- December 7, 2023
- Giraffe Lab LLC
- 50h median play time
Railroader
Platforms
About
Railroader is a single player and multiplayer strategy game. It was developed by Giraffe Lab LLC and was released on December 7, 2023. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.
"Railroader is a strategy game that offers both single-player and multiplayer modes, including co-op. Set in transition era Appalachia, the game allows you to manage and run your railroad using vintage steam and diesel locomotives. Your goal is to deliver freight cars and passengers safely to their destinations, while expanding and upgrading your railroad in a player-driven world."








- Engaging gameplay that combines railroad management with train operations, providing a sense of purpose and progression.
- High level of detail in locomotives and rolling stock, with customizable features such as whistles and road numbers.
- Active development and community support, with frequent updates and responsiveness to player feedback.
- Graphics and scenery are currently sparse and lack detail, with many placeholder assets.
- AI functionality is limited, requiring significant micromanagement for efficient operations.
- Some sound effects are repetitive and could use improvement, particularly the chuffing sounds and whistle variations.
- gameplay318 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
The gameplay of this early access train simulation game is generally praised for its smooth mechanics, addictive loop, and intuitive controls, making it enjoyable for both casual and dedicated players. While some users note that the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks certain features, the core mechanics are well-developed, offering a blend of management and operational tasks that keep players engaged. Overall, the game is seen as a solid foundation with potential for future improvements and expansions.
“The gameplay is smooth and enjoyable.”
“Even in this early access state, the gameplay loop is addictive and rewarding.”
“Fantastic representation of railroad operations, the gameplay captures the struggles and challenges of railroad ops day in and day out.”
“Recommended specifically if you like what you've just read, but otherwise beware that it can become very tedious and repetitive in terms of actual gameplay: the track layout is fixed (although you do have to build up to the full layout by completing some one-time missions) and the contracts by definition always involve the same locations and the same types of jobs every time they come up.”
“The way you unlock the map is great but once you have unlocked the map there is no progression and the gameplay loop is incredibly repetitive.”
“However, running the railroad as one person can be quickly overwhelming, so much so that the core gameplay borderline, if not outright, requires that you play with other people and the current AI system is not a solution especially if you are trying to run more than 3 trains at once as one person.”
Games Like Railroader
Frequently Asked Questions
Railroader is a strategy game.
Railroader is available on PC and Windows.
On average players spend around 140 hours playing Railroader.
Railroader was released on December 7, 2023.
Railroader was developed by Giraffe Lab LLC.
Railroader has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.
Railroader is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.
Similar games include Derail Valley, SimRail: The Railway Simulator, Railroads Online, Motor Town: Behind The Wheel, Voxel Tycoon Pre-Alpha and others.





