Rail Simulator
| Rail Simulator (later as Train Simulator 2016) |
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UK Rail Simulator box cover
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| Developer(s) | Kuju Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Engine | Proprietary game engine, PhysX (physics) |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows XP and Vista |
| Release |
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| Genre(s) | Simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Rail Simulator (Kuju Rail Simulator) is a train simulation published by Electronic Arts (EA). It was produced by UK based Kuju Entertainment, the company which developed Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) with Microsoft. After release of the EU version, EA's support and further development of the title was taken over by Rail Simulator Developments Ltd (RSDL), who continued to provide updates, fixes, official expansion packs and new content to players. RSDL has also released a much anticipated sequel to the first game called RailWorks, both online and on DVD-ROM.
Steam, diesel and electric traction trains, keyboard or mouse control of throttles, brakes and switches with three control modes for varying player skills. A variety of scenarios are available as well as an exploratory style free roam mode. Cargos and passengers are animated, and weather changes dynamically with time. The game has been criticized by reviewers for not providing enough help for newcomers to train simulation, and lack of complete instructions in the guides.
The game contained four routes on both the European and North American releases, with one exclusive route on each one.
A complete tool suite is also available to customise content, allowing terrain modeling either by hand using provided tools or via the import of DEM data from NASA; track construction based on a system of straights and arcs, allowing infinitely possible junction configurations, and scenery placement. A scenario editor allows the creation of tasks such as picking up passengers, hauling cargo and shunting wagons around yards. These tools also allow players to build unlimited sizes of layouts, create their own scenery and rolling stock and modify the provided content by adding features or re-skins.
Since release, Kuju Rail Simulator received generally positive reviews from reviewers. IGN awarded 7.0 out of 10, praising the title's attention to its source material. Some jagged graphics were criticized (with foliage going through the cab instead of bouncing off the windshield, for example) and the fact that only true rail fanatics could ever get any fun out of KRS. The lack of any in-game tutorials was mentioned, with "members of the community ... making video walk-throughs, while lamenting the lack of a thick, fully printed manual."
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