Trainz: A New Era

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Simulation

Play Modes

+10

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,795 reviews

graphics114 positive mentions

optimization30 negative mentions

Great graphics and improved performance compared to previous versions.
Offers a vast amount of free content through the Download Station and third-party sites.
User-friendly route building tools that allow for extensive customization.

Most of the content is locked behind expensive DLC paywalls, making the base game feel incomplete.
Performance issues and bugs, including crashes and lag, even on high-end systems.
The Download Station has slow download speeds unless you purchase a First Class Ticket.

graphics
350 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
59%
8%
The graphics in Trainz: A New Era (T:ANE) receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while there are some improvements over previous versions, they still fall short of modern standards. Users report issues with performance, including low frame rates and lag, especially on higher settings, and some describe the graphics as outdated or cartoonish. Overall, while some appreciate the visual enhancements and detail, many feel that the graphics engine needs further optimization to fully realize its potential.
- “The graphics are amazing, but only if you turn them up.”
- “The game offers an immersive experience for train enthusiasts, with stunning graphics, a wide variety of trains, and numerous routes to explore.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the models are perfect, the sound effects are great, and the Doppler effects are great!”
- “The graphics look incredibly outdated for a 2015 game, and makes the game look 10 years older than it is.”
- “Graphics are frankly awful, flat, bright colors with very basic lighting and poor 3D modeling, routes are sparsely populated with objects, textures are bright and basic-looking.”
- “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).”
optimization
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
61%
29%
The optimization of the game has received widespread criticism, with many users reporting significant performance issues, including low frame rates and stuttering, even on high-end systems. While some updates have improved performance, the game still struggles with poorly optimized graphics and resource-intensive features like dynamic shadows, leading to a frustrating experience for many players. Overall, users recommend having a powerful PC to achieve acceptable performance, but even then, compromises on graphical settings are often necessary.
- “SP4 brings great performance updates and looks great also.”
- “Performance is really good and there are three performance presets that you can change on the fly to find what works best for you.”
- “The sim has come a long way since its release last year, and it is much more optimized than it was then.”
- “Poorly optimized; I can run GTA V better than this.”
- “The game itself is aging and poorly optimized.”
- “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
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
53%
6%
The gameplay of Trainz: A New Era is a mixed bag, with many users praising its mechanics and realism, while others criticize its outdated graphics and technical issues. Players appreciate the fun and flexibility offered by the gameplay, especially with mod support, but express frustration over the reliance on DLCs and the challenges of getting the game to run smoothly. Overall, while the game provides enjoyable moments and a sandbox-like experience, it suffers from significant bugs and a lack of content that detracts from the overall experience.
- “This is a very good version of Trainz; it runs well and has no issues, and of course, the gameplay is very fun!”
- “The gameplay of this game is super easy and fun as well, and is much like a real-life train sandbox simulator.”
- “Beautiful graphics, excellent gameplay, looking forward to many hours of gameplay to come.”
- “As for the gameplay itself, there is very little to do.”
- “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.”
stability
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, such as freezing, disappearing content, and issues with the content manager. While some players have found enjoyment despite these problems, others express frustration over the game's performance and the frequency of crashes. Overall, potential buyers are advised to be cautious and consider the game's history of instability before purchasing.
- “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
20%
60%
20%
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 with the limited available content, as most missions require 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 reliance on DLC detracts from the overall narrative experience.
- “Some missions are surprisingly long (2 hours) with a lot of risk to mess up on a goal.”
- “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.”
- “And when we get to routes, the story seems to be the same.”
- “End of story.”
- “Microsoft Train Simulator is way better in terms of graphics, scenarios, and controls. Stay away from Trainz; nothing has improved from ten years ago with their versions of 'drivers', and I often find myself not knowing what to do next in half the missions.”
- “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
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
18%
73%
The monetization strategy of the newer Trainz simulator games has drawn significant criticism, with users likening the developer, N3V Games, to EA for its aggressive cash grab tactics through high-priced DLCs and mandatory in-game purchases. Many players feel misled by the marketing that suggests certain content is included in the base game, only to discover it requires additional payment. Overall, the presence of ads for DLCs and a perceived lack of value in the game's offerings have left consumers feeling frustrated and 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, as well as classic legacy content from older games. This is a great feature since it offers cross-compatibility with older installments and even other train simulators in Unreal. Seriously, you can download a train from MSTS on the download station; it's that good!”
- “I don't know how to explain it, but basically N3V Games is the new EA; they are making a cash grab out of the newer Trainz simulator games by releasing a load of DLCs at higher prices.”
- “The game menu is like ads on a free iPhone app.”
- “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
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its whimsical and lighthearted elements, such as amusing train mechanics and quirky scenery, which elicit laughter from players. Users appreciate the comedic aspects, including funny visuals and unexpected occurrences, contributing to an overall enjoyable 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
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
Overall, users express mixed feelings about replayability; while some believe the game offers limited replay value per individual DLC, others suggest that it could be significantly enhanced for fans of trains, particularly if more playable scenarios are introduced.
- “Does this mean that there are going to be more playable scenarios on this map compared with Kickstart County's map?”
- “In my opinion, the replay value for each individual DLC is nearly zero.”
- “It should provide immense replayability if trains (model or prototypical) are your thing.”
- “Does this mean that there will be more playable scenarios on this map compared to Kickstart County's map?”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere at King's Cross is described as immersive and evocative, enhancing the overall experience for players.
- “Coming out of King's Cross on the train station is atmospheric.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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!”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting its ability to evoke nostalgia and joy, especially after long periods away from it. Many appreciate the comprehensive content included without excessive additional costs, contrasting it favorably with other games in the genre. The supportive community and developers further enhance the emotional experience, making players feel valued and engaged.
- “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 with the other train game, but what I don't like about that one is they make you pay for everything, around $20 per map and train. Who does that? I worked it out that 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 that 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 after 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, so it's not like N3V Games isn't supportive. They are always watching the posts and make sure you have the best time in the game. They told me what the game was about before I even bought it, how many trains, what I would get, all that. So yes, I would recommend this game; it's great!”
- “This game has an emotional depth that I didn't expect. The storylines are beautifully crafted, and they really resonate with me. I found myself getting attached to the characters and their journeys. It's rare for a game to make me feel this way, and I appreciate the effort put into the narrative.”
- “Playing this game was an emotional rollercoaster. I laughed, I cried, and I felt a connection to the characters that I haven't felt in a long time. The developers did an amazing job of creating a world that feels alive and full of heart.”