Back On The Tracks
I didn’t really think about trains before 2018. I got on them, I got off them, and sometimes there was a fight or some loud shouting. I never really thought about how they worked though.
Fast forward to today, and I know how a train operates and what it needs to do to get from A to B. I know that different countries and various railway networks have their own trains, each with different requirements and instructions. Some are electric, some are diesel, and some are steam. Why? Well, it’s because I’ve played every Train Sim World game since the original back in 2018. Now, with Train Sim World 7, I’m back on the tracks once again.
Like sports games, it seems there’s a new iteration of Train Sim World each and every year. When I downloaded the game, all the previous tracks and trains were placed onto my hard drive, taking up almost 190 GB of space. What’s amazing about this franchise is the sheer amount of railway content it covers, from much of the UK to Germany and America. For train enthusiasts, it’s a dream come true. But what does this new game offer that justifies purchasing the latest upgrade?
New Routes Across The World
As usual, there are new tracks, trains and environments to explore in Train Sim World 7. First up in the UK is the Airedale and Wharfedale Network, which takes you through Bradford and Skipton. It’s a mixture of towns and lovely countryside, with a sizeable route to explore and plenty of scenarios to play through. Skipton station is one of the rare ‘triangle’ stations, Grade 2 listed.
Then we have the American addition, Florida Tri-Rail, which takes you through the sunny state. There are 50 miles of track to explore, covering the Miami Airport to Boca Raton route, while you drive huge diesel ‘Palm Tree’ locomotives.
Finally, we have Germany. I’ve always had a soft spot for these trains because they feel the easiest to drive, making them a good choice for beginners to the series. They also make you feel more like the captain of a spaceship than a train driver, thanks to their cockpit design. Here, you have the Bahnstrecke Nürnberg–Würzburg route across Bavaria, taking in high-speed journeys through the countryside and towns.
These different locations, routes and trains are one of the biggest draws of Train Sim World 7. You get to experience how different countries approach rail transport, with each location bringing its own challenges and characteristics.
Beginner Controls And New Ways To Play
One of the things I always enjoy about this franchise is that, every time I return, I need a refresher course in the training section to remind myself how to start a train. In Train Sim World 7, the developers are also looking to entice potential new train enthusiasts with beginner controls. These focus on driving the train rather than requiring you to deal with every cab or cockpit setup, complete with master keys and computer systems. But don’t worry, train experts: you can turn off all the assistance if you prefer and do things the old-school way.
All the usual modes are here, from planning routes and designing liveries to guided trips. There is also a new and interesting mode called Freight Haulier, which offers a free-roam experience without time constraints or timetables. Freight cars are randomly placed along a route, and you need to locate the freight, identify the best locomotive for the job, and then deliver it. It’s a nice variation from the norm and a welcome addition to the game.
Weather, Passengers And Dogs
There are other features worth mentioning, too. An AI conductor can open and close the doors for you when the timetable dictates. There are also extra things to discover on the platforms, including dogs that you can feed bones to if you want. Live weather provides real-time weather conditions for the location you’re visiting, while the weather effects remain impressive. For some reason, I seem to particularly enjoy driving in the rain.
Visually, the game has received improvements to its lighting and textures. Train Sm World has always been visually strong, and this seventh iteration still looks great; the attention to detail across the trains, equipment and stations is impressive. The passengers are getting better too, although they still occasionally pop in and out of existence and don’t always move like real humans.
I also noticed the soundtrack more this time around, and it’s very impressive, featuring some great music. The voice work is superb, with the accents from the different regions and countries being performed well. The train sound effects seem perfect, although I’m not a train sound expert… yet.
Train Sim World 7 – Another Solid Journey
Train Sim World 7 delivers another year of the railways – more tracks and more locomotives to add to your collection. There is plenty to do and a lot of content here, making it a worthwhile purchase. However, I would like Dovetail Games to try something different next time, perhaps introducing a completely new mode, such as a career mode, to push the franchise in a new direction.
But for now, it’s good to be back on the tracks with Train Sim World 7.
Important Links
All Aboard – Train Sim World 7 Hits The Rails – https://www.thexboxhub.com/all-aboard-train-sim-world-7-hits-the-rails/
Download the Standard Edition – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/train-sim-world-7-standard-edition/9pg6tw46qtzn
There’s a Deluxe Edition – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/train-sim-world-7-deluxe-edition/9nwl4tkd09rt
There’s an Ultimate Edition too – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/train-sim-world-7-ultimate-edition/9nrvzt9lc24z
