Rail Simulator is the sequel to Microsoft Train Simulator and is developed by Kuju, who designed the first version. It’s been several years since the first version, so the graphics have been updated and improved. Rail Simulator is a game meant for both the casual train enthusiast, and the die-hard train fanatic. The driving controls can be set from simple to expert, where people can choose whether they want to just handle the speed, or if they want to take over all the controls required to drive the train. However, the non-intuitive nature of the interface and the slim manual make it all a little harder than it should be for the novice engineer. Still, Rail Simulator delivers an overall pleasant gaming experience for most.

After installing the game, starting is fairly simple. Players will pick a new route, then decide whether to play in the sandbox mode of Free Play, or if they want to undertake a Scenario’s missions. The default mode is simple, which means that most of the driving is handled by the computer and budding engineers can just kick back and enjoy the scenery. This beginning introduction to the interface is deceptive, though, as from here on out, players will have to pretty much figure things out on their own. It’s a good thing that even the expert mode isn’t that complicated outside of the driving aspect, and that the interface doesn’t have a lot of confusing information. Most functions are carried out on the keyboard and there is a handy little cardboard cheat sheet.

I’ve never played a true railroad simulation before, but did play Sid Meier’s Railroads, which is a strategy game based on trains. Rail Simulator is much more of a simulation and is meant to place the player in the seat of the train, so to speak. Players can view the train they are driving from the outside view, which is a little behind and to the left of the locomotive, or in the cab, where they can see all the controls. As I’m not very familiar with train simulations, I chose to use the “simple” mode, which is the easiest. The route I picked was in California and all I had to do in the beginning was to drive my train out of the yard. This sounded easy, but turned out to be difficult due to the fact that I kept derailing at a junction. Supposedly, according to the manual, all one had to do in simple mode was use the “A, S and D” keys to drive and brake. Nothing else required. Why, then, did I keep derailing before I even got out of the yard?

The beginning of the mission would elicit a pop-up window with a message, but the message would only hang around a minute and then disappear. The mission window would have the main objective information, but not the same exact information as displayed on that initial window. After replaying this same beginning of this particular mission several times, I realized I was evidently supposed to change the last junction’s settings. After looking at the keyboard shortcut list, I learned that using the “G” key would change the junction’s setting. Practicing led me to the discovery that the “open” junctions had blue highlighted track leading up to them in the little driving menu on the left, and the “closed” junctions were grey. This wasn’t mentioned in the manual, at least not where I could find it. There is an online FAQ file that can be downloaded from the game’s website, which is more helpful.

Once I figured this out, it was smooth driving after that. I opened up the throttle and cruised out of the train yard, heading to the mountains. I soon switched to the cab view, which was really neat. I enjoyed just sitting back and watching the scenery of this realistic rendering of a real train route in California. This particular mission required me to mainly to just drive the route with a few stops here and there, but the later missions were more involved, with switching loads and trains and the like.

There is also an editor included, which allows players to design their own routes. There are lots of tools to use and items to choose, and the custom tracks look good. A professional editor that allows editing of scenarios is available by download on the game’s website.

Rail Simulator is a fun simulation game for people who like trains. I like trains, and enjoyed my first train ride a couple of years ago from Georgia to New York. There is just something that is romantic about trains. I also have enjoyed playing this game, and like to just drive the trains around. I didn’t put much time into laying my own track, but preferred playing the scenarios and the free-play modes. The scenarios are enjoyable, but there isn’t a whole lot of meat to them. There are only a few missions for each scenario, and there aren’t many scenarios. It’s a bit too casual. The free-play, which is supposed to be casual play, is just right. Players can drive around and do whatever they want to do.

Currently, if Rail Simulator is ordered on Amazon, a bonus scenario is included for free. There are also some free trains for download on the Web site. An add-on with a new German train and a few scenarios has just been released, but it’s not free. I’m assuming that people will be busy designing routes and scenarios with the editors and uploading them for other fans, so that will also be a source of new content.

I am enjoying Rail Simulator, more from the perspective of a casual player who happens to like trains and slow-paced gameplay, than from that of a die-hard train lover. I like just riding around looking at the scenery. It’s also fun playing with the controls in the more advanced levels, but the steam engine ones are very tricky, as they require a lot of constant fiddling. The fact that these are real trains and routes is very cool. However, there isn’t enough to do in the scenarios mode. More strategy should be involved for longer gaming sessions. There just isn’t that “I have to play one more hour” feeling. But, I’m sure that there are lots and lots of train enthusiasts who are really loving the editor modes.

If you have a friend or family member who likes trains and simulation games, then this is the perfect game for them. For others, this game will be more of a passing enjoyment from time to time.

Gameplay: 7.5
The gameplay in Rail Simulator is fun enough, but more for short sessions than for long, drawn-out nights. The trains and routes are realistic and attractive, and riding around real tracks is enjoyable. However, the strategy is too light. Also, the interface is not intuitive, nor is the manual very informative.

Graphics: 8.0 
The game looks great.

Sound: 8.0
The sound is nicely done.

Difficulty: Medium
There are three difficulty levels that involve the amount of controls used in driving, so the range in difficulty is wide. However, the lack of instructions in the manual and the confusing interface make things a bit harder than they should be.

Concept: 7.0 
It’s been done before, but the presentation here is above average.

Overall: 7.5
A relaxing and fun game for anyone who likes trains and casual games. Players who require more strategy may be less enthusiastic. The trains and routes are very realistic, and the driving controls are handled well. There are several different methods of gameplay, which is good. The editors offer great customization for the designers amongst us. The manual could be clearer, but the online manual will help explain things a bit more. A good family game for train lovers.