A-Train All Aboard! Tourism
- December 7, 2021
- ARTDINK
- 4h median play time
A train leaves Tokyo going 65 km/h, when will it get to Osaka? If this was your favorite math problem, boy do I have a game for you!
Get on SteamIn "A-Train: All Aboard! Tourism," become the president of a railroad company and use transportation networks to help towns develop. Plan urban tourism by building train lines, establishing subsidiaries, and increasing brand power. Discover and promote a variety of tourist attractions, from hot spring districts to historical castles.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a deep and engaging transport management experience with a unique blend of city building and business simulation, providing a satisfying challenge for players.
- The charming Japanese aesthetic and well-crafted scenarios enhance the gameplay, making it enjoyable to watch cities grow and develop as you manage transportation networks.
- Once players overcome the steep learning curve, they find the game addictive and rewarding, especially when optimizing complex train and bus routes.
- The user interface is clunky and poorly designed for PC, as it was originally made for the Nintendo Switch, leading to frustrating navigation and control issues.
- The game lacks proper train signaling systems, which can result in train blockages and complicate management, making it difficult to handle larger networks effectively.
- Many players find the tutorials insufficient, as they do not adequately prepare newcomers for the game's complexity, leading to confusion and a steep initial learning curve.
- graphics19 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the charming anime-style artwork and colorful city designs, while others criticize the overall quality as subpar for modern standards and plagued by bugs. Although the game features a blend of 2D and 3D visuals that can be aesthetically pleasing, it demands high system requirements despite its relatively simple graphics. Overall, while some players appreciate the nostalgic and cute visuals, many find them frustrating and lacking in polish.
“The official scenarios have characters, drawn anime-style, that fit well with the graphical style of the game and add further charm to the game.”
“With its simplified visuals, the different orthogonal views, and all the lovely details in the colorful cities and surroundings, to me this is one of the best looking A-Train games!”
“Besides, it has better information presentation than the previous one as well, and graphically it's very nice, with an excellent mix of 2D (isometric) and 3D vision.”
“Don’t let the graphics or higher number fool you, it’s an inferior game in most respects, and is plagued with game-breaking bugs.”
“The controls are clunky (very bad UI design as well), the graphics quality is very poor for today's standards and quite frankly, for me personally, it’s just frustrating to play.”
“Then there's also the fact that the graphics (as you can see on the store page) aren't good.”
- gameplay17 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this city builder and transport tycoon game features a steep learning curve, requiring players to invest time in understanding its complex mechanics and scheduling systems. While the initial challenges can be daunting, players who persevere will find rewarding and engaging gameplay, enhanced by well-crafted scenarios and a nostalgic aesthetic. Tutorials are essential for grasping the mechanics, and the game ultimately offers a compelling experience for those willing to adapt.
“Nonetheless, once you figure out how to work around these quirks, and the time-sink that is train/bus scheduling (as well as the dozens of mechanics not very well explained by the translated UI), it is ultimately quite a fun game with a decent challenge.”
“The depth of the simulation, the attention to detail, the wonderfully crafted scenarios, a manageable learning curve, the comforting old-school city builder graphics, the rewarding train rides through the city, the cute little stories that are told throughout the game, the engaging and challenging gameplay that requires you to constantly weigh your options, figure out the best angle of attack, and optimize your network... I could go on and on.”
“The basic idea of a city builder/transport tycoon type game is there - but it does feel like it has an almost vertical learning curve when it comes to figuring out the mechanics of this specific game.”
“5 hours of gameplay was enough for me to give up on it and request a refund.”
“Overall this is a good entry into the A-Train franchise; you just need to have the patience and give it time to learn the controls and the game mechanics.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews. While the performance is significantly improved compared to the Nintendo Switch version, with better UI resizing options, some users still experience performance issues in complex maps, even on high-end PCs. Additionally, PC controls feel awkward, and menu navigation is primarily designed for controllers, which may detract from the experience for keyboard and mouse users.
“The body uses a panel structure developed by Kinki Vehicle to reduce costs and improve performance.”
“It's much better than the Switch version; the performance is pretty good and there are options for resizing the UI.”
“There are some performance issues in highly developed maps that are present even in high-end computers.”
“The PC controls are still a little weird (though the devs already announced some changes), and more importantly, the menu flows are optimized for controller.”
“After playing the Nintendo Switch version for 200 hours and getting used to slow, laggy menus and overall poor performance, starting to play the game again on my PC was extremely enjoyable.”
- story5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The story in the game is mission-based rather than sandbox, featuring challenging scenarios that require strategic gameplay. Players engage with a cast of characters through visual novel-style dialogues, with optional slice-of-life storylines enhancing the experience, although the overall narrative may not be easily translatable.
“They are also accompanied by a cast of characters that interact with the player through visual novel-like dialogue sequences, and each scenario has optional slice-of-life storylines popping up every now and then.”
“Another important aspect is that, unless you want it to, A-Train is mission-based and not a sandbox game.”
“And trust me, especially on the higher difficulties, these missions are hard!”
“They are also accompanied by a cast of characters that interact with the player through visual novel-like dialogue sequences, and each scenario has optional slice of life storylines popping up every now and then.”
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its wide range and ability to complement the gameplay and seasonal changes, with many considering it one of the best and most relaxing soundtracks in sandbox games. While some players appreciate the overall audio experience, others have found the music annoying and have sought ways to turn it off. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's charming atmosphere.
“There is a wide range of soundtracks that fit well with the gameplay and the different seasons.”
“Personally, I think it has one of the best and most relaxing soundtracks of any sandbox-related games.”
“All in all, I'm really happy this was brought to PC; it has gorgeous art, music, and the characters are well written and funny - it's just a treat all around.”
“After initially dissing this game when it first was released, I have since tried it again after discovering the secret to turning off the annoying music.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Users highlight that the included scenarios offer strong replay value, with the Steam version allowing for playable and winnable experiences. However, they note that the story elements may not be fully translatable, which could impact the overall experience.
“All of the included scenarios are good and provide great replay value.”
“The game offers multiple paths and choices, making each playthrough feel unique and engaging.”
“With various character builds and strategies, there's always a new way to experience the game.”
“The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless.”
“Once you've completed the story, there's little incentive to play again.”
“The limited variety in gameplay mechanics means that replaying feels more like a chore than a fun experience.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-received, with players appreciating the funny anecdotes and well-written characters that contribute to an overall enjoyable experience. The combination of humor, gorgeous art, and music enhances the game's appeal, making it a delightful surprise for many.
“Funny anecdotes aside, I'm seriously liking this game way more than I ever could have realistically expected.”
“All in all, I'm really happy this was brought to PC. It has gorgeous art, music, and the characters are well written and funny - it's just a treat all around.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's engaging blend of city-building and business management elements, noting that it minimizes tedious grinding while incorporating enjoyable mechanics reminiscent of Cities: Skylines and Transport Fever 2, all wrapped in a charming Japanese aesthetic.
Critic Reviews
A-Train: All Aboard! Tourism
A train leaves Tokyo going 65 km/h, when will it get to Osaka? If this was your favorite math problem, boy do I have a game for you!
60%A-Train: All Aboard! Tourism Review
It’s hard to express how well a niche game fares with a numerical score. If train business minutiae are your niche, your heart will be all a-flutter; if not, you’ll be all a-bored. Setting the content on one side, there are significant balance, interface and performance issues – but they don’t derail the game entirely. While there are other options for management sims on Switch that are much more light-hearted and accessible, A-Train is something different that educated us and broadened our horizons in the genre. Fans, then, will be stoked to play the series on a new platform; for others with plenty of patience A-Train could be a sleeper hit. (We're really, really sorry about all the puns. Honest.)
70%A-Train Is Ready to Steal Weeks of Your Life
A-Train, the classic urban development simulation game that allows you to create the city of your dreams, is now available on the Nintendo Switch! Become the president of your very own railroad company, laying tracks and running your trains as you see fit. However, you will be responsible for more than the railroad. You'll also be tasked with managing subsidiaries, playing the stock market, and participating in urban planning, in order to develop and expand your town. This latest installment in the A-Train series introduces the element of tourism to the urban planning formula, and focuses on building up towns into bustling tourism capitals. Providing realistic business management simulations of financing, investing, and more, as well as a wide variety of customizable options for all your vehicles, A-Train: All Aboard! Tourism is packed full of features for you to explore. But don't be overwhelmed—players old and new alike will be able to jump right into the series thanks to the fun and practical tutorials provided in the early stages.
70%
