Railroads Online Reviews

RAILROADS Online is a unique blend of train simulation and online multiplayer strategy that invites players to dive into the expansive and often overlooked world of railroad management and transportation logistics. Developed with a focus on realism and community interaction, this game offers a distinctive experience where players not only build and operate their own rail networks but also engage in a dynamic economic environment influenced by other human players. For enthusiasts of simulation and strategy alike, RAILROADS Online provides a deep and rewarding playground that goes far beyond simple train driving. From the very beginning, RAILROADS Online impresses with its attention to detail and authentic depiction of railroad operations. The game offers a wide range of locomotives and rolling stock, each modeled with care to reflect their real-world counterparts in terms of design, sound, and performance. The environments are vast and varied, encompassing sprawling industrial zones, rural landscapes, and bustling cities connected by miles of track. This creates a living, breathing world where players must adapt their strategies to different terrains, traffic demands, and logistical challenges. The graphics may not be cutting-edge, but they effectively support the simulation’s immersive atmosphere, emphasizing functionality and clarity over flashy visuals. Gameplay is at the heart of RAILROADS Online, combining elements of train driving simulation with complex network management and economic strategy. Players take on the dual role of engineer and entrepreneur, responsible not only for piloting trains but also for planning routes, scheduling deliveries, and expanding their rail empire. The simulation aspect is detailed, requiring careful control of speed, braking, and signaling to maintain safe and efficient operations. Meanwhile, the strategic layer involves negotiating contracts, optimizing cargo flows, and managing finances to stay competitive in a player-driven market. This dual focus challenges players to master both technical skills and business acumen. What sets RAILROADS Online apart from many train sims is its online multiplayer environment, which injects unpredictability and social interaction into the gameplay. Players share a persistent world where their actions directly impact the economy and infrastructure. Collaborations, rivalries, and alliances form naturally as players compete to dominate trade routes or cooperate to build efficient logistics chains. This social dimension adds depth and replayability, turning what could be a solitary simulation into a vibrant community experience. The game also supports user-created content, expanding possibilities with custom scenarios, trains, and maps that keep the gameplay fresh and varied. The game’s progression system rewards long-term planning and strategic thinking. Unlocking advanced locomotives, upgrading rail infrastructure, and expanding into new regions requires investment and patience, creating a satisfying sense of growth and achievement. The economic model is complex but transparent enough for players to understand the cause-and-effect relationships in their network, encouraging experimentation and optimization. For train enthusiasts and simulation fans, this complexity offers a rich sandbox for creative problem-solving and mastery. While RAILROADS Online excels in depth and multiplayer innovation, it is not without its flaws. The user interface can be daunting at first, especially for newcomers unfamiliar with train operations or economic management games. Some menus and controls feel clunky, and the learning curve is steep, requiring time and effort to fully grasp the game’s systems. Additionally, the multiplayer aspect depends heavily on active community participation; during quieter periods, the world can feel less lively, and matchmaking may be slow. Technical issues such as occasional connection drops or minor bugs have been reported but are generally addressed through regular updates. Sound design is functional and atmospheric, with realistic train noises, whistles, and ambient environmental sounds that enhance immersion without becoming repetitive. The soundtrack is subtle, focusing on background themes that suit the industrial and expansive setting rather than drawing attention away from gameplay. This audio approach fits well with the game’s emphasis on realism and detail. In summary, RAILROADS Online is a comprehensive and ambitious train simulation that successfully combines detailed operational mechanics with an engaging multiplayer economy. Its focus on both the technical challenges of train driving and the strategic complexities of managing a rail network creates a layered and rewarding experience. Though the interface and learning curve may pose initial hurdles, the game’s depth, community interaction, and sense of progression make it a standout title for fans of simulation and strategy. For players eager to immerse themselves in the world of railroads and logistics while engaging with a dynamic online player base, RAILROADS Online offers a unique and fulfilling journey down the tracks. Rating: 7/10

great game hoping for more updates and DLCs maybe different regions in the world.

Very open world, easy building mechanics, and easy driving trains

Very buggy and does not run well in multiplayer.... as the name implies it would. For instance, I'm convinced that the game de-spawns tracks after you lay them and then re-lay them once you come near. Why do I think this? Because I used the same track at least 5 times and then the 6th time it had a random hump in it and my train derailed. Stuff like this was rampant in the game. Additionally, my volume sliders sometimes would not work for in-game sounds. 3/10 ... Refunded

buggy, incomplete mess that, like the first game (yes this is the 2nd game which feels like a sequel and more like the first game again but slightly more finished) is basically abandoned at this point just don't buy this and get other games instead. id recommend derail valley and railroader or wait for century of steam which is the most similar to this game

Fun as hell, but seems like abandonware at this point, don't buy unless reviews like this are updated. Also currently doesn't run on my computer, but that is because my computer is absolutley terrible

I should have read the community discussions first. This game appears abandoned by the devs with multiple serious bugs and non-functional multiplayer that would require a full rewrite to fix. Sad, because it definitely has/had potential.

I really, REALLY wanted to like this game. It has some things going for it. It looks good and the physics are decent, but where this game really let me down was in building track. It's extremely difficult to get your track to look and work well. Nothing lines up automatically, so I feel like I have the choice between being absolutely anal about placement of everything and finding workarounds to line things up or having everything just be out of whack and weird looking. There is almost no interest in the scenery you're building through either. There are no real towns, buildings or cabins that make the scenery you're trying to build through look interesting. You can place scenery and create those kinds of scenes, but where's the fun in that? At that point, I might as well build a route in Trainz Simulator and actually get things to look the way they're supposed to. One other important thing to note. Most of the maps are set in the mountains. That's great for creating operational challenges, but what's not great is the fact that you can't modify the height of any terrain or build any sort of tunnels. You can't cut a narrow ledge for your track to run on or blast a tunnel through a hill that's in your way. You just have to either build around or over those obstacles, which make for some pretty unconventional track layouts. There are prelaid maps available as part of the game if you want to just run trains, but there is way too much track on every map. You feel like you just go around in circles passing under and over lines that you just travelled on. There's no sense of getting anywhere. Just moving from one industry to another. In a game that's about transportation, feeling like you're not transporting anything anywhere is a pretty big disappointment. I get the appeal of this game. A game that takes place in the wild west using old narrow gauge equipment is a fantastic idea. However, the execution on this one was poor. My advice? Don't bother with this game and just wait for Century of Steam to release to get your narrow gauge fix.

Full disclosure, I bought this game, returned it because it was frustrating, bought it again because I thought I didn't give it a fair chance, and am now sure. I feel like this game has so much potential, but it just falls short in almost every way. Firstly, a big part of the game, probably the main part of the game, is building your own rail network. The problem is, it's like pulling teeth the entire time. My two biggest complains are the cumbersome nature of precision building, and the fact that if you happen to be over a piece of track when you place it, you drop out of fly mode in a pretty jarring way. The main selling point of a game shouldn't also be it's most frustrating feature. Secondly, the maps. The scenery is pretty bland, and as far as I can tell you cannot change the terrain in any way. This wouldn't be a problem, except for some maps that have absurd grades leaving you no option but to build huge winding sky bridges all over the map to stay under a reasonable percentage. Thirdly, operating trains. The other major aspect of the game is driving trains. Well, the physics of the game is so broken that the locomotives are speed locked to prevent trains just derailing on flat straight track. So, even if you don't have to deal with a grade, you get to putt across the map at like 15 mph. There are so few really amazing train games, and I feel like this could have been one of them. But at the end of the day, it's just not fun, and that's the whole reason we play games.

its a good game, but gets kinda boring after a while, but its also addicting, but the dev need to update this