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Trainz: A New Era

Trainz: A New Era Game Cover
78%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
optimization, stability
78% User Score Based on 1,835 reviews

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PCMac OSWindows
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Trainz: A New Era Game Cover

About

Trainz: A New Era is a single player and multiplayer simulation game. It was developed by N3V Games and was released on May 14, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Trainz: A New Era - Platinum Edition" is a bundle that includes the train simulation game and a variety of additional content at a discounted price. The game offers an immersive experience with detailed graphics and a wide range of locomotives, routes, and sessions to choose from. It is more than just a train simulator, allowing players to build and customize their own railroad environments.

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Trainz: A New Era screenshot
Trainz: A New Era screenshot
Trainz: A New Era screenshot
Trainz: A New Era screenshot
Trainz: A New Era screenshot
Trainz: A New Era screenshot
Trainz: A New Era screenshot
Trainz: A New Era screenshot
Trainz: A New Era screenshot
Trainz: A New Era screenshot
Trainz: A New Era screenshot
+10
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78%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,835 reviews
graphics116 positive mentions
optimization31 negative mentions
  • Great for train enthusiasts, offering a wide range of customization and creativity in route building.
  • Improved graphics and physics compared to previous versions, providing a more immersive experience.
  • Large community support with access to downloadable content, enhancing gameplay options.
  • Limited base content, requiring expensive DLC purchases for additional routes and trains.
  • Performance issues, including low frame rates and lag, even on high-end systems.
  • Confusing user interface and content management system, making it difficult for new players to navigate.
  • graphics
    358 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in Trainz: A New Era have received mixed reviews, with some players praising the detailed textures, realistic lighting, and smooth animations, while others criticize the overall quality as outdated and reminiscent of earlier console generations. Although the game utilizes modern rendering techniques, many users report performance issues, particularly on lower-end hardware, leading to lag and low frame rates even at reduced settings. Overall, while the graphics show improvement over previous iterations, they fall short of contemporary standards set by other simulation games.

    • “Trainz: A New Era offers a richly detailed and immersive experience for train enthusiasts and simulation fans alike, bringing the classic Trainz franchise into a modern era with updated graphics, enhanced physics, and expansive gameplay features.”
    • “The graphics utilize modern rendering techniques to deliver detailed textures, realistic lighting, and smooth animations.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the models are perfect, the sound effects are great, and the Doppler effects are great!”
    • “Despite the improved graphics engine, there's less content than with TS12.”
    • “The graphics are poor and choppy, and the controls are even worse. I'm glad I bought it on discount and didn't pay full price.”
    • “From insane load times to clunky controls and graphics that are 15 years out of date, it's a stuttering, ugly mess - even with a high-end PC and post-processing you don't have the kind of quality the commercials suggest.”
  • optimization
    106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly when shadows are enabled, leading to low frame rates even on high-end systems. While some users have noted improvements with updates, the overall consensus is that the game remains poorly optimized, requiring users to lower graphical settings to achieve playable performance. Despite graphical enhancements, many feel that the game does not deliver the expected performance, often comparing it unfavorably to older versions and other simulation titles.

    • “Despite the graphical upgrades, the game remains well-optimized, running smoothly on a range of hardware setups.”
    • “The sim has come a long way since its release last year, and it is much more optimized than it was then.”
    • “Performance is really good and there are three performance presets that you can change on the fly to find what works best for you.”
    • “I can't give TANE a thumbs up with such a poorly optimized game engine, DLC cash grab practice, and monetization on mods.”
    • “Horribly optimized, like for crying out loud I was only getting 10fps on a PC that can run Battlefield 1 on ultra settings with no problems.”
    • “Despite the much hyped new graphics engine, it's necessary to turn off virtually all shadows and water effects to get even a half decent performance (and then it's still sluggish).”
  • gameplay
    53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Trainz: A New Era is a mixed bag, offering a blend of immersive simulation with two primary modes—surveyor for construction and driver for realistic train operation. While many players appreciate the mechanics and physics, as well as the extensive tutorials that ease newcomers into the game, there are significant criticisms regarding the outdated graphics, reliance on DLCs, and occasional technical issues that hinder the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, some users find the gameplay enjoyable and engaging, particularly with the addition of mods, though others feel it falls short of expectations due to its limitations and bugs.

    • “Trainz: A New Era offers a richly detailed and immersive experience for train enthusiasts and simulation fans alike, bringing the classic Trainz franchise into a modern era with updated graphics, enhanced physics, and expansive gameplay features.”
    • “The gameplay revolves around two primary modes: the surveyor mode, which focuses on construction and creativity, and the driver mode, which emphasizes realistic train operation.”
    • “The gameplay of this game is super easy and fun as well, and is much like a real-life train sandbox simulator.”
    • “The gameplay is some of the worst I've ever experienced.”
    • “This game is a broken mess, more focused on old broken content than a new era of gameplay.”
    • “Really would not recommend; it's like a half-baked cake, awesome ideas and gameplay but nowhere near playable because of train consists not loading in or not being able to load the game because of 'missing items', presumably requiring purchase through DLC!”
  • stability
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent glitches, crashes, and performance issues, particularly when adding custom content. While some players find enjoyment in the game despite its bugs, many express frustration over the game's inconsistent performance and the need for extensive troubleshooting. Overall, the game is seen as buggy and unfinished, with a history of stability problems that persist even years after its release.

    • “This one is even better and finally looks and runs great.”
    • “Great fun, don't hesitate in getting it - some others have reported performance issues, but I have had no issues at all and it runs great on my laptop.”
    • “It all works fine and dandy until you start to add your own content. From there it glitches, and now I can't even get any map to load, not an install, not a default one, nothing.”
    • “But the worst part is the awful performance, poor graphics, and overall bugginess of the game.”
    • “This game is horrible, not what I expected. The trailers made it seem better than it actually is; the DLC is expensive, and every time I play, the game flashes and glitches out.”
  • story
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story aspect is primarily structured around missions and free roam modes, allowing players to build and drive trains in various scenarios. However, many users express frustration over the limited free content, with most missions requiring additional purchases, leading to a perception of a pay-to-play model. Overall, while the game offers some engaging missions, the lack of substantial free content and the repetitive nature of the story across routes detracts from the experience.

    • “Great game, my only complaint is I wish the quick drive feature already had a yard full of cars and such set up so you can free roam and switch cars out without needing to be dedicated to a single player session that's focused on just one mission.”
    • “Some missions are surprisingly long (2 hours) with a lot of risk to mess up on a goal.”
    • “And when we get to routes, the story seems to be the same.”
    • “Microsoft Train Simulator is way better in terms of graphics, scenarios, and controls. Stay away from Trainz; nothing has improved in the last ten years with their versions of 'drivers', and I often don't even know what to do next in half the missions.”
    • “All you get for some deluxe edition is some tutorials and a few map missions. Oh, and this game has like $700 worth of DLCs.”
    • “This includes a single German route, which is the only free DLC available. You get no missions with it; literally just the route and the ability to spawn a train. All missions are spammed as pay-to-play content.”
  • monetization
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with players expressing frustration over the high prices of DLCs, mandatory in-game purchases, and an overwhelming presence of ads for additional content. Many feel that the game is poorly optimized and that the business practices resemble those of notorious companies like EA, detracting from the overall experience and value of the game. Despite the availability of free assets through the download station, the reliance on costly DLCs and the misleading marketing of base game content have left players disappointed.

    • “While there are in-game purchases, those barely matter when you can upload that stuff on the download station where it joins at least 685,000 other assets that can be downloaded for free to suit your needs. These assets vary a lot from scrap metal to high-quality locomotives to low-quality routes made in other games to classic legacy content from older games, which is a great feature since cross-compatibility with older installments and even other train simulators in Unreal is possible. Seriously, you can download a train from MSTS on the download station; it's that good!”
    • “As a final verdict, we are short of options with Trainz or TSW, and have to deal with bugs, bad performance, and a nasty cash grab business model of selling content through DLC.”
    • “I can't give TANE a thumbs up with such a poorly optimized game engine, DLC cash grab practices, and monetization on mods.”
    • “It's a shame; this could have been an outstanding piece of work were it not for a mindless cash grab and a middle finger to the average consumer.”
  • humor
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its whimsical and lighthearted elements, such as amusing train antics and quirky scenery, which elicit laughter from players. Users appreciate the comedic aspects, including funny visuals like a hovering tree and a "screwy" turntable, contributing to an overall entertaining experience.

    • “Funny train game.”
    • “Heehee funny trains.”
    • “While I was laughing at the screwy turntable, I sat under a tree that was hovering about 12 feet over the tracks in a certain bend on a hillside.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is significantly enhanced by its social features, allowing players to engage with new content created by others, though some individual DLCs may offer limited replay value. For enthusiasts of trains, the game promises substantial replayability, particularly if more scenarios are introduced compared to previous maps.

    • “This social aspect greatly expands the game’s replayability and variety, as players can continuously access fresh experiences created by fellow enthusiasts.”
    • “In my opinion, the replay value per individual DLC is nearly zero.”
    • “It should provide immense replayability if trains (model or prototypical) are your thing.”
    • “Does this mean that there are going to be more playable scenarios on this map compared with Kickstart County's map?”
  • emotional
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting its ability to evoke nostalgia and joy, especially after long periods away from it. The community's support and the developers' commitment to enhancing the experience further amplify the game's emotional impact, making it a beloved choice among train simulation enthusiasts. Overall, the game is praised for its comprehensive content and the positive feelings it generates in players.

    • “I love this game! After being unsure for so long, I ended up buying it. I miss this game more than ever, and getting to play it again made me feel great. This game is still one of the best. I know a lot of people say to go for the other train game, but I don't like that one because they make you pay for everything, around $20 per map and train. Who does that? I worked it out, and its DLC comes to over $2000! Why would you buy all that? This game comes with everything, and I have never had so much fun doing this again. I can't wait until it fully comes out, and I can use the download station for more trains. Don't get me wrong, I love all train games, but N3V Games has the best one out there when it comes to this. Yes, I know it doesn't look as great as the trailer, but is that really a big deal? They do so much to keep this game going since 2012. You could buy 2012 and play it and think it's the same, fine, do that if you want, but I like this one. If you have a problem, they always help you to fix it. It's not like N3V Games isn't attentive; they are always watching the posts and make sure you have the best time in their game. They told me what the game was like before I even bought it, how many trains I would get, and all that. So yes, I would recommend this game; it's great!”
    • “This game has truly touched my heart. The emotional depth of the story and the characters is something I haven't experienced in a long time. I found myself genuinely caring about the outcomes and feeling a connection to the characters. It's rare for a game to evoke such strong feelings, and I appreciate how it handles sensitive topics with care and respect.”
    • “Playing this game was an emotional rollercoaster. I laughed, I cried, and I felt a range of emotions that I didn't expect. The storytelling is so powerful, and the way it draws you into the characters' lives is incredible. I found myself reflecting on my own experiences while playing, which made the journey even more meaningful.”
  • atmosphere
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in the game is significantly enhanced by its sound design, effectively capturing the essence of railroading through varied environments, from serene countryside to lively train yards, with notable moments like departing from King's Cross adding to the immersive experience.

    • “The sound design plays a crucial role in conveying the atmosphere of railroading, from quiet countryside passages to bustling train yards.”
    • “Coming out of King's Cross on TS is atmospheric.”
  • music
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game, particularly the trailer song, has received positive feedback from users, highlighting its appeal and effectiveness in capturing attention.

    • “I really love the song used in the trailer, by the way!”
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13h Median play time
56h Average play time
3-21h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Trainz: A New Era is a simulation game.

Trainz: A New Era is available on PC, Mac OS and Windows.

On average players spend around 56 hours playing Trainz: A New Era.

Trainz: A New Era was released on May 14, 2015.

Trainz: A New Era was developed by N3V Games.

Trainz: A New Era has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its optimization.

Trainz: A New Era is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Trainz Railroad Simulator 2019, Train Simulator Classic 2024, Train Simulator, Train Simulator Classic, Trainz Railroad Simulator 2022 and others.