NIMBY Rails

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,067 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • optimization
NIMBY Rails Game Cover
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NIMBY Rails is a management sandbox game that lets you build and operate railway networks on real-world maps with 1cm resolution. Respect existing roads and streets while creating your designs, and use streamlined circulation mechanics for easy management. The game includes a Steam Workshop mod depot and offers various levels of complexity to suit your preferences.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,067 reviews
gameplay18 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • Very fun and addictive game with endless possibilities for building rail networks anywhere in the world.
  • Active development and a friendly community, with frequent updates and improvements based on player feedback.
  • Great for train enthusiasts, allowing for realistic scheduling and timetabling, as well as a robust building system.
  • Steep learning curve with a lack of in-game tutorials, making it difficult for new players to understand mechanics.
  • UI can be clunky and unintuitive, leading to frustration when managing trains and schedules.
  • Some features, such as single-track lines and freight services, are currently missing, limiting gameplay options.
  • gameplay75 mentions

    The gameplay of Nimby Rails is characterized by its advanced mechanics and sandbox style, allowing for detailed micromanagement of transportation networks, though it presents a steep learning curve that may deter new players. While many users appreciate the potential for addictive gameplay and the ongoing development, some criticize the current lack of depth and intuitive design, suggesting that improvements in tutorials and mechanics are needed to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game shows promise but requires patience and a willingness to navigate its complexities.

    • “The amazing game mechanics, the incredible and extremely active development, and the super-friendly community are what makes this game great.”
    • “Relaxing gameplay allows for what-if scenarios of proper mass transit builds.”
    • “The gameplay is a sandbox style with a world map overlay that allows you to build tracks, stations, and everything else related to trains from one destination to another and more.”
    • “I hope this will get improved after a while and I get to properly experience the game fully without rage-quitting it at the very start, because the concept looks genuinely quite interesting and fun, but the foundational building block of gameplay (building tracks) is currently a tough barrier to entry.”
    • “The mechanics aren't very friendly for first timers; maybe a tutorial might be added in the full release version. I will change my review when the full version gets released as I'm still interested in this game, just not in this stage.”
    • “Another example of a rushed-to-market game hiding under the banner of early access in order to excuse the multitude of basic design flaws, poor gameplay, unintuitive UI, poor economy system, and abhorrent train junction/signal system.”
  • graphics42 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many users criticizing them as simplistic, bland, and lacking detail compared to other titles in the genre. While some appreciate the minimalist design for its smooth performance, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, making it difficult to engage with the game visually. Overall, the graphics are seen as functional but in need of significant improvement to enhance immersion and enjoyment.

    • “And while the graphics are just simple vectors and shading - you can't even see the trains unless you zoom right in - there is a peculiar thrill to watching your high-speed intercity express rocket through landscapes you can instantly visualize in your mind's eye.”
    • “This game is truly an immersive experience without needing to give up a kidney for a half-decent graphics card nowadays.”
    • “The graphics are minimalist, but that helps the game run smoothly even when running massive transportation systems.”
    • “The interface and graphics are overall just ugly.”
    • “My first complaint would be the graphical performance of the game; on a small scale, it's perfectly playable, but it can easily get very slow, with slideshow FPS.”
    • “It has very simple graphics and no soundtrack, with one game mode that has no goals or achievements.”
  • optimization19 mentions

    The game's optimization has seen significant improvements since its release, allowing for the management of large transportation networks with minimal performance issues. However, players have noted that performance can still degrade with larger networks, particularly in intercity or intercountry scenarios, and some users report that the game struggles with multithreading capabilities. Overall, while the game runs smoothly for many, there are still areas that require further optimization, especially for those looking to build extensive systems.

    • “The game feels perfect if you have my kind of interest, and the developer is constantly pushing massive improvements, keeps close contact with the community, and details their work on a monthly basis in blog posts where they are not afraid to get into the weeds about their performance optimizations.”
    • “This game offers the entire world and allows for enormous networks to be built, absolutely anywhere, without performance issues.”
    • “I have watched it come a long way with bug fixes and performance improvements, from struggling to handle more than a couple lines worth of trains to being able to handle tens of thousands with relative ease.”
    • “Where the game does fall short is in intercity or intercountry rail since it's really optimized for the small scale of a city.”
    • “The game has some problems with optimization and this is probably its only significant disadvantage (the rest are not so critical).”
    • “First, the game is horribly unoptimized for performance.”
  • story14 mentions

    The game lacks a traditional story or structured missions, requiring players to create their own goals and quests. Users note that the absence of a narrative framework leaves the experience feeling aimless, with gameplay focused more on economic management and personal objectives rather than a cohesive storyline.

    • “And keeping them happy can become a quest unto itself.”
    • “On top of this, there's an economic model that's been tacked on, to provide something to do while you plot out the railroad of your dreams.”
    • “This game has no story.”
    • “There isn't a tutorial at the moment or story missions; you have to make your own goals.”
    • “No story.”
  • stability14 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability has shown significant improvement over the past year, with many users noting a reduction in crashes and major bugs. However, some players still encounter minor glitches and issues, particularly with track layout tools and map functionality, which are expected in an early access title. While experiences vary, many report a generally stable performance, especially on platforms like Linux.

    • “No stuttering, no glitches, no graphics tearing, nothing.”
    • “Runs great on Linux using Proton.”
    • “The good thing is it seems bug-free, and this makes it enjoyable.”
    • “Track layout tools are both clunky and buggy.”
    • “This game is still very raw and buggy at times.”
    • “Very addicting, still quite buggy and vulnerable to a crash every now and then, but expected for an early access game.”
  • music12 mentions

    The game's music aspect is notably lacking, with users expressing disappointment over the absence of background music and sound effects. While some players feel that the lack of music could prevent annoyance during long play sessions, they agree that incorporating sound effects for interactions and a soothing soundtrack would significantly enhance the experience. Overall, there is a strong desire for future updates to include music and sound effects to improve gameplay engagement.

    • “Music might help, or just a helping hand on what to do; something... all in all, it is a powerful thing to play with and maybe after it evolves a bit more, I'll try it again.”
    • “Do hope that an in-game soundtrack will come down the line and maybe some form of progression/achievement system!”
    • “- sound effects and music (maybe some chillhop or soft jazz would be nice? ;))”
    • “The lack of background music is fine, it would probably get annoying after multiple hours on end, but some sound effects for clicking buttons or placing buildings/track would make the experience so much better.”
    • “It has very simple graphics and no soundtrack with one game mode with no goals or achievements.”
    • “Please note that this game doesn't have any kind of sound effect/music, or any kind of interactive tutorial.”
  • grinding11 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, particularly when constructing tracks and managing timetables. While the complexity of the system can be rewarding, many feel that the repetitive nature of tasks detracts from the overall enjoyment, often requiring significant time investment to achieve desired outcomes.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The only moderately entertaining thing here is constructing the lines, but this can be a bit tedious at times.”
    • “In the current version, it is impossible to import real-world railroad data, and the player will have to construct it all from scratch, which I find both tedious and time-consuming.”
    • “Timetabling is out of whack in terms of being extremely tedious when creating your times.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing station names generated from OpenStreetMap, which can lead to unexpectedly funny results. While some players note a lack of economic balance in gameplay, the overall comedic elements contribute positively to the experience, making it entertaining despite minor flaws.

    • “9.5/10 (the 0.5 is for a lack of economic balancing for a lot of trainsets in the workshop and the hilariously low build costs - but that's not the point of the game, is it.)”
    • “Funny station names (they just lock on to the nearest OpenStreetMap name and it can produce some very funny results).”
    • “Funny, isn't it, to see these people wasting their time here?”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Users generally find the game's replayability to be high, though some suggest that enhancing the tracking of progress and choices over time could further improve the experience.

    • “The replay value is incredibly high.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers various paths and choices, making each playthrough feel unique.”
    • “The different endings and character interactions encourage me to play again and again.”
    • “I feel like for replayability there needs to be a way to track the lines with much more detail over a longer period.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game reflects a desire for deeper connectivity and flexibility in station design, with players expressing a need for multiple station platforms that can connect without being directly adjacent. This suggests a longing for more creative freedom and a more immersive experience in building and managing their environments.

  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is significantly hindered by the absence of sound, which detracts from the immersive experience expected in a train simulation. Players express a desire for auditory elements, such as train sounds, to enhance the overall ambiance.

    • “On the other hand, this game has no sound and therefore a tremendous lack of atmosphere. I want to hear the sounds of trains in a train simulation.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Play time

90hMedian play time
148hAverage play time
10-200hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 18 analyzed playthroughs

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