Railroad Tycoon 3

69%
Game Brain Score Based on 738 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
Starting at $1.13Buy now
Get on Steam

"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

69%
Audience ScoreBased on 738 reviews
graphics27 positive mentions
stability10 negative mentions
  • A classic game that offers a deep and engaging economic simulation, allowing players to manage a railroad empire.
  • The game features a variety of scenarios and challenges, providing hours of replayability and strategic depth.
  • Despite its age, the game still delivers enjoyable gameplay and nostalgia for fans of the genre.
  • The game struggles to run on modern systems, often requiring patches and fixes to function properly.
  • Graphics are outdated and may detract from the overall experience for some players.
  • The user interface can be clunky and unintuitive, making it difficult for new players to navigate.
  • graphics118 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its early 2000s origins, with many users noting that they do not hold up well against modern standards. Despite this, some players appreciate the visuals for their time and find them acceptable given the game's engaging gameplay and economic depth. Overall, while the graphics may be a drawback, they do not significantly detract from the enjoyment of the game for those who can overlook their age.

    • “Yes, the graphics are old, but for 2003, it was state-of-the-art.”
    • “I heartily recommend the game if you enjoy either railroad or business-oriented sims; smooth and challenging gameplay, good music, and graphics that remain quite acceptable.”
    • “The graphics of the game haven't held up too well over the years but is not unbearable.”
    • “The graphics are worse than the first iteration, the controls are junk.”
    • “While the graphics certainly look old, the gameplay and design is still awesome.”
  • gameplay40 mentions

    The gameplay of this classic tycoon game is highly praised for its engaging mechanics and depth, despite its dated graphics. Players appreciate the unique features like input-free cargo movement and complex economic simulations, which provide a challenging and enjoyable experience. While some mechanics may feel clunky or simplified, the overall fun and strategic elements continue to hold up well against modern titles in the genre.

    • “Plus this game has mechanics you don't often see in games like it (i.e. OpenTTD, Transport Fever, Rail Empire). One such mechanic is input-free cargo movement, meaning that cargo is moved from producer to factory to consumer without the need for you or other companies. While being slower than rail, it means you don't have to worry about something being right next to the station, as it will still get collected and transported in time, like real life.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced and addictive, while also affording you opportunities to sit back, observe, and strategize.”
    • “The mechanics and gameplay are still the best out there!”
    • “The actual mechanics of building your railways is shallow as can be.”
    • “Also, the game mechanics are really bad.”
    • “The gameplay was not intuitive but it was also hard to see where I was failing or even if I was.”
  • music23 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic and period-appropriate bluegrass and bluesy scores, effectively setting the tone for the 19th-century industrial theme. While some find it repetitive, many appreciate its relaxing quality and how it enhances the overall gameplay experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “That music hits me right in the childhood.”
    • “The campaign is challenging, the music is old school bluesy fun, the editor works great and there are awesome community-made maps out there.”
    • “The music is timeless and still holds up.”
    • “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.”
    • “The music, though repetitive, really sets the tone of 19th century American industrial expansion, and it's always fun building a rail network throughout your home country.”
    • “The flavor is very much bluegrass music and 'old-time'.”
  • story14 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is characterized by a nostalgic and engaging campaign featuring varied mission types and challenging objectives that keep players invested for hours. While some missions may be overly difficult and repetitive, the overall narrative experience is enhanced by the evolving landscapes and the opportunity to play as famous railroad tycoons. However, once the main quests are completed, players may find the sandbox mode less enjoyable.

    • “I think after winning the gold medal in campaign mode and a few missions (scenarios), it's time to write a review of 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!”
    • “The main con is that the game becomes unplayable due to windows breaking the game.”
    • “I can get bored easily if you don't have the patience to achieve the mission objectives.”
    • “Every mission is the same, just different names and time limits.”
  • stability13 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed, with users reporting a range of experiences. While the new Mac version with Metal support runs smoothly and is less buggy than its predecessor, many Windows users encounter significant issues, including crashes, glitches, and difficulties with saved games, particularly on newer operating systems. Modding options and community patches can help mitigate some bugs, but potential players should be prepared for troubleshooting, especially on Windows.

    • “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 campaigns contributes 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 as 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, RRT2 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 add to the atmosphere.”
    • “It's atmospheric, fairly pretty, but most of all 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.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization is generally considered lacking, but players recommend utilizing community advice and patches to enhance performance and ensure a smoother experience.

    • “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.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game features a mix of conservative jokes, with players finding particular amusement in satirical news flashes that comment on real-world economic situations, such as tax increases and slowing economies. This blend of political commentary and humor resonates well with some users, highlighting the game's cleverness in addressing contemporary issues.

    • “The game is filled with clever and witty humor that keeps you laughing throughout.”
    • “I love the satirical take on current events; the jokes are sharp and well-timed.”
    • “The character dialogues are hilarious, with plenty of puns and playful banter that add to the fun.”
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

Videos

Similar Games