Trainz is a relatively new idea in the PC gaming community. Microsoft's recently released Train Simulator offers much to train lovers with superb realism, but Trainz has many added features and ideas that set it apart from Train Simulator, and in most cases, place it ahead. Auran and Strategy First have outdone themselves this time, and that is an understatement to say the least.
After installing and configuring Trainz, players have a variety of options. Trainz is a "modular" based title, meaning it can be easily expanded in the future. The retail version ships with three modules, "My Collection", "Driver", and "Surveyor." My collection is the most simple of the three, and allows players to save their train creations to be retrieved at a later date. Driver is a much more exciting and useful module, allowing players to prepare a consist and grab an engineering cap. Stepping into the engineer's seat in a locomotive has never been easier, and players can select from one of three preset environments in which to navigate, Australia, Britain, or the United States. The "Surveyor" module is the most useful of the three, allowing players to create their own environments from scratch, adding buildings and creating realistic landscapes.
Unlike Microsoft Train Simulator, Trainz is not a "full-scale" simulation. If you have ever built a model train set, then you will understand the underlying concepts behind Trainz. Including a huge variety of locomotives and other "cars", players have lots of freedom when it comes to selecting a consist. With such a large variety of consist selection available, players should easily recognize at least one of the locos, no matter which country in which you reside.
Trainz features an absolutely stunning graphics engine powered by "Auran Jet" technology. These graphics are extremely detailed and look very realistic, especially for a model-train simulator. The graphic configuration can be setup using a variety of sliders to adjust the polygon count and detail levels, making the game run good even on lower end systems. However, for anyone who wants the details cranked, the system requirements are steep. Every detail, no matter how minor, has been included, that of which makes the graphical wonders of this title so great. Smoke rises from the engines when they are forced to begin movement, and vehicles slowly travel off into the distance along the roads. The environments are beautiful, and remarkably realistic, another successful achievement by Auran.
Trainz offers player a wide variety of customization options. Included on the Trainz CD-ROM is a copy of Discreet's 3D Modeling software, GMAX. This software can be used to create new objects or locomotives for use in the game. One problem with this however, is that the version of GMAX included in the CD is virtually useless, as it will not function without proper registration. Now, you're asking, why don't you just register it? Registration can only be done for the newest version of GMAX, available for download from the company website, so you cannot register the version on the CD. After downloading the newest version and going through the registration process, I was somewhat surprised to find out that the custom content creation pack for Trainz has yet to be released by Auran. When this feature becomes available, it will add a whole new dimension and turn on the game, but until then, it's just a feature in development.
Surveyor, not to be confused with GMAX, is the in-game environment development module included with Trainz. This module is where players will spend most of their time, developing new landscapes and worlds in which to ride the rails. Anyone familiar with 3D Studio MAX or any other three dimensional modeling software should have few problems understanding the Trainz surveyor, but Auran has made it simple enough to use that basically anyone can build an environment without much trouble. This surveyor module is very entertaining, and for anyone who has ever wanted to develop a city, this is as close as you will ever get. A large variety of objects and buildings are included, divided into three different continents. Rails, bridges, vectored objects, terrain editors, and many other means of manipulation are included making this a very simple, yet effective tool. Unfortunately, surveyor is not perfect, with problems in the terrain height levels and the rails that would cover this terrain. Clipping issues are often present when working with terrain height, as tracks and roads do not always contour to the correct levels, making your track appear partially underground. This issue can become extremely annoying, and unfortunately, is something that can be very unpleasant in correcting. Generally, the surveyor module is a great tool, but a few minor issues can cause problems when entering the world of development.
I can be called a little strange at times, and this is just another reason why. I enjoy the sounds of a train wailing its horn as it approaches a railway crossing. The sound effects in Trainz were important to me in this respect, and I can certainly say, I have yet to be disappointed. Although no musical effects have been included, players will have no problems grasping the environmental effects and the sounds as your locomotives clank along the rails. The distant ringing of railway crossings and the hum of the engine as you power up the locomotive are extremely realistic, something that can be enjoyed by everyone. My only complaint with this aspect of the game is the volume controls, as they cannot be edited and are a little unbalanced. The horn sound effect could be louder overall, and the volume increase from viewing the locomotive to stepping inside the engineering compartment should not be as large as it is. When switching between the two viewing modes, I often have to find myself adjusting the volume of the speakers, as it can be deafening at times. The sound is superb overall, but the volume controls could be a little more balanced.
Trainz offers players several modes of controlling the locomotives while in the hot seat. DCC Mode is a very simplistic method or engineering the train, and involves moving a slider to set the speed and direction of the train. The CABIN method of control is much more difficult, and leans more towards realistic tendencies of being an engineer. Players are expected to set gauges and release valves, among other things to set the movement of the train. "Flow", "Equalizing Reservoir", and "Dynamic Brake" are words that mean nothing to me, but are important if using the CABIN method for control. Players can control each consist from a variety of positions in the world, from inside the locomotive, to an outer surrounding area which can be zoomed and rotated at any time. The camera's for the tracking mode are well placed, and give a good variety of angles in which to watch your trains commence operation. Luckily, each step in using the CABIN method is outlined in detail within the manual, as is each of the terms outlined above.
The manual included with Trainz, although not overly large, contains a vast amount of information that can teach a player nearly anything they want to know about the game. Instructions on each feature, as well as the controls and steps to using the CABIN method of gameplay, and some general information and tips on using the "Surveyor" module. If players should fail to understand any part of the game, expect to turn to the manual and find the answer fairly quickly.
Dynamic weather effects play a part in the game as well, mainly when controlling a locomotive. Players have the ability to set weather conditions and departure time. Weather conditions vary, everything from engineering in a warm sunny afternoon, to a freezing snow filled environment. These conditions can be adjusted in the game preferences as well, allowing for weather fluctuations. Players can set the game to dramatically change the weather without much notice, or simply gradually adjust the weather parameters over a period of time, whichever method keeps you entertained.
If you are looking for a game in which to complete tasks and deliver passengers, than Trainz is not what you are looking for, at least at the current time. Auran is developing new modules for Trainz, these of which will allow players to do a wide variety of new tasks such as running a rail company or becoming a train dispatcher. Although these modules are not apart of the current release, I felt it was important to show you what the Trainz modular format is capable of, and what players can expect in the future. Also, it should be noted that these expansions will not be free upgrades, but will more than likely be worth the money if you are looking for a railway management type of game.
If you are looking for a game in which to complete tasks and deliver passengers, than Trainz is not what you are looking for, at least at the current time. Auran is developing new modules for Trainz, these of which will allow players to do a wide variety of new tasks such as running a rail company or becoming a train dispatcher. Although these modules are not apart of the current release, I felt it was important to show you what the Trainz modular format is capable of, and what players can expect in the future. Also, it should be noted that these expansions will not be free upgrades, but will more than likely be worth the money if you are looking for a railway management type of game.
