A-Train

UPC: 046357102349

Platform: PlayStation

Publisher: Maxis

Developer: ArtDink Corporation

Category: Simulation

Style(s): Construction/Building Sim

Synopsis: Although trains are your primary source of income in the beginning of the game, A-Train is not about building trains exclusively. By utilizing the train industry as well as buses and subways, it is up to you to manage an efficient transportation system for passengers and freighting companies. Everything you do must be well thought out because you're out to make a profit. As soon as you've earned the adequate funds, you have to start making investments. With your money you can buy and sell all types of land and businesses. If you think you're lucky enough, you may opt to play the stock market. Purchased land can be developed in a variety of ways, such as in the development of offices, apartments, hotels, factories, golf courses, and so on. It is up to you to build the largest financial empire humanly possible. If you plan to save more than once, you'll need a spare memory card. A-Train takes up 15 blocks to save one game (a full memory card). ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide

Package Contents: 50-page Instruction Manual

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad, Mouse

The whopping 50-page manual contains a lot of worthless details. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide

Riding on your trains adds a new dimension to the game. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide

Although A-Train fails to rise above average, it is ambitious and something different than most console games. The problem here is that it is probably too complex for people unwilling to learn how to play the game properly and the manual doesn't help out too much. Controlling a railroad empire would have been good enough but ArtDink went overboard with realism and added far too many confusing things. Because of the sheer amount of detail within A-Train, a well written instruction booklet was necessary. Unfortunately, the 50 pages contained in the manual fail to explain everything clearly. ArtDink has set the player up to learn through trial and error, but that is too difficult when most people will only be able to save one game at a time (it takes an entire memory card to save one game). While it covers a lot of ground, most of it tells you where certain things can be built rather than explaining the items themselves. The controls leave a lot to be desired with a standard PlayStation controller. Using the gamepad to call up menus and selecting things causes the game to move at a slower pace than it already does. The mouse doesn't help much either. When moving around the map, scrolling is not exactly what someone would call smooth and the screen borders are not apparent. Players familiar with Maxis' SimCity series may be disappointed to find that there is no land editor. To remedy this, there are a fairly large amount of scenarios provided (22 in all). Unfortunately, you never get to build your empire from scratch. In each scenario, the game starts you off with a small transportation network in place for you to control and expand. Fortunately, the graphics fit the nature of the game, although some menus could have been better presented (clearer icons and a zoom mode would have been nice). One of the better features included is the ability to take a ride on any train or bus you create. When you get ready to ride, you get a 3D view of your city, though the buildings are not drawn to scale. There are some other interesting effects like the change from day to night and the inclusion of weather. The sound effects are average at best. While there are twelve different music selections to choose from, the game lacks any train noises or effects. This doesn't do much to immerse the players in the gaming world. Overall, A-Train is a game that only certain players will enjoy. If you really like other games published by Maxis (SimCity) then you might like this game. Just be warned that it may be overly complicated for even the most hardcore simulation fans. Don't believe the package when it says that this game is for ages 6 and over -- a child could never figure this out. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide

Includes 22 scenarios and the game only ends when and if you go bankrupt. However, the 15 blocks required to save one game will force many players to only be able to start and save one scenario at a time. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide

Plenty of music but no effects. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide

It will likely take more hours of practice than most players are willing to commit to. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad, Mouse.