The best games with trains

9 days ago, by Enzo

As surprising as it may seem, studios that have decided to incorporate trains into their games are actually not as rare as one might think. These iron machines are much more than just a means of transportation in video games: they can become the heart of an adventure, a tool for survival, a fantastic building platform, or even the driving force behind a full-fledged simulation. From locomotives to drive, rail networks to build, and trains to protect, this new selection brings together games that each, in their own way, tap into the fascination with rail travel.

After many years in early access, Voidtrain is now available. In this game, the train becomes your primary means of survival and exploration in a strange world suspended in a vacuum, where gravity is virtually nonexistent. You must upgrade your train, gather resources, and face the dangers encountered along the way, placing rail travel at the center of the adventure.

Denshattack takes the concept of the train and propels it into a much wilder and more dynamic experience. Its world and gameplay subvert traditional railroad conventions to offer an adventure where the locomotive becomes the centerpiece of a particularly original experience. In Unrailed 2: Back on Track, it’s not enough to just drive the train—you have to build the tracks ahead of it before it can continue on its way. Gathering resources, laying tracks, and upgrading the train create a delightful mix of cooperation and urgency, where the slightest mistake can lead to a train disaster

Two much cozier experiences await players in OxyRail and Locomoto. In the former, the focus is on exploration, management, and construction with a touch of nature, such as the presence of animals and crops aboard your train. In the latter, you must also take care of your passengers, who have all sorts of requests.

For something more challenging, Derail Valley stands out as one of the most immersive experiences. Driving, maneuvering, freight transport, and equipment management come together to create a true rail simulation in which every trip demands attention and precision. A similar experience is offered by Transport Fever 2, which lets you build and manage real-world transportation networks across different eras.

As the title suggests, Trans-Siberian Railway Simulator offers a simulation in which you must traverse the vast Trans-Siberian Railway network at the controls of a locomotive. Be warned: it’s a good idea to keep your firearms with you, as wild animals, breakdowns, hunger, and the mafia will regularly threaten the player.

Among the interesting train games, two others are on the way. Railborn is one of the projects to watch for fans of railroad-focused games, with an approach that combines track-building and network management. Frostrail envisions an adventure in which the train becomes an essential refuge in a particularly hostile environment.

From ultra-realistic simulations to the most improbable adventures, video games prove once again that trains can be at the heart of an extremely diverse range of experiences. Whether it’s driving a locomotive, building kilometers of track, managing an entire network, or simply surviving aboard a train hurtling at full speed, each of these titles offers its own way to enjoy the thrill of rail travel. And with several projects still on the horizon, train enthusiasts have plenty of reasons to keep a close eye on upcoming releases.