Railroad Tycoon 3

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 858 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • music
Railroad Tycoon 3 Game Cover
At first glance, this game could seem overwhelming—but its auto-management tool eases you into your role as chairman of a fledgling railroad. You lay track and determine the types of locomotives to purchase and cargo to haul. Once you have your lines up and running, you can transport cargo, pro
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"Railroad Tycoon 3 is a simulation game that challenges players to build and manage their own railway empire in various scenarios based on real historical events. The game features a 3D engine, over 40 locomotives, 35 types of cargo, and advanced stock market dynamics. It also offers improved multiplayer support, with online chat and matchmaking services, although only available in LAN mode."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Gog Com
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 858 reviews
graphics30 positive mentions
stability12 negative mentions
  • Still the best train management game after 20+ years, offering a focused experience on railroad management.
  • Allows for economic experimentation and has a compelling economic model that teaches about stock market manipulation.
  • Great nostalgic value with enjoyable gameplay, despite its age and graphical limitations.
  • Crashes frequently on modern systems, particularly Windows 10 and 11, requiring extensive fixes to run.
  • The user interface is clunky and outdated, making it difficult to navigate and manage trains effectively.
  • Lacks the intricate details of newer games, such as signal placement and more flexible track building options.
  • graphics123 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its early 2000s origins, with many players noting that they do not hold up well by modern standards. Despite this, some reviewers appreciate the visuals for their time and emphasize that the gameplay remains engaging and enjoyable, often overshadowing the graphical limitations. Players have also mentioned the need for patches and tweaks to improve compatibility with modern systems, indicating that while the graphics may be lacking, the core experience is still worth exploring for fans of the genre.

    • “While the graphics certainly look old, the gameplay and design is still awesome.”
    • “Yes, the graphics are old, but for 2003, it was state-of-the-art.”
    • “I really love the intro, the graphics, the train models, and some of the sound effects, too!”
    • “The graphics of the game haven't held up too well over the years but are not unbearable.”
    • “It's sad because what should have been a better game because of the transition to 3D was just ruined by a terrible UI and some poor design choices topped off with ugly, bland graphics.”
    • “The graphics are really outdated and more realism could be added.”
  • gameplay49 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by its straightforward yet engaging mechanics, focusing on finding profitable industries and building efficient rail networks. While some players note a lack of intricate details and a steep learning curve, many appreciate the depth and balance of the gameplay, which remains enjoyable despite dated graphics. Overall, it offers a mix of strategic planning and economic simulation that continues to captivate players, making it a standout in the tycoon genre.

    • “The gameplay mechanics are amazingly well-balanced and deeper than anything else that has come since.”
    • “It's got good economic simulations, great stock/credit market simulations, and thoughtful commodity pricing simulations that all contribute to really interesting gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced and addictive, while also affording you opportunities to sit back, observe, and strategize.”
    • “I gave it 5 minutes to limited progress and no successful gameplay.”
    • “The actual mechanics of building your railways is shallow as can be.”
    • “The gameplay was not intuitive but it was also hard to see where I was failing or even if I was.”
  • music28 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic and timeless quality, featuring a predominantly bluegrass and bluesy soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. While some players note that the music may not always fit the game's diverse settings, it effectively captures the spirit of 19th-century American industrial expansion and is described as relaxing and enjoyable. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout element, contributing significantly to the game's charm and atmosphere.

    • “The music is timeless and still holds up.”
    • “That music hits me right in the childhood.”
    • “Some of the best historical music scoring you'll find in a game of this type.”
    • “While European maps obviously exist, the music doesn't fit right at all for them, nor do many of the company logos, tycoon names, and other personal touches.”
    • “However, the soundtrack is mostly bluegrass music and doesn't make sense (for example: there is a scenario based in Japan, and you hear Kentucky bluegrass instrumentals).”
    • “Well, it's a mouse video gone country music video and then crashed again.”
  • story15 mentions

    The game's story is delivered through a large and varied campaign featuring challenging missions that engage players for extended periods. While the missions are generally well-designed and nostalgic, some players find them repetitive and frustrating, particularly due to difficulty spikes and technical issues. Overall, the narrative experience is enriched by the ability to play as famous railroad tycoons and witness the evolving landscapes, though it may not hold everyone's interest long-term.

    • “I think after winning the gold medal in campaign mode and a few missions (scenarios), it's time to write a review for this nostalgic and still good game.”
    • “I still get a kick out of admiring the different landscapes offered by the missions and seeing the map evolve as the activity booms with my rail expansion.”
    • “Works on my Windows 8.1 like a charm, nice to play, long and story-like campaign, and you can play as real and famous railroad tycoons!”
    • “It's a story in frustration not worth pursuing.”
    • “Every mission is the same, just different names and time limits.”
    • “I can be bored easily if you don't have the patience to achieve the mission objectives.”
  • stability15 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed, with users reporting a range of experiences. While some players enjoy smooth performance, particularly on macOS and older Windows systems, others encounter significant issues such as crashes, bugs, and graphical glitches, especially on newer Windows versions and with certain hardware configurations. Modding options and community patches are available to help mitigate some of these problems, but potential players should be prepared for troubleshooting and occasional instability.

    • “The new Mac version with Metal support runs great.”
    • “I don't know what you all are complaining about; the game runs great in Wine on Ubuntu 16.04.”
    • “It runs great on my Windows 7 machine; it's fun, challenging, and has a level of depth that will keep you engaged for a long time.”
    • “Unfortunately now that it is installed from Steam, I have problems loading saved games, crashing when autosave activates, and weird graphic glitches while viewing a town close up.”
    • “So while I can recommend this game for train enthusiasts, I can't endorse the Steam version as it seems to have been reprogrammed with bugs and glitches.”
    • “Why does it keep crashing upon opening? The program is installed, the introduction page and menu appear, then everything freezes, and the program automatically closes.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many users noting that it remains engaging even years after its release. While some players find certain aspects less enjoyable due to bugs or graphics, the variety in gameplay options and interesting campaigns contribute to its enduring appeal. However, a few users feel that certain iterations lack the same level of replay value compared to others in the series.

    • “Classic with endless replay value.”
    • “Very high replay value!”
    • “The campaigns are endlessly replayable and extremely interesting.”
    • “Not to say it's okay, yet it just seems like a big mess with little replayability. Run baron difficulty, and learn to block opponents' rail-lines at a pre-set location. Unlike the RT series, you have a choice to fund a company and start anywhere that was available.”
    • “This game looked like crap on my PC, whereas despite the older graphics, RT2 was far more playable.”
    • “Rt2 had some good micromanagement, but I believe RT3 is more playable in spite of a few bugs that do not significantly affect the enjoyment of the game.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its visual appeal and complexity, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Many players find that the detailed visual displays contribute significantly to the immersive environment, making it a valuable aspect of the game.

    • “The atmosphere in a game like this is probably of value to most players.”
    • “Many of the reports have their own visual displays that enhance the atmosphere.”
    • “It's atmospheric, fairly pretty, but most of all, it provides complex gameplay with a certain amount of depth.”
    • “It's a niche complaint, but atmosphere in a game like this is probably of value to most players.”
    • “Maybe it's that a lot of the reports have their own visual displays that add to the atmosphere.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game suffers from optimization issues on newer systems, requiring community patches for smoother performance. While it may appeal to fans of railroad tycoon games, it is generally considered less refined compared to alternatives like OpenTTD.

    • “I always enjoyed this when I was younger; its mechanics are pretty simple. I would definitely recommend it as long as you use the correct community advice to patch it up to run smoothly.”
    • “You might enjoy it if you love railroad tycoons, but the problem is that it is not fully optimized for new systems. There is still OpenTTD, which is far superior and more comfortable for railroads.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of conservative jokes and satirical commentary on real-world economic issues, with players finding particular enjoyment in clever quips that reflect current events, such as the juxtaposition of tax increases and economic slowdowns.

    • “There are some clever jokes, such as the news flashes 'Economy is slowing, tax increase approved.' In the real world, interest rate increases are used to prevent inflation in a booming economy, so I found that joke funny.”
    • “The humor in this game is spot on, with witty one-liners and hilarious situations that keep you laughing throughout.”
    • “I love how the game uses absurdity to create humor, making even the most mundane tasks feel entertaining and fun.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often requiring a patch fix to enhance playability. Despite its outdated graphics and steep learning curve, many still express a fondness for the game.

    • “The grinding is mind-numbingly repetitive and feels like a chore rather than a fun challenge.”
    • “The game forces you into endless grinding, making it hard to enjoy the story or characters.”
    • “Grinding takes up so much time that it overshadows any potential enjoyment from the gameplay.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

85% average critic score

Buy Railroad Tycoon 3

Play time

22hMedian play time
55hAverage play time
2-131hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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