Derail Valley

About

"Derail Valley" is a VR-only train simulation game set in a vast open world. Players operate trains, transport cargo, and navigate through challenging terrain and extreme weather conditions. The game features realistic train physics, detailed environments, and a variety of missions and activities to enjoy.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

+14

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,474 reviews

gameplay131 positive mentions

optimization32 negative mentions

One of the greatest VR experiences with beautifully coded gameplay that feels immersive and real.
Active developers who continuously roll out improvements and updates, making the game feel fresh.
The game offers a unique blend of realism and fun, allowing players to engage in both serious train operations and chaotic derailments.

The game can be quite challenging for beginners, with a steep learning curve and lack of clear tutorials.
Performance issues in VR mode, requiring high-end hardware for smooth gameplay.
The world feels empty without NPCs or AI trains, which can detract from the overall immersion.

gameplay
396 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
65%
2%
The gameplay of "Derail Valley" is widely praised for its immersive realism, engaging mechanics, and rewarding progression system, allowing players to experience a detailed simulation of train operations. Users appreciate the balance between challenge and accessibility, with various difficulty settings catering to both casual and dedicated players. While some minor bugs and visual issues exist, the overall gameplay loop is considered addictive and enjoyable, making it a standout title in the train simulation genre.
- “I come back to this game every 6 months after an update and play it through fully; the scale is fantastically daunting, the world is alive and real, and gameplay is beautifully coded so everything just works.”
- “With almost 100 hours of gameplay, I can confidently say this game is an incredible blend of immersive realism and satisfying progression.”
- “The gameplay loop involves you going to station offices and picking from a selection of procedurally generated jobs which can be either hauling freight, empty cars, or shunting.”
- “The gameplay can get stale if you just pick the highest paying jobs.”
- “I currently cannot recommend this to be bought, it is simply not worth the asking price, and otherwise the gameplay is currently frustrating and short.”
- “There are some small issues, physics glitches, the map is sometimes dead and lacking detail, game interaction can be clunky, game mechanics that could work better and the in-game cassette player has the worst music I had to listen to in a game.”
graphics
361 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
47%
5%
The graphics in the game are generally well-received, with many players praising the immersive visuals, realistic lighting, and attention to detail, particularly in train models and environmental effects like rain and fog. However, performance issues are common, especially on lower-end hardware, leading to lag and graphical glitches, which can detract from the experience. While the graphics may not be cutting-edge compared to some competitors, they are considered solid for a train simulator, and ongoing updates are expected to improve both visuals and performance.
- “The graphics and atmospheres are amazing, and really take you out of everyday life to operate all by yourself in the little world.”
- “The game boasts impressive visuals with realistic lighting and textures, paired with a rich sound design that brings the world to life.”
- “The graphics are stunning, the controls are intuitive, and the gameplay is immersive.”
- “For one, unless you have top-of-the-line hardware, you basically have to play the game on minimum graphics to get even close to a decent framerate. Even then, there are certain areas of the map where I have experienced lengthy and extreme lag spikes to the point it can derail the train because it won't let me pull the brakes before a switch due to the game seeming to still run in 'real time' even while lagging for me.”
- “Don't get me wrong, the game is amazing from a gameplay perspective, but the graphics push to the max are not the best. You can see huge triangles on the floor, low-resolution textures, and clipping issues with the floor and trees where they are not supposed to be.”
- “The graphics are mediocre, but I think it's to be expected from a game that is primarily a VR game. The graphics and sounds could do with a little bit of tweaking, but overall I am very happy with this game and it is definitely worth its price.”
story
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
79%
8%
The game "Simrail" is noted for its lack of a traditional narrative, focusing instead on realistic train operation and mission-based gameplay. Players engage in various cargo missions and train management tasks, but the absence of a cohesive story or character development leaves it feeling more like a simulation than a narrative-driven experience. While the missions are varied and engaging, they do not contribute to an overarching plot, making the game primarily appealing to train enthusiasts rather than those seeking a rich story.
- “The randomly generated missions give a never-ending stream of something interesting to do -- much more so than you can get with traditional free roam or quick drives.”
- “Instead of completing preset missions one after another, Derail Valley has a region with different industries and cities linked together by a chain of industry.”
- “An actual open-world campaign with economy and missions to accomplish gives an unmatched feeling of freedom.”
- “Simrail comes second due to its lack of story.”
- “This game doesn't have the usual missions; it's a full-blown open world train sim/logistics game.”
- “There isn't a story, there isn't official multiplayer, there's no workshop support, and the gameplay loop can get a bit stale if you're just looking at the jobs with the highest payout.”
optimization
112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
47%
29%
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with many players noting that while it performs well on high-end systems, it struggles significantly on lower-end hardware and in VR mode. Users have reported occasional stuttering and frame drops, particularly in performance-intensive areas, but recent updates have improved VR performance and overall stability. Despite its early access status, the game shows promise with regular updates aimed at enhancing performance and fixing bugs, though further optimization is still needed.
- “The game runs smoothly as expected for an AMD 5950X + RTX 3070.”
- “Excellent game, intuitive, well optimized, a rewarding challenge.”
- “Came back after waiting a few years since the very first release, and was astonished to find these magical devs have not only fixed the majority of the game-breaking bugs, but added: new locos, coupling, better driving experience (faster, more realistic speed), smoother hitboxes on all switches, beautifully reworked graphics, amazing graphical optimizations, tons of new cargo to haul, completely reworked map (both handheld, and the terrain and rails! insane amount of work!), easy modding and tons more! What an amazing gem of a sim game!”
- “The only real big negative thing I have to say about the game would be the performance.”
- “This game really needs optimization and I look forward to when it gets improvements so I can turn the foliage back up.”
- “Would be a really great game but bad performance makes it unplayable even on a 1080ti.”
stability
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
87%
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users reporting minor bugs and glitches typical of early access titles, such as visual issues and occasional gameplay hiccups. While some players have experienced significant frustration due to these bugs, others note that the game is largely playable and has shown improvement over time. The developers are actively working on fixes, and many players find the experience enjoyable despite the existing issues.
- “The game runs great and the VR experience is smooth. Good job, guys.”
- “The devs are great, making sure the game is in an almost bug-free state while still keeping the game updated with features.”
- “I have an under-minimum spec graphics card and an exact minimum spec processor, and it still runs great on the low end of the settings!”
- “I spent money and the game is unplayable and buggy as hell.”
- “In its present state, it's very very buggy and borderline unplayable.”
- “There's a big range of jobs to do: shunting empty wagons, load/unload them, haul empty or loaded wagons (loaded wagons are buggy right now and tend to derail easily, but a hotfix is in the works and will be released soon).”
grinding
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
27%
71%
The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it both tedious and necessary for progression. While some appreciate the realism and detail that comes with the grinding, others feel it can be excessively time-consuming and detracts from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game appeals to those who enjoy grinding, but it may frustrate players looking for a more casual experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I'm feeling the tediousness, but the fun I have with each new locomotive I get to drive keeps me going.”
- “This is mind-numbingly tedious and unfriendly to the player.”
- “The game is interesting for some time but becomes grindy and repetitive for getting licenses.”
music
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
70%
8%
The music aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with players appreciating the ability to inject their own music and the satisfying sound design of trains and environments. While some enjoy the customizability with boomboxes and cassettes, others find the in-game music lacking and prefer to listen to their own playlists or podcasts. Overall, the game creates a relaxing atmosphere, but improvements in the music selection and integration could enhance the experience further.
- “Derail Valley is a nice mixture of your typical 'dad's' game where you can shut your brain off after a long day of work, push some carts while listening to a podcast or music.”
- “Custom music - you can buy a boombox and cassettes, those cassettes can play music you put in the game. I love this feature and it goes a long way into making the game's world believable.”
- “A wide variety of music and a satisfying sound design for machine and nature overall.”
- “The bots are even programmed to try and kick innocent players and play loud copyrighted music in voice chat to make sure streamers get copyright struck if they were to be on the server and can't mute them in time.”
- “In fact, 100% of all my games, the music is turned to 0%.”
- “There are some small issues, physics glitches, the map is sometimes dead and lacking detail, game interaction can be clunky, game mechanics that could work better and the in-game cassette player has the worst music I had to listen to in a game (on the other hand, streaming live 'simulation radio' is quite genius).”
humor
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its endearing and nostalgic elements, such as amusing sound effects and quirky gameplay mechanics that lead to funny moments, like crashing trains or navigating in the dark. Players appreciate the lighthearted approach to train simulation, where even mishaps and absurd scenarios contribute to the overall enjoyment, making it a source of laughter and entertainment. The game's blend of realistic visuals with intentionally humorous gameplay creates a unique and engaging experience for train enthusiasts.
- “These details enhance the pleasure and immersion of what might otherwise have been tedium, and betray an endearing, subtle, nostalgic humor among the developers (see also the 1980s boom-box and associated cassettes).”
- “The ability to either use a normal locomotive or 20 shunters tied together (like I do) is simply hilarious, and all of the mechanics work quite intuitively.”
- “Just trying to get your train from point A to point B without wrecking it is enough to keep you entertained for hours, then try doing it within the time limit, then try doing shunting or logistics, or upping your licenses to haul stuff that goes boom just by looking at it funny.”
atmosphere
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
30%
13%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and realistic qualities, enhanced by stunning graphics, detailed sound design, and a tranquil environment that evokes a sense of solitude. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the landscapes and train models, which contribute to a captivating experience reminiscent of real-life railroading. While some users note the absence of NPCs, the overall ambiance effectively transports players into a beautifully crafted world, making it a standout in the simulation genre.
- “The graphics and atmosphere are amazing, and really take you out of everyday life to operate all by yourself in the little world.”
- “The landscapes, train models, and atmospheric effects create an immersive experience that rivals reality.”
- “This game really is great, and from the perspective of somebody who does railroading in real life, this is the most authentic atmosphere of all the train sims I've played.”
- “This one is not, it has what was lacking from the top of the line sims; atmosphere.”
- “I wish it had some NPCs just randomly doing stuff for atmosphere.”
- “Despite having a train set-like atmosphere, it all feels real, and that’s what makes this game so special.”
replayability
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
67%
14%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with users highlighting its open-ended nature, diverse tasks, and continuous updates that enhance gameplay. Many reviewers note that the game offers virtually endless replay value, making it a unique and enjoyable experience even in its current unpolished state. Overall, the combination of sandbox elements and structured challenges contributes to its high replayability rating.
- “Fantastic update, adding oodles of new content and replayability to an already fantastic game.”
- “Replayability (10/10): the game's open-ended nature and the wealth of tasks and challenges ensure that Derail Valley has boundless replay value.”
- “This is a wonderful sandbox rail game with just enough complexity and infinite replay value.”
- “This gives meaning, variety, and replayability, a direction; in other games, you either do the same scenario over and over again or you have a sandbox with no purpose where the only fun thing is to crash the train.”
- “The open world platform and the job-driven gameplay is going to keep this title's replay value high.”
- “Already, in my opinion, this game has massive replayability.”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
The monetization model of the game is praised for its absence of microtransactions, offering players a choice between challenging gameplay and a more relaxed experience. Reviewers appreciate the game's commitment to quality and active development, contrasting it with other train simulators that are seen as cash grabs. Overall, it is viewed as a player-focused experience that prioritizes enjoyment over profit.
- “Steady progress; you can do it the hard way or the comfortable way. There are no microtransactions, and the game is actively developed. It's enjoyable both in VR and non-VR modes, easy to learn while still being deep enough to keep you engaged.”
- “This is a game that is loved and cared for, not just a stupid cash grab that refreshes every year with over a hundred DLC.”
- “I was looking for a nice train game since, let's be honest, most of them are cash grabs disguised as a sim game.”
- “If you want a train simulator that isn't painful, isn't clunky, isn't ugly, and isn't a shitty cash grab.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting its ability to evoke joy and nostalgia. The experience is described as both fun and challenging, with moments that can bring players to tears of happiness, showcasing the game's wholesome nature.
- “You can laugh if you want, but I cried tears of joy into my headset when I first fired up the 282 and started chugging along, letting that whistle sing her beautiful song.”
- “This game got me using my PC again and made me feel good about spending £500 on it.”
- “I come because it is fun, challenging, and wholesome.”