Railroads Online

About

"Railroads Online" is a multiplayer railroad tycoon simulation game that allows players to build and manage their own railroad empire in a persistent online world. Players can construct tracks, purchase and operate trains, transport passengers and cargo, and compete with other players for resources and routes. The game features a dynamic economy, weather system, and seasonal changes, providing a realistic and immersive railroad experience.

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+10

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76%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,568 reviews

gameplay62 positive mentions

stability268 negative mentions

The game allows for creative freedom in building tracks and managing a railroad, providing a unique sandbox experience.
The graphics and attention to detail in the locomotives and environments are impressive, enhancing immersion.
Playing with friends adds a fun and chaotic element to the gameplay, making it more enjoyable.

The game is plagued by numerous bugs and performance issues, especially in multiplayer, making it frustrating to play.
The user interface is clunky and unintuitive, leading to a steep learning curve and making basic tasks cumbersome.
Many core gameplay mechanics, such as track laying and train physics, feel unpolished and can lead to frequent derailments.

gameplay
286 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
66%
12%
The gameplay of "Railroads Online" is characterized by a mix of engaging mechanics such as track building and train operation, but it suffers from significant polish issues, bugs, and a lack of depth in its gameplay loop. While the multiplayer aspect adds a layer of unpredictability and social interaction, many players find the core mechanics tedious and unrefined, leading to a repetitive experience. Overall, the game shows potential but requires substantial improvements in user interface, mechanics, and content to fully realize its ambitions.
- “Gameplay is at the heart of Railroads Online, combining elements of train driving simulation with complex network management and economic strategy.”
- “What sets Railroads Online apart from many train sims is its online multiplayer environment, which injects unpredictability and social interaction into the gameplay.”
- “The game offers unique gameplay ideas from building tracks to connect industries, buying rolling stock depending on your funds and experience level, coupling cars to form trains, loading and unloading cargo at industries to earn money and experience, to driving trains in first person by moving the right levers or using sliders in a UI.”
- “The gameplay loop does feel a bit lacking at the moment.”
- “Game is partially unfinished, not a sim, gameplay loop gets incredibly boring after a while, no built-in sandbox mode, no post-purchase locomotive editing, no passenger service, no quests/contracts, among more issues.”
- “The gameplay aspect overall just didn't improve in the slightest when it came out of early access and I simply cannot recommend a finished product that's claimed to be finished.”
stability
271 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and performance issues that hinder gameplay, especially in multiplayer modes. Despite some improvements over time, players describe it as a "buggy mess" that feels unfinished and often unplayable, particularly due to issues with the user interface and track-building mechanics. Overall, while there is potential for enjoyment, the game's current state is marred by instability, leading many to recommend waiting for further updates before purchasing.
- “If you're looking for a bug-free game and something that's constantly supported, just wait for Century of Steam.”
- “Runs great with a wide selection of engines and cars.”
- “If you are expecting a bug-free experience, it's best to wait and not get mad at the devs or yourself.”
- “However, now in a full release it still has the same bugs and glitches, even worse than before, now making it almost unplayable.”
- “Game has been a buggy mess since day one, none of which have been fixed by devs, even after full release.”
- “The multiplayer is still a buggy dumpster fire and the community tries to ask for fixes, but the devs seem more interested in making money off a dying product than actually making a good game.”
graphics
242 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
52%
7%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the visuals and model quality, while others criticize performance issues and optimization challenges. Many users note that the graphics can be demanding on hardware, leading to crashes and lag, especially in multiplayer settings. Overall, while the aesthetic appeal is acknowledged, the game's graphical performance and stability require significant improvement.
- “The graphics may not be cutting-edge, but they effectively support the simulation’s immersive atmosphere, emphasizing functionality and clarity over flashy visuals.”
- “The graphics are amazing and the physics are great!”
- “The graphics make this a beautiful game from the vast scenery to the textured details of each freight car.”
- “The graphics are extremely dated and there is consistently a flashing shadow on every object in the game.”
- “Game runs extremely poorly and changing the graphics settings doesn't change the fps at all, just makes it look worse.”
- “Unfortunately, graphics have taken a hit, and it's so blurry and jerky riding on the footplate that I gave up playing after 30 minutes.”
optimization
168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
65%
25%
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with players reporting severe performance issues, particularly in multiplayer mode, where frame rates can drop significantly. Many users feel that the developers have prioritized graphics and new content over essential optimizations and bug fixes, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from the game's potential. Overall, the consensus is that substantial improvements are needed to enhance performance and stability before it can be recommended to a broader audience.
- “The economic model is complex but transparent enough for players to understand the cause-and-effect relationships in their network, encouraging experimentation and optimization.”
- “The sense of accomplishment when your meticulously planned routes run smoothly is unmatched.”
- “As many others have pointed out, there is still much refinement and work to be done and things to be optimized but keep in mind the team behind this amazing game!”
- “The game is a poorly optimized and buggy mess.”
- “The performance is atrocious; I can't get over 60fps hosting a server, and I have pretty good hardware.”
- “The game has serious optimization issues even three years later.”
grinding
131 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
4%
95%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly in track laying and cargo loading, which many players find frustrating. While some appreciate the rewarding feeling of building and operating their own railroads, the overall consensus is that the game requires a significant investment of time and effort, often leading to burnout. Despite its fun elements for train enthusiasts, the grind can detract from the overall enjoyment, especially for those seeking a more casual experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The core gameplay is fun, but the track laying mechanics are just painful and tedious.”
- “It's time-consuming, grindy, and requires some complex planning just to get cargo from A to B to C and back.”
- “The execution is tedious and frustrating.”
music
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
70%
6%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its subtlety and fitting ambiance for the industrial setting, while others find it repetitive and lacking in variety. Many users express a desire for a more expansive soundtrack, reminiscing about previous music that was removed, and some even prefer to listen to external playlists instead. Overall, while the soundtrack is appreciated by some for its quality, it is criticized by others for not being engaging enough during gameplay.
- “The soundtrack is subtle, focusing on background themes that suit the industrial and expansive setting rather than drawing attention away from gameplay.”
- “It's a beautiful game with a lively soundtrack and cool looking trains!”
- “Very well put together game with a glorious soundtrack and fantastic gameplay.”
- “Please let us have access to more game settings like the amount of money you receive from the stations or even the ability to speed up in-game time for solos, because listening to the same music over and over while going at a turtle's pace with 20 logs behind you isn't what I would call exciting.”
- “Time seems to fly when I'm playing, although I do tend to listen to Spotify in the background as the in-game music gets quite repetitive.”
- “Even though the original music can't be used anymore, the chosen alternatives feel... flat by comparison.”
story
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
76%
16%
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its absence, with many users noting that there is no structured narrative, missions, or goals to engage players. While some appreciate the potential for creativity in building and gameplay, the lack of a cohesive storyline or meaningful objectives leaves the experience feeling empty and repetitive. Overall, players express a desire for more content and direction to enhance the game's narrative depth.
- “I think they need to update some audio files, and maybe have more color schemes for some of their freight and engines, but other than that, this game, in my opinion, is a remarkable comeback story.”
- “Long story, imagine seeing one of the coolest and most unique train sim games capturing an entirely new feeling of gaming.”
- “It's also the model railroad dream world where you are Casey Jones and John Henry... though hope your story comes out better.”
- “It definitely feels like a tech demo; there is nothing in the field of story or scenery, and after one playthrough, the game gets boring and repetitive.”
- “Be aware: there is no 'storyline' or anything that helps you get started.”
- “There's currently no actual story except the one you create.”
humor
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Railroads Online" is largely derived from its quirky physics and amusing bugs, which provide players with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, especially during multiplayer sessions. While many find the glitches entertaining at first, they can become frustrating over time, leading to mixed feelings about their impact on gameplay. Overall, the game's comedic elements contribute to a fun experience, particularly when shared with friends.
- “Super janky multiplayer which makes it funny as heck.”
- “Not only can you get up to some of the wackiest, most tear-jerkingly hilarious antics in any train-related game ever.”
- “Playing it with a mate of mine, we've had more fun laughing at the bugs than raging at them.”
monetization
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
5%
90%
The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" due to a lack of meaningful updates and the introduction of paid DLCs. Players express disappointment over the developers' apparent focus on profit rather than genuine game development, leading to concerns about the game's future and overall value. Despite some hope for improvement, the prevailing sentiment is that the game prioritizes monetization over quality and community engagement.
- “Looks so far like Astragon will save this game; they even said they don't plan on adding microtransactions (hopefully they stick to that plan).”
- “This game is nothing more than a cash grab with a dev 'team' that has no interest in game development and just wants your hard-earned money.”
- “This game is a broken mess and feels very much like a cash grab.”
- “Sadly though, this game is just going to be a cash grab.”
replayability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
Overall, the game's replayability has improved significantly with recent updates, introducing new maps and enhanced systems that make gameplay more enjoyable. However, some users still find the replay value lacking and suggest that further foundational changes are needed. While the game is now more playable and offers a vibrant community experience, it may still require additional content and polish to fully realize its potential for replayability.
- “This social dimension adds depth and replayability, turning what could be a solitary simulation into a vibrant community experience.”
- “The effect of the physics, early-game growth, and industry interaction is that the game is highly playable and replayable, because no stage of growth feels punishing.”
- “Along with having more than one map now, adding more replayability to the game.”
- “The replay value of this game is so low, that you need to re-think the foundation and framework of this game.”
- “If you're interested in the game, I recommend just keeping an eye on it and waiting until it becomes a lot more playable/has a lot more content, or until it costs 50 to 75% less.”
- “Games like 'Railroader' and 'Derail Valley' are slightly flawed but they are playable, unlike this game.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
10%
20%
The game's atmosphere is generally praised for its immersive qualities, with effective sound design and seasonal changes enhancing the experience, despite some graphical limitations. While many players appreciate the realistic train sounds and the overall ambiance, there are concerns about repetitive audio and the presence of bugs that can detract from immersion. Overall, the atmosphere captures the essence of narrow gauge railways well, though some players feel improvements are needed in certain areas to elevate the experience further.
- “The graphics may not be cutting-edge, but they effectively support the simulation’s immersive atmosphere, emphasizing functionality and clarity over flashy visuals.”
- “Sound design is functional and atmospheric, with realistic train noises, whistles, and ambient environmental sounds that enhance immersion without becoming repetitive.”
- “I love the overall atmosphere of this game combined with the (mostly) realistic physics.”
- “The game's potential is there, but the fact that developers and other associated members keep coming out and quitting, citing that the management oversight and atmosphere is causing them to leave, is a huge warning sign.”
- “If the water textures and overall atmosphere were better, it would be bumped up a tier, but as it stands, it's not bad.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional response to the game, highlighting feelings of frustration and disappointment due to technical issues, poor user interface, and a lack of engaging gameplay. Many report a sense of heartbreak over lost progress and the overall negative experience, contrasting it with more fulfilling gaming experiences.
- “100s of hours into them, none made me feel the way this one did.”
- “My friends and I have lost so much work; it's heartbreaking.”
- “You're taking a bit of a risk buying and more so emotionally investing in this game!”