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.
Addictively fun with engaging puzzles that challenge players to optimize train routes and resource management.
Charming graphics and a relaxing soundtrack enhance the overall experience, making it enjoyable to play.
The game offers a variety of levels and challenges, with additional content available through community-created maps and DLC.
The game can become tedious, especially in later levels where a single mistake can require a complete restart, leading to frustration.
Some mechanics, such as the lack of an undo button and the restrictive track placement, can hinder gameplay and reduce enjoyment.
The time limits for achieving 5 stars can feel overly punishing, detracting from the otherwise relaxing nature of the game.
gameplay
580 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
71%
5%
The gameplay in Train Valley 2 has evolved significantly from its predecessor, introducing new mechanics that enhance strategic planning and resource management while maintaining a core puzzle-solving experience. Players appreciate the intuitive mechanics and engaging challenges, although some express frustration with unexplained mechanics and the potential for repetitive gameplay. Overall, the game offers a mix of addictive fun and complexity, appealing to both casual and dedicated players, especially with the addition of DLCs that expand gameplay options.
“With that said, I've had a blast with the earlier levels and the core gameplay loop is so fun I doubt I won't keep coming back to this for a while.”
“Its charming visuals, intuitive gameplay, and addictive puzzle-solving mechanics make for an incredibly enjoyable experience.”
“The combination of addictive gameplay, cool graphics, and challenging puzzles make it a must-play for anyone who loves puzzle games.”
“Around the halfway point, new mechanics that go completely unexplained start getting added.”
“Unfortunately, the higher the level, the more boring gameplay becomes.”
“I've had enough of these bad levels where I spend an hour doing everything I am supposed to only to have to start over because of one mistake, or worse, some form of troll mechanic that can't be foreseen.”
graphics
398 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
51%
1%
The graphics of the game have received a mixed reception, with many players appreciating the cute, colorful, and low-poly art style that adds charm to the gameplay. While some find the visuals appealing and well-designed, others criticize them for being simplistic or less engaging compared to the previous installment. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's relaxing atmosphere, though opinions vary on their effectiveness in gameplay clarity.
“Its charming visuals, intuitive gameplay, and addictive puzzle-solving mechanics make for an incredibly enjoyable experience.”
“The graphics in 'Train Valley' are well-designed and add to the game's overall charm.”
“The visuals are gorgeous and the audio & music are perfect.”
“I wanted to give a chance for this one as well but I can't enjoy a game with such low quality graphics after the first game... it was much better I think... and if this one also has those stupid puzzle rushes then I won't even bother with it.”
“To make matters worse, this is a copy+paste of their last game, Train Valley, but they made the graphics worse by doubling down on the lazy low poly 'art' and making it look deliberately more blocky, abandoning any pretense at realism.”
“I'm sorry, I really wanted to love this but the graphics are worse and the gameplay is so, very, boring.”
music
152 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
50%
8%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its relaxing and chill qualities that complement the gameplay. However, several users criticize the soundtrack for being repetitive and lacking variety, especially in comparison to the previous installment. While some find the music pleasant and soothing, others feel it becomes monotonous after extended play sessions, suggesting a need for more diverse tracks.
“Great base game, great DLC, great workshop mods, great music, very chill and fun!”
“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 really pleasant and it always feels great when my tracks finally come together!”
“Lastly, the music is just terrible.”
“In complete contrast to the first part, there are hardly any music tracks, so unfortunately no variety and thematically appropriate music.”
“A warning though, there is only really one soundtrack and it just plays over and over again.”
story
136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
78%
15%
The game lacks a cohesive story, functioning primarily as a mission-based puzzle experience where players complete timed challenges involving train management. While the missions are designed to be engaging and varied, they often feel disconnected and lack narrative depth, leading to frustration due to the complexity and requirements for achieving high scores. Overall, players appreciate the gameplay mechanics but express disappointment in the absence of a meaningful plot or storyline.
“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 mission to Mars level I thought was magnificently designed in every way.”
“It was the best levels from the first one, putting you under pressure sometimes, or with a strange challenge or storytelling.”
“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
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
64%
4%
Overall, the game offers a mix of high replayability through user-generated content and optional challenges, particularly in striving for 5-star ratings on levels. While many players appreciate the workshop feature and the variety of strategies available, some express concerns about limited replay value once certain goals are achieved. The game is generally seen as engaging and enjoyable, with replayability enhanced by its clever level design and additional downloadable content.
“With its clever level design and endless replayability, Train Valley 2 is a must-have for any puzzle or simulation enthusiast.”
“The levels are also highly replayable if you want to aim for 5 stars, looking for new strategies to meet the requirements!”
“A very chill and engaging puzzle game with tons of replayability through workshop content.”
“I just wished it had more replayability.”
“It has some but limited replayability - going for more stars is the real reason to play through multiple times, and can be fun for a while.”
“Additionally, there is almost no replay value on a map once you've achieved 5 stars on it... and the reward for collecting stars on maps is purely aesthetic.”
grinding
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
13%
82%
The grinding aspect of the game has received significant criticism, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, especially as levels increase in difficulty. While some enjoy the challenge, others feel that the gameplay lacks innovation and becomes frustratingly monotonous, often requiring excessive repetition to progress. Overall, the grinding experience detracts from the enjoyment, leading to a sense of frustration rather than challenge.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“It does get a bit tedious after a while, and some of the mechanics could also use some real quality of life improvements.”
“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
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
73%
9%
Overall, the optimization in Train Valley 2 has seen significant improvements since its predecessor, with most early-access performance issues resolved. However, some players still report occasional freezes and a lack of options for connecting elements, which can limit gameplay variety. While the game is well-optimized for most systems, Mac users may experience subpar performance.
“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.”
“Landing on the 'right' way to solve a level and attain all 5 gold stars on offer for a particularly efficient performance results in a tremendously satisfying sense of accomplishment, and after more than 20 hours of play in the main campaign, it still has me coming back for more.”
“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.”
“In the first game, designing your railway's layout is a big part of both your satisfaction and your performance - here that aspect is reduced and I think it affects the satisfaction you get from the game.”
stability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with many players reporting smooth performance and minimal bugs or glitches during gameplay. However, some users have experienced occasional freezes and minor graphical issues, particularly when running at high speeds. Despite these concerns, a significant number of players enjoyed a bug-free experience over extended play sessions.
“Fun game, runs great on Proton.”
“- 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.”
“It is very stable with only a few strange graphical glitches that I've noticed when running in super-fast speed.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in Train Valley 2 is highlighted by its amusing gameplay and the comedic nature of failures, which players find entertaining despite their lack of interest in trains. The game's art and design enhance this humor, creating a funny contrast that contributes to an enjoyable experience. Overall, players appreciate the lightheartedness and visual appeal that complement the gameplay.
“Train Valley 2 is never frustrating, and the failures can be downright hilarious.”
“Nice graphics, funny gameplay.”
“I find myself never having a budget to make a track because the terrain slopes in a funny way.”
monetization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with players expressing frustration over intrusive ads in the main menu of a paid game, which detracts from the experience. Additionally, the presence of pop-up advertisements and the perception of DLC as a cash grab have further soured opinions, leading many to feel that the game resembles a mobile title rather than a premium experience.
“Ads in the main menu that cover 1/3 of the screen for a paid game is absurd.”
“I couldn't click out from the pop-up advertisement about the developer's new game when launching the game at a 32:9 aspect ratio.”
“Further, I never buy DLC and think for the most part DLC is used as a cash grab by the developer.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by its distinct, chill vibe, enhanced by low-poly graphics and a focus on time management themes. Players appreciate its simplicity, which contributes to a unique and enjoyable experience.
“If you like games with strong time management themes, featuring low-poly graphics and a very chill atmosphere, you'll probably like this.”
“It is not overly complicated and realistic, and this creates a unique atmosphere.”
“Looks nice, with a distinct atmosphere.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game series to be a fun and wholesome experience, with the time challenges not creating a sense of pressure or stress. Overall, the emotional tone is positive and lighthearted, contributing to an enjoyable gaming atmosphere.