- Engaging gameplay with a unique train concept.
- Immersive Lovecraftian atmosphere and detailed visuals.
- Convenient crafting and storage enhance gameplay.
- Explore, craft, and upgrade your train base.
- Unpolished and buggy state at premature release.
- Repetitive environments and cumbersome inventory system.
Verdict
Mixed
Summary
Positive 72% · Negative 28%. Score: 28 / 100
Positives:
- The game is captivating and enjoyable, especially in co-op, due to its original mechanics, polished gameplay, and strategic depth. A key feature is the unique concept of a living, customizable train that players must feed and upgrade while exploring a Lovecraftian world, offering a fresh take on the survival genre.
- The game excels in its atmospheric presentation, featuring stunning visuals, well-designed sound, and a captivating Lovecraftian setting. The immersive atmosphere enhances the overall experience, drawing players into a world filled with mystery and intrigue.
- The game features a well-implemented and user-friendly crafting system, enhanced by convenient features like direct access to storage for crafting materials. Additionally, a shared storage chest accessible both inside and outside the train streamlines resource management and inventory space.
- The game's Lovecraftian setting and themes appeal to fans of the genre, filling a void for players interested in this style. The game is set in a dark, Lovecraftian world, with players taking on the role of Dreamers who, together with divine locomotives called RailGods, must explore and survive in an environment dominated by ancestral entities.
- Reviewers have found the storyline interesting and enjoyable so far, indicating a positive narrative experience.
Negatives:
- The game is criticized for being unpolished, buggy, and released prematurely. Many reviewers feel it's a half-finished product needing significant improvements before being fully enjoyable. Some reviews accuse the developers of inflating Steam reviews, indicating potential review bombing.
- The game world suffers from repetitive environments and uninspired map design. Locations often feel the same, lacking variety and unique features, which makes exploration uninteresting.
- Inventory management is cumbersome due to limited slots and the lack of a pause function in solo play. Players spend time aimlessly collecting resources and juggling items, which detracts from the overall experience.
- The death penalty is considered harsh, with players dropping all items and losing progress. Additionally, key/item bindings reset upon death, adding further frustration.
- The train car arrangement and research systems are poorly designed and unintuitive. Players struggle with customization due to limited options, unclear instructions, and frustrating building mechanics.
Gameplay:
- The core gameplay loop revolves around exploring procedurally generated maps via a train, gathering resources, crafting items, and upgrading the train base. The game blends survival, base-building, and ARPG elements within a Lovecraftian setting, offering a unique combination of mechanics.
- The train functions as a mobile base that requires fuel, which is acquired by feeding it resources and captured enemies, including human flesh. This 'RailGod' system is a central mechanic, influencing resource management and exploration decisions.
- The game incorporates a sanity mechanic where the player's SAN value decreases while exploring, leading to visual distortions and item unidentification. Players can restore sanity and gain skill points by offering resources at the train's heart, adding a layer of risk management to exploration.
- Blueprints are learned by studying items. Crafting is functional, but early game unlocks could be more generous.
- The game offers a balanced difficulty curve that is not excessively punishing. The controls, while initially unfamiliar due to the camera rotation, quickly become natural.
Performance:
- The game runs well on Steam Deck using DX11, but DX12 fails to load and results in a fatal error. This is a specific issue related to the Steam Deck and DX12.
- Some players are experiencing screen issues that require them to use Alt+Enter to fix the screen every time it occurs. This is a recurring issue that can be disruptive to gameplay.
- Some players are experiencing issues connecting with friends, including crashes during the connection process. This can be frustrating for those who want to play with others.
- The game requires a fast PC to run smoothly. This may be a barrier to entry for players with older or less powerful hardware.
Recommendations:
- Many reviewers acknowledge the game's potential, especially given its Early Access status. They are optimistic about future updates and improvements to core mechanics and world-building. Some suggest waiting for further development before purchasing, while others recommend it with the understanding that it's a work in progress.
- Several reviews mention bugs, balance issues, and optimization problems that detract from the experience. Some reviewers strongly advise against purchasing the game in its current state, recommending waiting for updates that address these issues. One reviewer directly suggests more internal testing before release.
- The game is particularly appealing to fans of Lovecraftian horror, survival, and crafting games. Reviewers highlight the game's unique and intense atmosphere, suggesting it offers a distinct experience within the genre. The theme of madness is a significant draw for those interested in unusual and psychologically engaging gameplay.
- The game is considered more enjoyable in co-op mode. Reviewers highly recommend playing with friends, suggesting that the co-operative experience enhances the overall gameplay.
- The reviewer doesn't give a strong purchase recommendation. They also state that they would not play for more than 20-30 hours.
Miscellaneous:
- The separate chest for DLC bonuses takes up excessive space. This negatively impacts inventory management and train car space.
- The developers are actively engaged and responsive to player issues. This is reflected in their suggestions for resolving technical problems and their overall involvement in the community.
- The game is compared to V Rising but currently lacks the content and quality-of-life features of the older title. This suggests that the game has potential but needs further development to reach the same level of polish and depth.
- The game features a crafting system with multiple tiers of resources and interactive stations. This provides depth and complexity to the gameplay experience.
- The game prioritizes survival mechanics, with satiety replacing blood as a key resource. This shifts the focus away from combat and towards resource management and exploration.
