$\"TramSim:$ <\/aside>\n

While we would have preferred the sights and sounds from Blackpool\u2019s Pleasure Beach through to Bispham, we suppose Vienna\u2019s iconic tram line comes a close second. TramSim: Console Edition is a scrappy locomotive title looking to expand on the success of Train Sim World 3, and while it lacks the TLC of Dovetail\u2019s flagship simulation, it\u2019s certainly successful at embedding you in its stunning scenery.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve never visited the Austrian capital \u2013 if the developer would like to invite us over for research purposes, we\u2019ll happily pack a bag right away \u2013 but we spent a little bit of time looking at YouTube reference videos, and there\u2019s no question this release features some remarkable attention to detail. Despite never setting foot in the city, we were able to pick out a number of real-life landmarks and buildings, purely because we\u2019d seen them in the game.<\/p>\n

Outside of the startup procedure \u2013 which you can opt to skip in most modes \u2013 operating the trams is incredibly straightforward, and that makes the gameplay a lot breezier than some of the routes in Train Sim World 3. But some cumbersome control aspects can be infuriating, and we wished greater effort would have been made to truly tune the title to consoles \u2013 it feels like going back to a simulator from a decade ago, when developers hadn\u2019t quite grasped the concept of a traditional game pad.<\/p>\n

While there are some more specific scenarios with predetermined goals and objectives, you\u2019ll get most of your enjoyment just driving the tram around. A second route inspired by Munich adds some much-needed variety, although you do get the sense that the developer spent the majority of its time and budget on Vienna, as this is clearly the more detailed of the two locations.<\/p>\n

While there is a light sense of progression enabled by an XP system, the game generally feels quite hands-off in terms of guidance or direction. We enjoyed learning the operation of the trams and even the signalling system, but once we\u2019d driven both routes a handful of times, we didn\u2019t feel massively compelled to do it again. By comparison, Train Sim World 3 \u2013 with its medals, collectibles, and deeper scenarios \u2013 feels a lot more moreish, and thus we\u2019d only really recommend TramSim: Console Edition if you\u2019re comfortable with setting your own rules and rewards.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n