I was just checking out videos of new/in-development sims related to Japanese rail, and came across this. It's currently in early access and called Train Crew Prologue, but the name will change to Train Crew once most of the currently planned features are implemented. The developer plans to gradually extend the only available route (more info here) From what I can see so far: Pros: looks good, has a free demo available on Steam, full version is only $8.5 Cons: trains and stations are fictional due to licensing challenges, only one train and route available at the moment I also found this video, which seems to have underground running on a different route. Maybe this is a Japanese version that has content that has not yet arrived on Steam version? https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1227537334 Steam page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1618290/TRAIN_CREW_Prologue/ Has anyone played it yet?
Copy/pasting one of the recent Steam reviews for more info: "Great game and it's going in the right direction. The network takes inspiration from multiple japanese railway companies. For example the safety system is inspired by Keikyu Corporation, but the trains are inspired by the Odakyu Railway. //// Pros The scoring system is great and adds extra layer of enjoyment, similar to Densha de GO! games. But with a more realistic driving experience more akin to BVE trainsim. The Zuiki One Handle Master Controller by Zuiki (For the Densha de GO Hashiro on the switch) works natively out of the box without the need for extra plugins! The routes have great functional details that rail fans like myself apreciate, having the information displays that update in real time on stations, these show timetables, arrival times, even the warning non stopping trains with announcements both in trains and stations. It's made in Unity, is well optimized and looks great despite not being photorealistic. The conductor on the back is animated and its a cool detail. Local and Express Services Interior of trains is illuminated when (going inside tunnels, dark areas) There's nighttime. Didnt found any annoying bugs. //// Improvements The sounds overall are great however some need a bit more polish. (Fade INs and OUTs when enabling or cutting off power, flange, track joint sounds, when idle/stopped, being able to hear the air conditioned, electric hum for example.) In some sections the train vibrates weirdly and seems to be made out of plastic, specially in curves or at low speed, seems unstable, would be cool to have a more smooth motion and cab sway like BVE. Would be great if there was banking/superelevation on curves. The speed limit signs are too tiny. Having a free camera Having more passengers on stations and add them to trains. Road vehicles to make the scenary more vivid. //// Final thoughts I'm glad to see this genre being reborn , I hope the creator keeps development and releases the complete game. The route is rather short at the moment with only 6 stops. It's great so far. I recommend it, specially for those into Japanese rail systems."
DTG! Watch and learn, three images convey more informations than 5/10 minutes of a probabily bugged tutorial. Those two "Flow of Driving" and "signals" slides are so simple, yet they are so good, while the image with the controls and dials is probabily enough to get someone started. That system is not much different than PZB, the only difference is that with PZB you also have to learn what to acknowledge, but apart from that it's the same thing: Encounter yellow signal -> reduce to X speed Approaching a red Signal -> you have to be at Y speed at point 1 and Z speed at point 2. So I watched the video and I have to say there is a lot to love about this game. Although I don't like the HUD with those big numbers, it very intelligently uses the cab to not feel "in the way" and gives you all the informations you need. The timetable looks actually like a timetable instead of a generic game UI (like in TSW). Guard Buzzers! Why are those not in TSW yet? Particularly since the TGV has them Physics seems decent, not sure it's "simugraph" quality, but it seems kind of MSTS-y so it's not awful. Unlike *some TSW DLC* The part where you look out of the window seems much more organic than switching visual in TS/TSW but it doesn't beat getting up from your seat and opening the window yourself (like you can do in some trains in TSW) I honestly don't see myself playing this too much, but I would love to give those 8$ to the devs for a bit of fun.
Seems like I was wrong and there are more trains (at least three) available already at this stage of production, plus the route has a bit more variety. However I'm not sure how exactly it is run - there's a tunnel in this video, followed by the section in the embedded video above, but the total length of the route is about the same.
Sorry to bump this, but looking to buy the early access version of this in the next Steam sale. Not a huge quantity of information or reviews on YT or the wider Web. Anyone playing it who can share some thoughts?
No but i do see some potential in this game. It almost look like an upgraded version of BVE, which i don't believe lot of people still play that simulation. Overall from what i am seeing the audio is okay like you mention, there need to be more flange, realistic curve sound, clickely clack sound running over rail, bridge and tunnel, and the station also need to be more lively, it so empty. hopefully this will be added as it get closely to their release date, but for the first impression its not bad
It’s still got the best passengers of any sim and you can see your guard(or be the guard) so in that respect it’s very good. Stations are busy depending on time of day and passengers do run for the train at the last minute so in guard mode you have to watch for them.
This will definitely be going in my shopping cart on Thursday when the sale starts, along with the JR East sim and a couple of its add on routes.
It is a great game, though of course graphically quite an underdog. But good Densha de GO! like gameplay. There are also some nice features, like the guard in the back of your trains, people actually walking to their seats instead of just teleporting in, voice announcements, etc. Currently not playing it a lot, but when I do, I enjoy it. I am waiting for more improvements and especially for the older type rolling stock to be added. It's already in the game as AI only, not driveable yet, but I would love to drive this beauty.
Thanks for bumping! Hadn't seen this one- it's really fun. Great tutorial and the scoring system keeps repeat runs interesting. Nice visual touches like the layout of the timetable.
Yes I will be investing the dregs of my Wallet funds on this. A shame he can’t work with the JR East people put their routes in to a proper game engine.
Just had a go at the demo, very nice and smooth, loving the driving details. Graphics are good in places, l do like how the passengers are portrayed. Not too fussed about graphics being superb these days, I'm finding I'm more into accurate physics and signalling etc. May have to pull the trigger on this. However, need to find the time, have become a bit obsessed with Nautis Home, trying to perfect my berthing technique with the Dover to Calais ferry.
This is much more fun than the JRE video sim. Loads of timetable runs to pick from and time of day nicely simulated too. Hopefully when the route gets extended we will be able to chain runs and even save progress to do a driver’s shift. The scoring is a bit harsh but to be expected in a proper Japanese sim. Nailing those station stops without crawling up to the mark and losing points for releasing then reapplying the brake is very challenging.
