A-Train 9 V4.0: Japan Rail Simulator

About

"A-Train 9 V4.0: Japan Rail Simulator" is a city-builder and transport simulation game that allows you to control and manage various aspects of a railway system. The game offers new features such as driving a train, speed restricted tracks, vehicle groups, and new track layout options. With improved road flexibility and a wide variety of new trains, buildings, and trackside objects, this version aims to be the most comprehensive recipe yet for transportation tycoons.

Genres & Tags

Simulation

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

A-Train 9 V4.0: Japan Rail Simulator screenshot

+15

65%

Audience ScoreBased on 110 reviews

graphics8 positive mentions

stability2 negative mentions

The game offers a complex and engaging economic simulation that can be rewarding once the player understands the mechanics.
Players can build their transport networks from scratch and enjoy a variety of building and station structures.
If purchased on sale, the game provides good value for those who enjoy deep city-building and transport management experiences.

The game has a steep learning curve and lacks intuitive tutorials, making it difficult for new players to get started.
It suffers from numerous technical issues, including crashes on modern systems and a poorly designed user interface.
Many players feel the game has been abandoned by the developers, leading to unresolved bugs and a lack of support.

graphics
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
60%
13%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the charming isometric and 2D visuals, while others criticize the low-detail 3D models and the need to run the game on low settings for optimal performance. Issues related to compatibility with Windows 10 have further complicated the experience, leading to frustration over the lack of support for high-quality graphics. Overall, while some find the visuals acceptable, they often fall short compared to contemporary city builders and free alternatives.
- “Charming isometric tile graphics.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, especially when using the 'train window' function or driving around the city in a leisure vehicle.”
- “Good graphics.”
- “Simple charming 2D graphics replaced with clunky low-detail 3D models.”
- “Very poor graphics having to run it in low texture settings.”
- “However, due to a recent Windows 10 update, this game no longer works on that OS; there is a workaround, but it involves running the game with minimum graphics quality, and this game's visuals were already not its strong suit.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
Gameplay in A-Train 9 has been criticized for lacking charm and effective mechanics, making it challenging for players to fully engage with the game. While it aims to provide an authentic experience, the unchanged gameplay elements hinder the ability to grasp the mechanics, leaving players feeling unsatisfied. Overall, it may serve as a secondary option for experienced players rather than a compelling primary experience.
- “The gameplay, apart from being translated, is left untouched, so the experience is still authentic.”
- “This wouldn't be bad for a second or third map to play on, but it's very difficult to get a feel for the game mechanics this way.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
100%
The music in the game is generally described as decent, providing a satisfactory background ambiance without standing out significantly.
- “The background music is quite decent.”
- “The background music adds a nice touch to the game.”
- “I really enjoy the background music; it enhances the overall experience.”
- “The background music is decent, but it doesn't stand out.”
- “The background music is decent, but it lacks variety.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game has been criticized, particularly in the German version, which is noted for numerous translation errors and significant bugs.
- “I originally had the German version of this game, and it contained a lot of translation errors and was quite buggy.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story aspect of the game is characterized by its lengthy and complex missions, which can take players days or even months to complete, indicating a deep and immersive narrative experience.