Train Simulator 2014

 PC
User Score
4.8

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 90 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 90
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 90
  3. Negative: 47 out of 90

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  1. Chrisracer8903
    Dec 7, 2013
    5
    I've played every train simulation game ever since Microsoft Train Simulator in 2001. What can I say about this game? Well, it looks nice and some of the sounds are great, but not all of them. Many of the horns, bells, and other sounds are heavily recycled into various locomotives (Both default and DLC) which is unrealistic and shows the developers are slacking. The train cars are way tooI've played every train simulation game ever since Microsoft Train Simulator in 2001. What can I say about this game? Well, it looks nice and some of the sounds are great, but not all of them. Many of the horns, bells, and other sounds are heavily recycled into various locomotives (Both default and DLC) which is unrealistic and shows the developers are slacking. The train cars are way too quiet, but 3rd party developers have fixed that. There are many unrealistic physics in the game regarding controlling the train over grades and the slacking between the cars, but some of the routes are very scenic and enjoyable. The nice graphics and scenery come at a price, though. I have a good PC that runs most of the current-gen racing games at maximum settings and 70-80FPS with minimal demands on my PC, but this game just hogs all your computer's resources just to have medium-low end settings and 35 FPS at best. A train game should be less demanding than a game where a car is going 200 mph down city streets. This is poor programming on their part.

    The scenarios are a joke! None of them follow realistic train operations (At least the North American route DLCs) which I think is unfair for the North American users of the game. Many of the scenarios do not even cover the entire route and recycle the same rolling stock over and over again which takes away the authentic feeling of the railroad your running on. The DLC is way too expensive and the route editing tools are neat, but way too complicated compared to Trainz Simulator's easy surveyor mode. It's the same game re-released every year with different enhancements that are no more than a glorified patch and these updates "break" older content both paid DLC and user-created content.

    I'm giving this game a 5 because the game looks nice and has some good moments, but the scenarios do not simulate the actual railroad's operations (at least for the US routes) and there are glitches in certain parts of the game that have never been fixed ever since the first installment was released (Rail Simulator back in 2008). The DLC is too expensive for the amount of recycled content and sounds they include. It costs too much money to get what you really want out of this game when the other train sims out there have 1000s of free 3rd party content items to create your own railroading experience.

    This game is good for if you want to run one of the default routes to pass some time, but my suggestion, if you like trains (like me) and you have money, your better off spending your money to build a your own model railroad. It's much more rewarding and fun than this sim is.

    If you want a really realistic railroad sim (With multiplayer), Run 8 is a much better train simulator defiantly worth checking out over this!    … Expand
  2. amg433
    Oct 18, 2013
    5
    Little improvements over the previous game, but nice that you can upgrade for free. What I hate is the DLC system. You would have to pay thousands to have every scenario! Plenty of broken scenarios too. Needs massive improvement!
  3. Technological99
    Apr 24, 2014
    7
    Game is good. But as said, It does not appeal to everyone. I personally like the game and its good but I wish that routes had better prices. E.G. GARL (Glasgow Airport Rail Link) is £20 off steam but is only about 20 miles max. (30 minutes terminus to terminus) while the Portsmouth line (a lot longer, 60 miles +) is the same price. Thus meaning you can get more for less but you could thinkGame is good. But as said, It does not appeal to everyone. I personally like the game and its good but I wish that routes had better prices. E.G. GARL (Glasgow Airport Rail Link) is £20 off steam but is only about 20 miles max. (30 minutes terminus to terminus) while the Portsmouth line (a lot longer, 60 miles +) is the same price. Thus meaning you can get more for less but you could think about it as less for more. Another problem is the DLC. There is a major bug in the game meaning that you can access some trains and wagons that you would usually have to pay for. Although there are no scenarios for them they are accessible via other ways from the main menu. 1 annoying bug is with London to Brighton where (especially East Croyden P1) if you stop at the appropriately marked car stop 4 sign with a 4 car trains only the doors towards the back open. If you stop at the 10 car sign with a 10 car train only the rear carriages open again. Thus meaning you fail the station stop and there will be no in cab door open/close light meaning you can pull away with the doors open. If these bugs were fixed and the routes more affordable then I think this game could go far but for now it needs a lot of improvement… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. PC Gamer
    Dec 24, 2013
    63
    The new routes are familiar, and the new features are flimsy. Train Simulator 2104 feels like it’s freewheeling.
    Read full review
  2. CD-Action
    Nov 14, 2013
    40
    Train Simulator 2014 is very boring – you spend most of your time looking out for the next semaphore and missing GTA V. [12/2013, p.70]
  3. DarkStation
    Nov 4, 2013
    60
    This “game,” if it can really be called that, is a niche one. It will only appeal to a very select few train enthusiasts and so for those folks I’d recommend this as a nice entry into the world of train conducting. For everyone else save yourself some time, money and frustration and just say no.
    Read full review
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