Trainz: The Complete Collection review (PC)

Ever find yourself watching reruns of Thomas the Tank Engine on daytime television? Ever overly enjoyed 'conducting' a bad female driver into a tight parking space? Ever looked forward to a 8 hour train journey? Well then you're in luck, you can now waste your time by doing that same stuff in a non-productive manner in your very own PC room. Yes, train enthusiasts, Trainz: The Complete Collection has been conducted straight to retail shelves courtesy of Auran. The mouse is your platform and your imagination is the only thing to keep you entertained.

Boasting three full games, two expansion packs and other add-ons this really is the complete collection. Or should I say this seems like the complete collection. While it is true you get all the mentioned goodies, the reality is distinguishing between each game is like telling the difference between two grains of sugar and I can assure you there is nothing that sweet about Trainz.

The reason Trainz: The Complete Collection feels like one game is due the fact that it comprises of Trainz, Trainz 2004 and Trainz 2006 and there is absolutely no major difference between each game. The only noticeable difference comes in the shape of new scenarios, choo-choos, a small graphical update, etc. Despite this there is so much content in Trainz: The Complete Collection that I’m fairly sure that you could work for British Rail after you have completed the majority of this game. I estimate that there is over 250 hours of game play and 130 trains from around the world and that is not including the numerous extra content available online through the many fan sites. So if you can spend that amount of time on Trainz, then you obviously don't have a job. But don't worry, as I said hand in an application to British Rail. Turn up late for the interview as well, they seem to like that.

So how do you operate a train? It basically involves pulling many different levers in many different directions at many different times. It sounds complicated and can be at first but the tutorials provided should get you through after numerous attempts. However more heartache is provided when you find out that each of the 130 trains has a different cab and you have to learn how they operate individually. This means that mastering this game can take you many weeks/months. If you prefer to just dive right in and just take a ride then the game allows you to turn on a less realistic mode but then the game turns from a train simulation to model railway simulation.

All Aboard!

What you do in Trainz can vary. You can transport people from A to B but this sounds easier than it is. You have to keep an eye on the time and arrive on time, no earlier or later then what is scheduled. You must also wait for lights and signals along you journey meaning you have to master the rules of the rail. Passengers are not the only thing you transport as you sometimes have to carry freight from its raw material state to a manufacturing plant and onto its final destination. Even though you would think that being on a rail that it would be hard to get lost but it's actually easy to find yourself halfway up a mountain when you should be at the coast.

Again this is to do with time keeping as conductors switch tracks at certain times, for other trains, and if you were ahead of time or behind time then you will go off on a path intended for the 2.30 to the Forest Moon of Endor or some other place. However when everything goes according to plan then Trainz really shows its true potential. There is nothing better then arriving at a station on time and seeing everyone leave and parking your train in the shed. There is a fantastic sense of completion and you really do feel as you made a difference in the factious world of Trainz.

The sound of trains is a two-edged sword. On one hand, it provides aural pleasure for the kinky type who get a hoot out of the trains, well, hooting. However that cat I ran over in my car yesterday has more life in it than the overindulging, blockaded and mute cities of Trainz. All one can hear from the game is the sound of the train. Take away that and the countryside and city become empty hollow shells devoid of all life. Although some sound does make itself known there is not enough to make you believe that outside your train life does indeed exist.

Departure

If you are the pacifist, ardent train driver then you can peacefully enjoy a quiet journey at your own pace, admiring the scenery you created. You can traverse baron or lushes landscape carrying freight or transport people to and from bustling cities above and below ground. However admiring the scenery is a challenge in its own right as the graphics in Trainz are quite poor even for a game released in 2006 and this is the major complaint I have with the game. If you enjoy trains in general then one part of that enjoyment is sitting back in your train and taking in your surroundings. I really wanted to enjoy transporting freight across the Australian outback or taking people to and from the city on a monorail but sadly the view was a letdown and I ended up keeping my head down and monitoring my speed and course. Also the cab view in your train is quite horrible and in your old steam engine trains your co-driver, who puts in coal, looks like he is made of Lego.

Those fascinated by trains will have an enjoyable time. Those with model railways should stick to that. The rest of, well we'll still be suckered in and play a fair bit of Trainz, not that we'll tell anyone or that we'll overly enjoy it. If you become bored of driving trains then you can become a conductor and organise the running of a entire network of routes or you can create your own maps and tracks in the user friendly world builder. I created a roller coaster of a track with more insanely ludicrous twists than a M. Night Shyamalan film. However it ended up shaped like a penis. Damn you Spore! For those that will enjoy it then there is plenty to see and do and once you master you will enjoy it. Despite all this a major question is raised. Why buy this game when EA has created a train simulator that enjoys the usual high production values from an EA game? It adds what Trainz lacks and for that it's hard to recommend this game. For me its a one way ticket to average town. No return.