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0 Railroads Online is a sandbox simulation game that puts you in the boots of a budding railroad tycoon during the golden age of steam. Developed by Stefan Kelnberger and published by Astragon Entertainment, the game promises an immersive experience of laying tracks, managing steam locomotives, and navigating a rugged, untamed wilderness.
Railroading Your Way To The Top
Railroads Online has now been fully released on PC having been in early access for the last 3 years. It is also available on PS5 and Xbox S|X.
Does it deliver the engaging gameplay it promises, or does it run out of steam? Let’s find out.
Gameplay
At its core, Railroads Online is all about the intricate art of building and managing railroads. Many transport games do similar, however this game feels a lot different. Railroads Online gives players full control over laying tracks, designing routes, and piloting a variety of historically accurate steam locomotives. The freedom to construct your railroad empire in a vast, open-world environment is where the game shines brightest. The terrain is challenging, requiring careful planning to avoid steep grades and sharp curves that could derail your train—literally.
The tutorial goes into some depth explaining all the intricacies of the train controls. While standing in the cab physically pulling levers is initially good fun, thankfully you can control the train from an external camera using onscreen sliders. I found that when inside the cab there were moments where the direction of the mouse movement did not always make things move the way you wanted them to.
The laying of railroad tracks can be tricky at times. While a lot of thought is needed in planning and clearing the route you wish to take, you need to be mindful of signals/track junction deployment otherwise you will have issues later navigating the train to destinations.
I found the choice of maps when playing single-player gave you a good diversity of locations and terrains. Although starting with a pre-made track layout takes an element of the game away, it does allow you to jump straight into the game to focus more on train driving and making money from loading and unloading payloads.
Single-player is quite a slow-paced affair, to the point of almost Farm Simulator vibes. You need to check the map and ensure all the signals are set in the correct direction before jumping into your train and hooking up to the trailers. As you progress you can buy bigger and better trains and trailers however you will only ever be piloting one of them at a time.
Once all of the brakes are released, and I say this as I made the mistake of leaving one of them on, you can make your way to your destination. Railroads Online is calm to play. Other than when you get very close to the ends of the track. I found myself throwing the train full throttle in the opposite direction as the brakes didn’t always want to play ball.
The multiplayer aspect adds a unique social aspect to the gameplay. Online hosted games can hold a maximum of 16 players. To collaboratively build and operate a railway system is both engaging and rewarding. I played online with my father for a bit. Having the extra pair of hands helping certainly made the game more enjoyable.
Despite the promising core mechanics, the gameplay felt marred by a few bugs and physics glitches. I found that trains could sometimes behave unpredictably. The aforementioned track-laying could be a finicky process that frustrated more than it satisfied. Regular updates from the developers have been addressing some of these issues, therefore the game can only get better.
Graphics & Audio
Railroads Online audio design is a highlight. The hissing steam, chugging engines, and authentic whistles create a rich sound experience that pulls you into the era of steam power. The ambient sounds of the wilderness, including chirping birds and rustling leaves, compliment the gameplay beautifully.
Visually, Railroads Online adopts a charming, rustic art style that feels appropriate for its historical setting. The landscapes are expansive, featuring dense forests, winding rivers, and mountainous terrain. However, the graphics can feel dated at times, with occasional texture pop-ins and stiff animations. While functional, the visual presentation lacks the polish seen in more modern simulation games.
Longevity
Railroads Online has the potential for long-term playability, especially for players who enjoy sandbox games with a creative twist. The multiplayer mode significantly extends its lifespan, as collaborating or competing with friends keeps the experience fresh. However, the game’s content can feel repetitive after a while. Once the initial thrill of building and operating your railroad fades, the lack of varied objectives or dynamic challenges might leave some players yearning for more.
Frequent updates, DLC, and an active community modding scene inject some variety into the experience, offering new locomotives, assets, and scenarios to explore. These elements keep dedicated players coming back, but casual gamers may find the replay value limited.
Final Thoughts
From my first time playing Railroads Online, the game’s steep learning curve and lack of in-depth tutorials could make it intimidating for new players. While the single-player sandbox gives you time to learn and improve, it is truly the multiplayer element that gives the game a fun community-driven side to it.
Railroads Online receives the Thumb Culture Silver Award!
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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