Train Sim World 5
- September 17, 2024
- Dovetail Games
- 7h median play time
"Train Sim World 5 offers immersive rail simulation across three new routes: the bustling West Coast Main Line in London, the scenic Kinzigtalbahn in Frankfurt, and an additional route for the Deluxe Edition. Operate a variety of trains, from tilting marvels to modern diesels, and take on new challenges in semi-fast, commuter, regional, and freight services. The rails are yours to master in this ultimate rail hobby experience."
Reviews
- The game features impressive graphics and well-designed train models, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
- The addition of new features like Route Hopping and Fast Travel improves gameplay and allows for more flexibility in navigating routes.
- The free upgrade for existing TSW owners is a welcome change, allowing players to access new content without additional costs.
- The game suffers from performance issues, including stuttering and low frame rates, even on high-end systems.
- Many players feel that TSW5 is just a rehash of previous versions with minimal improvements, leading to frustration over the annual release cycle.
- The reliance on expensive DLCs for additional content is seen as a cash grab, with many routes and trains priced too high for what they offer.
- graphics106 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics in Train Sim World 5 receive mixed reviews, with some praising the impressive visuals and well-crafted train models, while others criticize the dated textures and lack of significant improvements over previous iterations. Many users note that while certain aspects of the graphics are stunning, there are still numerous bugs and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game showcases a blend of beautiful environments and frustrating graphical shortcomings, leaving players divided on its visual quality.
“The graphics and maps have lots of effort put into the game.”
“Graphics are awesome; it really feels like I'm driving a real train.”
“The graphical fidelity in Train Sim World 5 is stunning.”
“The game is a joke; Dovetail developers are making fun of us playing this crap. The graphics look old, and gameplay is still the same as TSW2. Stop scamming us, please. I just opened the game to refund it, and people are still saying, 'Wow, the game is amazing.' You guys need to check how games in 2024 look now.”
“The visuals, while decent, are still pretty awful.”
“For a game that’s part of an ongoing series, you expect more substantial upgrades in terms of graphics, physics, or gameplay depth.”
- optimization60 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 52 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received significant criticism, with many players reporting persistent stuttering and frame drops, even on high-end systems. While some improvements in visuals and performance modes have been noted, the overall experience remains marred by technical issues that detract from gameplay, leading to frustration among fans of the genre. Despite occasional praise for specific routes and graphical enhancements, the game's optimization is widely regarded as poor, with many players expressing disappointment over the lack of fixes for longstanding performance problems.
“Performance modes on consoles allow for smoother gameplay or higher graphical settings, catering to a variety of preferences.”
“It runs smoothly on my PC at 1440p/60fps with NV 4080 Super and looks very sharp and detailed after modifying the engine.”
“The player now is able to turn off certain layers to increase performance, plus is able to see which DLCs could offer some layers for the route, which is a very helpful feature.”
“Genuinely, when will they fix the stuttering? It's a joke.”
“How do you release 5 different versions of basically the same game and yet not fix anything to do with performance?”
“The game suffers from persistent stuttering issues that break immersion, particularly noticeable when encountering oncoming trains.”
- gameplay39 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been described as largely ordinary and lacking significant innovation, with many players noting that it feels similar to previous installments in the series. While some appreciate the authenticity and the ability to experience the role of a train driver, others criticize the lack of clear tutorials and the presence of bugs that disrupt smooth gameplay. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable moments and frustrating mechanics, with some players finding it a relaxing experience despite its shortcomings.
“Definitely, this game has convenient gameplay; I could feel myself in the role of a real machine driver.”
“Gameplay remains true to the franchise's hallmark of authenticity.”
“I always use this for having 30-60 minutes of fun, relaxing, and easy gameplay; nothing else.”
“However, the gameplay feels fairly ordinary—nothing groundbreaking here.”
“The tutorials give you enough to start the trains, but so many of the core mechanics of the game are never explained and you're left to guess what the game wants you to do at any given point.”
“The gameplay feels almost identical to its predecessors, with very few new features or improvements.”
- stability30 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and performance issues, including frequent freezes and frame rate drops. While some players note that it is not entirely unplayable and that patches are being released, many feel it falls short of expectations for a new title, often resembling a rehash of previous versions with persistent problems. Overall, the game is seen as a work in progress that requires significant improvements to achieve a stable and enjoyable experience.
“The game isn't buggy, from what I can tell, and it certainly doesn't feel like the latest AAA release, if you know what I mean.”
“If you want a game/sim that's 100% bug-free, this isn't it.”
“We were promised a much more enjoyable and bug-free experience with TSW 4, and oh boy, look at how that went.”
“I've experienced quite a few glitches in the game and there's a lot missing; it feels like a work in progress (hopefully), but at this price, it should be a shining example of brilliance.”
“The stuttering is awful; it doesn't matter if I have it in 4K or 1080p, I can get roughly 60fps, but I constantly get little drops, so in a game going 125mph, you notice every single time the game freezes for a split second every 5-10 seconds.”
“Extremely buggy, just a small update to TSW4 and reselling it once again as a new game, missing lots of features; just sad and pathetic honestly.”
- story23 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a general consensus that the game lacks a compelling story, with many users expressing frustration over repetitive missions and a lack of engaging narrative elements. Players feel that the scenario selection is limited and often feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience, with technical issues further detracting from any potential storytelling. Overall, the game is criticized for its failure to provide a meaningful or immersive narrative experience.
“Please nominate for Steam Awards 24 story-rich category?!”
“The simulation strikes a perfect balance between fun and realistic, and each mission is completely random, giving you a unique experience for every haul.”
“I keep thinking things will get better with every game, but it's the same old story with DTG.”
“Using historic trains/locations is not a story.”
“The scenario selection is rather lackluster, giving only 5 missions per locomotive.”
“I keep thinking things will get better with every game but it's the same old story with DTG.”
- monetization10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with frequent ads and minimal improvements between annual releases. Players feel that the franchise relies heavily on costly DLCs and lacks meaningful updates, making it seem more like a quick profit scheme than a genuine sequel. Overall, the game's approach to monetization has left many users frustrated and disillusioned.
“This game is showing ads every time you enter the main menu.”
“The 5th main installment to the Train Sim World series released in 2024 after the release of the first game in 2019 and the previous game in 2023, the Train Sim World franchise proves itself as a cash grab prompting players to buy a new game every year with minimal differences, 2 new features per game, and next to 0 bug fixes, offering DLCs that cost $20-40 for more routes and locomotives.”
“It feels like a lazy cash grab rather than a true sequel.”
- music9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed feedback, with players noting that while the new menu soundtrack is considered the best yet and adds a fresh feel, it can be overwhelming and overshadow other aspects of the game. Some users feel that the overall music changes are merely cosmetic updates, lacking significant improvement beyond the menu theme.
“The only improvement to this game is that the menu soundtrack is the nicest so far.”
“I have to give a 100% to the game menu soundtrack; blast it loud!”
“There's epic menu music that makes it feel new!”
“For veteran players, it's the usual yearly change in version number, UI, menu music, and updates.”
“UI has been changed, icons swapped around, color changed, different music to try and make it look new.”
“Otherwise, I can only recommend the free starter pack as Dovetail Games seem to have spent all their profit from TSW4 routes on the music.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
Players consistently express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring an unrealistic commitment akin to having a "second life" to manage the repetitive tasks involved.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“This also means the tedious copy/paste of reviews to the newer version.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the enhanced replayability of the game due to the new "journey planner," which allows for custom routes and timetables. Improvements in HUD elements contribute to a more immersive experience, and the ability to access previously purchased DLCs for free further enriches gameplay options. Overall, these features significantly increase the game's longevity and enjoyment.
“The new 'journey planner' allows players to create custom routes and timetables, offering endless replayability.”
“The fact that it's free if you own a previous game and the fact that all the DLCs previously bought are playable here as well is amazing.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive sound design and engaging journeys, contributing to a rich overall experience. Users express a desire for additional features, such as talking passengers, to further enhance the ambiance in stations and train interiors.
“I really love the journeys and atmosphere... the sounds, and so much more...”
“It's very atmospheric.”
“Talking passengers is something I wish to see in the game for a long time, as it could make the atmosphere at a station or inside the wagons more immersive.”
“The atmosphere feels lacking; it doesn't immerse you in the world as much as I hoped.”
“The sound design is underwhelming, which detracts from the overall atmosphere of the game.”
“There are moments where the environment feels empty, making it hard to get lost in the atmosphere.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players have reported that using a raildriver can lead to hypersensitivity issues, resulting in unintended throttle clicking and multiple inputs, which can detract from the emotional immersion of the gameplay experience.
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted as quite funny, enhancing the gameplay experience and fulfilling a long-desired feature for players.
“The gameplay is quite funny, and it's a feature I've always wanted to see in the game.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, making every moment enjoyable.”
“I love how the game incorporates humor into its mechanics, keeping me entertained throughout.”