For many, the daily commute is either a distant memory or an utter nightmare just now. Having to get up at the crack of dawn, to get to the train station in the pouring rain. Only to find the trains are on strike. Lucky for us, Dovetail Games’ Train Sim World 3 the third instalment of the popular series is just pulling into the station.

The recent rise of the Train Sim games on console has been steeper than your average diesel locomotive could handle. The genre on console is now a fully established in its own right, having been an extremely PC only club for years.

Train Sim World‘s rise has also been helped by the series’ availability on Xbox Game Pass. This time, Train Sim World 3 Standard Edition hits Game Pass on Day One, helping ease more players onto the tracks.

Content Travellers

TSW3 builds upon the solid foundation set by past titles and provides an updated platform. Train Sim World 3 acts as a hub title, which feeds off old and new content.

So, if you spent a fortune on routes for the second game, you can import them here and use the upgraded engine. TSW 3 also delivers improvements to both the graphics and the physics. The tracks for the flow of new content have certainly been laid down by the game.

Train Sim World 3 Deluxe Edition which features three contemporary routes from around the world as well as a Spirit of Steam pack. This pack costs £50/€60.

The Standard Edition also features all three routes and costs £40/€45. Buying the singular UK, Germany or US pack will grant their respective routes only at £30/€35.

Schnellfahrstrecke Kassel to Würzburg in Germany is a 116-mile (187km) long express route and one of the longest routes in the series to date. Barstow to San Bernardinoin in the USA clocks in at 85 miles (138km) long. London St. Pancras to Ashford Intl & Faversham is an 89-mile (142km) long route.

Each includes location specific trains like the ES44C4, Class 395, Class 66 EWS, BR442 Talent 2 DB, BR403 DB, LMS Stanier 8F and ICE 1 to name a few. If trains are your thing, you’ll be able to fill your boots and then some. There is a healthy selection available, as well as different liveries for each.

As Described

And for the most part the game plays how you would expect. That is, you run the train with the goal of hitting each stop on time.

A variety of challenges come with controlling a number of locos that have more dials, switches and blinky things than the control desk on the Death Star.

But when not hit by an anxiety attack, you’re free to get out of your train and walk around the station. It must be noted, though, that many of the areas you can explore like this are a bit lifeless.

Platforms are a bit sparsely populated in terms of passengers. Simple immersive touches PA announcement or staff dispatching trains would be nice. The game would benefit hugely from mores hints to a world beyond an interactive train set.

There is also a new weather system in the game. Atmospheric conditions now include things like clouds forming and moving though the sky. As well as rain, snow and heavy winds. The latter of which can be felt aboard your train when you are blasting through the countryside.

All of which adds a sense of the unknown to your journey. You may start out with blue skies at departure, only to be greeted by stormy weather upon your arrival at your destination.

Upgraded Ticket

Train Sim World 3 is a well-made and highly refined title, but it doesn’t seem like much of an upgrade in terms of the core game. It definitely looks nicer. There are some changes to the HUD and other features improving general quality of life. But beyond the weather system, I’m hard pressed to really spot a huge difference.

Also, if you have sunk hours into TSW2 and bought a packet of DLC, the idea of having to shell out another £40/€45 (Standard Edition) for this new version may not sit well as it’s not a huge leap forward.

Train Sim World 3 knows what it is and what it does and will serve as a new launch pad that Dovetail can continue to expand on with new lines and locos. But if you are not a train fan, it’s once again an interesting gaming oddity that’s worth a few spins.

Review copy provided by publisher

Train Sim World Standard Edition features all three of the modern routes and their respective trains and is available at £39.99/€44.99. TSW3 Deluxe adds the Liverpool Crew line with period steam engines £49.99/€59.99. The three modern-day routes of TSW3 and the Spirit of Steam are available separately at £29.99/€34.99.

All packs include the Train Sim World 3 game, functioning as standalone software.