Help! can someone please explain what the different platforms are, and the reason for buying on each of them. Also, I purchased TSW2 Through Epic games. I also mistakenly bought 5 add-ons. I don't know what loco,s etc are included in the basic game that I bought. I am a bit confused. Thanks very much
The base game includes the London Underground Bakerloo Line with the 1972 Stock, DB's Schnellfarstrecke Köln - Aachen with the ICE 3M (BR 406) and Talent 2 (BR 442), and the Sand Patch Grade with the CSX AC4400Cw, GP38-2 and SD40-2.
By "Platform" do you mean Epic store, Steam store, Playstation etc? If so then these are different stores for the different hardware the game runs on. If you have a PS you would buy it on Playstation store for example. On PC you have more options, Steam store and Epic store are two of them and they're much the same thing. Just remember whichever store you buy the game licence through is the one you then buy the DLC through, so if you got the game from Epic then you'll get your DLC through Epic too. SO if Steam has a sale and Epic doesn't... you can't just go and get it from Steam "because it's on PC anyway"... (there are ways, but not going to get into that right now) One of the things to wrap your head around with this "game" is that there IS no real "base", because driving a train is based on a route, which has its own trains, stations, timetable etc so each DLC is basically a standalone "game" in it's own right. Yes you can add in trains from other routes but not all of them onto every route etc. Each DLC comes with it's own assets and settings and systems to work out and part of the fun of getting "a new route" or a new train is working out how to operate it, start it up, get it going and more importantly, stop in the right place.
Be advised that the Microsoft Store (Gamepass) only carries the base PC game, not any DLC, and DLC from Steam or Epic are not compatible with the MS version.
solicitr I bought the game on the Xbox Store and can download the game AND the DLCs (only for TSW2, and not for TSW2020) through the Xbox app on Windows.
Then that must be a recent change; didn't used to be the case. I know, because originally I played the MS version, and had to buy it over again on Steam to get access to DLCs.
So the add ons that i bought from Epic are: 1) Rush hour – Boston Sprinter 2) Canadian national Oakville subdivision: Hamilton – Oakville 3) BR heavy freight Peck 4) Clinchfield Railroad: Elkhorn – Dante 5) BR class 20 chopper i’m still within the 14 day return policy. Do you think I shouldI keep these, or should I get different ones. Thanks Shouldn’t I see these in my library?
you need Northern Trans Pennine - Leeds to Manchester in order to use the heavy freight pack you need Tees Valley Line in order to use the Class 20 chopper. If you go into the game and look at the main menu and scroll left and right make a list of the routes that show up. You should see clinchfield, boston sprinter and oakville, not sure if you have the NTP or Tees valley though?
Personally Id refund Its quite possibly the weakest route in my collection, its just a short straight line with not a lot to do. Then purchase either Northern Transpennie if you want to keep the BR heavy freight pack or Tees Valley Line if you want to keep the Class 20 (or get both). Which wever one you dont get refund the corresponding loco pack as its useless without the route.
I would say that before you do ANYTHING you go to youtube and watch some streams NOT DONE BY DTG and see what people are sayign about the different routes, as well as seeing if those routes are giving you the experiences you want. What is it you want from the sim? Shunting, driving commuter, driving intercity, a bit of everything? I'd also start reading the descriptions of the DLC your'e buying. IN each of the standalone packs descriptions it tells you that you will need other routes for them to work.
It's important to remember that every locomotive DLC requires ownership of its "home route"- so check the "required content" before buying, to make sure it's a route you have or will get. I agree that NTP and TVL are excellent routes IF you like vintage British diesels. NTP is all passenger (freight and shunting are added by the HFP); TVL is mostly freight with some local passenger traffic.
Get the TSW2 Starters Guide it is free and may be helpful. get it here: https://www.hollandhiking.nl/trainsimulator