I would say the deluxe would be the cheapest with the current discount because if you have to buy seperate it would cost more. You can wait for sales, but depends on how long can you wait?
That all depends on how much content being offered in the multiple versions you own. If I was a new player to the game I’d opt for the special edition. To own and enjoy as much content at discounted price as possible. I’m shy of about 4 routes in this game myself, mostly the newer content. A couple of the newer German routes and a couple US freight legacy routes that have never interested me (HSC, Cane Creek). I choose the deluxe as I want the Avanti. Works out cheaper for me as I’d only be spending more buying it separately after launch of TSW5.
I only want the Avanti for AI traffic on WCML and CC. As for gameplay the Avanti won’t offer much as it’s a 50 mile drive at 125mph, which will be over in no time. I got bored of the Azuma very quickly too.
Yeah, sitting there going zoom zoom zoom and done can probably lose it's appeal in terms of interaction. Nice AI traffic to have though.
There are some junctions along the route so there is potential to add more interesting experience to the express services than simply A to B, even in timetable. But I know the real timetable too little to be more specific for WCML. Working on my timetable for Cologne-Aachen I only discovered that even for ICE services, there is quite a bit of variety going on.
It was a hard decision but I've gone with deluxe. I was gonna go with the free edition and purchase wcml and the 390, saving myself a few quid. Then looking at the packages I got the bernardino line confused with antelope valley and didn't realise it was a new route! I could have gone for standard and purchased the 390 separately saving 4 quid or something like that but it's not worth the messing around! Plus you get 5 days early access with deluxe, well 4 days.
Yes, early access is a plus, but a few months on early access won't mean much, but the items you get in the packages will be with you for ever.
I reckon the 4 days early access means you will be able to see a few streams on YouTube and get to see the full routes and quality, so it's definitely worth doing. Anyone that's worried about quality will get to see without parting with any money. With the deluxe you get 3 routes and the 390 for the price of 2 so its a fair deal.
Yeah, good idea see streams before buying and that way you can see the Pendolino passenger doors open at 110 mph type of thing. DTG do a nice price discounted bundle, but it is to generate early sales
For me the decision was fairly easy. The free upgrade, and down the line I will decide if I want to pick up one or two of the included routes. Currently SB is the only real one that appeals to my preferences. But I definitely have interest in some of the announced routes like Preston-Carlisle, and Cardiff, so unlike with TSW4, I won't be waiting half a year or more to pick up the core game, well after the routes I am interested in have released.
Yes, so get the free TSW 5 or the upgraded TSW 4, then pick and choose when you want to get the other routes, probaby best to wait for the sales.
Actually TBH I am now contemplating whether to downgrade my order from Deluxe to Standard. As discussed elsewhere, beginning to think the price differential is not actually that good a value for those of us who already own Cajon Pass. Think it might depend on how the 390 comes across in the preview streams. Have they made it more entertaining than the Azuma in terms of sound, or is it going to be another dead quiet in cab experience, for the 40 minutes it takes to drive from Euston to MKC? Also we haven't heard much about whether it will layer back on to other routes where it might be seen such as Glossop, Cathcart or even the original Bakerloo. Probably not, if previous history is to go by.
It will be in Cathcart as AI (there are pictures of it at Glasgow Central). I don't think it will be in any of the other routes, at least at launch.
My first instinct is to go for the Free version then add in add in WCML, 390, and Bakerloo Tube. I have all the other connecting routes in the South East. USA/Germany do not hold much interest. Just need to price it all up, which at this moment I cannot find any pricing. I reckon, just a guess, £29.99 WCML and £15.00 for the 390. Bakerloo £24.00, but it is not included only as a layer for existing owners. Will I miss out on any other features, I'm not sure.
From what DTG have said, you get the base game free with all the features, you just have to claim it within a month from the 17th of September. Anything extra is the routes, if you want the WCML & the 390 it will be £44.99 and £24 for Bakerloo to add a layer. If you can wait for sales you could pick them up cheaper, you might not get a good discount on newer content as you would with Bakerloo as it is old? You have to ask yourself can you wait or do you want it now?
The 1972 Mark 2 Stock is included with WCML. You do not need to own Bakerloo to have it as a layer. You do need Sufragette Line for the 710 if you want that layer.
I just read the FAQ again, the way it reads it could be that WCML only contains the overground sections of the Bakerloo line. On comparing the WCML and Bakerloo line stations they probably are, (travelling from Euston.) Kensal Green, Willesdon Junction, Harlesdon, Kenton and Harrow and Wealdstone. I have the Sufragette line so the London area should make for some interesting journeys. That's if my thinking is correct!
If I am wrong on this please correct me, but it looks like the Free Starter Pack means you do not get Guard Mode or Achievements included, even if you own any compatible DLC's. Looks like Guard Mode is the worm on the hook. I have to ask myself do I need it? If I want the 10% discount I have till 16th to make my mind up.
I think I have made my mind up, I am going to get the deluxe version, yes its £53 but it has what I want in it. The WCML and Class 390, also with a nice German route at the same time.
Yeah, you have had time to think and see the pros and cons for yourself and as long as you can warrant the price to yourself then fair play, enjoy.
I would imagine putting the guard mode behind a paywall for a route you already own would just be mean. Usually a new feature needs a new product/route. Hold back your Achievements, again would just be mean, so I would guess no, DTG wouldn't do that.
That is correct, but that does not change the fact that you do not need to own Bakerloo line to play the WCML layer.
Guard mode is a TSW5 feature that is enabled on any route that has been built or updated to include it. If you have any version of TSW5 and own a route for it that it works on, such as from buying one of the new core routes in a steam sale in the future, you should have guard mode. Same with achievements, they are part of the core, although they have said they won't be repeating old achievements for previous routes again so this time around a large number of the total won't be taken up with legacy achievements for previous routes you own. I imagine based on their statements about their planned changes to them that a lot more achievements will be "core" TSW5 this time around as a result.
I would also expect the number of achievements per route DLC to increase, at least to TSW2 levels (7-10 achievements per route DLC). They said loco DLCs would continue to have no achievements, but if they still continue with 3 achievements per route DLC, that means they are just lazy.
I think I'll be picking up the Standard Edition. That gives me three new routes for about € 15 apiece, which is a really good deal, and I like the variety. I might pick up the additional locos from the Deluxe version (much) later when they go on sale.
