Loco Shortline Operations
- December 22, 2021
- TSRS
- 158h median play time
Get on Steam"Loco Shortline Operations" is a realistic tycoon-style game that allows you to build and operate your own transportation network. Use trains, trucks, boats, and other vehicles to deliver goods and earn profits, while dealing with factors like fuel, weight, and physics. Play solo or with friends through Steam MP, and explore over 100 square kilometers of land. Build power stations, storage facilities, and more to expand your operations.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a solid foundation with engaging gameplay mechanics, allowing players to build tracks, manage trains, and deliver goods across expansive maps.
- The developer is responsive and actively updates the game, showing commitment to improving the experience and adding new content.
- Despite its rough edges, the game is fun and has a great community, making it enjoyable for both solo and multiplayer experiences.
- The user interface is clunky and can be frustrating to navigate, making tasks like track laying cumbersome.
- The graphics and sound design are subpar, with many assets feeling inconsistent and lacking polish.
- As an early access title, the game suffers from bugs and optimization issues, which can detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is engaging and offers superior building mechanics compared to competitors, with a vast map and diverse content beyond simple item delivery. However, as an early access title, it faces optimization issues and some frustrating building challenges, particularly with complex structures. Overall, while it has potential for improvement, the core gameplay experience is solid for fans of the genre.
“Compared to competitors, which really the only one would be Railroads Online, the building mechanics are actually far superior in a lot of ways. There is more content and more to do than just deliver four different items to two different places. The map is huge, and there is a small option if you want to play on a smaller scale.”
“While it certainly has room to grow and polish up, the gameplay and mechanics seem to be in place if this sort of game is your cup.”
“While it certainly has room to grow and polish up, the gameplay and mechanics seem to be in place if this sort of game is your cup.”
- music6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been widely criticized for being dull and reminiscent of elevator music, leading many players to rate it poorly. However, some users noted that there are options to turn off the music or adjust settings, though these features were not immediately obvious. Overall, the soundtrack has left a negative impression on the majority of players.
“The music is infuriatingly dull and sounds like elevator music, so it sits at a permanent zero for me.”
“The music is infuriatingly dull and sounds like elevator music, so it sits at a permanent zero for me.”
“The music is infuriatingly dull and sounds like elevator music, so it sits at a permanent zero for me.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics have been described as subpar and not on par with AAA titles, reminiscent of Kerbal Space Program. However, players can adjust settings to improve their experience, though the options may not be immediately obvious.
“The graphics are fairly subpar; it's definitely not a triple-A title worthy of visual acclaim, but it gets the job done and reminds me of the graphics of Kerbal Space Program.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Overall, users find the game's stability to be decent, though it is still plagued by bugs that can make gameplay challenging. Once players become familiar with the mechanics, they report a smoother experience.
“The game has potential, but it's still pretty buggy and can be frustrating at times.”
“There are a lot of stability issues that need to be addressed before it can be truly enjoyable.”
“While the gameplay is engaging, the frequent crashes and bugs really detract from the overall experience.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game, being in early access, experiences minor optimization issues that can affect gameplay. While the building mechanics are generally enjoyable, certain aspects, like constructing bridges and uphill climbs, can be particularly frustrating and time-consuming.
“The game offers a unique experience with its optimization mechanics, allowing players to fine-tune their strategies and build efficiently.”
“Despite being in early access, the optimization features show great potential, making gameplay smoother and more enjoyable.”
“The optimization tools available in the game enhance the overall experience, providing players with the ability to create and manage their builds effectively.”
“Be forewarned, however, it is in fact an early access game and does suffer from regular side effects such as minor optimization issues, some slightly infuriating building mechanics (for the most part they're awesome, just a few things that are really annoying such as building bridges, graded climbs, and god help you if you have to build an uphill climbing curve; it will take all day).”
