Train Simulator Game Cover
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Train Simulator fully immerses you in a World of trains, transporting you to a place where you decide what to do, where and when. Experience the challenge of mastering a wide variety of different locos and learning the routes in every direction. Unlock your creative potential using powerful tools to create your very own routes and scenarios and enjoy your collection from the perspective of the dri…

  • PC
  • Windows

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 9,310 reviews
graphics506 positive mentions
stability313 negative mentions
  • graphics1,378 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many users noting that they are outdated, often likening them to visuals from a decade ago or earlier. While some players appreciate the detail in certain trains and routes, others criticize the overall graphical quality, stating it falls short of modern standards and can lead to performance issues even on high-end systems. Despite these criticisms, there are mentions of good graphics in specific contexts, particularly when enhanced by third-party mods or on powerful hardware.

    • “The graphics are excellent.”
    • “Great graphics and realistic sounds.”
    • “The graphics are very good, and the realism is outstanding.”
    • “The graphics are severely outdated for a game existing in 2023.”
    • “For something that is actively receiving new DLC, you'd expect the graphics to be updated.”
    • “The graphics have not been updated since Rail Simulator, which came out in 2007... it looks like a 2007 game even though it's 2022.”
  • stability325 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various glitches that hinder gameplay. While some players find enjoyment in the experience despite these issues, the overall consensus is that the game is plagued by bugs and lacks reliable performance, particularly on Windows 11. Many reviews express frustration over the lack of timely fixes from the developers, leading to a perception of the game as an unpolished and unstable product.

    • “No glitches, but I am running this on a good graphics card that will also run Flight Sim 2020.”
    • “The game runs great and I enjoy the scenarios as well as the scenery.”
    • “Graphics do tend to look a bit dated now, but it means it runs great on my not particularly recent gaming laptop without any glitching or lagging.”
    • “Got it from the last Steam sale and was really excited to play it finally, but I only found it to be a buggy mess, with regular crashes and the main menu disappearing when I try to start up a scenario.”
    • “The game is obviously not the best as the Dovetail Games teams are separate for both Train Sim World 2 and Train Simulator, but with third-party mods, this game is pretty nice, despite some of the glitches that cannot be fixed.”
    • “It's ridiculous that stuff like this is still an issue and hasn't been fixed, with Dovetail Games instead just churning out more and more add-ons which get released in a buggy state and never get patched, because patching them doesn't make more money.”
  • optimization279 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users reporting poor performance even on high-end systems, frequent stuttering, and low frame rates. Despite some players managing to run the game smoothly on lower settings, the general consensus is that the outdated engine and lack of significant updates have resulted in a frustrating experience marred by bugs and inconsistent performance across various routes. Overall, the game's optimization is considered inadequate, leading to a disappointing experience for many players.

    • “It's really optimized; you can even play on a low-end PC, but you will need at least 8GB of RAM.”
    • “The game runs smoothly, and only ever lags when there are lots of people and trains surrounding you.”
    • “Brilliant game, runs smoothly on a decent-built gaming rig, plenty of fun.”
    • “The game needs optimization or an update to DirectX 11!”
    • “No matter what setting I choose or resolution, performance is terrible. I have a 3090 and 11900k and I get 22 fps in-game.”
    • “The performance of this game is shocking.”
  • story253 mentions

    The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth, with many users noting that there is no significant narrative or engaging storyline. Instead, players are presented with a series of missions that often feel disconnected and repetitive, lacking meaningful context or character development. While some missions are enjoyable, the overall experience is marred by bugs and a reliance on downloadable content for additional scenarios, which can lead to frustration and a sense of incompleteness.

    • “The game has a great storyline and great character progression.”
    • “If you like trains, sheer beautiful landscapes, storyline twists and near death situations; this game is for you.”
    • “Train simulator 2015 is the leader of all train simulations to date and with the release of train simulator 2016 due this year there will be even more for the train buff but you will not be disappointed with this game as you have much to do with academy missions and free roam and many scenarios and with nearly 500 steam challenges.”
    • “The story line is also really in-depth too.”
    • “The tutorials are very lacking, only giving the most basic of information and then missions point you to tutorials that do not exist.”
    • “The story mode is okay but it's on rails.”
  • gameplay247 mentions

    The gameplay of the train simulator has received mixed reviews, with many users highlighting its repetitive nature and the necessity of purchasing numerous DLCs to enhance the experience. While some appreciate the realistic controls and the extensive content available through add-ons, others criticize the outdated graphics, frequent bugs, and lack of variety, leading to a sense of boredom during gameplay. Overall, the game offers a solid simulation experience for train enthusiasts, but its reliance on additional purchases and technical issues detracts from its overall enjoyment.

    • “The gameplay is smooth and very lifelike.”
    • “Brilliant gameplay!”
    • “This game offers the best train driving experience you can get on Steam, some of the included content is incredibly entertaining and I've enjoyed many hours of fun gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is standard for a simulation game, but the amount of DLC you have to purchase to get the full experience is ridiculous.”
    • “Overall, while Train Simulator may have some appeal for fans of the genre, it's difficult to recommend due to its outdated graphics, lack of gameplay variety, and aggressive DLC pricing model.”
    • “The base game is very empty; you need a lot of DLC to get some actual gameplay.”
  • monetization71 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with players expressing frustration over the high costs of DLC and the prevalence of in-game advertisements. Many reviews highlight the aggressive marketing tactics, including constant ads during loading screens and the necessity of purchasing numerous add-ons to fully enjoy the game, leading to a perception of it being more of a DLC marketplace than a standalone experience. Overall, players feel that the monetization approach detracts significantly from the gameplay experience, making it feel exploitative.

    • “Simple to control, in-app purchases are so worth it!”
    • “DLC appears to be a big deal for the game, the equivalent of an Android or iPhone game that lures you in with offers of being 'free' but in order to have any fun, you have to purchase their microtransactions.”
    • “All right if you can survive the hate against the in-game purchase screen... the game won't leave you be if you change train or track in the free roaming mode, pushing you to buy more.”
    • “This can quickly add up to a substantial amount of money, and it feels like a blatant cash grab on the part of the developers.”
    • “On top of that, it is absolutely advertising fed even though I paid good money for it.”
    • “With overpriced DLC and in-your-face advertising, this is a prime example of a developer gone greedy.”
  • humor40 mentions

    The humor in the game is often described as unintentional, stemming from glitches and absurdities within the gameplay, such as trains flying or crashing in comical ways. While some players find the experience amusing and entertaining, others criticize the game's reliance on paid DLCs and technical issues, leading to a mix of laughter and frustration. Overall, the humor appears to be a blend of genuine amusement and ironic commentary on the game's shortcomings.

    • “I can't stop laughing... at you.”
    • “And most of the glitches are more funny rather than frustrating; I still have some nice screenshots of trains flying high into the air...”
    • “I found the game rather amusing and funny; you get what you pay for. I suppose I got 0xp on my first route because I kinda treated the train like a sports car, broke the speed limit, and got massive points deducted... lol.”
    • “I am so dumbfounded, it's not funny.”
    • “Not because I didn't save, but the game file says 'no you' and deleted half my track that I had put down. This is not funny at all; over 3 months of track just gone. It would be a great idea if you fixed the problems of game crashing and not just updated the brand tag of the rail sim each year.”
  • grinding34 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it requires an unrealistic investment of time. Tasks such as assembling trains and completing missions are often described as boring and complicated, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game. While some players appreciate the realism and graphics, the repetitive nature of the grinding mechanics has led to a mixed reception, with many suggesting that improvements are needed to enhance the experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “Missions are incredibly boring and tedious.”
    • “The game very quickly becomes tedious and can only be enhanced by the addition of ridiculously priced add-ons.”
    • “This sim is strictly about driving your train, with many scenarios requiring you to perform tedious 'shunting' tasks to assemble your train, a task made even more tedious by the game's lack of user-friendly options.”
  • replayability28 mentions

    Replayability in this game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the potential for extensive replay value through track building and scenario creation, others criticize the high cost of DLCs and limited vanilla content, which significantly hampers long-term engagement. Many users express frustration over the lack of a persistent career mode and the restrictive nature of scenarios, leading to a perception of low replayability unless additional content is purchased. Overall, the game's replay value is highly dependent on individual investment in DLCs and personal preferences for train simulation.

    • “I feel like this game has lots of replay value for me and I will probably play this for years to come.”
    • “Track building really adds to the replayability of this game.”
    • “There's plenty of content to keep you busy (if you've got the cash), and replayability is nice and high.”
    • “Because this game has very poor replay value as a result of the DLC cost, I cannot recommend it to others and will let this become abandonware in my Steam account.”
    • “Near nil replayability.”
    • “The AI is appalling; the replayability of the scenarios is close to zero.”
  • music26 mentions

    The music aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the ability to listen to their own music while enjoying a relaxing gameplay experience, while others criticize the lack of in-game music and sound, describing it as bland or even depressing. The soundtrack, when present, is noted to be soothing, but many players express disappointment over the absence of notable features and music from previous versions. Overall, the game is seen as a chill experience for those who enjoy customizing their audio environment, despite its shortcomings in original music content.

    • “It's a chill game in which you can sit back and relax, listen to music or podcasts.”
    • “I find it quite therapeutic driving around Europe and testing myself; I usually stick some music on too. It's certainly more entertaining than most of the rubbish on TV.”
    • “This game is for people who like to chill. If you enjoy ETS2 for chilling, I would recommend this game for you because all you gotta do is just look forward, listen to music, and drive forward.”
    • “This game is probably the worst train simulator that exists... when I first launched the game, I had no music, no sound at all... but this is nothing compared to the whole gameplay.”
    • “There is very little game here, it has a couple of freight and passenger trains and a couple of tracks to run them on but, you're constantly being bombarded with advertisements for the DLC when you open the game and when it's loading (which takes a very long time!) the loading and title screen music are particularly dreary and depressing.”
    • “If you are a hardcore train fan and willing to put up with things that don't work, very long load times, so-so graphics, bland music, repetitive pitches, general inconsistencies, and a truly sloppy workshop then this may be the game/simulation for you.”
  • atmosphere17 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is generally praised for its immersive qualities, with many players appreciating the realistic visuals and varied environments that enhance the experience. However, some critiques highlight inconsistencies in sound effects and graphical quality, particularly with character models, which detract from the overall immersion. While certain routes and DLCs offer impressive detail and ambiance, the game's atmosphere can vary significantly depending on the specific train or location.

    • “True metro simulator with good atmosphere.”
    • “Very atmospheric.”
    • “The more recent routes have so much detail and atmosphere - whether it is a rainy day on the line from Portsmouth to Woking or the sun-drenched Amtrak Surfliner.”
    • “To me, this is just missing one thing that would make the experience so much more worth it: atmosphere, or immersion even. The sounds are weird and it doesn't present itself well; heck, the passengers still consist of like 32 polygons with a face slapped onto their flesh-colored cubic head.”
    • “No atmosphere.”
    • “Like trains, peace, and immersive atmosphere?”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The game evokes strong emotions, with players reporting that it made them cry, highlighting its impactful storytelling despite some technical flaws. Users are willing to overlook minor issues in favor of the emotional experience it delivers.

    • “This game made me cry; it was incredibly sad and emotionally impactful.”
    • “The emotional depth of the story really resonated with me, leaving a lasting impression.”
    • “I was deeply moved by the characters and their struggles, which made the experience unforgettable.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

86hMedian play time
308hAverage play time
15-471hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 51 analyzed playthroughs

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