Train Valley 2

About

Train Valley 2 is a single player casual simulation game with historical and business themes. It was developed by Timofey Shargorodskiy and was released on April 15, 2019. It received positive reviews from players.

In Train Valley 2, players build and manage train routes in European cities during the 1800s, facing increasingly complex challenges that test their time management and strategic skills. The game features a campaign mode with 35 levels, sandbox mode, and multiplayer, with various trains, landscapes, and weather conditions to add variety. Players must ensure the safety and efficiency of their trains while expanding and upgrading their rail network to meet demand and turn a profit.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,577 reviews

gameplay74 positive mentions

story10 negative mentions

Engaging and addictive gameplay with a good balance of challenge and relaxation.
Variety of levels and challenges, including user-generated content from the Steam Workshop.
Charming graphics and sound design that enhance the overall experience.

Frustrating time limits and strict requirements for achieving 5 stars can lead to repetitive gameplay.
Lack of a save feature during levels can result in losing significant progress due to minor mistakes.
Some levels can feel overly linear, with only one optimal solution, reducing replayability.

gameplay
308 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
71%
5%
The gameplay in Train Valley 2 is characterized by its blend of simple mechanics and complex strategic planning, making it both accessible and challenging. Players appreciate the gradual introduction of new mechanics and the engaging puzzle-solving elements, although some express frustration with certain unexplained mechanics and the potential for repetitive gameplay. Overall, the game offers a satisfying experience with charming visuals and a variety of challenges, enhanced by downloadable content that adds further depth and replayability.
- “Its blend of strategic planning, puzzle-solving, and city-building mechanics creates a captivating loop that is as challenging as it is rewarding.”
- “The game’s tutorial and early missions introduce players to the core mechanics gradually, allowing even newcomers to get a firm grasp on laying tracks, managing trains, and optimizing routes.”
- “The combination of addictive gameplay, cool graphics, and challenging puzzles make it a must-play for anyone who loves puzzle games.”
- “I put up with this until around level 41 and just quit because this isn't a real game mechanic.”
- “Unfortunately, the higher the level - the more boring gameplay becomes.”
- “The graphics are hard to read, the gameplay becomes very tedious, and the music is repetitive.”
graphics
211 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
51%
1%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the charming low-poly art style and colorful visuals that enhance the cozy atmosphere. However, some players find the graphics can hinder gameplay clarity, making it difficult to navigate complex maps and track placements. Overall, while the aesthetic is generally well-received, opinions vary on its effectiveness in supporting gameplay.
- “The graphics are beautifully rendered in a charming low-poly art style that combines clarity and personality.”
- “Its charming visuals, intuitive gameplay, and addictive puzzle-solving mechanics make for an incredibly enjoyable experience.”
- “The graphics are bright and detailed enough to make everything really visually satisfying.”
- “The maps get complicated, which is not the problem, but it's not fun anymore when you can't tell where you can build the tracks due to the graphics and the clutter in the maps.”
- “I wanted to give this one a chance as well, but I can't enjoy a game with such low-quality graphics after the first game. It was much better, I think.”
- “The graphics are cute but not quite up to the task - in particular, it's not entirely clear which slopes support rails and which are too steep.”
music
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
50%
7%
The music in Train Valley 2 has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its relaxing and catchy tunes that enhance the gameplay experience without being intrusive. However, some users noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive over extended play sessions, and there is a desire for more variety in the music tracks. Overall, while the sound design contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, there are calls for improvement in terms of thematic diversity and additional tracks.
- “The soundtrack features upbeat, catchy tunes that fit the game's industrious yet relaxed tone, enhancing the overall atmosphere without becoming repetitive or intrusive.”
- “The combination of soothing music and satisfying mechanical sounds contributes to an enjoyable experience that is both stimulating and calming.”
- “Train Valley 2 features a relaxing soundtrack that supports the game well but won’t distract you from thinking about the solution for the level.”
- “The music is horrible.”
- “In complete contrast to the first part, there are hardly any music tracks, so unfortunately no variety and thematically appropriate music.”
- “The music is mediocre and repetitive compared to Train Valley 1.”
story
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
76%
14%
The game's story aspect is largely absent, with players noting that it functions primarily as a mission-based puzzle game rather than a narrative-driven experience. While the missions are designed to be challenging and engaging, they lack a cohesive plot or character development, leading to a focus on gameplay mechanics over storytelling. Many reviews highlight the frustration of timed missions and the need for precision, which can detract from the overall enjoyment, but the creative map designs and user-generated content add some variety to the experience.
- “The map designs for the missions are cool, and events in the maps (like in Panama Canal, Kansai Airport, volcano mission, etc.) make it more fun and challenging.”
- “The game takes the concept of the first game and just makes it infinitely better in every way possible, especially with the added workshop mode where you can download user-created missions.”
- “It was the best levels from the first one, putting you under pressure sometimes, or with a strange challenge or storytelling, and the few ones in Train Valley 2 just feel like a level with a twist but no real challenge added in terms of pace or anticipation.”
- “There is no actual plot to Train Valley, and this is less of a sequel to the previous game than an entire revamp of the mechanics.”
- “Story: 0/2 no story at all.”
- “The campaign missions so far seem completely randomly themed, with no links between one another.”
replayability
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
60%
8%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the challenge of achieving 5-star ratings and the variety of levels, others find limited motivation to revisit completed maps. The inclusion of user-generated content and leaderboards enhances replay value for many, but the absence of a robust sandbox mode or extensive multiplayer options may restrict long-term engagement for some players. Ultimately, the replayability largely hinges on individual goals and the desire to perfect strategies.
- “With its clever level design and endless replayability, Train Valley 2 is a must-have for any puzzle or simulation enthusiast.”
- “Love the workshop that allows players to build levels - make it infinitely replayable!”
- “A very chill and engaging puzzle game with tons of replayability through workshop content.”
- “Additionally, the lack of a robust sandbox mode or extensive multiplayer options might limit replayability for some.”
- “Replayability is probably low: once you have solved a puzzle with full stars (all goals fulfilled), there is little to no reason to get back to that map again.”
- “The only negative I have for this game is that there really isn't any replay value.”
grinding
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
10%
83%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, especially as levels increase in difficulty. While some enjoy the challenge, others feel that the mechanics lead to a frustrating experience, often requiring excessive repetition and resulting in a lack of innovation. Overall, the grinding can detract from the enjoyment, making the game feel more like a chore than a fun puzzle experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “While the original Train Valley game was quite fun, it also had its tedious, stressful, and buggy moments.”
- “Overall, I enjoyed the game for a decent while, but some of the levels just got too tedious for me to see it all the way through.”
- “If a game is more tedious than fun, you've done something wrong with the design.”
optimization
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
65%
15%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with smooth performance and a satisfying balance between casual play and intense optimization challenges. While most users report good performance, some have noted occasional freezing and minor issues, particularly on Mac systems. The game excels as an optimization puzzle, rewarding players for efficient planning and execution, although some feel that the reduced emphasis on railway layout design may impact overall satisfaction.
- “ Verdict: a well-balanced experience that rewards both casual play and intense optimization.”
- “At its heart, Train Valley 2 (TV2) is an optimization puzzle where you need to decide on what to do first, then second, while executing tasks that can be run concurrently, within constraints.”
- “Great game for logistic champions or aspiring newbies that want to learn about optimization.”
- “The only downside for me: it's not very optimized for Mac.”
- “Also, performance seems to be somewhat lacking, so that is something to be aware of.”
- “There aren't a dozen options to connect elements, and you pretty quickly figure out the only real optimized option.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
88%
Overall, the stability of the game is generally positive, with many players reporting smooth performance and minimal bugs during gameplay. However, some users experienced occasional freezes and minor graphical glitches, particularly at high speeds. While the game runs well on various systems, a few players noted that it can be buggy at times, especially compared to its predecessor.
- “Fun game, runs great on Proton.”
- “The game is incredibly stable, with no crashes or bugs during my playthrough.”
- “I appreciate how smoothly everything runs; it really enhances the overall experience.”
- “While the original Train Valley game was quite fun, it also had its tedious, stressful, and buggy moments.”
- “- it's buggy.”
- “Performance is mostly good on my GTX 1070-based gaming laptop, but a couple of times a level the game freezes for a second or two for no obvious reason.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in Train Valley 2 is characterized by a blend of hilarity and frustration, particularly when players face resource losses under time pressure. The game's funny contrasts and improved art design contribute to its comedic appeal, making the gameplay experience both entertaining and visually engaging. Overall, players appreciate the humorous elements that arise from the game's mechanics and challenges.
- “It's simultaneously hilarious and frustrating because you've just lost a bunch of resources and that clock is still tick-tick-ticking away.”
- “Train Valley 2 is never frustrating, and the failures can be downright hilarious.”
- “Nice graphics, funny gameplay.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a distinct, chill vibe enhanced by upbeat, catchy soundtracks that complement its low-poly graphics and time management themes. Reviewers appreciate the balance between simplicity and uniqueness, creating an engaging environment that is both relaxed and industrious without being repetitive or intrusive.
- “Looks nice, with a distinct atmosphere.”
- “If you like games with strong time management themes, featuring low-poly graphics and a very chill atmosphere, you'll probably enjoy this.”
- “It is not overly complicated or realistic, which creates a unique atmosphere.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express frustration with the monetization strategy, highlighting intrusive ads in a paid game and pop-up advertisements that disrupt gameplay. Many feel the game resembles a mobile experience rather than a premium title, and there is a general disdain for DLC, which is perceived as a cash grab.
- “Ads in the main menu that cover 1/3 of the screen for a paid game is absurd.”
- “I couldn't click out of the pop-up advertisement about the developer's new game when launching the game at a 32:9 aspect ratio.”
- “Very boring and repetitive game. I bought it thinking it would be more like City Skylines or Civ, but in reality, it's just like a mobile game without the ads.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game series to be a fun and wholesome experience, with challenges that, while time-limited, do not create a sense of pressure or urgency. The emotional tone is generally positive, emphasizing enjoyment and lightheartedness.