Railroads Online, developed by Stefan Kelnberger and published by Astragon Entertainment, brings the age of steam locomotives to life with its ambitious railroad-building and management sandbox. Now available on the PlayStation 5 after its time in Early Access on PC, the game offers a sprawling open-world experience that combines simulation mechanics with multiplayer collaboration. But while it has plenty to offer for railroad enthusiasts, its complexity and a few technical issues may derail the experience for some.
Set in a world inspired by the landscapes of America during the rise of railroads, the game tasks players with building a network of tracks, managing locomotives, and delivering goods to expand their railroad empire. The premise is engaging, especially for fans of detailed management sims, as it encourages exploration and careful planning. The sense of freedom in creating your rail network is one of the game’s biggest strengths, giving players the tools to carve routes through valleys, across bridges, and around challenging terrain. However, the lack of any narrative or campaign structure (akin to Railway Empire) beyond the sandbox experience might leave some players wishing for a more guided approach to progression.
The gameplay mechanics are robust, offering a deep level of interaction with trains and infrastructure. From manually coupling wagons to controlling intricate locomotive systems, the attention to detail is impressive. Tasks like laying tracks and building stations require precision and patience, making every completed route feel like an achievement. The cooperative multiplayer mode, supporting up to 16 players, adds another layer of engagement, allowing friends to collaborate on massive projects or share the workload, though we weren’t able to play around with this during our review. That said, the learning curve can be steep either way, particularly for those unfamiliar with the intricacies of railroad logistics. The relative lack of tutorials or user-friendly onboarding can make early hours feel overwhelming, especially on consoles where this type of game is more uncommon.
Visually, Railroads Online benefits from the Unreal Engine 5, delivering realistic environments and intricately detailed trains. The landscapes, while vast and immersive, sometimes feel underwhelming due to repetitive textures and sparse environmental variety. On the audio front, the game strikes a pleasant balance with authentic train sounds and ambient noises, although the soundtrack, while functional, doesn’t leave a lasting impression.
The transition to the PlayStation 5 has its challenges. While the controls are well-adapted to a gamepad, navigating the interface can still feel clunky, particularly when managing complex track layouts. Performance issues, such as frame rate drops and occasional bugs, detract from the overall experience, though these seemed less prominent in the small multiplayer sessions we tried. Players hoping for polished gameplay akin to other console simulation titles may find themselves frustrated by the technical hiccups that remain from the game’s PC origins, so hopefully we’ll see some post-launch support for this one.
For those with a passion for trains and a willingness to embrace its quirks, Railroads Online offers a rich and rewarding simulation experience. Its open-ended gameplay and attention to detail make it a standout in its niche, even if its technical flaws and steep learning curve might limit its broader appeal. While the PlayStation 5 version captures much of what makes the game compelling, there’s room for improvement in performance and accessibility to truly make it shine.
Score: 6.6/10