I’ve always been one of those people drawn to trains, and that’s something that’s followed me through gaming. From classics like Sid Meier’s Railroad Tycoon and Transport Tycoon all the way up to modern versions like Railroad Corporation or Sweet Transit, there’s just something compelling about plopping down tracks and managing the lumbering beasts that ride them. One of the best is Railway Empire, which is just as well as you can save a colossal 80% on it right now on Steam.
While some train games plow on into the future, Railway Empire is happy to hearken back to the golden age of rail – the 19th century. The base game sets you down in the USA in 1830, where you’re tasked with starting your own rail company, expanding it through whatever means necessary, and eventually spanning as far and wide as possible. It’s got everything you might expect from a rail management sim, from choosing your route to dealing with the business side of things, all presented with a meticulous attention to detail.
One of the draws is always the locomotives themselves. In the default Railway Empire game you’ll have access to over 40 trains to develop, purchase, and utilize in your quest to become the king of all industry. Each has their own benefits and drawbacks, and it’s up to you to make sure they’re deployed where you need them and in a manner that best benefits your organization.
What really sets Railway Empire apart from many of its competitors, however, is in how it embraces both skulduggery and the march of time. You and your rivals aren’t operating independently of each other, and you’re able to steal from them, sabotage their efforts, and even conduct raids on their businesses to get ahead in this cut-throat world.
Time is also important, as nothing stands still in the world of trains. You’ll be researching new technologies through several different eras as you head into a bright future of steam, or simply stealing what you need to know from others.
Railway Empire is on sale until Thursday November 7 with 80% off, which takes it down to $5.99 / £5.39 from $29.99 / £26.99. If that sounds like a destination you’d like a ticket for, head over to the game’s store page to learn more.
Should your train be heading elsewhere, take a look at our guides to the best management games and the best strategy games to fulfill your desire for cerebral gaming.
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