JR EAST Train Simulator

About

"JR EAST Train Simulator" is a realistic train driving simulator that offers high-definition, live-action images of JR East's train lines. The game provides an authentic experience with instrument panels and sounds recorded from actual trains. The basic pack includes the Keihin-Tohoku line and various train cars to choose from. You can drive the train from the same perspective as the driver and enjoy a professional simulator used for training by JR East drivers.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

+28

70%

Audience ScoreBased on 165 reviews

graphics6 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

The game features very realistic train and car sounds, enhancing the immersive experience.
Beautiful scenery and a focus on authentic Japanese routes make it enjoyable for train enthusiasts.
The developers are actively updating the game, adding new content and fixing issues, which shows commitment to improving the experience.

The game is considered expensive, especially with the high cost of DLCs, making it a significant investment for players.
Limited gameplay options and routes can lead to a repetitive experience, as players can only drive in one direction without much variation.
The lack of a scoring system or performance feedback can make the gameplay feel less rewarding and engaging.

gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
57%
21%
The gameplay is generally straightforward and enjoyable, appealing to those who prioritize realism over complexity, but it lacks the depth and polish found in other train simulation games. Players have noted issues with bugs, inconsistent frame rates, and a lack of in-game guidance, which detracts from the overall experience. While the core mechanics are easy to grasp, the game feels unfinished and in need of significant improvements to fully engage players.
- “The mechanics are simple and easy to grasp, but it takes time to master braking and the stop zone.”
- “The gameplay and audio are worth the price when you compare it to other similar games, but it still needs a lot of polish.”
- “And the core gameplay itself is good, simple, and enjoyable too.”
- “Gameplay... well again if you are coming from TSW with its all-day timetable, several scenarios, and the journey mode which gives a kind of 'best of' experience, JRETS does fall a bit flat.”
- “The gameplay isn't that bad and the videos of the tracks are nice... but it all feels so unfinished and like a fast cash grab.”
- “I assume this because the amount of bugs, gameplay choices that draw you out of the experience, and lack of support would surely produce real-life drivers one would think twice about entrusting their safe commute to.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The graphics in the game are praised for their ultra-realistic quality and immersive visuals, providing a lifelike experience that stands out among train simulators. However, some users report issues with jagged edges, pixelation in 4K resolution, and a lack of customizable graphics settings, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, many players appreciate the stunning visuals and sound design, indicating a strong potential for future improvements.
- “Graphics is just real life; no other sim will give you such an insight.”
- “Super immersive train simulator with epic visuals and very good sound and beautiful lines.”
- “Very beautiful graphics; the game is not yet complete, but I really want to see more.”
- “One thing I have noticed watching YouTubers run this game is that very often their displays have jagged edges on the text, and the visuals of the scenery are slightly janky.”
- “The quality of the graphics in 4K looks pixelated and low resolution.”
- “There are no graphics options to fix this.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
Overall, the game's replayability is considered low, with many users noting that rides feel repetitive and lack variety in services and routes. Players express a desire for more diverse lines and historical timetables to enhance replay value, while some remain hopeful for future updates to improve the experience.
- “Good game if you like trains and are interested in those in Japan; I kinda wish there was a bit more replayability with those lines, such as being able to go from one end to the other and vice versa.”
- “This would greatly improve replayability outside of route sightseeing.”
- “My biggest complaint is that there definitely could be more services included with each route - even with lines where there's little variation in services, historical timetables with different timings to the present-day timetable could be included to add replay value.”
- “- Low replayability, every ride is almost the same.”
- “As I said, due to low replayability, it won't become your main train game.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while some players report smooth performance even on low-end systems, others express disappointment due to a lack of performance evaluation and persistent issues that hinder gameplay. Overall, the absence of a performance summary and tracking features contributes to a sense of dissatisfaction among users.
- “Runs smoothly, even on toasters.”
- “Seems a plenty of people have a decent experience, but I've tried everything under the frikken sun to get this to run smoothly.”
- “No performance review or summary at the end of the run, no record of how many kilometers you have driven in the game.”
- “Unless something changes regarding optimization, it's a disappointment; I'm not even talking about the minor flaws mentioned in other reviews.”
- “Your performance is not evaluated.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The game's stability is currently a mixed bag, with users reporting frequent bugs, sound setting issues, and video freezes, particularly when stopped at stations. While the simulation runs well overall, players have noted problems with route limitations, missing announcements, and odd physics, which detract from the experience. Developers have acknowledged these issues and promised future updates to improve stability and content.
- “The simulation runs smoothly, and while there are currently only two short routes available, the developers have promised to expand the game with more routes, which is encouraging.”
- “Overall, the game maintains a stable performance, although it could benefit from additional features like announcements and speed limits displayed in the HUD.”
- “Despite some minor sound issues and physics quirks, the game provides a generally stable experience that keeps players engaged.”
- “This game is still buggy; my sound settings get screwed up all the time.”
- “When stopped at a station, the video freezes.”
- “It's like I'm just sitting in a cockpit that can't move, and sometimes the game freezes.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of farming simulation games to be somewhat tedious, often characterized by a stop/start gameplay style. While some enjoy the depth and detail of the genre, the repetitive nature of tasks can lead to a sense of monotony.
- “Can get a little tedious as it is very much stop/start.”
- “Being a devout sim gamer, I made the switch from farming a few years ago and haven't looked back.”
- “With farm sims, one title clearly separates itself from the pack; there's Farming Simulator and then there's everything else.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The story is presented in two parts, offering a substantial amount of content relative to its price, which users find to be a significant value on the Steam store.
- “The story is incredibly engaging, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.”
- “I was captivated by the depth of the characters and the emotional weight of their journeys.”
- “The narrative is beautifully crafted, intertwining multiple storylines that come together in a satisfying conclusion.”
- “The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent flow, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “Character development is shallow, leaving me with little emotional investment in their journeys.”
- “The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises or excitement.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is praised for effectively immersing players in the experience of driving Japanese commuter trains, complemented by a charming Japanese urban setting.
- “It gives you the experience of driving Japanese commuter trains and has a nice Japanese urban atmosphere.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The music aspect has received negative feedback, with users expressing disappointment over the inability to adjust the display settings or stop the menu music.
- “Very disappointing; I cannot adjust the display or stop the menu music.”
- “The soundtrack is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to enjoy the game.”
- “The music feels out of place and doesn't match the game's atmosphere.”