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Train Sim World 4

A definite bump to TSW3: TSW4 brings more trains, more routes, and more freedom to craft your own fun within the sandbox available. Dovetail is continually improving and refining the formula for avid train lovers.
Train Sim World 4 Game Cover
73%Game Brain Score
Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay
Most mentioned negative aspects:optimization, stability
76% User Score Based on 2,406 reviews
Critic Score 68%Based on 4 reviews

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Train Sim World 4 Game Cover

About Train Sim World 4

Train Sim World 4 is a single player open world simulation game. It was developed by Dovetail Games and was released on September 26, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

Experience immense velocity and express unrivalled creativity with Train Sim World 4! Discover the raw emotion of driving a diverse array of iconic routes and trains. Learn the basics of operating a range of traction in the Training Center, before taking to the rails of California USA. Build your confidence, then master every machine. Experience the hefty power of American modern diesel! Tackle th…

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Train Sim World 4 screenshot
Train Sim World 4 screenshot
Train Sim World 4 screenshot
Train Sim World 4 screenshot
Train Sim World 4 screenshot
Train Sim World 4 screenshot
Train Sim World 4 screenshot
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Reviews

76%Audience ScoreBased on 2,406 reviews
graphics148 positive mentions
optimization66 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning graphics and attention to detail, making it visually impressive.
  • The addition of free roam mode allows for greater exploration and flexibility in gameplay.
  • The variety of routes and trains available provides a diverse and engaging experience for players.
  • The game is essentially a re-release of TSW3 with minimal new content, leading to feelings of a cash grab.
  • There are numerous bugs and performance issues, including stuttering and crashes, which detract from the overall experience.
  • DLC prices are considered excessive, and many players feel that essential content is locked behind paywalls.

  • graphics

    372 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    40% positive mentions, 52% neutral mentions, 8% negative mentions

    The graphics in Train Sim World 4 are generally praised for their detail and realism, showcasing impressive train models and environments that enhance immersion. However, many players note that despite some improvements, the graphics engine feels outdated, leading to performance issues like stuttering and low frame rates even on high-end systems. Overall, while the visuals are appealing, they are often seen as not significantly upgraded from previous versions, leaving some players disappointed with the lack of substantial graphical advancements.

    • “The graphics are exceptionally well-executed, rendering trains and landscapes with a level of realism that is truly immersive.”
    • “The level of detail on the game is spot on and graphics on the trains are just breathtaking.”
    • “Firstly, the game's stunning graphics and attention to detail make it incredibly immersive.”
    • “Graphics settings are stuck in the past and are so poorly optimized that people with top-end settings lag and stutter just the same as if they're on lower settings.”
    • “Too bad the graphics are awful.”
    • “I do not recommend this game; there is literally no difference comparing to Train Sim World 2. If anything, the graphics are worse than Train Sim World 2 and there is not even the slightest difference. I am not happy about this game; it's a complete waste of money.”

  • gameplay

    138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    19% positive mentions, 75% neutral mentions, 6% negative mentions

    The gameplay in Train Sim World 4 is characterized by a mix of engaging simulation elements and repetitive mechanics, appealing to both casual players and train enthusiasts. While the game offers a variety of routes and interactive features, many reviews highlight a lack of significant innovation and the high cost of DLCs, which are essential for expanding gameplay. Overall, the experience is described as immersive yet occasionally marred by technical issues and a sense of stagnation in gameplay evolution.

    • “Each of these routes has a timetabled mode which introduces an element of strategic gameplay, enhancing the overall simulation and increasing interest for players.”
    • “The immersive gameplay is further enhanced by the dynamic weather system and realistic sound effects, which make each trip feel like a genuine railway journey.”
    • “Gameplay is brilliant and authentic and the most enjoyable train simulation experience.”
    • “Because there's no competition for Train Sim World developers, there's very little incentive for them to make genuine, game-enhancing improvements to actually bring the game's mechanics on par with other games that are being released around the same time.”
    • “The gameplay loop is inherently repetitive, and maybe this is a symptom of the game's realism, but it turns out driving a train is not particularly challenging or engaging.”
    • “Expect to have big wallets if you want this game because DLC buying is most of the gameplay.”

  • optimization

    134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    12% positive mentions, 39% neutral mentions, 49% negative mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, freezing, and low frame rates, even on high-end systems. While some users noted improvements in performance compared to previous versions, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, requiring further updates to address persistent technical problems. Additionally, the dated graphics and inefficient asset loading contribute to a frustrating experience for many players.

    • “This game is amazing! The graphics are pretty good and the game is so optimized that it can run on a 1070 Ti.”
    • “I am happy with this version 4 update; much better performance.”
    • “Runs smoothly well in excess of 100 fps on my 3090 GPU and is everything I wished for at last.”
    • “The dealbreaker here is the atrocious performance downgrade.”
    • “This game is plagued by constant freezes, pauses, glitches, audio dropouts and repetitions, and general issues with poor performance.”
    • “When I consulted with the support/developer team, they blamed it on the hardware; however, the truth is: Train Sim World is extremely poorly optimized and should never even have been released in this state.”

  • stability

    98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    2% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 98% negative mentions

    The stability of Train Sim World 4 is widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues, including frequent freezes and stutters, even on high-end hardware. Many players express frustration over the lack of fixes for longstanding problems and perceive the game as a cash grab, with DLC often being buggy and underwhelming. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," making it difficult for players to enjoy a smooth experience.

    • “A lot less laggy than TSW3; even for my low-end PC, it runs great on medium-ish graphics.”
    • “This game is plagued by constant freezes, pauses, glitches, audio dropouts and repetitions, and general issues with poor performance.”
    • “The amount of frame drops, stutters, and freezes that you experience in a single run is truly unacceptable!”
    • “Dovetail consistently under-deliver and disappoint with their lackluster mess of broken, unfinished, and buggy features.”

  • story

    64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    5% positive mentions, 73% neutral mentions, 22% negative mentions

    The reviews indicate a significant lack of a cohesive story in the game, with many users noting that it feels more like a series of missions rather than a narrative-driven experience. Players express frustration over inadequate tutorials and minimal feedback after completing missions, leading to a disjointed gameplay experience. Overall, the absence of engaging story elements, NPCs, and a quest system detracts from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “The routes are jam-packed with little side missions that you can complete as well as scenarios and timetabled routes.”
    • “I had to operate a vectron and mission accomplished.”
    • “It's fun, but it feels long doing the missions; I do recommend it if you have the time.”
    • “Garbage tutorials that don't teach you everything you need to know to complete the missions.”
    • “No summary after an hour of driving, no rewards, no overall mission completion information.”
    • “I am not talking about small glitches, but about game-breaking bugs which prevent you from completing a mission/tutorial.”

  • monetization

    44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    0% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 100% negative mentions

    The monetization strategy of Train Sim World 4 has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers noting that it offers minimal improvements over its predecessor, TSW3. Players express frustration over the need to repurchase the core game and the inclusion of in-game advertisements, labeling the release as a poorly justified attempt to extract more money from fans. Despite some acknowledging improved route quality, the overall sentiment is that the game feels like a rehashed version of TSW3, lacking substantial new content.

    • “Just a repackaged Train Sim World® 3, it's a blatant cash grab with no real improvements that we want like start point and consist builder that MSTS had.”
    • “It's sad that people still pay these cash grabs due to a lack of alternatives in the train sim space.”
    • “It's not much different to TSW3 to me & the biggest bugbear is having to buy the core game again, what a lousy cash grab.”

  • music

    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    30% positive mentions, 50% neutral mentions, 20% negative mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews; while many players praise the beautiful soundtrack and enjoy listening to it outside of gameplay, others find the in-game music excessively loud and distracting, hindering the overall experience. The trailer music, particularly a Depeche Mode song, has also been highlighted as a standout feature. Overall, the soundtrack is appreciated, but the implementation during gameplay could use improvement.

    • “The soundtrack is beautiful.”
    • “There is nothing better than spending an hour and a half in a train with max volume headphones playing phonk music so loud it's vibrating your brain.”
    • “Oh, they're music to my (train) ears!”
    • “Stutters along and gives no way to disable the obnoxiously loud music that plays during scenarios, obscuring in-cab and ambient sounds.”
    • “Sadly, I'm just a lowly musician, so I'll just keep throwing money at DTG until someone better comes along.”
    • “A year later - they announce TSW 4, make a trailer with a Depeche Mode song and update the graphics just a little bit.”

  • grinding

    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    0% positive mentions, 86% neutral mentions, 14% negative mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is often described as excessively time-consuming, with many players feeling that it requires an unrealistic commitment, akin to needing a "second life" to complete. Despite the tedious nature of grinding, some players find satisfaction in achieving all objectives, viewing it as a badge of honor.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I personally want to finish all timetables and scenarios for specific trains; a tedious task but definitely something I'd love to brag about when I finish all of them.”

  • humor

    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its chaotic situations and the absurdity of scamming players instead of addressing bugs, which adds a lighthearted and relaxed atmosphere. While there are still some bugs to fix, many players find the comedic elements enjoyable, making it a fun choice for those looking for a stress-free gaming experience.

    • “The mess leads to funny situations though.”
    • “It's very hilarious; you scam people's money instead of fixing bugs in the game and improving the graphics.”
    • “I would recommend this game; it still has some bugs to sort out, but it is really chilled and relaxed. The new lines you can work on are great and interesting, and some of the bugs can be funny. If you are really into train sims or want a game where you can chill out without stress, this is a big one to get.”

  • atmosphere

    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    33% positive mentions, 34% neutral mentions, 33% negative mentions

    Overall, the atmosphere of the game has seen significant improvements in graphics and sound, enhancing the immersive experience. However, some users feel that certain features detract from the enjoyment of observing train travel from a fly-over view, indicating a mixed reception regarding specific aspects of the atmosphere.

    • “A huge step in the right direction with more control over what one can do and buckets of atmosphere to go with it through both graphics and sound, which have made a significant step forward.”
    • “I thought ECML might be the weak link, but with the atmosphere improvements, it is really very good.”
    • “This completely ruined the atmosphere when you wanted to watch your train travel around the landscapes from a fly-over view.”
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Critic Reviews

68%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews
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Play Times

5h Median play time
18h Average play time
2-60h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Train Sim World 4 is a open world simulation game. Common tags for Train Sim World 4 include first-person, driving, 3D, realistic, immersive sim and others.

Train Sim World 4 is available on PC, Xbox One, Windows and Xbox.

On average players spend around 18 hours playing Train Sim World 4.

Train Sim World 4 was released on September 26, 2023.

Train Sim World 4 was developed by Dovetail Games.

Train Sim World 4 has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked Train Sim World 4 for its graphics but disliked it for its optimization.

Train Sim World 4 is a single player game.