Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. Jul 28, 2020
    75
    Railway Empire is a fun and deep economic management title where we can immerse ourselves in the story of locomotion together with an interesting soundtrack. The love and research for the world they have shaped is appreciated.
  2. Jul 18, 2020
    60
    Railway Empire is a fine and intriguing strategic game about the onset of the railway business in America. The Switch version is not the ideal way to play it as the interface is marred by some very bad decisions.
  3. Jun 30, 2020
    60
    Railway Empire is a great game, but this version is not as good as others. Technical and UI issues make it less enjoyable than the original, so we would only recommend it on Switch if it’s your only option.
  4. 75
    Railway Empire – Nintendo Switch Edition is definitely a tycoon time-sucker. Seeing your profits go up as your trains steam and roll is satisfying, and watching a tiny bit of history play out is interesting if you’re into it. While this is not the most complex tycoon sim out there, it does have some harder mechanics for those seeking a challenge while also sill being accessible for anyone.
  5. Jun 24, 2020
    70
    Railway Empire does not lose its essence two years after its release on PC, PS4 and Xbox One, but its version on Nintendo Switch does not shine as we expected. Despite adding some additional content, miss the opportunity to launch a definitive edition to the market that counteracts the technical shortcomings of the port. Despite this, fans of the management genre will find in this title a deep and satisfactory enough offer that will provide them with a good number of hours of entertainment.
  6. Jun 23, 2020
    70
    If you’re considering Railway Empire because you love the sound of a train in the distance, you’re not likely to enjoy the game. This is a management seem that digs deeply into the technology, the business strategy, and the economic acumen required to tame America’s landscape and reach the pinnacle of what this nation’s all about: corporate power.
  7. Jun 23, 2020
    75
    A game than simulation managers will love, and especially classic train lovers, that offers some interesting ideas, very well adapted to Nintendo Switch and very polished in some aspects, like the Spanish voiceover. But if you came here looking for great graphics, forget about that. What it's worst is that it also has random crashings.
  8. Jun 22, 2020
    75
    Railway Empire is really a good mix of strategy, building and managing simulation and this version for Nintendo Switch is a good port of it.
  9. 90
    There's not much else to say beyond what was in my review of this game on PlayStation 4. The Switch port is a high quality, highly functional version of the base game, and while there are some totally expected visual downgrades, this is offset by the fact that you can now play Railway Empire on the go without having to lug your laptop around. When it comes to the kind of experience a simulator offers, the portable form factor really is is the ideal way to go.
  10. Jun 19, 2020
    80
    Railway Empire is an excellent real-time strategy simulation game and this Nintendo Switch Edition retains its rewarding and engaging gameplay. Even with its less than stellar graphical performance, I still recommend checking it out, especially if you only own a Switch.
  11. Jun 19, 2020
    60
    A good port but Railway Empire isn't quite the Railroad Tycoon replacement we'd like.
  12. Jun 19, 2020
    60
    Railway Empire tells a great tale of the Westward Expansion of the US’s railway system. You have to wrestle with some poorly explained and non-intuitive controls in order to get the most out of it, though – but once it’s up and running, this is one of the best train set video games you can get your hands on.
  13. 90
    Overall, I very much enjoyed Railway Empire, as can be told by my shoulders being sore from being hunched over my Switch while my wife watched the 10th hour of Millionaire Matchmaker. This definitely scratched an itch for me and will be my go to Railroad Tycoon-ish game from now on. I love that it is now on the Switch since I can now bring it on long flights. I would 100% recommend this to all trains fans and anyone who likes this breed of intense economic sim. A few hiccups minorly hinder it at times, but once you learn your way around the tracks, Railway Empire is a very sound game.
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Jun 23, 2020
    7
    Just as a heads up to all those buying on the switch, I had a hard time figuring out the controls. This might be a PC game through andJust as a heads up to all those buying on the switch, I had a hard time figuring out the controls. This might be a PC game through and through. None of the controls seemed consistent in different contexts. I was confused half the time what button to press. Sure the game gives the player prompts to which button to press at the bottom of the screen to do everything, but to lay a parallel piece of track & signals to control the trains took me way too long. I did it, but I couldn't tell you how I did it. I guess I wished hitting "A" would always do roughly the same thing. The game looks really fun once the controls are tamed. Well, I'm going back to play some more. Hopefully things go smoother. Full Review »
  2. Apr 19, 2023
    9
    There's tons of gameplay here if you complete the campaign and all the scenarios. Any fan of railroad and transport management genres willThere's tons of gameplay here if you complete the campaign and all the scenarios. Any fan of railroad and transport management genres will love this game. Devs did a good job mapping controls to the switch, even if it takes a few games to completely get them down. Overall really wish there were more games like this on switch! Full Review »
  3. Jun 27, 2020
    6
    This text does not contain spoilers
    And that's just a short review, not all parts of the game, and it's just a summary.
    The problem with
    This text does not contain spoilers
    And that's just a short review, not all parts of the game, and it's just a summary.
    The problem with most games of this genre is in its gameplay.
    Attractive gameplay In the early hours of a game's experience in this genre, over time, it becomes the most boring gameplay possible, and this title is not out of the question.
    Full Review »