It’s been 2 years since we last got an entry in the Train Sim World series. With Dovetail Games releasing Train Sim World 2: A more arcade-style Train Simulator over its competitors such as Train Simulator 2019, does the latest entry in the Train Sim World family really stand up to its predecessor or is this just a copy/paste of the previous instalment?
First off let’s start with Train Sim World 2: A worthy entry into the family, TSW2 brought many new features including aggregating the previous titles trains and track maps. The game is more intuitive and more user friendly to those playing on Console compared to Train Simulator, however these are two different classes of games. Train Simulator is made for the hard-core Train Driving enthusiast who wants a proper experience driving and operating different trains, Train Sim World is made more for the casual gamer who wants to delve into driving specific routes only.
So what about Train Sim World 3 then? Honestly, it has the same level of intuition as TSW2, with driving controls on the Controller being very much the same as the previous game. The developers have allowed you to bring over map/train DLC’s you have bought for TSW2 this time around which is nice to see, rather than between TSW and TSW2 where the map/train maps from TSW were created as a separate DLC which you had to purchase separately (or as a Train Sim World Bundle). You will be able to do this through an easy prompt when you first start the game.
For someone like myself who is familiar with the TSW series the tutorial can be easily skipped, however I will mention that it’s worth running the tutorial/training centre if you haven’t played for some time or if you are new to the game. I also find that the tutorial is worth running for new trains that you may not be familiar with.
In terms of content, there is no “base-game” – You have to buy the game as part of a DLC bundle, that being said, the Standard Edition comes with 3 train/map packs, firstly in the Cajon Pass DLC; the ES44C4, a 4,400 horsepower beast of a freight train and the SD40-2, working the yards in California and winding through the beautiful mountains. Secondly the Schnellfahrstrecke Kassel – Würzburg DLC, you get the option of driving 3 trains, the ICE 1, ICE 3 and DB DR 185.2. This pack is really interesting as the map pack contains the developers longest route ever; 186km. Finally in the Standard Pack is the Southeastern Highspeed DLC, Allowing you to drive the Class 395, 375/9 and 465/9 plus running freight using the Class 66. There are other DLCs available and well worth the price tag of £29.99 per DLC considering the content included with them.
It really shows in this game and the previous entries in the series that Dovetail Games know what they are doing here, creating a casual train simulator that can be enjoyed by all. There is a bunch of routes and trains that will give hours of enjoyable game play time, but as with most games, it’s very much a personal choice as to whether this is for you. If you enjoyed Train Sim World or Train Sim World 2, then you will absolutely enjoy Train Sim World 3.
Aside from the gameplay, what else can I talk about? Well, I have to talk about the visual updates, not only do the trains all look realistic to their IRL counterparts, but the weather system makes the game feel less like a game, but more like a simulator. Changes like this may not matter to a lot of people, but I feel it adds to the realism and immersion. It also feels like the developers have been paying more attention to detail when it comes to population, adding more passengers around the stations, which is really nice to see. The only gripe I have with the look and feel of the game is that the HUD is basically the same compared to TSW2, which kind of proves the statement “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, however I would have loved to see a slight change even minor, just so it looks like a newer game and not like I’ve just downloaded a DLC for TSW2.
But the question is this: Is the Standard Edition worth its price tag of £39.99 (USD $49.99)? In my opinion, yes, especially if you compare the Standard Edition pricing vs the price of the single DLCs (£29.99/$39.99). Considering you get access to 3 DLCs and have the base game, it’s a very decent price. Is the price of the DLCs a little pricey? Some may think so, but considering the amount of time and effort the developers have put into the intricate details of the DLCs, I think it’s 100% worth it. But is it worth buying or is it worth just playing via Xbox Game Pass? Well in my opinion it really depends, are you already a Game Pass subscriber? Then absolutely without question, play it on Game Pass. If you’re a huge fan of the series, then it will be worth buying the game to add to your collection. If you don’t have Game Pass and you haven’t ever played a game from the series, it may be worth you spending the money on Game Pass to try it out for yourself before deciding whether to buy the game or buy Game Pass for many more months. (which I highly recommend, because Game Pass has paid for itself with me time and time again.)
