Trans-Siberian Railway Simulator

About

Get behind the wheels of classic Russian locomotives and check if the wild animals, bad people, severe frosts and constantly changing weather are able to stop you. Try to survive in the longest railway line in the world!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Trans-Siberian Railway Simulator screenshot

+18

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 586 reviews

story40 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The game offers a unique blend of train simulation, survival mechanics, and mafia-themed missions, providing a fun and engaging experience.
The atmosphere and attention to detail in the game's setting, especially for players familiar with Siberia, enhance immersion and enjoyment.
The mechanics of operating the train are responsive and intuitive, making it easy to learn after a short adjustment period.

The game suffers from significant performance optimization issues, leading to low frame rates and crashes on various systems.
Many players find the complexity of the train controls overwhelming, with a steep learning curve that may deter casual gamers.
The game lacks variety in missions and content, leading to repetitive gameplay after a few hours.

story
138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
65%
6%
The game's story revolves around a gangster navigating the Trans-Siberian railroads during the late 1980s, engaging in various mafia-related missions that blend train simulation with action elements. While players appreciate the unique combination of gameplay styles and the immersive atmosphere, some critique the plot as simplistic and reliant on fetch quests. Overall, the narrative adds a fun layer to the train-driving experience, though it may feel repetitive and linear at times.
- “The story of life in Russia as a gangster doing your dealings on the trans-Siberian railroads.”
- “The beauty of driving itself connected with an interesting criminal storyline would give you a perfect Siberian 80s experience.”
- “Storywise, you play as a locomotive-licensed mobster who is utilizing the trans-Siberian rail network as a cover to move around to complete tasks for the mafia.”
- “The plot itself is 5/10; the story is just to do missions alongside the travel, but they are either 1) go kill someone 2) take an item and bring it there.”
- “I mean that the plot does not attract you into the game so far.”
- “Once done with the story, apparently nothing to do at all.”
gameplay
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
69%
5%
The gameplay is a unique blend of train simulation, survival, and crime elements, offering both relaxing and entertaining experiences. While the train mechanics are generally responsive and enjoyable, they can be complex and may present a learning curve, with some players noting performance issues and a lack of content. Overall, the game is praised for its addictiveness and engaging quests, though improvements in mechanics and performance are desired.
- “Driving a locomotive through a Cold War Siberia turns out to be really fun, and the jobs you do for the mafia are cool quests that differ heavily from the train-operating gameplay.”
- “In conclusion, this game is a really fun combination of survival, crime, and train sim that may not sound very interesting at first, but turns out to be both relaxing (train gameplay) and entertaining (mafia gameplay) once you get into it.”
- “Awesome gameplay, didn't expect that a railway simulator can be that fun!”
- “The survival mechanics are punishing.”
- “An interesting little game with a good premise that is unfortunately let down by the insanely complex train mechanics.”
- “That is very shoddy especially given that the locomotive is roughly the only game mechanic.”
optimization
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
76%
10%
The game suffers from significant performance optimization issues, leading to frequent lag and frame drops that hinder gameplay. While some players find the game uniquely fun, many recommend postponing purchases until a major optimization update is released, as current performance problems overshadow its potential. Overall, the developers are acknowledged for their efforts to improve the game's optimization, but substantial work remains to be done.
- “I prefer the devs of Pentacle take as much time as they need to work on improvements to increase performance and gameplay, which I do not doubt they will indeed make the game perfect the best they can for everyone to enjoy the experience.”
- “Overall, a pretty promising title and I hope it will get past the severe optimization issues, as it's really the true killer of a sea of other fairly overlookable nuisance issues.”
- “I'd recommend postponing your purchase until a big optimization update is out if you want to enjoy it with stable FPS.”
- “Its a good train simulator game but not playable given its horrible performance issues.”
- “Overall, a pretty promising title and I hope it will get past the severe optimization issues, as it's really the true killer of a sea of other fairly overlook-able nuisance issues.”
- “- thanks to optimization issues, it seems that consumables are 'gone' after being used and having to load an earlier save after 'death by powerpoint presentation.' I know some devs do this to prevent folks from abusing 'alt+f4' but it's quite annoying when it's really caused by the game bugging out and basically crashing.”
graphics
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players describing them as "janky" and reminiscent of mid-2000s titles, particularly criticizing the animations and texture quality. While some appreciate the unique aesthetic and the accurate representation of familiar landscapes, others find the overall visual performance disappointing, especially given the game's demands on hardware. Despite these shortcomings, some players prioritize the game's content and mechanics over graphics, finding enjoyment in the gameplay experience.
- “First off, I live in Novosibirsk, where the game begins, and it is quite impressive to play a game that takes place in your hometown. Even if it isn't a 100% model, it still gets the architecture and aesthetics for the region spot on.”
- “Life simulator of a Russian freight train driver, not bad graphics, interesting plot, I like driving the train, familiar landscapes, I recommend it!”
- “For this art of the game, the price is lower than I expected; graphics and story are good.”
- “Honestly, I like the concept... it is new, fresh, and while the graphics and overall quality of the game are barely serviceable (janky is a good term to describe the game; it is well made in certain areas but in other areas it is really hard to turn your head on the other side, like animations and graphics that remind you of mid-2000 games); where it really shines is in character.”
- “Graphics are quite disappointing as well, compared to the performance load the game puts down; textures and 3D object resolution in areas you focus a lot on (like the locomotive instruments) being the worst offenders.”
- “So besides the effort in the loco systems, it does not offer anything more than a base for marketing videos... a bit weak even for that with this 15-year-old graphics level.”
humor
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as wild and hilariously fun, often stemming from chaotic moments like accidentally jumping off a train or frantically pulling levers while speeding towards disaster. Players appreciate the comedic elements, including funny mafia missions and the absurdity of the gameplay, which creates a memorable and immersive experience that keeps them laughing throughout. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its simulation aspects, making it more than just a typical train simulator.
- “It's wild, frustrating, and hilariously fun—until you accidentally jump off your train and break every bone in your body at walking speed.”
- “Trying to remember which lever is the brakes and frantically pulling all of them whilst traveling at Mach 2 and about to crash and die is an amazing and funny experience.”
- “I didn't stop laughing for five minutes.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The music in the game is praised for its atmospheric quality, particularly the contributions from горемыка, which evoke nostalgia through classical and folk tunes. However, players express a desire for more music options, including the ability to use custom MP3s and additional licensed tracks, as the current selection feels limited. Overall, while the music enhances the experience, there is room for improvement in variety and accessibility.
- “Also the radio used in the train car is the same that my grandfather had when I was little, and it is overwhelmingly nostalgic to listen to classical and folk music on that thing.”
- “+The background music sort of does reference the likes of Kino.”
- “Should add more consumables and let us use an mp3 folder for custom music.”
- “I couldn't find any tunable stations, so I presume when more music gets licensed or made, this will improve.”
- “The music (especially by горемыка), atmosphere, and pacing is really nice, though the mechanics of the train can be a bit of a learning curve.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its magnificent and immersive qualities, effectively blending entertainment with relaxation. Reviewers highlight the captivating Soviet post-apocalyptic setting, complemented by excellent music and pacing, while acknowledging a slight learning curve with the train mechanics. Overall, the developers are commended for successfully creating a compelling atmosphere that enhances the gaming experience.
- “The atmosphere is magnificent, and manages to be entertaining and relaxing at the same time.”
- “Great Soviet post-apocalyptic atmosphere, great game mechanics, great missions.”
- “Honestly, hats off to the developers for nailing this atmosphere.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report significant stability issues, including frequent PC freezes and performance strain on high-end graphics cards like the 4080. Additionally, there are complaints about buggy features and a problematic control scheme, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “My PC freezes and my 4080 is gasping for air after just an hour.”
- “Only cargo trains and the second locomotive to drive back to Novosibirsk, as there are many missing and buggy features.”
- “The control scheme can be buggy.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
Overall, the game's replayability is viewed as limited, with some players expressing uncertainty about its long-term appeal. While many find the experience enjoyable and worth the price, they note that it lacks significant replay value, making it less enticing for repeated playthroughs.
- “Overall, it's pretty fun. I'd give it a 9/10 because it doesn't have much in the way of replayability, but it's still great and well worth the $20.”
- “I'm not too sure on the replayability front as it's too early for me to tell what happens when you reach the end of the point-to-point line, but it's definitely been an adventure so far.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be less tedious than anticipated, noting that while it can be complex at times, it does not detract from the overall gameplay experience.

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5h Median play time

5h Average play time

5-5h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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