Thoughts after 50hrs

I started up Star Trucker not long ago, and recently finished the convoy. So I have a few thoughts to share (with hope the devs read this).

Gameplay: It's in the name. I really like the driving in this game, both with and without the drive assist on. It might be the main bit of the game, but it is better than Starfield in flying physics. You don't just have to think about where you are going right now, you kinda have to think about where you are going in 10 seconds from now if you are trying to turn or avoid hazards. I get, and hate the logic of, random freight job system. Some jobs don't make sense like running a job from Dependency Loop to Dependency Loop (had two of those). Then there are the jobs only the insane would take, like trying to deliver shock sensitive loads from Spark City to Crossway.

The systems management for me changed vastly after one event; unlocking the scanner. Before the scanner, I would do short fast jobs to stock up on credits to have the supplies needed at anytime to change something out. I held off story missions to make sure I had supplies, repairs, and gas. After the scanner, I haven't bought a single thing yet I keep a dozen power cell++ on hand, six filters, and six UCC. I'll scavenge an area, and decide to just replace everything in my ship and not even touch the supply I just mentioned. I also earn so much I doesn't make sense to do jobs for money (I do because I like the driving). Even when you can get penalized for careless driving and damaged property with the freight and cargo at 100%

Freight Job Reward Idea: I have seen the same issue where salvage is what you do for money once you get the scanner. This leaves jobs kinda by the wayside. I know of the exp fix that happened recently. My idea to put driving back up with competitive rewards. Instead of changing how much jobs are worth, why not make the specific certifications worth more. If the exp and payment bonus was +20% for each level, it would make those jobs more worth it. Right now, you can have a short trip with no extra restrictions pay more than a just-in-time job. This may seem like much, but it only gets crazy for jobs with 3 or 4 certifications. Someone with maxed skills on a 4 certification job would earn +240% more. That really isn't much, and is about on par for a salvage run in a good system. By that time, it takes a few thousand exp to level up anyway with no rewards for leveling until DLC puts in new skills. (Maybe some to give 5% leeway on trailer damage?)

I would argue also that you shouldn't be penalized if the trailer and cargo still read 100% on the health.

Art Design: Star Trucker has no right to be this pretty. You have sectors in full zones that are very different in look and feel. My favorite place a draw is between Darkside and Solitude. Rig customization is good in how it is worked in. The only part that seems kinda repetitive is the stations. Most buildings are kinda similar. There are a few unique structures, but most still have that same type of aesthetic to them.

Story: I like it. It isn't earth shattering great, but I appreciate that it didn't turn getting sucked into a dark conspiracy that you had to fight to get out of. It all seemed more like a team thing even if you rarely saw the other members of the convoy. The quests where fun and different (but should have at least awarded more exp than a normal job). Everything also felt it was meant for what you could do with your truck. Space DoorDash, sure but I hated it. Saving a colony station, that felt awesome. Real worried with that cargo had to be hauled to pits of Hell. They all felt really different, had a serious in game reason (well most did). I just wish there was more after the last jump gate.