Fulfill those childhood dreams! (Train Simulator (PC))

Name: dfisher

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Product:	Train Simulator (PC)
Date:	08/06/06 (303 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent graphics and routes, realistic feel

Disadvantages: Requires a large hard drive (2GB)

Fulfill all those childhood train driving dreams and upgrade yourself from that old Hornby Trainset!!!

The game is very graphics intensive and therefore depending on the routes you want to install can take up to 2GB of your hard disk.

Once installed you are taken to the main menu. There is a feature which enables you to sit back and enjoy a demonstartion train ride - which is rather boring. Like me I went straight for the 'Drive a train' section.

This section requires you to pick a route to drive on first. Then a selected list of locomotives is made available wher eyou can pick what train you want to drive (not all trains can be driven on all lines). From there you can then choose what you want to have attached to the train. Some enable you to choose different cargo wagons or different passenger carriages with different number of cars.

After that the weather is selectable and you can choose to drive in rain, snow and a sunny day. The snowy and rainy days are realisitic but are dependant on your graphics card. These weather selections do have a small effect on the perfomance of the train - affecting braking and acceleration. The time of day is variable so the trains can bve driven during dusk, night, day or dawn.

Once started the trains are easy to drive. The number keys on the keyboard changes to different views which then can be further changed by using the directional arrow keys to adjust the viewing angle.

To drive the train requires you to use the letters on the keyboard - this however, can be customised to any keys you like in the options menu. All the key sssignments can be changed to match your tastes.

The physics of the trains are very realistic. Different trains have different accelerations and braking characteristics. THe range of trains are quite wide form teh Flying Scotsman to diesel American cargo and passenger locomotives.

Overall, this game is surprisingly addictive and there are many add-on packs available with new routes and trains. It may seem boring but most people will find this surprisingly entertaining.

Summary: Surprisingly addictive. Excellent graphics and many addon packs available.