Train Sim World 2020

Train Sim World 2020 made by Dovetail Games. It is exactly what it sounds like. It is a game that is a train simulator, the clue is in the name. As you can see, Dovetail Games have gone with catching up with the years. Kind of how to like how 2k does with their new release but that a whole other rant. So, who is Train Simulator 2020 for? What does it offer to the players who like simulator games or are looking to try their first simulator game? Is it pleasing to the eye? Are the controls as realistic as what a real train driver would have? And how does it stack up to its rival Train Sim World 2? We will answer all those questions and more in this review.

Gameplay

Let us start with what I would argue is the most important part of simulator games. And that is the gameplay. To start with, there is an option tutorial that talks about the player through movement and controls. Great to see if this is the player’s first time playing a simulator. So, the player has an array of different modes to choose from. There are quick play, career mode, and different scenarios.

There are options to use different locos and different routes that the player can take advantage of. The player also has the option to create their own in-game player as well. There is a variety of uniforms to kit the playable character with. This game stands out a bit as it allows the player free movement within the game. That is right, the player can leave the train, simulating walking. The player can also ride the trains as a passenger. I think that is pretty cool, as not many simulators allow that in general, very mind train simulators. Can you have access to all the controls as if the player was a real train driver? Well as far as I can tell yes.

So, for the many different locos that the game offers, and of course each and every train has its own controls and systems that are used. The player can plug up some different types of controllers to use during the game as well. Although I should point out that there are a limited of controllers that are natively supported in the game.

Graphics and performance

The game is built on an older game engine which means it's not made from the hottest and newest stuff. The graphics were clearly focused more on the actual locos than the surrounding environment. Or at least that what it would seem from my perspective. Do not get me wrong, graphics are everything, but it sure does help sell a game if the graphics are stunning.

Earlier I was speaking about how the player can customize their very own in-game character, well the graphics definitely were not focused on this as it just seems like the character is a huge block with details here and there to make out what part is what on the body. Performance is one key factor in this. If a game does not prefer well how can you enjoy it? There have been outcries from players that Train Sim World 2020 is actually just a copy and paste with more content from the previous year’s game (Train Sim World 2019 of course). The reason for this outcry? Well, it is like buying a whole new game that is exactly the same as the old one, just with updated graphics and some new stuff.

My verdict

Out of 10, how do I rate this game? Well if I was looking at this game and not comparing it with other games it is a decent game. Yeah the graphics are the best in the world and the game is built on an older game engine, and the player does not have a lot of options to use different controllers but the game does allow for other things. Things like being able to ride the train as a passenger. Freedom of movement around the game. But if you start to compare this game with other games, say Train Sim World 2, the player may be more integrated to move games.

Pros

• Freedom of movement, riding the train as a passenger
• Character creation
• Realistic game controls as a train driver

Cons

• Built on an older game engine
• Graphics could be better
• Controller support is limited (at the time of writing this review)