Tiny Rails

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 280 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • monetization
Tiny Rails Game Cover
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Tiny Rails is a management simulation game where players build and expand their very own railway company. Customize trains, collect resources, and complete missions to connect and upgrade stations across a pixelated 2D world. Compete with AI-controlled competitors as you strive to become the dominant railroad tycoon.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 280 reviews
gameplay5 positive mentions
monetization7 negative mentions
  • The game offers a charming pixel art style and relaxing gameplay, making it enjoyable for casual players.
  • The removal of microtransactions and wait times from the mobile version enhances the overall experience.
  • The game provides a nostalgic feel and allows for creativity in train customization and management.
  • The game is plagued by numerous bugs, including issues with progression and the gumball machine, which can hinder gameplay.
  • There is a lack of product support from the developers, with many players reporting unresolved issues and no updates since 2022.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive and grind-heavy, especially when trying to unlock new train cars and complete objectives.
  • gameplay34 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and calming nature, making it easy to learn and enjoyable for casual players. While some mechanics may feel shallow or confusing, the game offers a satisfying resource management experience that evolves over time. However, players seeking deeper mechanics or those familiar with more complex simulation games may find it lacking, particularly due to its reliance on delay mechanics and microtransactions in its mobile version.

    • “It's simple to learn the mechanics and it's fast-paced, so you don't get bored.”
    • “There is a wonderful simplicity to the game, but those looking for deeper mechanics won't be left disappointed as once you get past the first few hours, resource management becomes a staple in progressing quicker without feeling grindy.”
    • “The mechanics work really well and it's very satisfying to make money.”
    • “Many of the game mechanics also seem to confuse.”
    • “The problem is when your whole game is built around delay mechanics designed to get you to pull out your phone every few hours to click a few things or buy some speed-up item with real money as a microtransaction, the gameplay just doesn't work when you remove it from the free-to-play world.”
    • “There's plenty of pointless busy-work in the UI that the developers also seem to think qualifies as gameplay, such as requiring you to scroll slowly to the back of your train to collect your fares, else they disappear into nothingness, or opening the clean/repair screen to... clean and repair your train.”
  • story28 mentions

    The story is a familiar narrative of battling an evil megacorporation, providing a charming backdrop that keeps players engaged during gameplay, despite its occasional monotony and abrupt stops. While the aesthetic and quest variety are appreciated, many players find the plot predictable and lacking depth, with some technical glitches detracting from the experience. Overall, the story serves as a lighthearted framework for the game, but it may not be enough to sustain interest over time.

    • “The story is pretty much textbook 'evil megacorporation tries to purchase your business and will go so far as to crush you if you refuse, so go do your business to show those bad businessmen that you're real.' It serves the purpose of keeping you going whenever you get bored of watching numbers go up.”
    • “It is a calming, easy-to-play game with a nice story and gentle, easy-to-follow game mechanics.”
    • “In general, if you’d like a calm but gorgeous experience with a storyline, you’ve got what’s here.”
    • “The story is pretty much textbook 'evil megacorporation tries to purchase your business and will go so far as to crush you if you refuse, so go do your business to show those bad businessmen that you're real.' It serves the purpose of keeping you going whenever you get bored of watching numbers go up, or a cash influx in the early stages when you're not making money hand over fist and moving at mach 3 speed.”
    • “The story is the first thing you're thrust into, something that attempts to be charming but ends up being your typical 'there is another guy doing the thing you are doing and he is mean because he's doing it better grrrr but you're the good guys because you like green energy and your grandpa' pandering affair that has absolutely no impact on the game unless you count distracting your eyes as they roll so hard they risk coming out of their sockets.”
    • “I really like this game, my one complaint however is the fact that while I am away from the game (even when I shut down), the train continues to travel and has more than once gone through storyline moments without me there to even watch. At that point, the game doesn't require me to be at the game at all.”
  • monetization28 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game varies significantly between the mobile and PC versions. The mobile version features intrusive ads and microtransactions, which many players find detract from the experience, while the PC version offers a one-time purchase model with no microtransactions or ads, providing a more enjoyable and complete gameplay experience. Overall, players appreciate the absence of paywalls and the more balanced economy in the PC version, contrasting sharply with the mobile's reliance on ad views and in-game purchases.

    • “No microtransactions for the Steam version, which is why it has a price.”
    • “No in-app purchases, just the one payment and you get the whole game.”
    • “This is a great game, a really nice PC version of a really nice mobile game, and no microtransactions for only 10 dollars?”
    • “I used to love this game when a friend used to let me play, but they cut out so much and added so many microtransactions to the mobile version. This game went from nice and fun to just money-grabbing laziness.”
    • “I loved this game on mobile, but the demons that always plague free-to-play games—the feeling that you can't really progress without watching a bunch of ads or shelling out real money—drag down the experience.”
    • “All in all, it doesn't look like the developers really care about the Steam version and rather saw it as a quick cash grab.”
  • graphics26 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their charming pixel art style, evoking nostalgia and a relaxed atmosphere reminiscent of classic titles. While many users find the visuals appealing and well-suited to the game's theme, there are notable reports of glitches and bugs that can detract from the experience. Overall, the artwork is considered a strong point, though technical issues may affect some players' enjoyment.

    • “Overall I would recommend it; it's a great casual game, the artwork is perfect for the theme, and the game is constantly updated.”
    • “The pixel art graphics and uplifting music convey all the warmth of a game like Stardew Valley, and it's very relaxed and cheery, a perfect antidote to all of those horror and shooty games.”
    • “The graphics are just stunning!!!”
    • “The UI system and graphics frequently glitch out.”
    • “However, there are quite a few bugs; the game froze three times and the graphics dropped out a few times.”
    • “(especially because there is a glitch where the graphics (not the HUD, but the train) sometimes disappear while dragging the screen around.”
  • stability17 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with numerous users reporting a variety of glitches and bugs affecting gameplay, including issues with the job board, map, and storyline. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these problems, many express frustration over its buggy nature, particularly in its current state, which is perceived as needing significant updates and fixes. Overall, the consensus indicates that the game suffers from stability issues that detract from the overall experience.

    • “I have found glitches both visual and functional in many parts of the game, including but not limited to: the job board, the map, the storyline, the stations, and the regional checklists.”
    • “The game is very buggy (still).”
    • “Weren't the game as buggy as it is in its current state, I'd recommend it.”
  • grinding16 mentions

    The reviews highlight that the game involves significant grinding, which can become tedious, especially as players progress. While some appreciate the casual nature and offline earnings that allow for multitasking, others find the repetitive tasks, such as collecting gold and maintaining train cars, to be a major drawback. Overall, the game is best suited for those who enjoy grinding, as it can lead to a lengthy and monotonous experience.

    • “It's nice and casual, with no time pressure, allowing for reasonable progress that doesn't feel like grinding.”
    • “The grinding aspect is rewarding and feels like a natural part of the game, enhancing the overall experience.”
    • “I appreciate how the grinding is balanced; it feels satisfying rather than tedious.”
    • “This game is really tedious.”
    • “I really would have liked to continue the story and eventually wrap it up, but since the grinding stepped up about 100 steps from the previous area, I'm just done with this.”
    • “If you are not a fan of farming and grinding, then you will not like this game as you get further along.”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its uplifting and relaxing qualities, reminiscent of titles like Stardew Valley, enhancing the overall warm atmosphere. However, some players note that the limited soundtrack can become repetitive over time, suggesting a desire for a broader variety of tracks. Despite this, the music contributes positively to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The pixel art graphics and uplifting music convey all the warmth of a game like Stardew Valley, and it's very relaxed and cheery, a perfect antidote to all of those horror and shooty games.”
    • “The 16-bit art style is amazing, and although there are only two pieces of music in the game, they are wonderful.”
    • “Nice pros though: the pixel art is really pretty and the music is kind of nice.”
    • “Although there are a few bugs, the music gets a bit repetitious after a while and it can get a bit grind heavy.”
    • “Bigger soundtrack, because it gets annoying.”
    • “The music just makes you not want to leave.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The game is praised for its lighthearted humor, featuring amusing cars and engines that contribute to a fun and relaxing experience. Reviewers highlight the well-written script filled with pop culture references, enhancing the overall enjoyment and escapism it offers.

    • “It's a fun, relaxing game with lots of funny cars, engines, and other elements that keep giving you a feeling of progress.”
    • “A funny little game when you just want to relax and escape from daily life.”
    • “This is a fantastic game with a lot of humor; the script is very well written, and there are a ton of pop culture references. Oh yeah, the scenery is drop-dead gorgeous too.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game's replayability has significantly improved following a major quality of life update, which has revitalized player interest and enjoyment. However, prior to these changes, many users felt the game was lacking in replay value and engagement.

    • “I am now changing my review back to loving this game as great changes have been made to make it more playable and enjoyable.”
    • “A huge quality of life update is needed to make this game more playable, because it feels very dead.”
    • “The lack of meaningful content updates makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
    • “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to return.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Users have noted that the game's optimization suffers as performance declines when accumulating duplicates beyond a certain threshold, and the overall economy is poorly balanced, contributing to these issues.

    • “There's no real use for duplicates past a certain amount, so performance will actually start to tank once you've gotten enough.”
    • “There's no real use for duplicates past a certain amount, so performance will actually start to tank once you've accumulated enough.”
    • “The game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, especially in crowded areas, which severely impacts the overall experience.”
    • “Loading times are excessively long, making it frustrating to jump into the action quickly.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players appreciate the emotional depth of the game, highlighting the developers' active engagement and the wholesome nature of the gameplay, which fosters a positive and uplifting experience.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
5-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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