Diesel Railcar Simulator

About

Diesel Railcar Simulator is a detailed simulation game that allows players to operate and maintain diesel railcars in a realistic environment. The game features various types of railcars, real-world routes, and realistic operating procedures. Players can perform tasks such as fueling, maintenance, and inspections while adhering to schedules and timetables. It's a must-try for railroad enthusiasts and simulation game fans.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

+14

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 209 reviews

graphics21 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

Outstanding physics and sound design that create an immersive driving experience.
Offers a variety of gameplay options with simple and advanced controls, catering to both beginners and experienced players.
Active developer support with regular updates and a growing community for user-generated content.

Graphics are dated and lack detail, which may detract from the overall experience.
Limited variety in train types and routes, which could lead to repetitive gameplay over time.
Some controls and menu navigation can be confusing, requiring a learning curve for new players.

graphics
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
6%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many users noting that while they are not on par with top-tier titles, they possess a unique charm and are serviceable for gameplay. Some players appreciate the simplistic and retro aesthetic, while others criticize the dated visuals and lack of polish, suggesting that improvements are needed. Overall, the graphics are considered adequate for the simulation experience, with potential for enhancement in future updates.
- “Simple controls, easy to drive, great sounds, nice graphics.”
- “Super awesome train sim with great physics, charming graphics, and a great tutorial system that will ease you into the more complex controls.”
- “The graphics can be enhanced significantly with reshade (I am a bit of a sucker for needing a game to look nice) and things are improving over time with the biggest weakness being the landscapes.”
- “The graphics are very naive for modern expectations and hardware; I hope that is a factor of early access and will soon be upgraded.”
- “But for now, the graphics, scenery, and FPS just killed my immersion.”
- “Many complain about the graphics; and yes... it is ugly even for a Unity game; but what turned me off completely was the total lack of polish whatsoever.”
gameplay
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
63%
19%
The gameplay is praised for its depth and complexity, offering a rich experience with a variety of pre-made timetables and a well-designed route and train editor. While the controls may be challenging for beginners, the game provides adjustable guidance to help players learn, making it accessible for both novices and experienced users. Despite some repetitive elements and missing features like nighttime services, the engaging mechanics and mod support contribute to a satisfying and immersive experience that rivals more established titles in the genre.
- “With a vast amount of different timetables pre-made, the game is already packed with endless hours of gameplay.”
- “The rail and rolling stock mechanics work so well; it really feels like you're driving these things through the countryside.”
- “You can choose the level of guidance before and during every single ride, which is great because it lets beginners learn all the controls and mechanics they need for operation, while pros can enjoy the experience without being annoyed.”
- “The gameplay is also pretty much limited to basic operations.”
- “While it may be a tiny little bit repetitive, it has mod support so you can expand the content and make this $10-ish indie piece give you hundreds of hours of gameplay.”
- “The controls and the gameplay are a bit complex to grasp when you first play the game, but after a while, you soon get used to them.”
optimization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance at medium to high settings, others experience significant frame rate drops at maximum settings, particularly in 4K resolution. The community appreciates the engaging gameplay mechanics, but there are concerns about the clarity of performance settings and the need for adjustments in certain scenarios. Despite these issues, the game is generally considered to run well, especially compared to competitors in the genre.
- “Personally, driving to the timetables is really engaging; keeping in time, whilst also maintaining the finest performance for passengers is a lot to juggle, but makes this game so much more interesting than other rail simulators, which don't dive as deep into the properties that make a train journey impeccable.”
- “Also the performance is amazing!”
- “The performance is very fluid; I think it runs great.”
- “Nice little rail simulator, seems to have a small but active community. Performance can be weird if you accidentally turn the draw range/LOD sliders too high; it's not clearly noted that the higher numbers are above 100%.”
- “Biggest con for me is the relatively weak performance of the game.”
- “Performance, well... optimization is a must. At maximum settings, in 4K, the framerate drops to 24 fps on a GTX 1080, even though the graphics are basic.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
Overall, users report that the game offers solid stability with smooth performance on various platforms, though some experience occasional framerate drops in specific scenarios, such as night runs in built-up areas. While the game is praised for its fluidity and charm, there are mentions of graphical issues and glitches that detract from the experience.
- “Great simulation of the late era 60s locos, runs great on my RX 6800 with very little stutter. Overall, I highly recommend the game/sim and look forward to the updates in the future as the developer seems to have some nice surprises planned.”
- “Runs great on deck, easy to learn, charming and calming.”
- “The performance is very fluid; I think it runs great.”
- “Alongside Derail Valley, this proudly takes its place among the sims that just does what it does so much better than more popular, well-known, yet more simplistic, buggy, poor-performing, over-monetized, shallower titles that seem to be more popular because they offer slightly nicer graphics.”
- “- Terrible graphics and glitches in parts.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game to have strong replayability due to its engaging train driving mechanics and the inclusion of random events that keep gameplay fresh. While it sacrifices some realism for fun, this trade-off is seen as worthwhile, enhancing the overall experience.
- “However, I have now played it for a while, and it turned out to be a really fun train driving game with a surprisingly deep simulation aspect and great replayability.”
- “Coupled with random events where you have to keep an eye out for signals telling you to slow down and stop, it's surprisingly replayable.”
- “This game is very good; it's Train Sim World but replayable and fun. Admittedly, it sacrifices realism, but that's a price I personally am willing to pay.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The game's atmosphere is described as a charming and relaxing experience, evoking a nostalgic sense of simpler times through its stylized scenery and buildings. While not aiming for ultra-realism, it successfully creates a warm, inviting environment that enhances the overall gameplay experience.
- “The creator really knew how to set a lovely atmosphere to trundle along in.”
- “From my own viewpoint, it's pretty relaxing, and the developer has captured the feeling, atmosphere, and style of the scenery and buildings at a level that's not ultra-realistic. It evokes a rose-tinted memory of a time when things seemed simpler, summers longer, etc. As I mentioned earlier, I have no real benchmark or knowledge of how the driving side should actually be, but for someone who wants to try both basic and advanced control schemes, the game offers a lot of potential and I would recommend it highly.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking any real sense of immersion or engagement.”
- “Despite the beautiful scenery, the overall atmosphere is dull and fails to evoke any emotional response.”
- “The game tries to create a nostalgic vibe, but it ends up feeling more like a bland imitation rather than a genuine experience.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
The story aspect of the game offers a variety of missions that cater to different time commitments and preferences, ranging from 16 to over 120 minutes. Players can choose from urban or rural routes and various service types, including stopping and fast services, providing a diverse narrative experience across the mainline.
- “The story is incredibly engaging, with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
- “I was captivated by the narrative twists and emotional depth of the storyline, making it a truly memorable experience.”
- “The world-building is exceptional, immersing you in a rich lore that enhances the overall storytelling.”
- “The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent narrative arc, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “Character development is minimal, leaving the players feeling disconnected from the protagonists.”
- “The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises or emotional impact.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is described as thoroughly wholesome, suggesting that it evokes positive feelings and a sense of warmth in players.
- “Thoroughly wholesome.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The music aspect of the game is considered a good value, priced lower than some music albums, and is suitable for casual play sessions. It offers a balance of challenges that require focus without being overly demanding, making it accessible even on modest laptops. Overall, players find it entertaining and worth the investment.
- “The music in this game is incredibly engaging and adds a unique layer to the overall experience.”
- “The soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, enhancing the atmosphere and keeping players immersed.”
- “I love how the music evolves with the game, making each moment feel dynamic and exciting.”