Train Valley (PC) Review

Train Valley is quick to learn but very hard to master, which makes it a wonderful pick up and play experience that offers a lot of entertainment. There are 24 levels to complete and three optional objectives in each to add replay value alongside the sandbox mode to practise management techniques or just play freely. The developer has done a great job of making something that can appeal to players of varying skill levels but still offer a lot of challenge for those who seek it.

It doesn't take long, after being greeted by the relaxing music of the main menu, to jump into the first level of Train Valley. This serves as a tutorial to explain the basic concepts, and then later expanding on them, but the player is quickly given autonomy to create a network of rails as they see fit. The aim of each stage is to finish without going bankrupt by creating links between stations and earning money from each successful train journey. This may seem easy at the start but it soon becomes challenging to ensure that trains reach their destinations safely as new stations and trains appear at a fast pace.

Designing routes to carry carriages efficiently is tricky in itself but it comes with the added challenge of making sure that trains aren't left idle for too long, as they will automatically embark upon their journeys if too much time has passed. Thankfully, there is a pause button, which helps make decisions like these with some thought, especially as the passage of time also reduces the amount of money that a train will earn when it does eventually reach its destination. This is also useful when trains are moving around the map by activating switches at junctions or stopping other carriages to avoid collisions.

Each map is made up of a variety of obstacles and a range of station layouts, with a theme to match its geographical setting and place in history. Players must lay their tracks carefully to maximise the efficiency of their network of rails in any given area as some obstacles are impassable and those that may be demolished require an extra cost to do so. Juggling construction costs with potential profits is a tricky business and requires a keen eye, especially in later levels. Every stage also has three optional objectives, which range from being completed in the normal course of business to fiendishly difficult. This provides a great incentive to return for an extra challenge and truly test the skills of those in the driving seat.

Outside of 'classic' is a sandbox mode that has the freedom to experiment with different layouts and tactics to find the optimum routes in any each level. This is eases the pressure of juggling an increasing number of trains or a dwindling bank balance, as trains no longer leave the station automatically and there is no money to consider, just how quickly a journey can be completed or how many trains can run at any one time. Within the game's 24 levels, regardless of mode, are four maps where station locations are always randomly determined. This means that even after beating every stage and completing all the optional objectives, there is still something new to find.

Visually speaking, there is a clear and simple art style that makes it easy to follow trains around the map and manage networks of rails. The graphics reflect the modest system requirements but this means that it should run on pretty much any machine that is still working today. It's very easy to get drawn into the role of a train manager, so the lack of a fantastic visual flair is easily forgotten. Nonetheless, each new level always shows that the developer took the time to make each era look distinct, with environmental features such as volcanoes and French castles. Train Valley is wonderfully complemented by a relaxing soundtrack that suits the role of a train manager perfectly.