SnowRunner vs. Premium Edition: Key Differences and What You Need to Know

SnowRunner: The Ultimate Guide to Navigating Mud, Snow, and Mayhem

You want to dive into SnowRunner? Great choice. This game isn’t just about speed. It’s about crawling through tough terrains. You haul cargo that challenges even the best truckers. This game is like Dark Souls for trucks. It provides a tough challenge that is rewarding once you master it.

This is not an arcade racer. SnowRunner, made by Saber Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment, places you in vast open worlds. Your task is clear yet complex: deliver cargo through harsh landscapes. Expect mud so thick, it feels like treacle. Snowdrifts can swallow your truck. Icy roads demand precision.

Whether you’re a trucker veteran or a newbie, this guide is your roadmap. We will cover game editions, essential DLCs, gameplay mechanics, truck options, and how to set your controls for optimal off-roading. This guide aims to prepare you for professional trucking quickly. Ready to get your tires dirty?

SnowRunner Editions and DLC: Decoding the Packages

Navigating SnowRunner DLC may feel impossible. Do not worry! Let’s break down the editions and downloadable content. Your goal is to get the most mud for your money.

Premium Edition: The All-In-One Starter Pack

First, we have SnowRunner Premium Edition. This is your full entry ticket. It combines the base game with the Season Pass. It’s like a breakfast combo: the eggs are the base game, and the tasty sides are the Season Pass DLCs. If new to SnowRunner, this edition is for you.

Year Passes: Expanding Your Horizons (and Truck Collection)

SnowRunner never rests. Developers release new content through Year Passes. Each pass adds significant content to gameplay. Let’s see what each year offers:

Year 1 Pass: The Foundation Builder

The Year 1 Pass is a sturdy foundation for a skyscraper. It grants the exclusive Sabertooth skin for the Derry Longhorn 4520. Plus, it unlocks four phases of fresh content. Expect new trucks, maps, and add-ons to customize your rigs. This pass is key for expanding your SnowRunner playground.

Year 2 Pass: Logging and Winter Wilderness

The Year 2 Pass ramps up the challenge. It introduces a logging operation in a winter wilderness. Picture moving heavy logs through snowy woods with machines. This pass adds new maps and gameplay needing strategic planning to manage winter features effectively.

Year 3 Pass: More Vehicles, More Maps, More Mayhem

If you thought it couldn’t expand more, the Year 3 Pass proves you wrong. This pass offers four phases of new content, including additional vehicles, maps, and add-ons. By now, your SnowRunner garage may be full but there’s always room for another robust vehicle.

Year 4 Anniversary Edition: The Ultimate Collection

If you want everything, there’s the Year 4 Anniversary Edition. This gigantic package includes the base game and all Year Passes. It’s the “kitchen sink” edition, giving you access to almost everything SnowRunner provides. If you want the ultimate experience, this is your choice.

Anniversary DLC: Free Goodies for Everyone

Free stuff is always great! The Anniversary DLC was released to celebrate one year of SnowRunner. It welcomed players with two brand-new trucks for free. It’s a thank you from developers for enduring muddy challenges. This DLC shows the community spirit of SnowRunner.

DLC Trucks: Expanding Your Roster

The Anniversary DLC offers more than just standard vehicles. It brings a licensed Caterpillar truck and an International truck. These are functional, unique vehicles that add value to your collection. Released on May 18, 2021, this DLC suits players across all platforms.

DLC Size: Plan Your Hard Drive Space

Before downloading all this content, a quick note: SnowRunner DLCs can be large. One player reported that “most of the DLC” used 52GB of space. Although this varies per DLC, ensure ample hard drive space before downloading new content. No one wants to delete cherished videos to make room for trucks.

Gameplay and Progression: From Zero to Hero Trucker

Now, let’s discuss how to play SnowRunner and progress from novice trucker to expert.

Game Objective: Deliver, Build, Repair, Repeat

SnowRunner is an open-world simulation game with a simple premise: deliver cargo in diverse environments. But it’s more than point A to point B deliveries. You complete construction projects and repair infrastructure too, being the unsung hero in these rough areas of the world.

Initial Focus: Map Exploration and Infrastructure

At first, avoid complex contracts. Focus on exploration first. Think of it like reconnaissance before a big operation. Unlocking watchtowers is key as they reveal terrain and hidden paths. Infrastructure projects matter; repairing bridges and unlocking garages significantly eases your travel and access.

Best Starting Region: Michigan, Your Training Ground

If feeling lost in SnowRunner’s vastness, don’t panic. The game nudges you toward Michigan. It serves as a perfect training ground with balanced challenges and resources. Michigan offers trucks to discover and has a forgiving learning curve with plenty of early-game vehicles to use or sell.

Level Cap: Reaching the Top (Without Endlessly Grinding)

Players will notice the level cap stands at 30. This may seem low in a game with so much content, yet it’s reachable within the base game’s scope. Leveling up unlocks trucks and upgrades. You will feel progression as you improve your off-road skills.

Money: A Finite Resource (Unless You Team Up)

In solo SnowRunner, money is limited. This requires strategic financial management. You can’t endlessly grind for cash; smart investments and contract choices are necessary. There is a workaround: join co-op games. In co-op play, you can earn unlimited money. To become a virtual trucking tycoon, team up with friends.

Fuel: The Lifeblood of Your Operation

Fuel is crucial for operations.

Fuel is both a companion and an enemy in SnowRunner. Run out in the wilderness, and you face serious trouble. The game offers varied fuel economies based on chosen modes.

• New Campaign: Offers free fuel for beginners.
• New Game +: Choose your fuel settings. Free for easy play or paid for realism.
• Hard Mode: Pay for fuel with little mercy. It boosts realism and economic strain.
• Custom Scenarios: Fuel rules vary by mod maps, creating endless possibilities.

Trucks: Essential Machines

Trucks shine in SnowRunner. They serve as tools and friends but can also create headaches when flipped in mud. Choosing the right truck is vital, so we’ll examine key aspects of these vehicles.

Best Starting Truck: Target the Azov 73210

Many players aim for level 20 to get the Azov 73210. It’s a powerhouse known for stability, strength, and off-road skills. This truck is a reliable option for many tasks. Unlocking it feels like entering truck driving’s big leagues.

Versatile Truck: The Voron AE-4380

For versatile trucks, the Voron AE-4380 is often a favorite. It balances power, handling, and fuel use well. This makes it fit for many terrains and jobs. Whether hauling cargo through mud or handling rocky paths, it’s dependable.

Truck Specs: Size and Power

Every truck in SnowRunner has unique attributes. Understanding these gives you an edge when choosing vehicles for specific tasks.

• Largest Tires: Caterpillar 745C and Azov 42-20 Antarctic. These giant tires clear obstacles easily.
• Heaviest Truck: KOLOB 74760. Its weight boosts stability and grip.
• Longest Truck: Western Star 6900 TwinSteer. Length helps with certain cargo but makes tight turns hard.
• Tallest Truck: Azov 42-20 Antarctic. Its height raises ground clearance and center of gravity.
• Most Powerful Engine: KZGT-8 530 T. This strong engine supports heavy loads and steep climbs, making any truck with it much stronger.

Fastest Trucks: Speedy Wilderness Runners

While speed is not the main focus in SnowRunner, sometimes you need to move fast. Here are some of the fastest trucks, based on in-game trials:

1. ZiKZ 605R (DLC): 46.10
2. KOLOB 74760: 50.85
3. KOLOB 74941: 58.61
4. Western Star 6900 TwinSteer: 59.90
5. BOAR 45318 (DLC): 62.15

Keep in mind, these rankings come from specific tests. In real scenarios, factors like terrain and weight will affect actual times.

Game Modes and Difficulty: Set Your Challenge

SnowRunner has various game modes and difficulty settings. You can customize your play from a relaxed experience to an intense test of skills.

Hard Mode: A True Challenge

Hard Mode is only for the brave. This option offers a harshly realistic and economically tough experience. Selling trucks or add-ons fetches only half their value. This adds weight to purchasing decisions. Every choice has serious financial effects, testing your trucking skills and strategy.

Multiplayer: Team Up

SnowRunner shines with friends. The game allows up to four players in synchronous multiplayer mode. You can tackle contracts or explore together. Picture coordinating a truck convoy through blizzards, rescuing each other from trouble. Cross-platform play also exists, linking PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch users.

Game Settings: Personalize Your Play

Dive into game settings to enhance your SnowRunner experience based on your tastes and hardware.

Manual Shifting: Control Your Gears

The SnowRunner Manual Gearbox Mod allows full manual gear control. It disables automatic shifting for keyboards and gamepads. Mastering this method improves handling in difficult terrains and adds realism to your play.

Steering Wheel: Full Immersion

For an immersive experience, use a steering wheel. Bind actions to steering wheel buttons for a smooth interface experience, allowing you to keep your hands on the wheel.

High Gear (H): Maintain Speed

Understanding gear ratios is key in SnowRunner. High Gear (H) is basically your overdrive gear. Use it for speed on flat surfaces in higher gears. Engaging H when not fast enough slows your truck down. Use it wisely, especially when maintaining speed on smoother terrain.

Modding: Expand Beyond Limits

SnowRunner’s modding community is vibrant and offers content that enhances and broadens your game.

Mod Installation: Easy Process

Installing mods is very straightforward. Go to the “mods” menu while in the game. The interface will guide you through it. Browse available mods, read their descriptions, and hit “subscribe” on those you like. They’ll automatically add to your mod library.

Mod Issues: Troubleshooting Problems

Mods can improve your experience but might cause trouble too. Problems usually arise from version incompatibilities or conflicts. Disable recently added mods if you face crashes to find the issue.

Another concern is slow downloads or mods not appearing quickly. This often relates to large file sizes. Wait patiently for bigger mod packs while ensuring your internet connection is stable.

Popular Mods: Community Favorites

The SnowRunner community has produced amazing content. Here are some popular mods you should check out:

1. GGMS Money Trucks: These trucks generate in-game currency for easing economic challenges.
2. iX 3880 Heavy Wrecker: A powerful wrecker truck for tough recovery operations.
3. Gooseneck Trailer Pack: This pack offers new gooseneck trailers for diverse cargo.
4. DnD Striker 2017: A versatile off-road truck with customization options.
5. Big Moose 3500: A strong truck known for off-road capabilities.
6. Frog’s Titanious Maximous 4×4/6×6: A massive truck made for difficult terrains.
7. Off Road Trailers: A variety of trailer types for different cargo.
8. Frog’s Custom Crawler: A crawler truck built for extreme off-roading.

Visit the mod menu to discover even more community creations that perfect your SnowRunner experience.

PC Requirements: Handle the Mud?

Before starting SnowRunner on PC, check the system requirements. Ensure your PC can run the game smoothly. Here’s a quick recap:

The minimum specs allow you to run the game, but for optimal performance, consider the recommended setup.

For a smoother, visually appealing experience at higher settings, aim for recommended specs.

Game Performance and Issues: Troubleshooting Tips

Even with capable hardware, some performance issues may arise. Here are common problems and solutions.

Crashing: Preventing Unexpected Game Over

Game crashes can frustrate players. They often resolve with tweaks:

• Disable Fullscreen Optimizations: Right-click the SnowRunner executable in Windows. Go to Properties, Compatibility, check “Disable Fullscreen Optimizations.”
• Set Higher Priority in Task Manager: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), navigate to the Details tab. Find SnowRunner.exe, right-click, Set Priority, choose “High” or “Above normal.”
• Disable Controllers: Unplug unnecessary USB controllers (steering wheels, gamepads, headphones, keyboards) before starting. Conflicts can cause crashes.

Game Speed: Embrace the Slow Pace

If you expect fast speeds, SnowRunner may surprise you. The game is intentionally slow-paced. It offers a methodical experience where you’ll rarely exceed 10 mph, especially in tough terrains. This slow pace enhances charm, highlighting planning, driving skill, and satisfaction from overcoming obstacles. Embrace the slow burn – it’s SnowRunner’s allure.

Time to Complete: How Long is the Long Haul?

Thinking about your time investment in SnowRunner? Let’s discuss duration for various game aspects.

Main Story: The Core Campaign

To finish SnowRunner’s main story, expect around 88 hours. This focuses on contracts and progression through main regions, ensuring a satisfying experience.

100% Completion: The Completionist’s Journey

Aiming for 100% completion? Prepare for a long haul. It could take about 233 hours to achieve everything. Complete all contracts, explore every map area, and max out your progression.

Achievements: Trophy Hunter Time

If you’re seeking achievements, SnowRunner has 37 to unlock. Estimates from TrueAchievements suggest around 150-200 hours to complete them. This commitment offers a structured exploration and skill testing.

Base Game Regions (Michigan, Alaska, Taymyr): Region by Region Breakdown

The base game includes three major regions: Michigan, Alaska, and Taymyr. Here’s a time breakdown:

• Michigan: About 100 hours. It’s often slower initially as you learn the game mechanics.
• Alaska and Taymyr: Around another 100 hours combined. Once familiar, progression can be faster.
• Total Base Game: Approximately 200 hours for core experience.

With All DLC: The Epic Trucking Saga

Diving into all DLC content makes SnowRunner massive. Each DLC region typically adds 50-100 hours. The full game with all DLCs can reach about 1,000 hours or more. This game allows for deep engagement over time.

Multiplayer: Peer-to-Peer Trucking

SnowRunner’s multiplayer uses a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection. This differs from many modern games relying on dedicated servers. In P2P, a player hosts while others connect to their computer. The host’s machine acts as the server for that session. The connection quality of the host affects multiplayer smoothness.

Beginner Tips: Getting Started on the Right Foot

New to SnowRunner? Here are essential beginner tips to help avoid common pitfalls:

• Explore the Map and Unlock Watchtowers: Your first priority should be revealing the map. Watchtowers reveal key locations, upgrades, and routes for easier navigation.
• Accept Contracts as You Find Them: Do not hesitate to accept contracts, even if not completing them immediately. Accepted contracts appear on your map for guidance.
• Prioritize Infrastructure Contracts: Focus on contracts that repair roads and unlock garages. These improvements streamline operations and make deliveries easier.
• Explore for Upgrades and Abandoned Vehicles: Search maps for upgrade parts and abandoned vehicles. Upgrades boost truck performance; found vehicles expand your fleet without costs.
• Focus on Michigan First: Michigan is the ideal starting region. It provides a balanced introduction to mechanics along with early-game trucks and resources.

Is it Worth Buying? The Million-Dollar Question

The ultimate question remains: is SnowRunner worth buying? If you appreciate games with great physics, a high level of detail, and a rewarding gameplay loop, the answer is yes. SnowRunner isn’t about quick rewards; it focuses on the journey and satisfaction of overcoming challenges. If you’re seeking a trucking game beyond just deliveries, SnowRunner delivers a deep, engaging experience that hooks you for hundreds of hours. Prepare to get muddy, stuck, and embrace the slow pace of off-road trucking. You can find the SnowRunner Premium Edition on Amazon. For more information, visit the official Focus Entertainment website. For FAQs and support, check out the Saber Support page.