Railworks 3 Train Simulator 2012 Game
Bueno Wyble
Although I was a fan of Microsoft Train Simulator for the PC platform, it was ageing less than gracefully in more recent times. My inklings for a graphical presentation that would eke every last morsel out of my computer hardware became stronger and soon I realised that a new contender should take prominent position in my simulation library, available ironically on a store and software service called Steam.
RailWorks not only improved the much needed visual qualities I was hoping for, it also reinvigorated my once dwindling interest in rail simulation as a whole. Featuring locomotives including steam, diesel and electric plus routes from the UK, US and elsewhere. I soon became hooked on the offerings RailWorks provided, so much so that I asked to interview Paul Jackson, CEO of RailSimulator.com to feature on my podcast and more recently in a video along with other members of staff down in Chatham.
RailWorks 2 which released on the 18th October 2010 sets out to open the doors to a much wider audience while not forgetting the hardcore enthusiasts who have followed the series right from the beginning in the shape of Rail Simulator. Best of all for owners of the original RailWorks, Railworks 2 is a free update!
To be frank, I was becoming a little lost within the RailWorks front end menus. Locating the exact parameters I wished to use within the game became a trek through a bewildering selection of options that with just a few add-ons purchased started to become a confusion. This lost sensation is totally removed with a vast rethink of the menu system by the developers.
Everything has also been given a tweak here and there to improve the overall appearance. This is also the case within the game, as menus appear with rounded edges and a hint of transparency. The Briefing window now only shows tasks that are incomplete, removing the need to scroll endlessly during a journey to locate the next important request.
For well over a decade, the traditional method of controlling a simulator was achieved by memorising a long list of buttons on a keyboard and various combinations that in turn moved, stopped or operated objects on the screen. After many months you may consider yourself an expert of rail simulation once you have all the required keystrokes preserved in your now aching brain, giving you the kudos of rail simulator enthusiast extraordinaire. For many, the requirement to stick a keyboard map of all the commands to your desk is the more likely result yet this can now be avoided with a massive overhaul of the control interface found in RailWorks 2.
The train is represented by a series of coloured blocks, green for the trailing goods or carriages and red for the actual locomotive itself. Not only that but the gradient is reflected also, so as you climb a hill the line adjusts accordingly. Scaling of this information is also used to great effect as the quicker your train travels the further in the distance you can view ahead, however slow down to a crawl and everything becomes much larger and more significant to the user.
Fear not though as for those who prefer to stick with the old reliable controls can still utilise the keyboard as before and view the old box that sat on the left of the screen detailing upcoming signals, distances and so on. I do encourage those whose immediate thought may be to scoff at this new design to give it a good try out before passing judgement. Personally, I hate using the old control scheme now feeling totally disconnected with the action unfolding in front of me.
As an Xbox 360 gamer, the yearning to unlock achievements resides strongly within my gaming soul. RailWorks 2 now also features these challenging critters for those who desire recognition for their simulation efforts. These include awards for mileage driven, hours played, number of locomotives driven, scores and so on. It will help to show your similarly minded friends your extreme efforts in taking on the rigours of the RailWorks 2 scenario and career systems.
There are plenty of other little changes you may or may not notice immediately upon your epic journeys, however the most notable visually has to be the level crossing animations. Previously the level crossings remained statically closed, however now they will lower and raise depending on your train position. Watch as your upcoming train causes the crossing to close with all its flashing light activity in progress and distinctive warning sounds, the traffic then waits patiently at the barrier, your train passes and the gates raise after a brief moment of time so that vehicle normality can continue.
Some may suggest that the new simpler interface somehow alienates the existing core audience, however in fact it serves both the newcomer and dedicated fan. The mouse control actually offers a far more tactile experience than the traditional keyboard can provide on its own. Of course, potentially attracting a new audience to rail simulator who may have panicked at the thought of so many keyboard combinations will now feel far more comfortable within the control environment. This is important for RailWorks to prosper and deliver a future with superb possibilities yet dedicated enthusiasts should also delight in the new interface, feeling increasingly a part of the action occurring on-screen and only knowing placements an experienced driver would have learned over many years of travelling the same routes. If you are still sceptical I implore you to try out the new method of control for at least a little while as it really changes for the better the interaction between you the driver and the locomotive.
The real beauty of RailWorks 2 though is that even with all these changes, tweaks and additions there is so much more still to come for us avid owners as the software continues to evolve and expand its original title.
I've always liked the look of rail simulators but never took the plunge and it's hard to find any decent video / article reviews on them to find out more. The above review not only answered all my questions but also sparked interest in a long lost passion.
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