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0 The Train Sim World franchise has established itself as the go-to experience for anyone wanting to drive a train without worrying about schedules and angry passengers. Dovetail Games continues to strengthen its reputation for realism with each release, giving aspiring trainspotters something they can truly get lost in. Train Sim World 6 continues this tradition while adding a few new twists of its own, including random train faults and in-station announcements that make the world feel more dynamic than ever.
Developed by Dovetail Games, Train Sim World 6 launched worldwide on 30th September 2025, priced at £44.99 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Players who purchased the Deluxe or Premium Editions could climb aboard a few days early, starting on 27th September. So, the question is: does this latest entry charge full steam ahead, or is it just coasting along familiar tracks?
Same Track, Different Day
Train Sim World 6 immediately feels like sliding into your usual seat on the morning commute. The menus, modes, and UI are polished and precise, instantly familiar to long-time players. This familiarity is comforting for veterans but can feel a little overwhelming for newcomers. The base game includes only a small selection that offers a solid foundation, but not a wide range of options.
However, if you already own previous DLC, your collection integrates, transforming the experience into a sprawling playground of tracks and trains. In short, this entry feels less like a brand-new destination and more like a central hub that is perfect for returning players but a little light on content for those starting fresh. I could see my local line staring at me in the game’s vast DLC offerings.
Gameplay
The first tip I can give readers is simple: don’t skip the Training Centre. I tried jumping straight into driving, and it felt like trying to untangle spaghetti with chopsticks. The Training Centre teaches everything from getting into the cab to mastering the unique features of each locomotive. Every lever, gauge, and switch is beautifully modelled, and although the sheer amount of content can feel overwhelming, taking the time to learn it all makes the experience even more rewarding.
Once you’re confident enough to leave the Training Centre without causing a derailment, Timetable Mode is where you’ll spend most of your time. Choose a route, set your preferred time of day, and do your best to keep everything running on schedule. Managing a speeding steel behemoth is both calming and terrifying, relaxing when nothing goes wrong and panic-inducing when it does.
The headline addition this year is the introduction of random train faults. Signal errors and other unexpected hiccups keep you on your toes and force you to react like a real driver. A slider lets you adjust how often these issues occur, helping you find the right balance between realism and fun. When combined with the new on-train and platform announcements, the world feels far more alive, filled with the sounds of grumbling passengers and muffled tannoy messages. Beyond these features, Train Sim World 6 remains familiar territory.
Graphics & Audio
Train Sim World 6 looks fantastic. Light reflects off wet rails, and mist curls across the morning tracks, bringing every scene to life. Realistic weather and day-night cycles introduce subtle challenges, while stations feel busy without becoming overwhelming.
The audio design once again steals the show. The steady hum of engines, the rhythmic clack of tracks, the sharp hiss of brakes, and the occasional murmur of passengers all combine to create one of the most authentic rail experiences available. Performance on PlayStation 5 remains solid throughout, maintaining stable frame rates with only minor pop-in on longer routes. Bugs were minimal during my playthrough, although some players have reported rare crashes during extended journeys. That’s software crashes, not train crashes!
Longevity
Train Sim World 6 has plenty of content to get lost in. Each locomotive has its own quirks, every route feels like a small puzzle, and mastering both is deeply satisfying. The new random faults and announcements add replayability, although they do not dramatically change the core gameplay loop.
As mentioned, new players may find the base content a little limited unless they are willing to invest in extra DLC, while veterans with large libraries will have an abundance of routes and trains to explore. It’s the kind of game where focusing on a single train for hours feels completely worthwhile.
Final Thoughts
Train Sim World 6 may not lay new rails, but it keeps the journey running smoothly. The new random events and station announcements deepen immersion, while the visuals and audio remain among the best in class. Returning players gain the most from their existing content, but newcomers like me face a bare-bones experience that feels restrictive without extra investment.
Dovetail Games shows that familiarity can still deliver a strong experience when executed well, but based on my time with the game, I have to award it the Thumb Culture Silver Award.
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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