It won't help the people on console since they don't have plans to do that, but for the "more realistic sim" people and the steam loco afficionados.... this update is massive. Arguably the best steam physics in any game I know of, permanent user-owned trains with restoration, maintenance and DIY add-on features, more industries, better weather effects, dynamic cargos and economy.... To be clear, this is NOT what TSW was designed to be so comparing the two isn't really fair. TSW was designed as a console-focused, game platform for a "survey level" variety of locos that were simulated "well enough to get the correct feel." Not for 100% realism. I'm hoping this helps some of the people that keep demanding more out of TSW that it wasn't designed for and are frustrated as a result. Derail Valley is becoming that "full sim" for the "full experience" that train simmers (at least on PC) have been looking for. Again, I'm not knocking TSW. It is an entirely different game with a whole different focus that does an entirely different job. Update: Having had a night to play it, I can say it's very noticeable difference, especially the weather, lighting and rolling stock. It was good before, but now it's really amazing. I know people will criticize the very "unrealistic" and "bland" mountainous parts but the team is working on a lot of improvements so it's a huge improvement every time they update. They're entirely different games so I'm not expecting much if any of this in TSW. Then again, the huge amount of routes and locos won't be in DV either. It's a trade off. It has a very tight focus on being a single, self-contained map with internal logic, industries and lore so it's entirely different than TSW. Having said that, my point is that this (and games like it) is an outlet for the desire to do things not in TSW, so to make it brings it into perspective more when people complain about what isn't in TSW. Many things asked for (or demanded really) just aren't in the focus of TSW, so we should appreciate TSW for what it is... not what it isn't. No other game (outside of TSC) has the variety and options to sample railways that TSW has, and there's definitely no other option on console.
My biggest problem with DV as I’ve mentioned before is the original map and essentially same sequence of tasks got very boring, very quickly. As did having to keep checking the map and set switches as you go with the remote control. Really, to regain my interest at this point it needs a new more prototypical map and some sort of despatcher board to set your route up before setting out. Basically Run 8 but in a European setting and with in game economy.
It's not bad. Definitely getting better, I like the night lighting, especially the industries. That's what the loading screen in tsw portrays Redcar british steel to look like, although it doesn't look nothing like it! I see you can change the switches from the map now, that's a bonus.
There is no doubt this is a good game, but it’s such a grind to get anywhere and with a limited map it just gets boring really quickly. I give it a try at every release and I’ve usually had enough before I get to many of the new features. I realised it probably wasn’t my kind of game when I enjoyed watching Squirrel play it on his YouTube channel rather than playing it myself. (Or for a really entertaining version Colonel Failure). For those that like that kind of game, I do think it’s very good, but it’s never going to beat TSC or TSW for me.
It's keeping me amused between Blackpool Branches and waiting for Carlisle to Preston to drop. Still haven't found a single museum loco yet
The new map allows you to do just that Vern. They have new maps Vern where you can remotely set switches. Works very nice. Several new industries and a whole new city added too. (The city with the train museum you can collect wrecked trains for and then fix them up) There's now a coal fired power plant which gives the coal mine someplace to send to besides the port for export. I'm finding it quite busy for now. I'm sure after finding the 7 or 8 locomotives and fixing them up I'll be waiting for the next update, but I guess "boring" is a relative and personal thing. Yes it's the same map, but that's what I meant by TSW being entirely the opposite of that. TSW is very "shallow" in depth by comparison, but very "wide" in it's expanse of different content. It's more of a "sampler" platter of railroading. DV is more a very specific area which though fictional is strongly based on the actual stock on Eastern European rail lines. (The DE 6 is based on the G-16 that was used and the steam shunter for example is based on ones left by the US Army after World War 2 in that region) so it's just a lot deeper "immersion." Two totally different games, but I just wanted to let you know they'd listed to that and other complaints and have been steadily making changes. It's totally different from where it was a year or two years ago. The remote switching was a huge bonus, along with the always improving physics. The amount of new rolling stock is frankly impressive. Just added reefer cars, auto carriers, "trams" as cargo, bulk ore hoppers, etc. The economy is next on the list they said on the roadmap, so it won't just be "random jobs." They haven't said it, but the "dynamic economy" only really makes sense with the scale that comes from mutliplayer. They haven't said anything on that, but modders have already easily made it multi-player on their own so it's fairly simple to accomplish with the existing assets, it's more of a matter of the devs deciding if they want to go that route or stay single player only. I'll admit I have to unlock quite a bit until I'm at the "end game" but the way the devs work, just waiting a few months will mean something else is added to discover. To be honest, TSW has gotten a bit "stale" by comparison with it's lack of depth. Not complaining. It's a "sampler" like I said, but the novelty only lasts so long. Some people like that familiarity of doing the same commuter run until they can run it almost blindfolded "like a real driver." I can see that in DV in that you get to learn the map. There is more variety though for me with dynamic stock. It's not always the "9:15 leaving with passengers and 12 stops" or "the 2:45 always loaded with coal for X siding" (that you can't pull into) In fact, there are no passenger services (yet) in game in DV, but that's on the roadmap and the stations and some stock exists already. I suspect they're trying to figure out how to implement it. I think the whole team is 4 part time programmers so they're really doing it on their free time. It has that extra step of shunting and shuffling stock around that goes that step beyond just the A-B drive. Again, I'm not slighting TSW. I still buy their content and love to see new places and new locos. The actual scenery is much better and "real world" (despite the naysayers complaining not every building is photo correct) So it's just.... different. I go back and forth. Sometimes I want that in depth fully immersive experience of having to build the train, run it and deliver it to the right siding with less than forgiving physics. Other times I just want a fun run in a more high-def "authentic" world to explore some new content a bit. They're two entirely different games with entirely different goals.
You can set switches on the "main" map and on the smaller location/railyard maps. It's really very handy. I'm much less worried about having to fumble with the remote coming around a turn hoping I can click on the switch fast enough before the train flies down the wrong branch. Feels less like "babysitting" and more like "driving." It's a good compromise because in "reality" you'd have a second person there to do the switching, which you don't in a single person game.
That sounds really good, if you can set the route right into the correct reception road. Leaves you free to concentrate on the driving as you say and in particular if you want a go with the steam loco.
Yeah they're a bit much to juggle for me still. Sticking to diesels for the most part. Eventually unlocking my own content at the museum though to "own" locos, I'll get into them more for fun. As money makers though it's still diesel all the way.
Just watched the official update video. By god that looks good. An early access game that has actually delivered. To hell with SimRail and Toytown Sim World. Think I know what I’m playing the next few evenings!
Will be interested to hear what you think of it. I found it one hell of a grind to make even a small progression. I’ve no doubt it’s a well written game, but I just got bored.
Admittedly it’s still going to be that, but the steam simulation looks far superior to TSW and the ability to preset your route from the map(s) will make travelling around a bit easier. I like the idea of the museum too, where you can restore the old locos.
I don't find it at all hard to make money. Admittedly, I don't have it on super hard mode, but the more licenses you unlock for different cargos the more you make. I mean you can just carry scrap metal all day if you want, but once you unlock tankers and automotive hauling, etc... it really takes off money wise. If you do the work of combining runs (like a railroad would do) you can get some shunting fun and make tens of thousands for just a few miles or run. The museum costs are actually pretty reasonable too. $30,000 for new parts and a $15,000 paint job aren't all that expensive to have a spiffy new loco you found in the ditch weeds. I guess some people don't like earning things, but I think it gives the game more value to work for content in game. Personal preference as usual.
The new tutorial seems to go on and on and save is disabled too. Had to come off after about 50 minutes so dismayed if I have to do it over again. Simply haven’t got that much time to spare. Wondered if there’s any means of starting a new game and skipping that section, just get your starting licences and get on with the main game?
Must be new. Don't recall a huge tutorial. There was an optional one to get the first DE2 and optional ones after that. All you need is the DE 2 to get started. There's a sandbox mode if you just want to jump into that and everything is avalable too to try out.
Yes when I did the tutorial previously it was just a quick overview of the loco and a bit of shunting. The new one has you fitting parts to the loco then going off to work a turntable and then giving you a pump car. I'll start a fresh game without!
Don't forget you can make good money with shunting. If a run your loco can handle pops up going to Machine Factory and Town, do that and get the remote control. That will make shunting way easier and more fun still. I play this in VR and it's great. Hope you enjoy the valley.
I played it quite a lot when first released and it is a good game. As regards the tutorial, well I had one more crack and it loaded at a checkpoint so was able to finish it, just that bit with the pump car was tricky - kept going backwards until I figured out the handle!
Had a go last night, nice little shunting job at the Steel Mill which pays over 8000 credits. Couple of those and I will be unlocking the Despatcher licence. Also a good way to refresh the game before heading out on the main line. Had to come off before finishing so having just positioned the wagons on the loading track, I need to figure out how to load them. I’ve also got some pesky brake drag and the brake line fault light in the cab flashing even though, so far as I can tell, all the relevant angle c0cks are open or closed and the supply handle in the cab is down. But it’s good fun and a nice change from bimbling A to B in TSW. Edit: Quick bit of Googling, looks like I didn’t release the handbrakes after coupling and forming up the train. Form One then tea and biscuits for Vern!
That caught me out with the hand brake. I'm so used to tsw and never having to apply atleast one hand brake, It took me a good ten mins to figure it out. Where I used to work it was standard practice to apply the handbrake on atleast one wagon, before uncoupling the loco.
It is really surprisingly well done. The only issue I have visually is the ground textures, but everything else from gameplay to physics to economy to the locos and buildings, weather... all very nice. The customization features are a neat feature too.
The one feature I like alot, is the way trees are brushed aside by the trains. Why dtg didn't think of this is surprising.
They are much better than in the very early access stages. One thing that stands out for me is crunching over the ballast and through the weeds. Very well done.
Yeah the "instant move" isn't "realistic" I guess but when you have a long train or want to explore it's VERY useful to hop 100 meters or so ahead and not have to walk it. Would be handy when trying to inspect a 50+ car train on SPG or CJP.
A real “durr” moment last night.Took a job to haul the wagons I’d previously shunted around at the steel mill. Spent 25 minutes driving to my destination, only to find… I’d forgotten to recouple the loco! Job in the bin and find a new one at the current location.
It's challenging. I dragged some wagons half way round the map, only to find I wanted 3 from the front of the rake and not the back. Back to the steel mill I guess.
Inadvertently blew out the traction motor on the shunter. One hell of a crack and electrical flash. Reset the TM breaker then did the same thing again, which also took out the headlights! Co-pay insurance will not be happy.
I like the fact that the devs aren't holding your hand when shunting, your wagons can be at the wrong end of a rake, not coupled up, spread all over a yard. The remote is a great tool also, just like using the real thing. The 'physics' must be pretty accurate as the brakes act as expected, overall a superb sim. Playing in a Quest 3 is the best train experience on the PC, period.
For the people putting TSW as a 'sim"... I'd say DV is a step above that. It's a pretty steep learning curve but rewarding when you finally figure out what the hell you're doing =-)
Yes, my first job turned out to be dropping the wagons on a siding which would have ended up with the loco on the buffers. So I had to run round in the Transfer Yard first, luckily two roads were free, then shunt back out to propel the wagons back in. Guess they term it emergent gameplay. I’ve also reinstalled Railroader now it’s come along a bit and need to take a fresh look at it. But for now it’s still DV, want enough credits to unlock the big diesel as the shunter struggles with some of the heavier loads.
