Tiny Rails

About

Tiny Rails is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Trophy Games and was released on May 28, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 377 reviews

graphics18 positive mentions

story7 negative mentions

Charming pixel art and relaxing gameplay make it enjoyable to play.
No microtransactions or ads in the PC version, providing a more complete experience.
Fun idle mechanics allow for casual play while multitasking.

Game has numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay.
Progression can become tedious and grind-heavy, especially in later stages.
Limited content compared to the mobile version, with some features missing or poorly implemented.

story
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
74%
15%
The game's story is generally perceived as mediocre and formulaic, revolving around a typical conflict with an evil megacorporation, which fails to significantly impact gameplay. Players find the narrative charming at first, but it quickly becomes repetitive and grindy, especially as progression halts due to bugs and excessive requirements for advancement. While the aesthetic and side quests offer some enjoyment, many reviewers feel the story ultimately serves as a distraction rather than a compelling element of the game.
- “For the most part, the game's story has been interesting, though it definitely seems like it wasn't sure what to do in western Russia.”
- “In general, if you’d like a calm but gorgeous experience with a storyline, you’ve got what’s here.”
- “However, the game's been abandoned with tons of game-breaking bugs, one of which halts game progression once you reach a specific point in the story.”
- “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.”
- “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, but you're the good guys because you like green energy and your grandpa' pandering affair that has absolutely no impact on the game.”
graphics
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
47%
8%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their charming pixel art style and nostalgic appeal, evoking memories of classic games. However, many users report frequent graphical glitches and bugs that detract from the overall experience, with some criticizing the game's retro aesthetic as outdated for a modern title. Despite these issues, the visuals are often described as cute and enjoyable, contributing positively to the game's casual and relaxing atmosphere.
- “The graphics are just stunning!!!”
- “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.”
- “If you don't mind a more idle and laid-back game, then this will charm you with its SNES-like graphics and charm as you chug a chug a choo choo your way around the world.”
- “The developer attempts to provide a very lame excuse for their inability to hire an artist capable of computer graphics more advanced than 1989.”
- “Why should Steam gamers pay $14 for 30-year-old graphics?”
- “I am constantly getting graphical glitches like the screen locking to the sky, or backgrounds flickering.”
gameplay
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
79%
8%
The gameplay is characterized by a relaxing and simple loop that is easy to learn, appealing to those who enjoy casual experiences. However, many players criticize it for being a mobile port with repetitive mechanics, artificial delays, and a reliance on microtransactions, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some find the resource management and train mechanics satisfying, others feel the gameplay lacks depth and can become boring over time.
- “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.”
- “Some game mechanics are poorly implemented.”
- “The concept of the game is actually pretty good, but sadly it's just a mobile game port that is centered around microtransactions so much that even removing all traces of it didn't cut it and I knew what was going on due to boring, repetitive gameplay, lots of artificial delays and lack of any entertainment.”
- “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.”
monetization
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
55%
34%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with the mobile version criticized for its heavy reliance on ads and microtransactions, making it feel like a cash grab. In contrast, the Steam version is praised for eliminating these monetization strategies, offering a more complete experience without in-app purchases or ads, although some players still feel it retains a mobile game feel. Overall, while the mobile version is free but laden with monetization pitfalls, the paid PC version is seen as a more enjoyable and fair alternative.
- “No microtransactions for the Steam version, which is why it has a price.”
- “This is a great game, a really nice PC version of a really nice mobile game, and no microtransactions for only 10 dollars?”
- “The PC version is much better, in the fact there are no microtransactions, no ads, and no wait timers for upgrades and such.”
- “Mobile version unplayable due to the absurd amount of ads and microtransactions.”
- “I used to love this game when a friend 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.”
- “The concept of the game is actually pretty good, but sadly it's just a mobile game port that is centered around microtransactions so much that even removing all traces of it didn't cut it. I knew what was going on due to boring, repetitive gameplay, lots of artificial delays, and lack of any entertainment.”
grinding
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
95%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely viewed as tedious and repetitive, particularly as players progress to more challenging areas like western Russia, where the grind intensifies significantly. While some enjoy the casual nature of grinding, especially on mobile, many find it becomes a chore, especially with mechanics like individual collection from train cars and inflated costs for upgrades. Overall, the game is best suited for those who appreciate grinding, as it can become a major barrier to story progression and enjoyment.
- “It's nice and casual, with no time pressure and reasonable progress that doesn't feel like grinding.”
- “The grinding is rewarding and feels like a natural part of the game progression.”
- “I appreciate how the grinding is balanced; it allows me to enjoy the game without feeling overwhelmed.”
- “It's charming for a few hours, and then eventually it's just kind of tedious and repetitive.”
- “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.”
- “Good game to waste some time but since it was ported from mobile.... it can be a grinding hell.... so far there are missing entries to train cars, there's no way of selling car clones and the only way to progress is by actively playing.”
stability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting persistent bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience. While some players find the game enjoyable and recognize its potential, the overwhelming consensus is that it remains too unstable and buggy, particularly in its current state. Many reviews highlight issues such as graphical glitches and a lack of updates, indicating that the game requires substantial improvements to achieve a more stable performance.
- “The game is very buggy (still).”
- “The game has a lot of potential, but it's still very buggy and unstable.”
- “This game has been a buggy mess for the longest time now.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
27%
18%
The music in the game is widely praised for its uplifting and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere and providing a relaxing experience reminiscent of titles like Stardew Valley. However, some players note that the limited variety and repetitiveness of the soundtrack can become tedious over time, suggesting a desire for a larger selection of tracks. Overall, the music is considered a strong point, contributing positively to the game's charm despite its shortcomings.
- “The music just makes you not want to leave.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The game's optimization is criticized for being poor, with upgrades being the primary means of enhancing train performance. Users note that the economy is not well-balanced, leading to diminishing returns and performance issues as players accumulate duplicates. Overall, the game is perceived as a poorly optimized mobile clicker rather than an adventure or simulator.
- “The economy is not well optimized.”
- “Upgrades are almost the only way of changing the train's performance.”
- “Oh yeah, it's not an adventure or simulator as the tags currently suggest; it's merely a mobile clicker designed as a cash grab, poorly ported and poorly optimized.”
- “There's no real use for duplicates past a certain amount, so performance will actually start to tank once you've gotten enough.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its humor, featuring a variety of funny cars and engines that contribute to a lighthearted and relaxing experience. Players appreciate the well-written script filled with pop culture references, enhancing the overall enjoyment and providing a delightful escape from daily life.
- “It's a kind of fun, relaxing game with lots and lots of funny cars, engines, and other things, and it keeps giving you the feeling of progress.”
- “Funny little game when you just want to relax and get away 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.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the exceptional music that enhances the overall experience.
- “The game features great music and an immersive atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is captivating, drawing you into the game's world.”
- “The combination of stunning visuals and sound design creates an unforgettable atmosphere.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have noted significant improvements that enhance the game's replayability, leading to a more enjoyable experience and prompting some to revise their reviews positively.
- “I am now changing my review back to loving this game as great changes have been made to make it more playable and enjoyable.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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.