A-Train: All Aboard! Tourism

This game is an absolute blast to play if you are into business simulation and optimization. Don’t be fooled by the artstyle, it is a hardcore simulation. Similar games I’ve played include Railroad Tycoon, Anno series, Transport Fever, Transport Tycoon, Cities Skylines. In all of those games, earning money is easy, because you are an abstract entity in an abstract world, and the same things always work. A-Train on the other hand has you play as CEO of a company with every microeconomic detail in place (including realistic income statement and balance sheet), set against a properly simulated macroeconomic backdrop. Japanese economic history is faithfully implemented from the 1950s to 2020 (for example, the corona pandemic is simulated, as is the big market crash in 1989, and many other historic events). This includes inflation as well as international sale prices, also stock prices. Things that work in one era will not necessarily work in another. I have played 8 of the scenarios so far, and each required a different strategy to beat. Land price, taxes, depreciation, loan cost, labor force, stock price, dividend payments etc. all play a major role in how you fare at the game. I was astonished by how impactful decisions are, they can influence your performance even after years, which speaks to the realism of the economic simulation. The screenshots don't give the game enough credit, the graphics are really crisp at high resolution, and the game even supports widescreen and DSR super resolution (I play at 5160x2160 on a 3440x1440 monitor) . The UI is terrible unfortunately, it is optimized for controller, but I would still recommend mouse and keyboard. Bus/truck lines are finnicky, but it is fine once you get to work around the limitations. In general, the game could make some things less time consuming to do, like being able to batch process subsidiary sale strategies, instead of having to select each building from a list. TLDR: good: -economic simulation is far beyond other titles -optimizing your network is addictive, there are always things to improve -scenario based play, with clear goals -scenarios can be played further after completion, allowing you to create mega-cities with bustling traffic -beautiful graphics with realistic scale -various ways to earn money, all of which must be employed according to circumstance -faithful economic history of Japan implemented bad: -UI is horrible in comparison to proper PC games -laying out bus/truck lines is finicky As a last note, don't listen to people complaining about missing features. They are all there, but you must complete the first two missions to unlock them. Also, the price is not too high given how many hours you can spend with this game.

A-Train: All Aboard! Tourism is a management simulator that delivers far more depth and complexity than its colorful presentation initially suggests. Developed by ARTDINK and published by KOMODO, the game places players in charge of a transportation company responsible for building railway systems, expanding cities, developing tourism, and managing large-scale economic growth. While many city-building games treat trains as a supporting feature, A-Train makes railways the heart of the entire experience. Every station, rail line, and scheduling decision directly influences how towns grow and how economies evolve over time. It is a game built around patience, planning, and long-term strategy, rewarding players who enjoy carefully constructing interconnected systems rather than chasing fast-paced progression. The core gameplay focuses on designing railway networks that serve as the backbone of urban expansion. Players begin with relatively small areas and gradually transform them into thriving economic regions by connecting communities through efficient transportation routes. Trains move passengers, encourage tourism, and stimulate business development around stations, creating a realistic sense that infrastructure drives the growth of entire cities. Every rail line feels important because poorly planned systems can quickly lead to financial disaster, while successful transportation routes naturally attract residents, businesses, and tourists. Watching empty landscapes slowly develop into bustling districts because of carefully placed stations and routes becomes one of the game’s most rewarding aspects. What separates A-Train from simpler transport simulators is the incredible amount of management layered on top of the railway mechanics. Players are not only responsible for trains but also for bus systems, commercial development, tourism attractions, subsidiaries, and investments that all interact with one another. Apartment buildings, shopping centers, hotels, offices, and entertainment facilities can be strategically placed around stations to maximize profit and encourage population growth. Tourism also plays a major role in the economic simulation, with scenic locations and famous attractions becoming valuable destinations once transportation access improves. The game constantly encourages players to think beyond simple rail placement and instead approach city development as part of a much larger economic ecosystem. The scheduling systems are especially impressive for players who enjoy detailed transportation management. Trains can be assigned specific routes, timing intervals, and track priorities with remarkable precision. Local trains, express services, and freight systems can all operate simultaneously across shared infrastructure, requiring careful planning to avoid congestion and inefficiency. There is a genuine sense of satisfaction when complicated rail systems finally begin functioning smoothly after hours of experimentation and adjustment. Enthusiasts who enjoy optimization and infrastructure design will likely spend enormous amounts of time perfecting their networks. One of the game’s strongest qualities is how organic city growth feels. Towns do not simply expand automatically through scripted progression. Instead, development happens naturally depending on how well transportation and economic systems function together. Areas surrounding successful stations gradually evolve into dense commercial hubs, while neglected districts stagnate or decline. This creates a strong sense that player decisions genuinely shape the world over time. Watching skyscrapers rise near busy stations or tourist districts flourish because of well-designed train routes creates an impressive feeling of ownership over the region’s growth. Visually, A-Train: All Aboard! Tourism is functional rather than groundbreaking. The environments and city models have a somewhat dated appearance compared to newer city-building games, but the clean…

I have been a fan of the A-Train games for a long time, even playing the original Apple release in the US! So many years later, this is my favorite version so far, and while I understand the licensing issues that kept them from wanting to sell the dlc in the US, I'd still say it's my favorite release with its vibrant artstyle, along with actual characters to help breath life into each scenario! It may be a bit clunky at times, but it's well worth sifting through to get to an otherwise wonderful experience.