Tsw: The Chopper Has Landed!

Anthony Pecoraro · Jun 22, 2020

Plastic Pal said: ↑

Okay - I think I have now seen enough of the Class 20 to come up with a Good/Bad/Ugly & Mad/Sad/Glad summary:

Good
- fantastic 3D model, including excellent underframe details, as well as 3D rendering of things like the loco fire extinguisher system handles (inside and outside), and nice details like the blue drain pipe and the opening external battery panel
- really nice soundscape (when it is working, which is most of the time for me - but see Ugly section below)
- really nice particle effects with the diesel fumes, nicely animated clag
- very nice polarising sunscreen side-windows that give clouds a lovely solid look and a silver lining.... ;-)
- a glowing hotplate (....but no steaming kettle..... or eggs & bacon.....? ;-) )

Bad
- low res textures on the externals, especially the strapping/bolts on the roof; this is nowhere near the quality of the exquisite Class 37, plus the overall texture brightness is too bright (faded/worn effect is good, but the brightness makes it look like a cartoon)

Ugly
- the viciously unstable LOD on the white marker lights, the marker disc flaps and the buffers
- the horrific sound bug when too many sounds are loaded and they start clashing and cutting out

Mad
- extreme lack of content with the PGA wagons, basically there is nearly zero new content
- no manual.... really... no manual...? despite the TSW senior producer in the tutorial asking you to look in the manual....?

Sad
- there is a fuelling cap and gauge, but no content that uses them.....?
- no slow speed control for the coal unloader....?
- some sort of unused anti-lock braking button (wheel slide prevention...?)... could be a TSW2 teaser....?

Glad
- significant improvement (in TSW) on train driving physics including power application and slip and brake timing/delay
- really really nice modelling and animation of the buffers and couplings, including loco-loco, loco-PGA, and PGA-PGA
- improvements to TVL including lighting and chimney particle effects (DTG should announce these upgrades)

Verdict
There is plenty of Good and quite a bit of Glad with the Class 20. But the Class 20 loco is a no go area until the horrific LOD and sound bugs are fixed, and should not be purchased unless DTG commit to fixing these issues. Ideally, some new content should be included for the PGAs, otherwise you are being seriously short-changed, even if the sound/LOD issues get fixed.

On a more positive note.... the loco driving physics (power/slip and brake timing), and the general improvements to particle effects do point to a possible better future with TSW2 (including steam). The Class 20 (and TVL with the Class 37) could be regarded as a bit of a teaser.... a taste of what is to come in the future, with respect to adhesion modelling and wheel slip (and slide...?).
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I didn't notice any bad lods.

LastTrainToClarksville · Jun 22, 2020

I wish that contributors would identify their playing platform. My guess is that DLC sometimes perform differently on different platforms.

DeStijl · Jun 22, 2020

LastTrainToClarksville said: ↑

I wish that contributors would identify their playing platform. My guess is that DLC sometimes perform differently on different platforms.
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I think the pop-in and LOD problems are primarily console issues. I play on PS4 (not Pro) and it seems to be a lot more noticeable than on the livestreams of the PC version of the game.

Plastic Pal · Jun 22, 2020

stujoy said: ↑

......One thing I never mentioned in my first impressions thread is the wagons that come with the Class 20. I don’t like the look of them. I can’t exactly put my finger on why but to me they don’t look real (in the context of comparison with other trains and the route scenery)...... As you point out in your summary there are some good points to it. It provides a good driving experience and the sounds are great when not being overloaded (I’ve not experienced any overload yet). I like the faint hum of the heaters when you switch them on. It does actually make you feel quite warm.
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I know what you mean about the PGAs... they look sort of out of place uniformly grey... almost like short stubby aluminum models.... but the British Steel ones did look like this.... although maybe with a darker underframe.... They can look better proportioned (and appear longer) when in an ARC livery. But they look okay in TSW when they are viewed from the top..:

Regarding driving - yes - I actually stopped on the ramp out of Lackenby and then had difficulty getting the train going again.... Imagine what that will be like if TSW2 actually has ice.....

4-COR · Jul 6, 2020

stujoy said: ↑

In railway terminology a ‘preserved’ loco is one which is lovingly restored to full working order and painted up like it is straight from the works that originally built it. It takes pride of place and is constantly maintained by dedicated and skilled enthusiasts. That doesn’t sound like what will become of our virtual trains. I don’t know if they are going to be scrapped but definitely neglected.
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"preserved" in the same sense as 45015

stujoy · Jul 6, 2020

4-COR said: ↑

"preserved" in the same sense as 45015
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Yes indeed

Tsw: The Chopper Has Landed!

Anthony Pecoraro Well-Known Member

LastTrainToClarksville Well-Known Member

DeStijl Well-Known Member

Plastic Pal Well-Known Member

4-COR Well-Known Member

stujoy Well-Known Member

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Tsw: The Chopper Has Landed!

Anthony Pecoraro Well-Known Member

LastTrainToClarksville Well-Known Member

DeStijl Well-Known Member

Plastic Pal Well-Known Member

4-COR Well-Known Member

stujoy Well-Known Member

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