Haven't watched any of the stream yet but I think the comments and what have been shown are enough - this is bl**dy awful. Those of us who experienced the route and train in TSC had real fears which have come true, particularly in regard to sounds and presumably physics. DTG have a nerve if they want to sell this at the new full £33 price for a route DLC. Sadly shows a complete lack of project oversight and management, UW should have been told, "Sorry guys, but this is simply not the standard we are looking to put out as payware for TSW. Just forget it." Tough love maybe, but releasing this is going to reflect badly on both UW and DTG.
I don't understand how you go through 4 years of development, all the way through to release and everyone thinks players aren't going to notice that suspension physics have not been implemented. Also the sounds are god awful.
Also releasing the route when TSW7 has been released recently and has issues still from TSW6 and new issues with TSW7. How are DTG going to do weekly patches for TSW7 with a new route which sounds like it's going to need patching itself.
As they were on the TSC version - sounded like they were sampled from a go-cart. They really should have started with something shorter and simpler for the first foray into TSW route building. Perhaps something like the Tsurumi Line Tsurumi Line - Wikipedia or similar to cut their teeth and released at a budget price similar to TVB. It's an insult to the quality 3P's like Firefly, AABS, JT, TSG and even ATS if they allow publication of this at full price to go ahead.
I agree. And If UW wanted to stick to something familiar they already made for TS Classic, they could’ve done Wakayama lines or Hidaka line. Both are shorter and honestly more interesting than Tadami.
It's the first route preview for a long time I actually watched live, as I've been waiting for it since its announcement. However after watching, it's going only into an indefinite waitlist, waiting for something that will actually convince me to get it. I'll probably get Class 104 for PFR first.
I don't think the route looks bad. Particularly, the very scenic sections, I can't really see an issue with the scenery. I like what they have done with the urban areas and the details in the stations. However the lack of suspension is a no-no for me. Plus it's disappointing other features are missing. The world feels dead also with no traffic about. Are the sounds unrealistic or just poorly implemented? They don't sound very satisfying to listen too. If suspension is added then I might get it but at the moment I'll leave it.
I am Japanese, and I would like to point out a few things that caught my attention while watching the live stream. ・The departure signal at Aizu-Bange is displaying a “Caution” aspect, but this is incorrect. All departure signals on this line display only “Clear” or “Stop”. (Strictly speaking, a two-aspect signal should be used, but JR sometimes uses three-aspect signal heads even when only “Clear” and “Stop” are displayed, in order to prevent the signal from being misread. In such cases, the central signal lamp may be covered by a plate.) ・Of the indicator lights on the side of the Kiha 40, the centre one does not normally illuminate. This is called the engine indicator light, and it illuminates or flashes when an engine fault occurs. However, during the live stream, this light was illuminated on every car. Does this mean that the engines are constantly experiencing problems or stalling? ・The following control sounds are also very different from the sounds of the real train: * Reverser handle * Throttle handle * Transmission selector * Door buttons As others have already pointed out, there are also numerous other issues, including the quality of the scenery and sound effects. It is very disappointing to see so many issues in what is being released as the first Japanese route. (I wrote this using translation software, so I apologise if there are any grammatical errors.)
Thanks for the insight! There was some discussion on the stream about whether the services on Tadami utilized a guard/conductor. I'm curious if you have any insight on that?
On the Tadami Line, trains currently operate under a system known as “one-man operation,” in which the driver opens and closes the doors and collects fares. However, when the Kiha 40 was in service on the line, a conductor was on board and was responsible for opening and closing the doors.
I've been tempted to play the Niddertalbahn route for the last few days. I watched about 10 minutes of the stream. Well, I guess... At best, it was on sale. The BR628 is a cut above technically. The BR365 almost makes me seasick when I drive over uneven sections of track. Okay, the visuals, okay, there are no announcements about the stations, but there should be suspension on the cars.
I’ve slept on it again. But my impression hasn’t improved: I was really looking forward to the first Japanese route, too, since I’m generally interested in Japan and I like the country, it ist uniquely—and positively—different. However, that feeling is completely absent with this route and the train itself. It feels like a half-hearted effort. Many areas—in fact, almost all of them—lack character and life. The towns look like collections of blocks reminiscent of MSTS, and—to put it somewhat hyperbolically—detail drops to near zero just five meters to the left or right of the track. There was no traffic, and no people were visible anywhere other than on the platforms. Yes, a lot of trees were planted. A great many. But the "Japan vibe" doesn't come across here either; the vegetation looks like that of Europe (Germany), so it doesn't feel like you're in a faraway land. There is a new, low-resolution bush, as well as cherry trees. The rest is just standard vegetation used to clutter the scene. The train itself is disappointing, too: the sound is terrible, and immersion is non-existent. There is no sense of suspension, no announcements, and the whole experience feels smooth and quiet—actually, just boring. And that’s despite the fact that I usually love these kinds of branch lines. Then there was the lighting (or lack thereof—did it even exist? Every building except the stations was dark) and despite the epic settings and improved lighting, everything looked unnaturally overexposed in daylight. It simply looked bad, even though the driving took place in the afternoon. In this unfinished state—and lacking TSW7 core features—it should never have been released, certainly not at full price. It simply SHOULD have been better, considering how good Running Train looks. But as it stands, this isn't a good Japanese advertisement for TSW.
Will we get to see the console version as well? I don't think it's great that they're only showing the PC version with Epic settings. Most people can't play it that way, whether because they don't have a powerful enough PC or because they play on a console.
Sad so many are hating this route calling it failure and some going after mat I hope we get more japan routes like in Tokyo and Oaska like Chuo line and tokaido mainline line
Have to call it like it is, but knock yourself out if you want to be a Day One Guinea Pig. The chances of seeing anything else Japanese in TSW now seem rather remote. So far as we know, UW are the only developer doing content for this region and it’s just taken them four years to produce this… thing. So I really don’t see anything like the routes you mention or some of the other classics from Densha de Go such as the Yamanote Line coming to fruition.
There should be some ambassador previews on console shortly before release. I think BritishAce plays on console as well?
It's not. It's been announced as £29.99 / €35.99 / $39.99 (source and also said near the start of the livestream). There is no "new full price". The three core routes for TSW7 are all at £33 if bought separately, but it's been explained that the price of each route is still determined based on its perceived value. Personally, from what I've seen so far on the livestream and read about what I haven't seen yet, I don't think this is a £30 route. The lack of TSW4 onwards features is a big red flag for me.
We often have the price prediction game here. People are often wrong and then go quiet. Personally I would pay £30 with suspension and nicer sounds. At the moment there are plenty of other routes I'm interested in.
Well £33 or £30, still way overpriced for what looks at best a slight upgrade on the TSC version (and that’s me being kind). Out of curiosity, were any of the questions addressed on the stream?
I had been eagerly awaiting the release of this route, but I was deeply disappointed after the preview. I expected a route on par with the *Niddertalbahn*—a new TSW masterpiece after so many years of development. I consider the lack of suspension physics unacceptable in modern releases, regardless of the developer. Personally, I rarely touch routes where the rolling stock doesn't support this feature; for most older routes, I use mods to swap in rolling stock that does have suspension. I’m currently on the TSW store page with two tabs open for Japanese routes—*Raining Train* and the *Tadami Line*—and the choice seems obvious in terms of both quality and price. Yet, something is holding me back. I want to add the *Tadami Line* to my collection, but no one has even mentioned whether the route will receive the improvements that matter so much to me after its release.
Exactly my thoughts, I've got a trip in mind for 2028 doing some Japan Rail stuff, the tadami and Lida lines are reasonably high on my list so this was really an essential purchase for me so it's a shame it hasn't really been up to today's standard. I can't justify buying it either with the hope it'll get an update later. Because it probably won't.
Matt said he was going to contact them about the suspension issue. I can't imagine it will be implemented in a week. I did think the route looked decent, maybe not up there with Medway but it was hardly a route from 2020. The lack of road traffic was noticeable.
Okay, you’re right but that doesn’t change the issue I pointed out. The problem is that the route is simply poorly put together, and they’re now rushing it out just to fill the wallet, even though the product clearly needs a lot more time. Those extra €3 don’t make any difference. Or do you suddenly find it acceptable just because it’s €3 cheaper?
I’ve had a quick curated watch of the stream. Once in the mountains the scenery doesn’t look too bad, but the first section across the paddy fields really looked like what we used to complain about in TSW3 - black sludge over everything. The main concern is definitely the train. Looks and sounds like it was ported over from the TSC version. In fact sounds like the Kiha 140 which came with OG MSTS. I dunno, maybe the real Kiha does sound like that, we need someone to confirm, but it is not pleasing to the ears. There did not appear to be any audible reverb passing through tunnels and those spindly girder bridges definitely need some clatter and rumble, which the Czech developers have proved is possible. There also didn’t seem to be any difference in tone and volume between the interior and external views. Timetable of course is buffed by splitting each trip into three or four sections. Really should be two timetables, one using that system and one which allows the run to be played throughout in an emergent fashion. And sorry for ping, but DTG Matt when you stated that players can return and continue the next section, have you forgotten we still have the issue with the saved game where chained runs lose the objective/timetable data and fail to load the top LH HUD? I have no objection to lightly trafficked routes being in the game for a run through nice scenery and goodness knows, I have mentioned the Cambrian Coast, West Highland and Kyle etc. lines often enough. But they have to be done such as to make the driving experience utterly appealing. I think if this ever drops to £10 in a sale I would probably give it a go and, had they pitched the release price at £20 I might at least have given the benefit of the two hour refund window. But I cannot justify spending £30, even for the bits which aren’t too bad.
€4, actually. Or £3. I don't disagree with you, I've already said what I think from what I've seen so far, suffice it to say it's not on my watchlist at full price.
The issue of suspension began with the Czech Republic route. The main trains had it, but the freight wagons didn't. Unrealistic. I never bought it. Then it continued with the BR 145 Expert. The locomotive eventually got suspension, but the Habbiins and Zacns wagons didn't (even though they said they had found a solution, it was subsequently dropped). This doesn't apply to the T3000e wagons because they are articulated, making it impossible to implement functional suspension, as was explained. Unrealistic. Bought, tested, and refunded. Ingolstadt route. The BR 101 obviously lacks suspension. Unrealistic. Never bought it. Then there's the BR 101 Expert—an older DLC—where only the control car is equipped with suspension; the locomotive and passenger coaches aren't. Unrealistic. Purchased and deleted from my SSD. Now I'm worried about the Railjet, too..
I don't think it was completely dreadful I just wish there was a little more clutter/detailing in the scenery for a premium price route. Like some of the infrastructure like the bridges were nice and the scenery looked good but I felt it was missing a little something that AAS and JT do really well. The questioning over core features like suspension etc was a little harder to look past. It seemed like the DTG side didn't have much of an idea of what was in the route and what wasn't? I wish they had a little bit more information on the route.
Agreed, I think there is a danger of painting the route as a disaster when it isn't, as often happens on these forums. The lack of core features and possibly the sounds for me are the main issues.
Cab looks very flat and boring from the videos I've seen. Attached is a photo from what it presumably should look similar to. Abundance of buttons on the bottom left of the dashboard, not seen in the stream. No depth on the speedometer etc, just looks like a flat graphic in the video. Just looks very basic I think there should be more gizmos to the cab really than what there is.
