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NIMBY Rails

89%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
optimization, story
89% User Score Based on 2,134 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
Buy Nowfrom $16.82
Buy NowGet on Steam €18.49

About

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.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
NIMBY Rails screenshot
NIMBY Rails screenshot
NIMBY Rails screenshot
NIMBY Rails screenshot
NIMBY Rails screenshot
NIMBY Rails screenshot
NIMBY Rails screenshot
NIMBY Rails screenshot
NIMBY Rails screenshot
NIMBY Rails screenshot
NIMBY Rails screenshot
+28

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,134 reviews
gameplay36 positive mentions
optimization4 negative mentions
  • NIMBY Rails offers a unique sandbox experience, allowing players to build rail networks anywhere in the real world, which is both fun and engaging.
  • The game has a strong modding community, providing a variety of additional trains and assets that enhance gameplay.
  • The developer is highly responsive to community feedback and frequently updates the game, showing a commitment to improving the overall experience.
  • The user interface is clunky and unintuitive, making it difficult for new players to navigate and understand the game's mechanics.
  • There is a steep learning curve, with a lack of in-game tutorials or guidance, which can frustrate players trying to grasp the game's systems.
  • The game currently lacks features such as single-track lines and a more sophisticated signaling system, which limits the complexity of rail networks that can be built.
  • gameplay
    150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Nimby Rails is characterized by its sandbox style and advanced mechanics that allow 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 active development of new features, some criticize the current lack of depth and intuitive design, suggesting that improvements in tutorials and gameplay mechanics are needed. Overall, the game shows promise but requires patience and a willingness to navigate its complexities.

    • “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.”
    • “Amazing gameplay, sandbox mode is really nice!”
    • “Right now the gameplay is very simple but already quite addictive and it shows a lot of potential.”
    • “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.”
    • “Nimby Rails has extremely shallow gameplay; it's more of a train track doodling game, but it has an interface and scheduling system that makes something like OpenTTD look easy and intuitive.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics
    84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many users criticizing them as simplistic, bland, and uninteresting compared to other titles like Transport Fever 2. While some appreciate the minimalist design for its performance benefits, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, suggesting that improvements and customization options are needed. Despite these shortcomings, some players find the gameplay engaging enough to overlook the graphics, emphasizing the game's simulation aspects over its visual appeal.

    • “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.”
  • optimization
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has seen significant improvements since its release, allowing for the management of large transportation networks without major performance issues. However, players report that performance can still degrade with larger networks, particularly in intercity or intercountry scenarios, and some users have noted that the game is not fully optimized for multithreading. Overall, while the game runs smoothly on smaller scales and benefits from ongoing developer support, optimization remains a notable area for improvement.

    • “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.”
    • “The graphics are minimalist, but that helps the game run smoothly even when running massive transportation systems.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • story
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game lacks a traditional story or tutorial, requiring players to create their own goals and quests. Many reviews emphasize the absence of narrative content, with players primarily engaging in economic management and personal objectives rather than following a structured storyline. Overall, the consensus is that the game does not offer a compelling story experience.

    • “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.”
    • “Multiplayer co-op looks nice on the outside, but it would make more sense to evolve this into a mission chief multiplayer game.”
    • “⏺️ This game has no story.”
    • “☐ No story.”
    • “There isn't a tutorial at the moment or story missions; you have to make your own goals.”
  • stability
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has seen significant improvement over the past year, with many users noting a reduction in crashes and major bugs, although some minor glitches and clunky features remain, particularly with track layout tools. While players have reported a generally smooth experience with no major memory leaks or graphics tearing, the game still exhibits some bugs typical of early access titles. Overall, the stability is considered acceptable, especially for an early access game, with many players finding it enjoyable despite its imperfections.

    • “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.”
  • music
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game currently lacks any background music or sound effects, which many users feel detracts from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the absence of music to avoid annoyance during long play sessions, they express a strong desire for at least basic sound effects for interactions and a potential in-game soundtrack, suggesting genres like chillhop or soft jazz. Overall, the absence of audio elements is seen as a significant gap that could enhance gameplay and user engagement.

    • “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? ;))”
    • “Also some music in the background would be cool”
    • “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.”
    • “However, for early access at over $20 AUD, it is a little steep for a 16 GB game mostly about the map format, with no in-game sound effects or music.”
  • grinding
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be largely 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 tasks required to build and optimize railroads detract from the overall enjoyment, often leading to the sentiment that extensive grinding is necessary. Despite these frustrations, some players appreciate the game's scale and potential for creativity.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “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.”
    • “It can be a little tedious placing track in a city and having to make sure you hit every road and creek just right.”
    • “Timetabling is out of whack in terms of being extremely tedious when creating your times.”
  • humor
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the humor in the game particularly enjoyable, highlighting the amusing station names generated from OpenStreetMap data, which can lead to unexpected and funny results. While some critique the economic balancing, the overall comedic elements contribute positively to the gaming experience.

    • “Funny station names (they just lock on to the nearest OpenStreetMap name and it can produce some very funny results).”
    • “It's hilarious to see the absurdity of the situations that unfold in the game.”
    • “The humor in the game keeps me laughing, especially with the quirky character interactions.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers high replayability, though players express a desire for improved tracking features to enhance their experience over time.

    • “Replay value is high.”
    • “I feel like for replayability, there needs to be a way to track the lines with much more detail over a longer period.”
    • “I feel like for replayability there needs to be a way to track the lines with much more detail over a longer period.”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game reflects a desire for greater flexibility and creativity in station design, with players expressing frustration over the current requirement for stations to be directly connected. Users are seeking features that would allow for more complex and visually appealing station layouts, enhancing their overall experience.

  • atmosphere
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is significantly hindered by the absence of sound, which users feel is crucial for an immersive train simulation experience. The lack of auditory elements detracts from the overall ambiance, leaving players wanting more.

    • “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.”

Buy NIMBY Rails

90h Median play time
148h Average play time
10-200h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 36 analyzed playthroughs

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