Railroad Tycoon II Platinum

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 911 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • music
Railroad Tycoon II Platinum Game Cover
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"Railroad Tycoon II Platinum" is a railway-themed simulation game to build and manage your own railroad empire, spanning from 1804 to 2000 across various real-world locations. With a focus on authenticity, the game offers period-specific details, real-life opponents, and actual maps enhanced by satellite photography. Ideal for train enthusiasts seeking a realistic railroad experience.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 911 reviews
graphics25 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • Great economic engine that offers complex and engaging gameplay.
  • High replay value with various scenarios and strategies to explore.
  • Nostalgic classic that still holds up well, providing hours of fun.
  • Outdated graphics and user interface that may deter new players.
  • Can be frustrating due to occasional bugs and crashes on modern systems.
  • Lack of tutorials or guidance can make it difficult for new players to learn the mechanics.
  • graphics131 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its age, yet many players feel they have aged reasonably well and do not detract from the overall gameplay experience. While some reviews express a desire for modern updates, the simplistic visuals are often described as charming and functional, allowing players to focus on the game's depth and strategic elements. Overall, the graphics may not impress by contemporary standards, but they are considered acceptable for a classic title, contributing to its nostalgic appeal.

    • “A lot of replay value, with graphics that still hold up.”
    • “The terrain graphics were state of the art in 1998 and hold up well today.”
    • “The graphics are perfectly functional - as an isometric rather than a 3D game, they've aged better than most of this vintage.”
    • “The graphics are obviously dated, but the game runs great on Windows 10, and, unlike with most games this old, multiplayer on the local network required zero troubleshooting whatsoever.”
    • “First of all, the graphics are badly aged and are horrible to watch.”
    • “The graphics are too dated for it to be playable.”
  • gameplay69 mentions

    The gameplay of this title is widely praised for its depth, complexity, and addictive nature, offering a rich blend of strategic management and logistical challenges that remain relevant even today. While the graphics are dated, they do not detract from the engaging mechanics that encourage players to learn and master the game over time. Many reviewers highlight the satisfaction derived from the intricate gameplay, which is complemented by a variety of scenarios and a robust sandbox mode, making it a timeless classic in the tycoon genre.

    • “Immersive gameplay, you just want to keep playing, linking more cities, delivering value-add loads.”
    • “The gameplay is truly 'easy to learn, difficult to master'.”
    • “While its graphics aren't incredible, they have aged gracefully and its excellent gameplay holds up well even when compared to modern games like Railroad Empire and Transport Fever.”
    • “The game explains very little in regard to its mechanics.”
    • “It takes some trial and error to actually learn the nuances of the game mechanics.”
    • “The mechanics can be confusing, though, but I still recommend it, especially for this price.”
  • music38 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its engaging blues and bluegrass soundtracks that enhance the overall experience and immersion. While some players noted that the music can become repetitive over time, many agree that it complements the gameplay well and is worth the price of admission. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “The soundtrack consists of hammers, saws, bells, and trains, which is so much better than death metal, flutes, and mandolins or some far-out synth. You never ever feel that you can't just get up and put the kettle on for tea at any time you like before returning to the game.”
    • “The blues soundtrack is peaceful and (with the volume down a bit) stands up well when playing for many hours at a time, and together with the lusciously steam-themed UI really contributes to immersion.”
    • “One of the most satisfying classic management games with a wonderful bluegrass soundtrack.”
    • “Fun to kill time with and learn how to manage trains and cargo... starts to wear on your nerves with the music.”
    • “If there is a hell, this game's music will be playing there 24/7.”
    • “Some of the scenarios can be a bit tedious, and it feels like there's only 3 tracks of music.”
  • replayability21 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, with diverse strategies, extensive campaigns, and a comprehensive map editor that keep players engaged long after its release. While some technical issues persist, the depth and challenge offered, along with a sandbox mode, ensure that it remains enjoyable and replayable for years. Overall, it is recognized as one of the standout builder/tycoon games with enduring replay value.

    • “One strategy does not fit all, which is precisely why this is eminently replayable.”
    • “Complex and satisfying with endless replay value.”
    • “One of the truly great builder/tycoon games that has fantastic replayability and a challenge each time I fire it up.”
    • “It can be a little unstable on newer versions of Windows, and the old flaws and hassles still remain (no ability to reorder stations within a schedule!), but the campaign mode is awesome, the map editor comprehensive, and the game is still very much replayable years later.”
    • “The campaigns alone have a ton of replay value as there are bronze, silver, and gold win conditions.”
    • “It is reasonable in difficulty, graphics did not age too terribly and while it is simplified a bit, the correlations between products and different buildings spawning on the map through time give it endless replayability.”
  • story15 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of historical missions and a light-hearted narrative that enhances the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the strategic depth required to succeed in missions, although some report pacing issues and difficulty spikes. The inclusion of a narrator adds an engaging element to the mission selection, making the overall campaign feel immersive and rewarding for those who enjoy planning and strategy.

    • “Old gold with a jolly little storyline along with it.”
    • “Playing through the campaign missions (especially the early ones) gives you a great sandbox to work through the quirks and understand the general mechanics.”
    • “Another thing I really want to mention is that there is a narrator who interacts with you in the mission selection screen.”
    • “About my only complaint with rrt2 is some missions suffer from awkward pacing issues where you're trying to save up $5 million $50k at a time.”
    • “Some of the later missions were quite difficult and I had to attempt them many times.”
    • “It's not easy and some of the missions can be a little unintuitive but in terms of depth it's still got what it takes.”
  • stability9 mentions

    Overall, the stability of the game is mixed; while some users report it runs well on modern systems like Windows 10 and has no issues with local multiplayer, others experience frequent crashes, glitches, and freezing, particularly during campaigns. The game's age contributes to some functionality issues, but it remains playable for many.

    • “The graphics are obviously dated, but the game runs great on Windows 10, and, unlike with most games this old, multiplayer on the local network required zero troubleshooting whatsoever - started the game up, created a game, we were playing within five minutes.”
    • “Runs great on Windows 10 and still the nicest to manage trains.”
    • “The PC version runs great in Win95 compatibility mode in XP and Windows 7.”
    • “Much of the functionality no longer works, and the game glitches and crashes all the time.”
    • “The game is difficult to start and freezes while being played.”
    • “This game crashes an awful lot; for the campaigns, I can't even get them to work. It just freezes the screen, and I have to hard exit. Thankfully, I only paid 74p for it.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with some noting that it lacks complexity and variety, leading to a quick sense of monotony. The limited music tracks and overly detailed scenarios contribute to the feeling of tedium. Overall, while some enjoy the game, many feel that the grinding detracts from the experience.

    • “This game has its own quirks and is very tedious with silly details.”
    • “Some of the scenarios can be a bit tedious, and it feels like there's only 3 tracks of music.”
    • “What I originally remember being a fairly complex and challenging simulation turns out to be a pretty easy strategy game that gets very tedious very quickly.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game experiences occasional performance issues, with some users reporting that while it is playable on high-end graphics cards, video playback is inconsistent and requires mouse clicks to unlock certain features.

    • “With a performance graphics card, the game is playable, but the videos don't show, and at times you have to unlock them with mouse clicks.”
    • “There are occasional performance issues that disrupt the gameplay experience.”
    • “With a performance graphics card, the game is playable, but the videos don't display properly, and at times you have to unlock them with mouse clicks.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, characterized by its depth and immersive qualities that continue to engage players even decades after its initial release. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a captivating environment that enhances the overall experience.

    • “Full of atmosphere, perfect depth, great campaign and still fun to play, even 24 years after its first release!”
  • humor2 mentions

    Players find "Railroad Tycoon" to be a humorous experience, particularly enjoying the comedic elements found in the game's historical context and the amusing content of the in-game newspapers.

    • “Railroad Tycoon is a really funny game.”
    • “The historical aspects of the game really appeal to me, and I don't think I can stop laughing at some of the newspapers.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Railroad Tycoon II Platinum

Play time

59hMedian play time
80hAverage play time
12-230hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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