Mini Metro

 PC
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 101 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 101
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 101
  3. Negative: 7 out of 101

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  1. Chlodwig
    Aug 1, 2016
    9
    One of the few games that you can simply pick up, get no explanation or tutorial for, and you immediately understand how it works. You connect different geometric shapes (the "stations") with colored lines (the, well, "lines") and small shapes appearing next to to big shapes (the "passengers") want to be taken to the big shapes by the rectangles on your lines (the "subway trains").

    I    One of the few games that you can simply pick up, get no explanation or tutorial for, and you immediately understand how it works. You connect different geometric shapes (the "stations") with colored lines (the, well, "lines") and small shapes appearing next to to big shapes (the "passengers") want to be taken to the big shapes by the rectangles on your lines (the "subway trains").

    I just fully explained the game. And the "graphics" it employs. Just another proof that graphics do not make a good game, and bad graphics do not sink it. Because the graphics of this game could've been done on a C64 with little to no loss in fidelity.

    It is one of those "easy to learn, hard to master" games. Because you are ever presented with new decisions and challenges. Do I need more lines or more tunnels? Should I put another train on my route or attach a cart to one of the ones I have? Because if the passengers are waiting too long, the game's over.

    My only complain would be that the different towns (i.e. "levels") don't really differ that much. With some you have more rivers (which is a problem because crossing a river costs you a bridge), others spawn passengers faster, in the end, though, they all play really similar with little strategic variety.    … Expand
  2. gabriellecomte
    Jun 19, 2015
    9
    Mini Metro is a very minimalistic and intelligent game that has the potential to bring you fun in those boring days. It is a very challenging experience, brought by an innovative way of making puzzles.
  3. Kassdhal
    Feb 13, 2015
    10
    This game is really well executed, fun and intelligent. If you re into big graphics forget but if you like seemless realization and design intelligence, that's your pick
  4. Winterspark
    May 14, 2016
    6
    There is something about this game. It pi**es me off that my lines don't go in straight lines but at the same time that same thing keeps me coming back for more because I just want my lines to go in a straight line!
  5. RazorEye
    Apr 20, 2015
    9
    Mini Metro is by far one of the most fun, original and challenging games I've ever had the pleasure of playing. Mini Metro brings something new to the old concept of transport sims, challenging the player's creativity and management skills through gameplay that is otherwise incredibly simple and simply enjoyable. It doesn't throw too many obstacles at the player with a reasonableMini Metro is by far one of the most fun, original and challenging games I've ever had the pleasure of playing. Mini Metro brings something new to the old concept of transport sims, challenging the player's creativity and management skills through gameplay that is otherwise incredibly simple and simply enjoyable. It doesn't throw too many obstacles at the player with a reasonable difficulty curve, and the rewards are oddly satisfying. It'll be great to see where this game goes in the future! Hopefully we can expect a fantastic soundtrack to compliment the gameplay as well!… Expand
  6. m_elders
    Sep 9, 2015
    8
    I bought Mini Metro after demoing it at PAX. I figured I'd play through it on a sleepless night and never pick it up again. How wrong I was! It actually got my heart pumping a few times before I figured out you could pause the game to move the tracks around. This game's a lot of fun!

    So why only an 8? Well first off, it didn't blow my mind. There are other charming minimalist games out    I bought Mini Metro after demoing it at PAX. I figured I'd play through it on a sleepless night and never pick it up again. How wrong I was! It actually got my heart pumping a few times before I figured out you could pause the game to move the tracks around. This game's a lot of fun!

    So why only an 8? Well first off, it didn't blow my mind. There are other charming minimalist games out there. I also noticed a few bugs, like trains getting stuck for a few seconds at stations, or not picking up passengers when a station is about to [riot? explode?]. They're rare, but when they result in a loss, it can be frustrating. To be fair though, the game is still in early access.

    All in all, I recommend Mini Metro if you want a quick game you can come back to again and again.    … Expand
  7. ChoicestGames
    Oct 11, 2020
    7
    If you like games like Sim Tower and Transport Tycoon but want a quick game without all the business management overhead, Mini Metro is quite a viable alternative. Unfortunately, the game has no map editor and some of the all-time high scores in the game seem dubious but if you're happy to just compete against your friends or through the daily challenges, it can be quite rewarding.
  8. whitesun11
    Mar 22, 2017
    7
    This is a minimalistic transport (metro) simulation strategy game. It is well executed, at first it looks really charming and beautiful. But eventually you find the game lacks a strategical depth. Games are rather short and strategical choices are quite limited. It is more like a casual strategy game (whats why the devs busy to publish it on mobile platforms), than a metro simulation game.This is a minimalistic transport (metro) simulation strategy game. It is well executed, at first it looks really charming and beautiful. But eventually you find the game lacks a strategical depth. Games are rather short and strategical choices are quite limited. It is more like a casual strategy game (whats why the devs busy to publish it on mobile platforms), than a metro simulation game. You cannot save or replay a game. Also there is no a long promised map editor, which could keep some more interest in the game.… Expand
  9. wegie125
    Apr 22, 2018
    7
    A really charming game, the simplistic graphics really keep me hooked. To be honest I never bought this game and just played it on someone's computer for a few hours but it was definitely fun and something that I would consider picking up, I don't think that it is a game that you could play for hours as it gets a little boring after a bit but it was still well made and something that I amA really charming game, the simplistic graphics really keep me hooked. To be honest I never bought this game and just played it on someone's computer for a few hours but it was definitely fun and something that I would consider picking up, I don't think that it is a game that you could play for hours as it gets a little boring after a bit but it was still well made and something that I am going to look into the mobile version for… Expand
  10. atisfix
    Oct 6, 2016
    9
    This is a lovely little game I love the world of subways. Regarding graphics it is very neat and clear so it could be even fun with a more realistic graphics for another version. I still love to play it!
  11. Jaehaerys61
    Dec 31, 2016
    8
    Très bon jeux de "détente" qui simule un système de metro dans différentes villes et qui ne s'embête pas avec les graphismes, il peut donc tourner sur tout les systèmes.
  12. Zazcallabah
    Mar 7, 2017
    7
    Mini Metro is a puzzler that distills down all the properties of a city builder game down to its core essentials. The game is not a city builder itself, though. It is a timed puzzle game.
    You could argue that the mechanics of any city builder is at its core a puzzle game. That may be true, but this one is timed.
  13. Laer
    Mar 14, 2017
    7
    Simple, sencillo, bonito, pero a la vez complejo y táctico.

    El juego es sencillo, van apareciendo puntos estratégicos de diferentes formas y tu eres el encargado establecer una red entre ellos para que puedan moverse rápidamente de uno a otro. Puedes crear varias lineas, añadir mas locomotoras y vagones, para que cada pasajero llegue a su destino (si es un cuadrado tiene que llegar a    Simple, sencillo, bonito, pero a la vez complejo y táctico.

    El juego es sencillo, van apareciendo puntos estratégicos de diferentes formas y tu eres el encargado establecer una red entre ellos para que puedan moverse rápidamente de uno a otro.

    Puedes crear varias lineas, añadir mas locomotoras y vagones, para que cada pasajero llegue a su destino (si es un cuadrado tiene que llegar a una estación cuadrada).

    El juego es técnicamente sencillo, pero cuando crece mucho la ciudad, te das cuenta que es mas complicado de lo que parece hacer una red eficiente que enlace los puntos importantes.

    El juego cuenta con una banda sonora relajante, que invita a sentarse, relajarse y disfrutar.

    Sin duda, un juego muy recomendado para los amantes de los juegos de estrategia/puzzle.    … Expand
  14. Jack5switch
    Dec 19, 2017
    8
    If you want a procedurally generated puzzle to challenge your brain, Mini Metro is for you. It's a very quiet approach to train management but it serves its purpose extremely well. I have already spent 24 hours on this game and I have no idea how! Praise the Steam gods, this game is amazing and that's all that needs to be said.
  15. Did-
    Mar 23, 2018
    8
    Mini-Metro is that kind of game you go to when you want to relax a bit.

    But... Is it a really good idea? At first, it's really relaxing, the adaptive music by Richard Vreeland is great, the animation of the trains going from station to station is mesmerizing. New stations pop, travellers too, everything's going smoothly... Until all hell breaks loose! Then, you'll be moving trains from    Mini-Metro is that kind of game you go to when you want to relax a bit.

    But... Is it a really good idea? At first, it's really relaxing, the adaptive music by Richard Vreeland is great, the animation of the trains going from station to station is mesmerizing. New stations pop, travellers too, everything's going smoothly... Until all hell breaks loose! Then, you'll be moving trains from a line to the next, to prevent an unavoidable game over by reducing the crowdness of a station, just to notice that by moving this train, you just prevented it to pick passengers from another crowded station, increasing their stress. So you micro-manage, again and again, until everything's out of control and it's over... Do you feel relaxed now?

    The game is pretty simple, the rules are easy to understand, and everything is so pure it's as interesting to watch the flow than to control it. Disasterpeace did a great work on the sound design, adaptively generating a captivating tune binding your mind to the game.

    There are some game design decisions I'd have done differently, like the possibility to easily teleport trains from line to line, or create lines out of nowhere in an instant. These possibilities transform the goal of creating a flow into a micro-managing arcade game. But still, the game is good like it is, and it's just a 'pro' way to play when you already spent too many hours on this.    … Expand
  16. Aver_5
    Jul 22, 2019
    9
    Graphics are nice and clean, mechanics are simple yet hard to master and, loads of content and re-playability.
  17. clem666
    Dec 7, 2020
    9
    With its refined style, 'Mini Metro' shows a pleasant design but make no mistake about it because it can be really strategic and hard. Each map (I so mean each level) has its own specificities. During the whole gameplay we switch between different trains, locations and arrangements all over the world. Without calling it 'realistic', the game still respects the variations of these differentWith its refined style, 'Mini Metro' shows a pleasant design but make no mistake about it because it can be really strategic and hard. Each map (I so mean each level) has its own specificities. During the whole gameplay we switch between different trains, locations and arrangements all over the world. Without calling it 'realistic', the game still respects the variations of these different locations.
    If you play it on Steam you do have the chance to access to he newest updates, including the recent adding of Workshop. You now can play on other players' maps. This adds a bit more of customization. The presence of daily challenges is a bonus through which you can compete with your friends and acquaintances.
    In general, the start of the game is quite slow and boring but soon you will have to make some hard choices, making the rest of the game more difficult to deal with. By the way the Steam achievements are really challenging and offer the possibily to play differently and to try other approaches and strategies.
    One terrible flaw is the price. Another one is the fact that you can use tips to cheat on some achievements. For example, you sometimes can move wagons where and when you want it on any metro line...    … Expand
  18. twinkeywinkey
    Sep 19, 2019
    7
    The game looks wonderful, I also like its sound effects. Unfortunately, after a long time it becomes nasty. Good adventure for one time.
  19. CriticalHit20
    Nov 19, 2019
    7
    I would give it 7.5 but I'm definitely rounding down because there is no in-depth tutorial that shows you how to play effectively. You really do not know what strategies are best and I don't have the time to use trial and error to find out. I looked up a youtube video and then it finally started clicking and I finally felt I generally knew what I was doing.
    I've had fun finishing all the    I would give it 7.5 but I'm definitely rounding down because there is no in-depth tutorial that shows you how to play effectively. You really do not know what strategies are best and I don't have the time to use trial and error to find out. I looked up a youtube video and then it finally started clicking and I finally felt I generally knew what I was doing.
    I've had fun finishing all the challenges for the first two boards but New York is badly worded and difficult. I don't want to try 5 times to finish a 3rd level board. The difficulty is uneven as Melbourne was easier to finish than New York, even though it did not unlock properly. On the Berlin level, it warns me (and doesn't allow me) to do something as that will stop me from finishing the challenge, yet another board doesn't warn me or stop me at all (max 8 stops on one line).
    To summarize,
    1. Lack of general strategies makes you question effectiveness of actions.
    2. The leveling is inconsistent in difficulty. Berlin is easier than New York.
    3. When a player thinks they completed a challenge but the game disagrees, the player will not be happy whether the challenge is badly worded or it is a bug.
    4. Even after watching some videos and having a good idea of what will work, the game is too difficult.
    5. There looks like there is a lot of luck involved.
    6. Bad luck + difficulty + badly word or buggy challenges = unwanted board (bored?) replays.
    7. Breaking down your routes and rebuilding them all the while adjusting every time there is a new difficulty becomes a tedious chore.
    8. I lost and there was a warning signal in the top right corner but I checked the map five times and could not find that threat,
    9. The last challenge in a city is too difficult. The first challenge just unlocks the next subway and is too easy.
    I got the game for free but I'm giving up on it, not feeling compelled to finish it. I have more fun and enjoyable things to do in my precious, limited free time.    … Expand
  20. Shadran
    Feb 11, 2020
    7
    This game makes you think about trains, traveling, logistics big and small cities and traveling salesman problematic so much in such a short time you will feel like you getting extra classes in logistics. Yet the game doesn't really teach you anything just throws you in and lets you get it yourself by trail and error. Its nice concept but that's all you will get just a bare bone of gameThis game makes you think about trains, traveling, logistics big and small cities and traveling salesman problematic so much in such a short time you will feel like you getting extra classes in logistics. Yet the game doesn't really teach you anything just throws you in and lets you get it yourself by trail and error. Its nice concept but that's all you will get just a bare bone of game that can be much more.… Expand
  21. 2I2l1a
    Jun 24, 2022
    7
    Mini Metro is a strategy simulation game about designing a subway map for a growing city. Draw lines between stations and start your trains running. Keep your lines efficient by redrawing them as new stations open. Decide where to use your limited resources. How long can you keep the city moving?
  22. apokalipto
    Aug 11, 2023
    9
    Very good game. I enjoyed playing this game a lot. I strongly recommend this.
  23. Napolaen
    Aug 15, 2022
    8
    This game is so chill and and just feels nice to play. But if you like games with ultra realistic graphics then forget it
  24. Passionate_Red
    Feb 6, 2023
    5
    That got old really quick. I forgot it was about metros after the first 10 minutes.

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Best PC Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. games(TM)
    Feb 15, 2016
    70
    If you’re after a light and engaging time sink, look no further.
    Read full review
  2. CD-Action
    Feb 4, 2016
    70
    A minimalistic strategy/puzzle game, simple but inventive. [01/2016, p.71]
  3. Gamer.nl
    Dec 20, 2015
    85
    Mini Metro is a minimalistic transport simulator that gets difficult pretty quickly. It is insane how a simple game like this has a hold on us like that, but we are sure the stylish presentation plays a part in that.
    Read full review
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