Hard Truck Apocalypse / Ex Machina similar games & best alternatives

Hard Truck Apocalypse / Ex Machina

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2014

Should you play it?

In a post-apocalyptic wasteland of diesel and dust, bandits and mobsters rule the last remaining cities, controlling all vital trade routes and destroying any hope of a return to a lawful world.

What works
  • Unique post-apocalyptic atmosphere
  • Extensive vehicle customization
  • Engaging open world exploration
  • Branching story with multiple endings
  • Nostalgia and replay value
Things to keep in mind
  • Technical bugs and crashes
  • Dated graphics and sound
  • Repetitive quests and travel
  • Limited ai and enemy variety
  • Lack of modern quality-of-life features

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Horizon Forbidden West™ Complete Edition

  • BioShock™ 2 Remastered

  • Halls of Torment

  • Asterigos: Curse of the Stars

  • Spirit Hunters: Infinite Horde

  • Horizon Zero Dawn™ Remastered

  • Castlevania Advance Collection

  • Eternal Edge+ Prologue

  • Black Myth: Wukong

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • 77p egg: Eggwife

  • Deadeye Deepfake Simulacrum

  • Turbo Kid

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Hard Truck Apocalypse / Ex Machina: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Relaxation, Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Leadership.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have freedom to explore an open world, choose missions or free roam, and customize characters and vehicles."

    Capsule for Retro City Rampage™ DX Retro City Rampage™ DX

    "Players have freedom to choose vehicles, weapons, and play style with branching storylines and open world exploration."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Game involves skillful driving, managing vehicle damage, and completing challenging missions, though some tasks can be frustrating."

    Capsule for Carmageddon 2: Carpocalypse Now Carmageddon 2: Carpocalypse Now

    "Game involves skillful driving, combat tactics, vehicle upgrades, and resource management, though some aspects are repetitive."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on single-player experience with no mention of competitive multiplayer or leaderboards."

    Capsule for Touhou Luna Nights Touhou Luna Nights

    "Focus is on single-player experience with no mention of competitive multiplayer or leaderboards."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Players report long play sessions and repeated playthroughs; strong attachment due to nostalgia and story."

    Capsule for Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered

    "Many players report long play sessions, nostalgia-driven repeated playthroughs, and strong attachment."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -4

    "Gameplay is primarily solo; no cooperative multiplayer or teamwork mechanics mentioned."

    Capsule for Yakuza 6: The Song of Life Yakuza 6: The Song of Life

    "Gameplay is primarily solo; no cooperative multiplayer or teamwork elements described."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Extensive vehicle customization, skin editor, and weapon loadout options encourage creative expression."

    Capsule for FUMES FUMES

    "Extensive vehicle customization, weapon loadouts, and modding community add creative expression."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Interactions are balanced and narrative-driven without emphasis on dominance or power over others."

    Capsule for Omensight: Definitive Edition Omensight: Definitive Edition

    "Interactions are balanced and story-driven without emphasis on dominating others or power imposition."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "The post-apocalyptic setting, unique mechanics, and immersive atmosphere provide a strong escape from reality."

    Capsule for Mushroom 11 Mushroom 11

    "Strong post-apocalyptic atmosphere and immersive open world provide escape from reality."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and nostalgia; no obligation or external pressure noted."

    Capsule for Alice: Madness Returns Alice: Madness Returns

    "Players engage voluntarily out of nostalgia and interest; no obligation or external pressure noted."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players experiment with different vehicle builds, weapons, and strategies in combat and exploration."

    Capsule for FUMES FUMES

    "Players experiment with different vehicle builds, weapons, and story choices."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Large open world with multiple sectors, secrets, and diverse environments encourages exploration."

    Capsule for A.I.M.2 Clan Wars A.I.M.2 Clan Wars

    "Large semi-open world with multiple regions and secrets encourages exploration."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Car customization options and visual style allow personal expression within the game."

    Capsule for Parking Garage Rally Circuit Parking Garage Rally Circuit

    "Vehicle painting and customization allow personal expression within game limits."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Fictional sci-fi setting with imaginative alien worlds and post-apocalyptic narrative."

    Capsule for Shadow Empire Shadow Empire

    "Post-apocalyptic sci-fi setting with imaginative elements like energy weapons and alien lore."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "The game is single-player focused with minimal social or community interaction during play."

    Capsule for Caesar™ 3 Caesar™ 3

    "Game is single-player focused with minimal social or community interaction during play."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills in combat, crafting, trading, and strategy over time."

    Capsule for World of Sea Battle World of Sea Battle

    "Players develop skills in combat, trading, and vehicle management over time."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of PC games; no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for A Story About My Uncle A Story About My Uncle

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of PC games; no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention due to combat difficulty and mechanics; not a casual idle experience."

    Capsule for Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time

    "Requires focused attention during driving, combat, and trading; not a casual idle experience."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing in gameplay."

    Capsule for The Surge 2 The Surge 2

    "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing in gameplay."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -4

    "No leadership or group management roles; player acts independently."

    Capsule for BioShock™ 2 Remastered BioShock™ 2 Remastered

    "No leadership or group management roles; player acts independently."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong progression through mission completion, character upgrades, vehicle and weapon acquisition, and territory control."

    Capsule for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition

    "Strong progression through vehicle upgrades, weapon acquisition, and story advancement."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Atmospheric music and short sessions provide a relaxing experience despite some combat tension."

    Capsule for Moon Hunters Moon Hunters

    "Atmospheric music and driving can be relaxing, though some tension from combat and resource management."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Explosions, weapon effects, and soundtrack provide sensory stimulation and excitement."

    Capsule for Burnin' Rubber 5 HD Burnin' Rubber 5 HD

    "Explosions, vehicle damage effects, and soundtrack provide sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; focus is on individual experience."

    Capsule for Miasma Chronicles Miasma Chronicles

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; focus is on individual experience."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Narrative with branching quests, character interactions, and lore immersion."

    Capsule for Gedonia 2 Gedonia 2

    "Narrative with branching paths, character interactions, and lore immersion."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Requires planning in combat, resource management, and building strategies."

    Capsule for Wild Indigo Ranch Wild Indigo Ranch

    "Requires planning vehicle builds, resource management, and tactical combat."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Suspenseful combat encounters and survival challenges provide excitement and tension."

    Capsule for Arizona Sunshine® 2 Arizona Sunshine® 2

    "Combat encounters and survival elements provide suspense and excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players report good value for price, especially during sales, with many hours of gameplay."

    Capsule for Toy Soldiers Toy Soldiers

    "Players report good value for price, especially during sales, with many hours of gameplay."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Combat focused on shooting and defeating enemies with various weapons."

    Capsule for HROT HROT

    "Combat focused on vehicular gunfights, destruction of enemy vehicles and bandits."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Avoiding death zones and managing fuel adds survival challenge within levels."

    Capsule for Gun Rocket Gun Rocket

    "Resource management (fuel, repairs) and avoiding death add survival challenge."

Last update: 01/06/2026