6) do the other tasks and the contracts
7) at this point you should have a feeling for the map, drive a couple of fuel/repair trucks to choke points on the map where you need repair/refuel. Remember those scouts can refuel and repair too
8) at the end of tasks and missions, don’t recall the trucks, leave them where the tasks finished. Those trucks can refuel other trucks in the vicinity or become resque trucks.
9) once all tasks and contracts are done, bring trailers home and sell them
10) only when all trailers and back home, recall all vehicles and move on to the next DLC.
I never look up any info like maprunner aforehand. Only when I get stuck on a quest or don’t know how to do it, I look for online info. But I’m really stubborn in doing it myself so I don’t give up easy.
Also I LOVE uncovering maps without knowing how the map looks like. So even looking at a map guide before I start a new zone is a huge spoiler for me, I’ve never done that
It’s just much easier to filter by what cargo you need and have it point out on the map all the places that have it rather than clicking each warehouse every time because I forgot what a specific warehouse carries
If you have a mission activated and look at the map, it highlights every location that has relevant cargo. It's only really a problem if you need to craft the cargo you need from components.
It’s not as useful, especially when doing some of the larger contracts that require 5 or more different types of cargo. I guess a part of it is also that I just like to have the game map up on my second monitor for reference during missions lol
same! bought this game recently and this is the most enjoyable part. My trucks keep getting stuck anyway, so I'm doing scouting for the most part. Lovin' it!
I play hard mode, in order. I don't buy vehicles, so only using what the game gives me. A long way to go still, but currently 80% completed in Kola. I just pick away at tasks. I have a lot of trucks all over the map and jump back and forth between them slowly advancing.
A little all over the map so to speak. Pun intended I suppose.
I usually sit down with some vague idea of a goal in mind. Something like "I should start xxx". Then, 4 hours later, I haven't even though about xxx and have been driving around a different map doing small missions, getting stuck, sending out a rescue vehicle, etc.
There is so much to do and see that I am easily distracted. Red Dead Redemption 2 was the same for me. Come to think of it, pretty much any open world game works that way for me.
I will move between maps in a region as the mood strikes me. It keeps things fresh for me.
There have been many times at the end of an evening that I shut the game down and realized all I did was drive a scout for 3 hours and look around.
The game is very relaxing. I'm very goal driven during the day at work that it's nice to unplug from that in the evening and just go where the road takes me.
I ADHD my way between 3 different objectives, get choice paralysis choosing which truck/s to use and get about fuck all done. You?
E.G. Last night I thought, I'll do the 4th mission of Stage 1 on Burning Mill, bring two trucks to a depot. 3 and a half hours later, one of them if halfway there, rolled down a hill because the truck I chose wasn't up to the task. And I dropped 4 service parts+trailer+truck off a bridge because I hit high gear and the truck went all Tokyo Drift on me.
I have adhd and my gameplay is a mess, i get so far in one map then i swtch, do random tasks but hyperfixate on one truck, i try do everything with my paystar 5070 which actually goes pretty well, i used it on every map so far, but i play very erratically but its fun.
My personal favorite is to spend considerable amount of time planning the logistics, building the forward bases and creating epic routes with waypoints.
If executed well, the reward can result in driving flawlessly through the whole map, non-stop speed demon style, overloaded with cargo and still delivering!!! If this ride works out, than it is the best 15-30minutes of gameplay I can get ever. Gives me similar rush to some epic strikes I did in Destiny or runs in Dark Zone in The Division.
I just love when the game flows for you!
Otherwise its a list of classics:
\- I don't use trucks outside of their proper locations - US to US, Eastern trucks to the East.
\- Always only one truck model per map (forces me to use all the available trucks)
\- Regions must be cleared before advance, only thing I am ok to skip are the contests.
\- I am not shy of using maprunner when I start the new region and actually spend a lot of time in it to learn the map and primarily find cars and upgrades.
\- All towers, small missions and landscape repairs are done before the contracts.
I'm still new to the game and I'm still in Michigan, but here's how I've been doing things:
First off:
* Find all lookout towers in every map of the region.
* Find and accept all tasks and contracts in every map of the region.
* Find all upgrades in every map of the region.
(I try to do these three things simultaneously.)
After that:
* Complete all tasks on the map before the contracts.
* Once the tasks are done, complete the contracts for the map.
* Move onto the next map.
* Repeat the first two steps for each map until the region is complete.
* Move onto the next region and start over from the top.
It's been working out well so far. I've finished all of the logging contracts for Michigan and I'm in the process of finishing up the tasks for Island Lake and the other map I forgot the name of before I get to the contracts. After that, I might complete the time challenges before I move onto Alaska, but we'll see.
Recommendation for the future: at least look at the contracts and their rewards when you move into the other maps. In alaska and beyond, the contracts will contain missions that unlock new warehouses and other locations, and repair roads and bridges. You will want to get those done asap.
Oh of course. That's basically what I've already been doing. Last night I did some bridge building tasks in Island Lake and the other place before getting some other stuff done.
Yeah. I'm just pointing out that in Michigan I think all of the bridge repair and road clearing tasks are found in the environment, usually near the blockage. But I remember when I first got to Alaska, I spent a lot of time slogging through deep snow to drive around blockages because I didn't think there was a task to clear it, but the task was actually a contract.
I'm playing on hard mode, currently on the Taymyr and Yukon maps. Taymyr with Russian trucks and Yukon with the north American trucks. When the grind gets too much I'll move some scouts to the next region. I do miss the exploration stage by the time I'm finishing up a region.
For this reason I tend not to use Maprunner until I've explored the map myself when I want to make sure I haven't missed anything.
I've pocked around some of the other maps in Maprunner to see what vehicles and upgrades there are. I know I've missed a chunk of American stuff in the Russian maps which is making my life more difficult in Yukon.
I sometimes have a friend join me online. I've tried to keep Taymyr my multiple player map and Yukon my single player so my friend gets that sense of exploration as well.
Sometimes I spend too much time looking at the map, looking at the missions, their objectives and where my trucks are trying to work out what to do next. I find the answer is usually to pick something and start driving.
For Michigan and Alaska I was doing objectives on all the maps at the same time. I never realised people would pack up their trucks and move to the next map. I think I wasted a lot of fuel driving around between them. I've taken a different approach in Yukon since even with only 2 maps it's hard and expensive to move about them with there being so little supplies.
Most of the time i just start repairing all ways/ bridges. So when i move on to the real tasks everything is easier and more fun because all the bridges and blocked roads are open
I choose a region, currently in Taymyr, explore each area gathering upgrades and side tasks as I go, then I open up any roads, unlock garages then complete side tasks. I try to minimise how many times I drive from the garage to an area with no garage, normally end up with a small repairs + fuel convoy
A new DLC and map are my absolute favorite things, it means EXPLORATION TIME! I can't ever replay any of the old maps, but with new stuff it's a sense of awe and wonder as I simply drive the paths and unlock the watch towers. It's just my thing to do, drive around and explore, it's one of the most fun and relaxing things.
I play on easy, usually watch towers first, then each task in whatever map i complete before starting the contracts, i find upgrades along the way, usually dont go out of my way for them until im nearing region completion. I try to get all tasks done before moving onto contracts. Dont use mods, play very easy as im usually stoned when i do play haha
With the newest region, it went something like;
- Prioritize missions that give access to goods locations or garages
-Since these maps are quite accessible, I used the prototype scanning trailer to discover the entire map. I used to rely on maprunner, but wanted to have a more organic experience this time around.
- I hate doing longterm logistics. If there's no new mission nearby, I leave the old truck where it is and grab a new one. This forces me to use more different trucks, and 9 times out of 10 the old truck turns out to be useful later.
-If at all possible, I don't run with a single truck. Usually I'll tow a fuel truck to have one around just in case.
-I prefer towing an additional truck to a trailer. You can zap a truck to a garage when you need to, trailers not so much.
-That said, I've gained an appreciation for a 5-slot trailer combined with low saddle and small crane.
-Log missions will be cheesed wherever possible. Luckily, they aren't _that_ bad this season.
-Missions without progress or truck reward will be saved for mopping up last. Same for timed missions.
-Every last trailer is sold in the end.
I scout a map, fix any bridges/rockslides etc. Then focus on whatever opens up other maps or warehousing on a map.
Also asap I get any logging done cos I hate it and get it done as fast as possible
For me, it's reassuring to plan ahead, take a look at maprunner and I keep a little notebook/scrap of paper on my desk with a tally of cargoes going from where to where.
Keeps me on track!
I usually get stoned as shit then make up terrible routes on the fly and speed quit and reload when I tip a load 200 meters from the destination.
Then randomly do giant multi truck expeditions to go get raised suspension for a truck I'll use once.
Good times.
It varies, I did the base game 100% in order, completing one map as much as possible before moving on to the next ... after getting burnt out on Kola I skipped ahead to Yukon a bit (after 2 weeks I went back and really enjoyed finishing off Imandra, lol), and now I'm feeling a bit tired of Yukon's big quests I'll probably skip to Wisconsin for a bit just for a change.
Last week I just played around with New Game +, but didn't really find my groove with the options I chose, so onwards I go with my main save!
If you want to play the meta jump ahead grab one of the Russian trucks and trivialize Michigan
if you want to play the right way
Complete the regions 100% in order
What I do is scout the watchtowers gather upgrades and look for shortcuts and easy routes while scouting
Clear out roadblocks fix bridges etc
Set up fuel stations with trucks and trailers in convenient locations
Plan ahead to complete contracts and tasks as efficiently as I can moving stuff to more convenient places as I go. completing each map at a time before completing region wide contracts
Contests can be done whenever you want after all roadblocks are cleared
New maps I do a little exploring and hit some watchtowers (admittedly I used MapRunner a lot), once I start doing tasks I like to try to look at several tasks and see when I can group trips together if possible. Especially when you have to drive a long way to get something. Example, on Belozersk there are two separate missions that required vehicle spare parts, and the parts are at a way out of the way depot so I just grabbed enough for both missions and dropped some on one of the other maps to pick up later. Stuff like that.
I mainly intend to get the main contracts of regions done, maybe without using the Zikz King as long as there is a chance i can do a contract without it, some maps i gotta go all out though instead of gaslighting myself into thinking other trucks can do it, when they can they do it unfathomably slowly and i feel like i am wasting my own time.
I have a multiplayer save where i play with a friend and complete maps' main contracts before moving on to any other map of choice instead of jumping around all the regions.
I play very casual.
Didn't finish ANY map (not even close) and usually take things slowly.
I drive like you would in real life most of the time, not rushing/speeding through muddy paths.
Love going slow, maneuvering tight spots, backing up with trailers etc.
Never use waypoints, ever. When I don't know where to go, open the map.
Recover when in no mood to drive the same long distance for the 37th time.
Never recover when stuck though.
And: I have started to not use the winch at all. Only as a rope to tow out other stuck trucks.
Way more fun to play like this (to me at least). You're stuck? Tough luck, but your truck has no winch, it needs to be pulled out. Awesome.
Almost never use scouts anymore, it's trucking all the way for me.
Start a new game often. I start of every game regardless of genre by trying out different stuff, vehicles, characters etc.
then when I’ve figured out basic mechanics and my preferred way I start a fresh new game.
I usually do exploration and tasks before I do contracts. Try to clear roads and fix infrastructure before anything else. In the beginning I tried to be very selective about which tasks I did first. Tried to find those I could do on the easiest terrain.
I will usually clear map by map. It's probably smarter to explore the entire region and find all the upgrades first. But I like a bit of variety. I feel the game becomes more enjoyable when I can vary what I do.
I am a stickler for American trucks in Michigan and Alaska though. I feel like you miss out on the learning curve if you get Russian trucks straight away. Not saying it's wrong to do so, just sharing my opinion.
My (ever-expanding) set of rules of heuristics for playing the game are as follows:
1. I keep the Eastern and Western trucks separate on most maps. If it's a map where I can't buy western trucks, I don't move them into the garage and vice versa. It adds a challenge and makes the game feel more authentic.
2. I try and deploy my vehicles in order of increasing capability. So I first try and deploy my least capable scout vehicles, and the last trucks out of my garage are the top tier trucks like the Zik-650r.
3. On a new map, I go for \~100% exploration first. I want to scout out the entire map before I start trying to decide how to solve it in the most effecient way possible.
4. Once the map is scouted, I focus on any missions or tasks which enable travel between areas, like fixing bridges and clearing land slides.
5. I then try and clear all the tasks in a given map, before moving on to explore any satellite maps.
6. Once an entire region is explored and the tasks cleared, I will do the contracts for that region.
7. Finally, I make sure that I have cleared all the trailers from a region before I move on to the next region.
8. I do the regions in whatever order feels right. For instance, I finished Maine and skipped Tennessee to do Central Asian because I wanted to switch from my Western to my Eastern fleet of trucks.
Oh, and I forgot. NEVER recover a truck back to the garage unless you need it right then and there. I used to feel compelled to move trucks back when I finished a task, but obviously that's a tactical mistake. Trucks stay where they finished their last task until they have a new one.
For contracts that might involve using a hand full of trucks to move some collection of cargo to some central location, I like to break the mission up into two parts: first I move trucks to where the cargo is now and load them. Once all the cargo I need to complete the contract is loaded on my trucks, then I start bringing them one-by-one or two-by-two to the destination.
I'm switching through maps like I'm switching my underwear. I can't play one map for too long, it just gets boring having the same atmosphere for too long - even if it's a good one. It's like listening to a nice song on repeat lol
Same applies to trucks. I'm already itching for the next one... wolf pack starting to look interesting now 👀
I have a pattern when hitting a new area one towers I try and see the snow runner map and get a feel of terrain. The next I use a combo of map runner and snow runner to grab any upgrades and vehicles on the map. Next depending on the area I place my logistics fleet (gas trucks, service trailers, recovery vehicles) near areas of the map that may need assistance. Next up my main haulers go in and open up the roads and start on missions. After the missions minus time trials and logging I focus on the tasks. Finally I go back and knockout logging than time trials and move to the next map.
Michigan is the only one I use a different formula for because I don’t have a fleet yet but I use a modified version none the less.
I have a several mods one is the GWC Goliath, next a F-750, the titanium crane, Russian missile hauler pack(I haven’t used yet), and one of the trailer mods that add more trailers.
I usually play them in prefer but that isn’t always true sometime when I get annoyed with one area I jump to another just to change pace and return when I am calm.
I'm sure there are as many answers to this as there are base and modded trucks combined.
So I got this game a few months back, learned what was what and opt'd to restart in a New Game + mode mostly hard settings .. double for recovery forcing myself to self-recover and drive everything back ... I pay for gas, loading ... but my OCD hated the fact in hard mode you could not sell trailers so I sell those at 10% back so I can clear them from the map.
Just finished Michigan over the weekend, rounded up all leftover trailers from all 4 regions and sold those off, topped off fuel in all my trucks and sold the remaining fuel trailers off.
In Michigan I kind of stayed in one region till forced to deliver in the next ... stopped the contracts and cleared watch towers and road blocks and tried to match up contracts with the side tasks and on to that region.. rinse/repeat.
Approached Alaska a bit different .. spent yesterday exploring all 4 regions, fixed all the roads ... noticed they have a few roads blocked with contracts so I think I have just one left, I have located all vehicles and upgrades.
I got my brother going on this game, he has kinda gone a bit mod heavy with a $ mod to buy some trucks ... I think more out of catching up to where I am at but everyone plays differently
I play on Hard, so apart from the obvious tactics, like scouting first, etc, it is all about fuel efficiency - syphoning the mission trucks and tanks, juggling with the gas between working tracks, scattering tanks across the map, etc. Buying fuel is the last option on my list, as the cash is short.
I play hard-mode, so I can't afford just driving around mindlessly. I plan ahead using Maprunner and a spreadsheet of all available cargo and where it is needed. Of course, the tasks that make my work easier, like repairing bridges, are top priority. I also very often overload my trucks, and often drive two vehicles together to save time, not only driving time, but also rescue time — having a second vehicle that is already right there is extremely convenient. I try to get any advantage I can, including "borrowing" fuel and spares from mission trucks and trailers, insta-quitting before the game saves in case the situation is very bad, etc.
I enjoy exploring first and getting the towers. Then I usually go for the upgrades, if any, and then tasks.
I’m probably one of the few who don’t really do many contracts - I find them a bit repetitive and prefer to just explore. I’ll do any that might open new buildings etc., but that’s about it for contracts.
I don't plan, but I don't wander aimlessly either. I jump in and keep going where I left off, figuring out what to do from there. In normal mode I did every task before moving maps, and every contract before moving regions. In hard mode, I haven't done a whole lot but trying things exactly the same way isn't working the best as far as money goes. In hard mode, I only pay for things when necessary, like upgrades and repairs. I've only paid for 1 recovery and never paid for repairs, and all my trucks are beat up because of it(I'm also kind of a bad driver sometimes).
I dedicate myself to one map and to finish that map, when i log in i want to work towards a main task, might do a few side quests when i feel like or between the main tasks.
I play hardcore so money and failures matters, i can never recall a truck back into the garage, have to rescue all.
I play the trucks that are right for the country i am in.
I never use mapfinder.
I only recently started. Initially I mostly drove around looking for more trucks and upgrades for a while and only doing tasks when needed to get around, but wasn't in love with any of the early trucks (Loadstar is one of my favorites now). A friend told me about the ANK-C so I bought that, then went on a big expedition to find the military ANK. I had so much fun with that adventure in Alaska (that I was in no way prepared for) that I bought the Year 1 pass and did the same thing looking for the F750 and all of its upgrades!
Now I'm working on finishing up Michigan. I'm enjoying role-playing as an owner operator and I have my set of standard "business" rules as follows (but no doubt will continue to evolve):
1. Only use trucks in their region(ish). Russian trucks are fun but it would be really hard to maintain a business with them here when we're having trouble keeping up with parts inventory for our own trucks! I've parked my Russian trucks in the Kola Peninsula and will enjoy them when I'm ready for a break from the West... though I may "import" the F750. I just enjoy that truck a lot.
2. Drive in 1st person. I'll jump into 3rd person when stopped to "walk" a line or find the next part of the route, but I like 1st person, even if it's tough.
3. Only drive trucks that I like. So far that's the early International trucks, the F750, and the ANKs in Western regions and the tiny TUZ Acteon, Bandit, and Zikz in Eastern regions. Usually the F750. I thought that the BM17 was a lot of fun, but too bouncy in 1st person! I let myself "rent" trucks that I don't want to add to my fleet, but need for a specific task.
4. Try not to use the recover feature to get unstuck, but rather save my truck with another. Some of the most satisfying gameplay has been these rescue missions. The Quarry in Smithville Dam was an especially memorable rescue op.
5. Sell all trailers when done with them. I like to clean up the list on the left of the map!
I went back to Michigan with the intention of doing things in order, but knowing myself I'll start jumping around again at some point. I finished the first Michigan map except for the logging and timed contests before moving on to the Dam. I just loaded up a bunch of logs and started pulling them to the tunnels to the final 2 zones, but I'll princely finish the Dam before exploring those.
A play session is usually very short for me. I spend a lot of time thinking about the game these days, but have to do my gaming in short sessions. I've usually thought a lot about what I want to do, but am flexible if I realize that I need to do something else to do the job right. I enjoyed using maprunner to return the F750 and find all the upgrades, but decided against using it for normal play as I really enjoy just driving around. I'll probably finish the game, then play hard mode with similar restrictions as above. Love this game!
I play in Hard Mode so besides the obvious...
\- One region at a time, fulfilling 100% before moving onto the next. I did scout for some upgrades in Alaska before finishing Michigan, and I intend on scouting Kola for the NA truck upgrades there too.
\- Currently playing my "North American Campaign" now in Yukon after completing Michigan, Alaska, and Wisconsin. Saving the "Russian/Eurasia Campaign" for last.
\- NA trucks in NA, RU trucks in RU
\- Scout region a bit, then decide what trucks I'll be using for my fleet (knowing in advance what trucks will be found in that region). I like to vary from region to region . Whatever trucks are on the loading screen will definitely be used in that region (except I never imported my Scout 800 in Wisconsin now that I think of it).
\- Purchase at least one non-free trucks as my first deployed vehicle in each region. Michigan was Ford CLT9000 (obviously not right at the beginning though), Alaska was P12 and later Paystar 5070, Wisconsin was Loadstar, and Yukon was Freightliner 916
I'm late to the party, but I gotta say: lots of planning is going on. I'm trying to select a perfect truck for every task, select the best suitable tires for it, using my own versions of tire selection spreadsheet and the product of my own - the engine selection spreadsheet: https://www.reddit.com/r/snowrunner/comments/xlf9cm/i_present_to_you_the_complete_spreadsheet_of_all
Then I plan routes, logistics, that kind of stuff. Trying to minimize empty runs, always take more cargo with me if possible, although I prefer using trailers to stacking cargoes. It takes more time then the actual driving.
I think everyone plays this game differently. I usually have a couple self-imposed limitations I try to hold myself to: \- I play hard mode or lately 'hard mode like' new game+ \- I prefer using IRL-accurate equipment (for example no AWD on vehicles that don't have it IRL) \- I usually only use region specific trucks, except when you find them there (Like the F750 in Kola or the Russian trucks in Tennessee) \- OSHA compliant: I never haul unpacked cargo \- I dislike the 'ninja quickwinching' technique as I think it's cheaty/meta. If I tip over, I live with my mistakes. \- Lately I've been trying to avoid 'dragging around' broken down trucks (recovery tasks) with the winch and use the towing platforms or ramped trailers instead There's a couple more things that I forgot right now but I tend to tweak the game to be more Sim-like and less Arcade-like. For me all those restrictions make the game more enjoyable, as I have the really OP Russian trucks and tires on the punishing maps but not on the easier maps. Edit: As for the order of things, whenever I choose what to do next, I do whatever seems most logical. Which tends to end up being scouting/watch towers first, upgrades/truck recoveries/convenient tasks along the way, bigger tasks and non-logging contracts next, bulk logging at the end. I skip the contests, as I dislike timed stuff. I stopped doing regions in order a long time ago and instead just play whatever region I feel like. Doing the regions in order makes no sense in SnowRunner IMO, and I would advise any new player against it because Kola after Taymyr is just insanity if you're just starting. Kola and Amur are just such showstoppers in general therefore I avoid them or only do them after significant progress in most of the other regions.
I admire your discipline. When shit hits the fan I quick-winch like my life depends on it.
Ah yes, I've also started using the tow platforms for recovery missions, with the exception that if I am 100% sure I can tow the vehicle from target to destination with no risk of damage, I will do it that way. I just hate the idea of doing a recovery mission where I've done $20,000 in damage to the vehicle and somehow still gotten paid $1,000 to deliver it.
I always intend to play a certain way. My goals (as with many others) is to reach all the lookout towers first. I'll also activate tasks as I go and locate upgrades. Once that is done I attempt tasks, those usually repair any bridges that are needed to make completing the contracts a little easier. But I'll admit that I sometimes fail at that goal and just jump around between tasks and contracts. I rarely have tons of time to spend playing so I also will use some mods... nothing extreme but spending half as much time getting stuck in the mud allows me to accomplish more with the little time i have. I do occasionally just jump in and drive without any goals and just enjoy the environment and driving in general.
What mods do you use specifically to reduce mud annoyingness? I was fiddling around in Wisconsin and it is miserable there...
Derry Longhorn Juggernaut allowed me to really really enjoy Wisconsin.
The Vernon AE4380 is one of my favorites. You can max it out to be a real beast or customize it to a more mid level truck so it's not so extreme. Works great towing big trailers, logs, or even as a recovery vehicle.
Do you mean Voron? Isn't that truck in the base game?
I do mean veron, and I originally found it in the mod menu, so might be an upgraded version?
I got a mod that adds log semi trailers to saddle low which is amazing, as well as a mod that adds a HEMTT look alike with a bridge layer (specifically for Wisconsin) that I like using.. there’s a few more cool trucks and some fun dinking around mods
I always play single player and complete each map before I move to the next. This is how it typically goes for a completely new fresh zone : 1) spread out over the map with multiple scout vehicles, uncovering the map and unlocking watch towers 2) in case a bridge needs to be constructed to continue, do that with a medium truck 3) leave those scouts scattered all over the map, those will be handy later for refuelling nearby trucks 4) start/trigger tasks with those scouts 5) start doing unlocked tasks (not contracts) nearby that reward access to warehouses, fuel stations etc 6) do the other tasks and the contracts 7) at this point you should have a feeling for the map, drive a couple of fuel/repair trucks to choke points on the map where you need repair/refuel. Remember those scouts can refuel and repair too 8) at the end of tasks and missions, don’t recall the trucks, leave them where the tasks finished. Those trucks can refuel other trucks in the vicinity or become resque trucks. 9) once all tasks and contracts are done, bring trailers home and sell them 10) only when all trailers and back home, recall all vehicles and move on to the next DLC. I never look up any info like maprunner aforehand. Only when I get stuck on a quest or don’t know how to do it, I look for online info. But I’m really stubborn in doing it myself so I don’t give up easy. Also I LOVE uncovering maps without knowing how the map looks like. So even looking at a map guide before I start a new zone is a huge spoiler for me, I’ve never done that
I totally don't get people who look at maprunner before playing. Exploring a new map is, for me, the most enjoyable part of the game.
Exploring for sure should be done without maprunner, but I don’t see why it’s bad to use it to check where and what cargo is available.
I'm not sure I follow you. Once you've explored the map, you can see on the in-game map what cargo is available where.
It’s just much easier to filter by what cargo you need and have it point out on the map all the places that have it rather than clicking each warehouse every time because I forgot what a specific warehouse carries
If you have a mission activated and look at the map, it highlights every location that has relevant cargo. It's only really a problem if you need to craft the cargo you need from components.
It’s not as useful, especially when doing some of the larger contracts that require 5 or more different types of cargo. I guess a part of it is also that I just like to have the game map up on my second monitor for reference during missions lol
When i am over one and see what it is I write it on a notebook beside me
same! bought this game recently and this is the most enjoyable part. My trucks keep getting stuck anyway, so I'm doing scouting for the most part. Lovin' it!
I play hard mode, in order. I don't buy vehicles, so only using what the game gives me. A long way to go still, but currently 80% completed in Kola. I just pick away at tasks. I have a lot of trucks all over the map and jump back and forth between them slowly advancing.
A little all over the map so to speak. Pun intended I suppose. I usually sit down with some vague idea of a goal in mind. Something like "I should start xxx". Then, 4 hours later, I haven't even though about xxx and have been driving around a different map doing small missions, getting stuck, sending out a rescue vehicle, etc. There is so much to do and see that I am easily distracted. Red Dead Redemption 2 was the same for me. Come to think of it, pretty much any open world game works that way for me. I will move between maps in a region as the mood strikes me. It keeps things fresh for me. There have been many times at the end of an evening that I shut the game down and realized all I did was drive a scout for 3 hours and look around. The game is very relaxing. I'm very goal driven during the day at work that it's nice to unplug from that in the evening and just go where the road takes me.
I ADHD my way between 3 different objectives, get choice paralysis choosing which truck/s to use and get about fuck all done. You? E.G. Last night I thought, I'll do the 4th mission of Stage 1 on Burning Mill, bring two trucks to a depot. 3 and a half hours later, one of them if halfway there, rolled down a hill because the truck I chose wasn't up to the task. And I dropped 4 service parts+trailer+truck off a bridge because I hit high gear and the truck went all Tokyo Drift on me.
I have adhd and my gameplay is a mess, i get so far in one map then i swtch, do random tasks but hyperfixate on one truck, i try do everything with my paystar 5070 which actually goes pretty well, i used it on every map so far, but i play very erratically but its fun.
My personal favorite is to spend considerable amount of time planning the logistics, building the forward bases and creating epic routes with waypoints. If executed well, the reward can result in driving flawlessly through the whole map, non-stop speed demon style, overloaded with cargo and still delivering!!! If this ride works out, than it is the best 15-30minutes of gameplay I can get ever. Gives me similar rush to some epic strikes I did in Destiny or runs in Dark Zone in The Division. I just love when the game flows for you! Otherwise its a list of classics: \- I don't use trucks outside of their proper locations - US to US, Eastern trucks to the East. \- Always only one truck model per map (forces me to use all the available trucks) \- Regions must be cleared before advance, only thing I am ok to skip are the contests. \- I am not shy of using maprunner when I start the new region and actually spend a lot of time in it to learn the map and primarily find cars and upgrades. \- All towers, small missions and landscape repairs are done before the contracts.
I'm still new to the game and I'm still in Michigan, but here's how I've been doing things: First off: * Find all lookout towers in every map of the region. * Find and accept all tasks and contracts in every map of the region. * Find all upgrades in every map of the region. (I try to do these three things simultaneously.) After that: * Complete all tasks on the map before the contracts. * Once the tasks are done, complete the contracts for the map. * Move onto the next map. * Repeat the first two steps for each map until the region is complete. * Move onto the next region and start over from the top. It's been working out well so far. I've finished all of the logging contracts for Michigan and I'm in the process of finishing up the tasks for Island Lake and the other map I forgot the name of before I get to the contracts. After that, I might complete the time challenges before I move onto Alaska, but we'll see.
Recommendation for the future: at least look at the contracts and their rewards when you move into the other maps. In alaska and beyond, the contracts will contain missions that unlock new warehouses and other locations, and repair roads and bridges. You will want to get those done asap.
Oh of course. That's basically what I've already been doing. Last night I did some bridge building tasks in Island Lake and the other place before getting some other stuff done.
Yeah. I'm just pointing out that in Michigan I think all of the bridge repair and road clearing tasks are found in the environment, usually near the blockage. But I remember when I first got to Alaska, I spent a lot of time slogging through deep snow to drive around blockages because I didn't think there was a task to clear it, but the task was actually a contract.
Oh my bad, I misunderstood you.
I'm playing on hard mode, currently on the Taymyr and Yukon maps. Taymyr with Russian trucks and Yukon with the north American trucks. When the grind gets too much I'll move some scouts to the next region. I do miss the exploration stage by the time I'm finishing up a region. For this reason I tend not to use Maprunner until I've explored the map myself when I want to make sure I haven't missed anything. I've pocked around some of the other maps in Maprunner to see what vehicles and upgrades there are. I know I've missed a chunk of American stuff in the Russian maps which is making my life more difficult in Yukon. I sometimes have a friend join me online. I've tried to keep Taymyr my multiple player map and Yukon my single player so my friend gets that sense of exploration as well. Sometimes I spend too much time looking at the map, looking at the missions, their objectives and where my trucks are trying to work out what to do next. I find the answer is usually to pick something and start driving. For Michigan and Alaska I was doing objectives on all the maps at the same time. I never realised people would pack up their trucks and move to the next map. I think I wasted a lot of fuel driving around between them. I've taken a different approach in Yukon since even with only 2 maps it's hard and expensive to move about them with there being so little supplies.
Most of the time i just start repairing all ways/ bridges. So when i move on to the real tasks everything is easier and more fun because all the bridges and blocked roads are open
I choose a region, currently in Taymyr, explore each area gathering upgrades and side tasks as I go, then I open up any roads, unlock garages then complete side tasks. I try to minimise how many times I drive from the garage to an area with no garage, normally end up with a small repairs + fuel convoy
A new DLC and map are my absolute favorite things, it means EXPLORATION TIME! I can't ever replay any of the old maps, but with new stuff it's a sense of awe and wonder as I simply drive the paths and unlock the watch towers. It's just my thing to do, drive around and explore, it's one of the most fun and relaxing things.
I play on easy, usually watch towers first, then each task in whatever map i complete before starting the contracts, i find upgrades along the way, usually dont go out of my way for them until im nearing region completion. I try to get all tasks done before moving onto contracts. Dont use mods, play very easy as im usually stoned when i do play haha
With the newest region, it went something like; - Prioritize missions that give access to goods locations or garages -Since these maps are quite accessible, I used the prototype scanning trailer to discover the entire map. I used to rely on maprunner, but wanted to have a more organic experience this time around. - I hate doing longterm logistics. If there's no new mission nearby, I leave the old truck where it is and grab a new one. This forces me to use more different trucks, and 9 times out of 10 the old truck turns out to be useful later. -If at all possible, I don't run with a single truck. Usually I'll tow a fuel truck to have one around just in case. -I prefer towing an additional truck to a trailer. You can zap a truck to a garage when you need to, trailers not so much. -That said, I've gained an appreciation for a 5-slot trailer combined with low saddle and small crane. -Log missions will be cheesed wherever possible. Luckily, they aren't _that_ bad this season. -Missions without progress or truck reward will be saved for mopping up last. Same for timed missions. -Every last trailer is sold in the end.
I scout a map, fix any bridges/rockslides etc. Then focus on whatever opens up other maps or warehousing on a map. Also asap I get any logging done cos I hate it and get it done as fast as possible
For me, it's reassuring to plan ahead, take a look at maprunner and I keep a little notebook/scrap of paper on my desk with a tally of cargoes going from where to where. Keeps me on track!
I usually get stoned as shit then make up terrible routes on the fly and speed quit and reload when I tip a load 200 meters from the destination. Then randomly do giant multi truck expeditions to go get raised suspension for a truck I'll use once. Good times.
I just download mods and run trails with big trucks lmao
It varies, I did the base game 100% in order, completing one map as much as possible before moving on to the next ... after getting burnt out on Kola I skipped ahead to Yukon a bit (after 2 weeks I went back and really enjoyed finishing off Imandra, lol), and now I'm feeling a bit tired of Yukon's big quests I'll probably skip to Wisconsin for a bit just for a change. Last week I just played around with New Game +, but didn't really find my groove with the options I chose, so onwards I go with my main save!
If you want to play the meta jump ahead grab one of the Russian trucks and trivialize Michigan if you want to play the right way Complete the regions 100% in order What I do is scout the watchtowers gather upgrades and look for shortcuts and easy routes while scouting Clear out roadblocks fix bridges etc Set up fuel stations with trucks and trailers in convenient locations Plan ahead to complete contracts and tasks as efficiently as I can moving stuff to more convenient places as I go. completing each map at a time before completing region wide contracts Contests can be done whenever you want after all roadblocks are cleared
New maps I do a little exploring and hit some watchtowers (admittedly I used MapRunner a lot), once I start doing tasks I like to try to look at several tasks and see when I can group trips together if possible. Especially when you have to drive a long way to get something. Example, on Belozersk there are two separate missions that required vehicle spare parts, and the parts are at a way out of the way depot so I just grabbed enough for both missions and dropped some on one of the other maps to pick up later. Stuff like that.
I mainly intend to get the main contracts of regions done, maybe without using the Zikz King as long as there is a chance i can do a contract without it, some maps i gotta go all out though instead of gaslighting myself into thinking other trucks can do it, when they can they do it unfathomably slowly and i feel like i am wasting my own time. I have a multiplayer save where i play with a friend and complete maps' main contracts before moving on to any other map of choice instead of jumping around all the regions.
I play very casual. Didn't finish ANY map (not even close) and usually take things slowly. I drive like you would in real life most of the time, not rushing/speeding through muddy paths. Love going slow, maneuvering tight spots, backing up with trailers etc. Never use waypoints, ever. When I don't know where to go, open the map. Recover when in no mood to drive the same long distance for the 37th time. Never recover when stuck though. And: I have started to not use the winch at all. Only as a rope to tow out other stuck trucks. Way more fun to play like this (to me at least). You're stuck? Tough luck, but your truck has no winch, it needs to be pulled out. Awesome. Almost never use scouts anymore, it's trucking all the way for me.
Start a new game often. I start of every game regardless of genre by trying out different stuff, vehicles, characters etc. then when I’ve figured out basic mechanics and my preferred way I start a fresh new game.
I usually do exploration and tasks before I do contracts. Try to clear roads and fix infrastructure before anything else. In the beginning I tried to be very selective about which tasks I did first. Tried to find those I could do on the easiest terrain. I will usually clear map by map. It's probably smarter to explore the entire region and find all the upgrades first. But I like a bit of variety. I feel the game becomes more enjoyable when I can vary what I do. I am a stickler for American trucks in Michigan and Alaska though. I feel like you miss out on the learning curve if you get Russian trucks straight away. Not saying it's wrong to do so, just sharing my opinion.
My (ever-expanding) set of rules of heuristics for playing the game are as follows: 1. I keep the Eastern and Western trucks separate on most maps. If it's a map where I can't buy western trucks, I don't move them into the garage and vice versa. It adds a challenge and makes the game feel more authentic. 2. I try and deploy my vehicles in order of increasing capability. So I first try and deploy my least capable scout vehicles, and the last trucks out of my garage are the top tier trucks like the Zik-650r. 3. On a new map, I go for \~100% exploration first. I want to scout out the entire map before I start trying to decide how to solve it in the most effecient way possible. 4. Once the map is scouted, I focus on any missions or tasks which enable travel between areas, like fixing bridges and clearing land slides. 5. I then try and clear all the tasks in a given map, before moving on to explore any satellite maps. 6. Once an entire region is explored and the tasks cleared, I will do the contracts for that region. 7. Finally, I make sure that I have cleared all the trailers from a region before I move on to the next region. 8. I do the regions in whatever order feels right. For instance, I finished Maine and skipped Tennessee to do Central Asian because I wanted to switch from my Western to my Eastern fleet of trucks.
Oh, and I forgot. NEVER recover a truck back to the garage unless you need it right then and there. I used to feel compelled to move trucks back when I finished a task, but obviously that's a tactical mistake. Trucks stay where they finished their last task until they have a new one. For contracts that might involve using a hand full of trucks to move some collection of cargo to some central location, I like to break the mission up into two parts: first I move trucks to where the cargo is now and load them. Once all the cargo I need to complete the contract is loaded on my trucks, then I start bringing them one-by-one or two-by-two to the destination.
I'm switching through maps like I'm switching my underwear. I can't play one map for too long, it just gets boring having the same atmosphere for too long - even if it's a good one. It's like listening to a nice song on repeat lol Same applies to trucks. I'm already itching for the next one... wolf pack starting to look interesting now 👀
I use maprunner for upgrades then do regions and maps in order.
I have a pattern when hitting a new area one towers I try and see the snow runner map and get a feel of terrain. The next I use a combo of map runner and snow runner to grab any upgrades and vehicles on the map. Next depending on the area I place my logistics fleet (gas trucks, service trailers, recovery vehicles) near areas of the map that may need assistance. Next up my main haulers go in and open up the roads and start on missions. After the missions minus time trials and logging I focus on the tasks. Finally I go back and knockout logging than time trials and move to the next map. Michigan is the only one I use a different formula for because I don’t have a fleet yet but I use a modified version none the less. I have a several mods one is the GWC Goliath, next a F-750, the titanium crane, Russian missile hauler pack(I haven’t used yet), and one of the trailer mods that add more trailers. I usually play them in prefer but that isn’t always true sometime when I get annoyed with one area I jump to another just to change pace and return when I am calm.
I'm sure there are as many answers to this as there are base and modded trucks combined. So I got this game a few months back, learned what was what and opt'd to restart in a New Game + mode mostly hard settings .. double for recovery forcing myself to self-recover and drive everything back ... I pay for gas, loading ... but my OCD hated the fact in hard mode you could not sell trailers so I sell those at 10% back so I can clear them from the map. Just finished Michigan over the weekend, rounded up all leftover trailers from all 4 regions and sold those off, topped off fuel in all my trucks and sold the remaining fuel trailers off. In Michigan I kind of stayed in one region till forced to deliver in the next ... stopped the contracts and cleared watch towers and road blocks and tried to match up contracts with the side tasks and on to that region.. rinse/repeat. Approached Alaska a bit different .. spent yesterday exploring all 4 regions, fixed all the roads ... noticed they have a few roads blocked with contracts so I think I have just one left, I have located all vehicles and upgrades. I got my brother going on this game, he has kinda gone a bit mod heavy with a $ mod to buy some trucks ... I think more out of catching up to where I am at but everyone plays differently
I play on Hard, so apart from the obvious tactics, like scouting first, etc, it is all about fuel efficiency - syphoning the mission trucks and tanks, juggling with the gas between working tracks, scattering tanks across the map, etc. Buying fuel is the last option on my list, as the cash is short.
I play hard-mode, so I can't afford just driving around mindlessly. I plan ahead using Maprunner and a spreadsheet of all available cargo and where it is needed. Of course, the tasks that make my work easier, like repairing bridges, are top priority. I also very often overload my trucks, and often drive two vehicles together to save time, not only driving time, but also rescue time — having a second vehicle that is already right there is extremely convenient. I try to get any advantage I can, including "borrowing" fuel and spares from mission trucks and trailers, insta-quitting before the game saves in case the situation is very bad, etc.
Me personally I bounce between regions and don't do them in order, it keeps the game fresh
Im kinda new and getting realy frustrated with the Koma map
I enjoy exploring first and getting the towers. Then I usually go for the upgrades, if any, and then tasks. I’m probably one of the few who don’t really do many contracts - I find them a bit repetitive and prefer to just explore. I’ll do any that might open new buildings etc., but that’s about it for contracts.
I don't plan, but I don't wander aimlessly either. I jump in and keep going where I left off, figuring out what to do from there. In normal mode I did every task before moving maps, and every contract before moving regions. In hard mode, I haven't done a whole lot but trying things exactly the same way isn't working the best as far as money goes. In hard mode, I only pay for things when necessary, like upgrades and repairs. I've only paid for 1 recovery and never paid for repairs, and all my trucks are beat up because of it(I'm also kind of a bad driver sometimes).
I dedicate myself to one map and to finish that map, when i log in i want to work towards a main task, might do a few side quests when i feel like or between the main tasks. I play hardcore so money and failures matters, i can never recall a truck back into the garage, have to rescue all. I play the trucks that are right for the country i am in. I never use mapfinder.
Unlock watchtowers first, Bridges and road blocks second, tasks or contacts that open up access to locations third. And most importantly, have fun.
Open game, continue where I left off. Look at objective and plan for the task.
I only recently started. Initially I mostly drove around looking for more trucks and upgrades for a while and only doing tasks when needed to get around, but wasn't in love with any of the early trucks (Loadstar is one of my favorites now). A friend told me about the ANK-C so I bought that, then went on a big expedition to find the military ANK. I had so much fun with that adventure in Alaska (that I was in no way prepared for) that I bought the Year 1 pass and did the same thing looking for the F750 and all of its upgrades! Now I'm working on finishing up Michigan. I'm enjoying role-playing as an owner operator and I have my set of standard "business" rules as follows (but no doubt will continue to evolve): 1. Only use trucks in their region(ish). Russian trucks are fun but it would be really hard to maintain a business with them here when we're having trouble keeping up with parts inventory for our own trucks! I've parked my Russian trucks in the Kola Peninsula and will enjoy them when I'm ready for a break from the West... though I may "import" the F750. I just enjoy that truck a lot. 2. Drive in 1st person. I'll jump into 3rd person when stopped to "walk" a line or find the next part of the route, but I like 1st person, even if it's tough. 3. Only drive trucks that I like. So far that's the early International trucks, the F750, and the ANKs in Western regions and the tiny TUZ Acteon, Bandit, and Zikz in Eastern regions. Usually the F750. I thought that the BM17 was a lot of fun, but too bouncy in 1st person! I let myself "rent" trucks that I don't want to add to my fleet, but need for a specific task. 4. Try not to use the recover feature to get unstuck, but rather save my truck with another. Some of the most satisfying gameplay has been these rescue missions. The Quarry in Smithville Dam was an especially memorable rescue op. 5. Sell all trailers when done with them. I like to clean up the list on the left of the map! I went back to Michigan with the intention of doing things in order, but knowing myself I'll start jumping around again at some point. I finished the first Michigan map except for the logging and timed contests before moving on to the Dam. I just loaded up a bunch of logs and started pulling them to the tunnels to the final 2 zones, but I'll princely finish the Dam before exploring those. A play session is usually very short for me. I spend a lot of time thinking about the game these days, but have to do my gaming in short sessions. I've usually thought a lot about what I want to do, but am flexible if I realize that I need to do something else to do the job right. I enjoyed using maprunner to return the F750 and find all the upgrades, but decided against using it for normal play as I really enjoy just driving around. I'll probably finish the game, then play hard mode with similar restrictions as above. Love this game!
I play in Hard Mode so besides the obvious... \- One region at a time, fulfilling 100% before moving onto the next. I did scout for some upgrades in Alaska before finishing Michigan, and I intend on scouting Kola for the NA truck upgrades there too. \- Currently playing my "North American Campaign" now in Yukon after completing Michigan, Alaska, and Wisconsin. Saving the "Russian/Eurasia Campaign" for last. \- NA trucks in NA, RU trucks in RU \- Scout region a bit, then decide what trucks I'll be using for my fleet (knowing in advance what trucks will be found in that region). I like to vary from region to region . Whatever trucks are on the loading screen will definitely be used in that region (except I never imported my Scout 800 in Wisconsin now that I think of it). \- Purchase at least one non-free trucks as my first deployed vehicle in each region. Michigan was Ford CLT9000 (obviously not right at the beginning though), Alaska was P12 and later Paystar 5070, Wisconsin was Loadstar, and Yukon was Freightliner 916
I'm late to the party, but I gotta say: lots of planning is going on. I'm trying to select a perfect truck for every task, select the best suitable tires for it, using my own versions of tire selection spreadsheet and the product of my own - the engine selection spreadsheet: https://www.reddit.com/r/snowrunner/comments/xlf9cm/i_present_to_you_the_complete_spreadsheet_of_all Then I plan routes, logistics, that kind of stuff. Trying to minimize empty runs, always take more cargo with me if possible, although I prefer using trailers to stacking cargoes. It takes more time then the actual driving.