Train Simulator Classic 2024
- September 17, 2015
- Dovetail Games
- 93h median play time
Get on Steam"Train Simulator Classic 2024 - Deluxe Edition" celebrates 15 years of railway simulation, offering 15 new scenarios and three iconic locomotives including the Pennsylvania Railroad Class GG1, DB BR 411 'ICE-T', and LNER Peppercorn Class A2 'Blue Peter'. Explore over 450 km of realistic routes in five countries, including the North Wales Coast Line, Saxony countryside, and USA's Northeast Corridor. This immersive experience is designed for railfans by railfans.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- graphics2,846 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the train simulator have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they are outdated and reminiscent of older games, particularly for a title marketed as "2021." While some users appreciate the detailed train models and realistic environments, others criticize the overall visual quality, performance issues, and the need for significant hardware to run the game smoothly. Additionally, there are mentions of graphical glitches and a lack of updates to the graphics engine, leading to a general consensus that improvements are necessary to meet modern standards.
“I do have to say I thought the quality of the graphics was excellent!”
“The graphics are great and I love all the locomotives, routes, and rolling stock.”
“The graphics are amazing and I got a bunch of DLCs all worth it and this game is my favorite.”
“The flickering graphics make this unplayable now.”
“The graphics are absolutely horrible.”
“This game is a buggy mess, terrible graphics yet still finds a way to run like shit half the time.”
- stability672 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players express frustration over the lack of effective support and updates from the developers, leading to a perception that the game is poorly optimized and riddled with issues, particularly in its DLC content. While some enjoy the core experience, the overwhelming consensus is that the game is too buggy to recommend at full price.
“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 runs great on my not particularly recent gaming laptop without any glitching or lagging.”
“While the idea is nice, the game is very glitchy and buggy, and when driving some trains, sometimes there's a phantom speed change, with no indication neither by the signalling nor by the minimap, so you get penalized for speeding all of a sudden without knowing when and where the zones start and end.”
“This game is a buggy mess, terrible graphics yet still finds a way to run like crap half the time.”
“It's ridiculous that stuff like this is still an issue and hasn't been fixed, with Dovetail 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.”
- optimization600 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 41 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering and low frame rates even on high-end systems. The outdated graphics engine, reliance on older technology, and lack of significant updates have led to a frustrating experience, particularly for those with lower-spec machines. Overall, the game is deemed poorly optimized, requiring substantial hardware to run smoothly, and many players feel that the performance does not justify the cost of the game and its DLCs.
“Controls, lighting, and GUI are amazing, and well optimized for low-end computers, not like TRS19, which is full of bugs.”
“It's really optimized; you can even play on a potato PC, but you will need at least 8GB RAM.”
“Overall, great game; it's finally starting to be optimized by the developers, and I hope they can bring it up to the standards of the more recently released sims.”
“The performance is horrible, the graphics for 2024 are pretty bad, the editor is terrible, and everything costs so much and you barely get much in the base game.”
“No matter what setting I choose or resolution, performance is terrible, 3090 and 11900k and I get 22 fps in game.”
“The game also suffers from poor optimization, and even high-end computers can struggle to run it at a smooth framerate.”
- gameplay520 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the train simulator is a mixed bag, with many users praising its depth and realism, particularly for train enthusiasts, while others criticize its repetitiveness and reliance on expensive DLC for a fuller experience. While some find the mechanics engaging and the community-generated content enriching, many report bugs, crashes, and a lack of variety that can lead to boredom. Overall, the gameplay is seen as solid but hampered by outdated graphics and a high cost for additional content.
“The strong community and abundance of user-generated content on websites like ATS and the Steam Workshop offer endless variety and enrich the gameplay experience.”
“Beautiful scenery and interesting, challenging 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.”
“Not very much to the game honestly, there are a lot of bugs and bad 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.”
“Driving a train simulation should be joy and not torture, and torture is exactly what gameplay in this game is!”
- story492 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 82 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth, with many users noting that there is no overarching narrative or significant storyline. Instead, players engage in a series of missions that often feel disconnected and repetitive, with minimal context provided for the tasks at hand. While some missions are entertaining, the overall experience is marred by bugs and a reliance on downloadable content for additional scenarios, leading to frustration among players seeking a more cohesive and engaging story.
“Amazing story! Best narrative video game ever; it puts Uncharted to shame!”
“The story line is also really in-depth too.”
“If you like trains, sheer beautiful landscapes, storyline twists, and near-death situations; this game is for you.”
“☑ no story”
“The tutorials are very lacking only giving the most basic of information and then missions point you to tutorials that do not exist.”
“Short story, I am getting my money back.”
- monetization150 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 12 % neutral mentions
- 85 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of Train Simulator Classic 2024 has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with numerous users highlighting the excessive reliance on expensive DLC and in-game advertisements. Players express frustration over the constant promotion of additional content during loading screens and the high costs associated with achieving a complete experience, which can exceed $6,000. Overall, the game is perceived as prioritizing profit over player experience, leading to a negative reception regarding its monetization practices.
“Simple to control, in-app purchases are so worth it!”
“DLC appears to be a big deal for the game, the equivalent to 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.”
“With overpriced DLC and in-your-face advertising, this is a prime example of a developer gone greedy.”
“The worst part is you are constantly getting ads to buy DLCs.”
- humor80 mentions
- 95 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often described as quirky and amusing, with players finding joy in the game's absurdities, such as glitches and the over-the-top DLC policies. Many reviews highlight the comedic potential of creating bizarre train configurations and the humorous frustrations that arise from gameplay issues, making it a source of lighthearted entertainment despite its flaws. Overall, while the game has its serious aspects, the humor shines through in its eccentricities and the community's playful engagement with its mechanics.
“Ehemm, train simulator is very fun and funny, and you can download expansion packs for your trains like my all-time favorite, the DDA40X, and have fun!”
“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 just bought this today... I found the game rather amusing and funny. You get what you pay for; I suppose I got 0 XP 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 at all.”
“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 fix the problems of game crashing and not just update the brand tag of the rail sim each year.”
- grinding66 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 82 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. Tasks such as assembling trains and completing missions are described as boring and complicated, often requiring significant effort without rewarding gameplay. While some players appreciate the realism and graphics, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grinding mechanics need improvement to enhance the gaming experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Missions are incredibly boring and tedious.”
“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.”
“The game very quickly becomes tedious and can only be enhanced by the addition of ridiculously priced add-ons.”
- replayability60 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Replayability in this game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the potential for creating custom scenarios and the variety of routes, many criticize the high cost of DLCs and the rigid nature of the scenarios, which significantly limit replay value. The vanilla game is often described as lacking depth, leading to a perception of low replayability unless additional content is purchased. Overall, while there are elements that can enhance replayability, many players feel it is hampered by technical issues and expensive expansions.
“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.”
“The AI is appalling; the replayability of the scenarios is close to zero.”
“It's difficult to really fault the train simulator for being anything other than a train simulator, but I feel the lack of an interesting persistent career mode (or any context at all, really) hamstrings the replayability of the title.”
- music54 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the ability to listen to their own music while enjoying the gameplay, describing it as a relaxing experience. However, many criticize the lack of original music and sound design, noting that the game often features dull or absent audio, particularly during loading screens. Overall, while the game can be therapeutic for some, its music and sound elements are seen as underwhelming and inconsistent.
“It's a chill game in which you can sit back and relax, listen to music or podcasts.”
“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.”
“It has everything you need to put on some soft music and go train riding for hours.”
“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.”
“Instead of background music, you only hear the continuous winter wind blowing on the menu screens from the introduction video.”
“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.”
- atmosphere36 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is generally praised for its immersive qualities, with many players appreciating the realistic visuals and varied environments that enhance the experience of driving trains. However, there are criticisms regarding the sound effects and graphical quality of certain elements, such as passengers, which detract from the overall immersion. While some aspects of the atmosphere are highly regarded, the inconsistency in sound and graphics can lead to a mixed experience for players.
“This is great for atmosphere.”
“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.”
“Takes a while to get used to, but realistic visuals and sounds provide a relaxing and fun atmosphere!”
“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?”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game evokes strong emotional responses, with several players noting that it made them cry, highlighting its impactful storytelling. Despite some technical issues, the emotional depth of the experience seems to resonate deeply with users, overshadowing minor gameplay flaws.
“Sad game made me cry”
