Prepare Sim World 6 has developed dramatically for the reason that first recreation within the franchise, launched in 2018.
Again then, the franchise felt scrappy and simplistic, but it surely’s come on leaps and bounds within the years since.
This latest instalment is probably probably the most polished but: its presentation – whereas flawed beneath scrutiny – offers you the actual sense you’re on a journey, and its suite of accessible content material is bordering on unfathomable at this level.
That’s as a result of Dovetail has been iterating on the identical core foundations for a number of years now, and whereas this sixth version of the sequence is undoubtedly the very best, it additionally feels considerably superfluous.
For a number of years now, the UK studio has been releasing annual updates for this sequence which enhance upon the core expertise with out actually reinventing it. It’s turn into a bit like a sports activities recreation in some methods.
However the developer would rightly argue that you just don’t want to buy this new model for those who don’t wish to: out there till eleventh November, a free shopper named the Starter Pack will let you obtain the improve and import your whole current content material at no cost. Beneficiant.
So, what is new, then? Properly, the slogan for this 12 months’s recreation is “count on the sudden”, and that’s underlined by a variables system which is able to influence your journeys in unpredictable methods.
Whether or not it’s a lightweight failure, a signalling difficulty, or a damaged window wiper, you could discover your journeys halted by sudden points. The concept is to offer variance to every journey which is able to preserve you in your toes, growing replayability.
When you think about that every route in Prepare Sim World 6 comes with upwards of 500 totally different timetables to finish, it’s an addition that may make every journey really feel recent. Pair this with the dynamic climate system and also you do have a fantastically versatile foundation for a near-infinite variety of eventualities.
However the crew, maybe recognising not everybody will wish to take care of these obstacles, has made the random encounters a toggleable possibility, so that you don’t have to take care of them for those who don’t wish to. That appears sensible.
The opposite huge new addition this time – and no small feat to implement, we’re certain – are passenger bulletins. These embody the bulletins of upcoming stops and actually do add a degree of immersion to the expertise that’s exhausting to place into phrases. When you’ve heard them, it’s exhausting to return.
It must be famous that these passenger bulletins solely apply to new routes for now, however Dovetail has proven some curiosity in doubtlessly patching them into widespread previous places, which might be good.
Sadly, that’s about it for the core recreation itself – there are numerous bug fixes and optimisations, however nothing transformative actually. The consumer interface – which was revised a few video games in the past – is usually the identical, and all the core options from previous instalments stay.
When you’re buying the Commonplace Version, nonetheless, you’re going to get entry to 3 new routes and their related locos: Morristown (USA), Riviera (UK), and Dresden (Germany).
It’s as soon as once more an emphasis on the identical three international locations which have dominated Prepare Sim World since its inception, however with new growth routes deliberate for Japan, Portugal, and Czech Repubic, it does really feel just like the sequence is lastly starting to correctly dwell as much as its title.
Of the three new routes, we’ve been having fun with Riviera probably the most, which is a coastal route that hugs the Dawlish Sea Wall and takes you on a scenic journey from Exeter to Plymouth and Paignton.
This route particularly actually highlights the enhancements to the sport’s engine through the years: you’ll go iconic crimson rock cliff faces, seaside cities, and even funfairs – it’s beautiful.
We accomplished one timetable beginning early night, round 5PM, throughout late summer season. And we obtained to observe the solar slowly set as we made our approach alongside the 28km-ish line by Torquay, with the sky turning a delicate shade of purple because the day turned to nightfall.
The presentation does nonetheless undergo when noticed carefully: a number of the observe particulars use pretty primary geometry, and the framerate can hiccup even on PS5 because it pulls in new belongings.
However what it does brilliantly is convey the passage of time.
You may spend upwards of an hour finishing a single timetable in Prepare Sim World 6, and also you’ll at all times really feel like time has moved ahead from whenever you began to whenever you completed. That’s unbelievable.
Personally, we’re much less eager on the Morristown line simply because we’re not notably keen on the operation of the American trains, just like the Jersey Arrow featured right here. However your mileage might differ, and discovering your individual private preferences is a part of the enjoyable.
We must also point out the brand new Leipzig line which expands upon Nahverkehr Dresden from a earlier launch. Getting into the colossal Leipzig Hauptbahnhof is, frankly, a jaw-dropping sight – it’s one of many greatest railway stations in Europe.
We additionally actually just like the ICE-T practice added as a part of this route – it’s such a clean journey.
However we should admit, our eyes are half fixated on upcoming additions, just like the aforementioned Tadami Line in Japan.
Followers have been ready for this one for a number of years now, and we suspect it’s going to be a milestone second for the franchise which is able to put recent eyes on it. You have to to purchase that individually, we should always stress.
If we had one main criticism for Prepare Sim World 6, outdoors of the very fact we don’t suppose an annual launch was actually needed, it’s that with a lot content material within the recreation it’s changing into troublesome to maintain observe of all of it.
We’re unsure we have now an answer for Dovetail actually, and clearly it’s on the mercy of platform holders like Sony by way of the way it rolls all this content material out, however the recreation can really feel like a little bit of a jumble at this level. It’s nice that the whole lot carries ahead, however good luck sustaining all of it.
Maybe additional consumer interface refinements might assist engaged gamers get a greater deal with on the whole lot they personal and the way it all interconnects? We’ve personally reached some extent now the place we solely preserve our very favorite content material put in.
Conclusion
When you think about how far Prepare Sim World 6 has come since its authentic introduction, it’s staggering. However in contrast on to its predecessor, this new model doesn’t change rather a lot.
The brand new Riviera route is breath-taking, and we actually recognize the addition of passenger bulletins and the random occasions that may impede your journey.
However for those who’re not instantly drawn to any of the brand new traces, we’d suggest you give attention to the free Starter Pack and watch for a number of the upcoming expansions, which is able to embody all-new international locations like Japan, Portugal, and Czech Republic.
