Trainz Simulator: A New Era

The main pros of the game

• Immersive Experience: The game offers a richly detailed and immersive experience with updated graphics, enhanced physics, and a variety of gameplay features that appeal to train enthusiasts and simulation fans.
• Customization Options: The Surveyor mode allows extensive customization, enabling players to design and build intricate rail networks, landscapes, and stations.
• Realistic Physics and Audio: Players appreciate the realistic physics of train operations and the authentic sound design that enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.
• Community Engagement: The vibrant community supports content sharing through the Trainz Content Manager and Download Station, providing players with a continuous influx of user-created content.
• Accessibility: The game runs well on lower-end PCs, making it accessible to a broader audience.

The main cons of the game

• Limited Base Content: Some users feel that the base game offers a limited number of maps and that many additional routes and content are locked behind paywalls (DLC).
• Lack of Derailment Physics: A common complaint is the absence of realistic derailment physics, where trains simply stop rather than experiencing realistic crashes.
• Bugs and Performance Issues: Users have reported bugs that affect gameplay, including crashes and lag, which can detract from the experience.
• Learning Curve: New players may find the interface overwhelming and the complexity of the game challenging, though tutorials are available to assist.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Limited Free Content: Many users express frustration that a significant portion of the game's content requires additional purchases, leading to a perception of it being "pay-to-play."
• Scenario Limitations: Players looking for a scenario-focused experience may be disappointed, as many scenarios are locked behind DLC, and user-created scenarios can take time to download.
• Inadequate Route Editing Options: Some reviews mention a lack of options to choose and edit routes beyond the tutorials, limiting the gameplay experience for some users.
• Download Station Issues: Users have noted that the official Download Station has throttled download speeds, making it frustrating to access additional content.

Summary

Summary

• Overall, Trainz: A New Era is praised for its detailed simulation and community-driven content, but it faces criticism for its limited initial offerings, performance issues, and lack of certain features like realistic derailment physics. While it provides a solid experience for train enthusiasts and builders, potential buyers should be aware of the additional costs and learning curve associated with the game.

Summary generated on: October 29, 2025