Towtruck Simulator 2014/15 is a buggy / glitchy game. Lots of gamers hate it, but what if you knew what to look for before playing it? If you're willing to give it a shot, then this guide might help you out. Be advised you'll be editing configuration files and using in-game console commands to fix most of the issues. With just a little TLC you can get the game humming along just fine on Windows 10.

1. You'll be happy to know that NO windows compatibility settings on the EXE is necessary. So go ahead and start the game from the Steam app like you normally would for any other game.

2. Chances are the game is going to do something goofy on the first run. It's going to try to run in window-mode and it's window will probably be offset to the Left where you can't see the game menu. Probably something like this...



3. Quit the game by pressing ALT + F4.

4. The game has created some new files you'll need to configure. Proceed to the next section of this guide "Editing Configuration Files".

1. In Windows Explorer navigate to the following location...
"%UserProfile%\Documents\My Games\TowTruck2014\system"
(Note: %UserProfile% = [drive letter where Documents are stored, default=C]:\Users\[user name]...)

2. There are TWO files you'll need to configure before restarting the game. Identify them...
A) device.icom
B) settings.icom

3. Let's open "device.icom" for editing using notepad, notepad++, or whatever your favorite script editor is.

4. Copy the following configuration data for device.icom...

// startup variables
set device.windowed 0
set deferredrendering.disable 1
set device.ctor 0
set device.verticalsyn 0
set device.size 1366 768 // or whatever your preferred screen resolution is
set device.pos 0 0 0 0
set device.detaillevel 0
set device.mouse.sensitivity 6
set device.adapter 0
set device.cursor.show 0
set device.cursor.clip 0
set device.texture.mipmap.skip 2
set physics.hardware 0
set device.video.aspectratio 0
set device.refreshrate 0 // zero is auto-max-configure here
set system.cpu 3

... you can change them manually, or copy and paste the above alternative over what's shown in device.icom. Your choice.

4. Save file "device.icom". You're done with it.

5. Now open "settings.icom" and copy the following configuration data for it...

// variables
set device.audio.effectsvolume 9.000000
set imposter.distance 90 90 180 0
set effect.dynamicweather 0
set ifx.lod 1.000000
set device.audio.ambientvolume 0.000000
set ux.show.border 0
set game.gamma 6
set ambient.occlusion 0
set camera.speed 25.000000
set effect.haze 0
set render.wireframe 0
set effect.lensflares 0
set device.audio.speechvolume 0.000000
set cheating.nopolice 0
set window.title "Towtruck Simulator"
set effect.motionblurss 0
set cheating.nodamage 0
set shadow.enable 0
set effect.dof 0
set effect.edgeaa 0
set device.audio.mainvolume 9.000000
set camera.mouse.sensitivity 0.200000
set disable.deactivate 0
set device.audio.musicvolume 9.000000
set info.fps 0
set gameui.show 1
set shadow.map.size 0 0 0 0
set effect.motionblur 0
set info.performance 0
set effect.overlay 0

// command binds
command.bind "alt+s" "sound.volume /master/common/ambient 0" // NEW COMMAND
command.bind "alt+F4" "quit"
command.bind "alt+p" "screenshot"
command.bind "alt+c" "cheating.car"
command.toggle "alt+Enter" device.windowed
command.toggle "alt+2" camera.enable
command.toggle "ctrl+alt+Num*" device.adapter

... I recommend doing a full copy and paste overwrite just to make sure it's right.
... You may notice I cleaned up some of the useless command binds while adding the NEW one, ALT + S, as explained later.
... The one for "ALT + 2" camera.enable, unlocks the follow cam to 360 control, and using the command again locks it back, and this is useful for whenever the follow cam tries to drift away.
... The one for "CTRL + ALT + Num*" device.adapter, might be useful if you have a dual adapter setup and one works better with this game than the other.

6. Save file "settings.icom". You're done with it.

7. Now restart Towtruck Simulator 2015 and proceed to the next section in this guide "Killing Ambient Sound".

(Note: Be advised if you change the options in the game menu for Video and Audio, then you're doing so at your own risk. It WILL change these customized optimum performance settings and you'll have to go back and re-edit both files again. Fair warning.)

(Another Note: After starting a New Game session immediately after the game loads you might notice some text tearing at the bottom of the screen. Don't freak out, it's going to do that, it's normal. Just wait 15 seconds. It will load and straighten out on it's own.)

For some strange reason, the volume control for the very annoying always BLASTING ambient sound doesn't do anything in the options menu. This is why there was a NEW COMMAND binding added to the "settings.icom" configuration file. Press ALT + S to kill the ambient sound whenever you need to. Be advised the ambient sound resets to max on the second New Game session and every consecutive one afterwards. Simply use ALT + S to shut that mess up! You're welcome :)

For those who aren't following this guide exactly and want to do it manually using the in-game console...

1. Press ~ for the console while in the game.

2. Enter the following command...
sound.volume /master/common/ambient 0

... that's it, but it would be better to use the command binding setup in the configuration file.

Notice after killing the ambient sound effects you can hear everything else much better like the music, engine, air brakes, metal stress, hydraulics, and horn flags when approaching available cars. Cool, eh? It's like a whole new game all over again.

Wait ... Music? ... This game has music? ... Yep, I didn't realize it either until after killing the ambient sound. It has 10 tracks, an actual album's worth!

(Note: If you're only interested in the music, then you can listen to all 10 tracks HERE[1drv.ms].)

In the main game menu you may have noticed a CONTINUE option at the top. It's just there for looks. Seriously. It literally does NOTHING. This game does NOT feature any State Saves.

All the game does is keep a record of basic statistics in your game profile, and even those do not update until you have successfully delivered a car to a Green parking spot in the car park.

Therefore, the only way to resume generally where you left off is to use the Car Cheat. ALT + C, as mentioned later in this guide "When All Else Fails ... CHEAT!"

I've never seen a game manual about the modes, so here's a quick basic rundown of them.

1. Cleaner - There are 3 missions. In each mission you must successfully haul and park 15 cars. While doing so try to cause the LEAST amount of damage as possible which accumulates on your game profile. Fortunately you can create a new profile and delete the one you messed up on. Believe me, it's a lot harder than it sounds. Not so boring anymore is it? lol

2. Time Trial - You've got 30 minutes to haul and park as many cars as possible. Hmmm, if only we had a way to speed up the hydraulics. lol

3. Free Play - It is, what it is. Free roaming and practicing. Also a great place to play with the physic bugs and try to slingshot your truck across town. lol

Yep, while in a game and sitting in the car park, simply tap the ENTER key to switch trucks...

1. Light Crane Tow
2. Heavy Crane Tow
3. Rollback Tow

... Sorry, no T-bar Tow, or Tandem Tow, wish it did.

Believe it or not, there's a useful bug which helps to speed up the hydraulics. It's super simple. Here's what you do...

1. Start a New Game, any game mode.
2. Press ESC to return to the main menu.
3. Start a New Game AGAIN.

... That's it! For some strange reason the hydraulics are faster. Ha Ha Ha
It's not permanent though. You have to do this every time you start Towtruck Simulator. Then on the second New Game the hydraulics are faster until you quit the game and restart Towtruck Simulator.

Physic bugs can be a problem if you're in a hurry, but the key to success is to be very careful, plan your approach, have patience, and take your time. You know, sort of like towing cars in real life. Once you get the hang of it you can speed up a little bit.

When using the Crane Tows always try to align the bed of the truck parallel with the car. The fronts of both the truck and car should be pointing in the same direction ideally. However, there are times when this is not possible, so at best try to orientate the crane's H-bar to match the same forward positions. The reason for this in the game is because sometimes a reverse positioned car will NOT LOCK in the bed of the truck, and when it refuses to lock the car on the truck it also refuses to re-lock on the ground as well, and when that happens you have no choice but to abandon the whole game and start over. Therefore, if you realize this might be an issue with the car you're attempting to capture, then it would be best NOT to use the Crane Tow, use the Rollback instead.

Always use the out-rig stabilizers on the Crane Tows. You don't have to use all of them unless you're perpendicular to an incline and need some leveling. You don't have to fully extend them either. All you need is enough to prevent a tip-over.

You can use all 4 out-rigs on the Heavy Crane Tow to "walk-the-truck" sideways into a tight area, but walking it back out with a car in the cradle can be another challenge all by itself. Short moves are the trick to that.

When using the Rollback Tow always try to backup straight and center toward the nose of the car. Allow at least 3/4 the length of the platform between the rear of the truck and nose of the car before engaging the hydraulics. Tilt the platform before extending it. The cable attaches last. After hitching the cable, reel her in slowly. Bring both sets of wheels up onto the platform, but stop as soon as they're off the ground. Then contract the platform at least by 70% before bringing the tilt down. When the platform has returned to the default transport position, finish winching in the car and stop when the first set of tires are directly behind the front stop blocks. The lock indicator will illuminate, press ENTER. Good to go. --- When unloading simply repeat the same procedure, but pump the cable out slowly as the car rolls down the ramp. Sometimes the car will slip to the side if the cable is winched out too fast, and that will certainly mess up your alignment into the target area in the car park. Be smart and you'll do fine.

You CAN snatch a car backwards with the Rollback Tow, BUT there is a bug during the unloading procedure where the rear of the car will try to pop a wheelie. It can still be done without damage, but you have to slowly pump the cable out and prevent the wheelie from happening in the first place. Otherwise a little chaos physics might happen. lol

Yes, there is a cheat, and it's already setup as a command bind using ALT + C. This adds a collected car to your inventory.

So, if you're in Cleaner Mode and want to skip Mission 1, then simply hold down ALT and tap C 15 times. You'll notice all red dots on the map are clustered in the center of town. Mission 2 is basically Medium difficulty. Do the cheat again to reach the Hard difficulty (Mission 3), then all red dots will be scattered further out all over the map.

If you're in Time Trial Mode and do the cheat, then all you're going to do is rack up a high inventory of cars in your profile. lol. Not really useful.

Same thing for Free Play Mode. Not really useful, just sick. lol

Hopefully this guide has helped you in some way. If nothing else, then at least consider the humor of me actually taking the time trying to play a buggy UIG simulator. That's just how I roll. Forcing bad games to run a little better.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a nice day.