Train Sim World® 6
Last updated: 2025-10-02
- Enjoyable new content and enhanced immersion features
- Good sound design and positive franchise continuation
- Lack of innovation and value for money
- Outdated graphics and poor optimization
- Numerous bugs and performance issues
- Flawed Conductor Mode and AI
Emotions
Players express disappointment due to a perceived lack of innovation, with many feeling the game is a 'reskin' of previous versions, offering minimal graphical or gameplay improvements. Recurring bugs, poor optimization, and performance issues, along with limited new content or features locked behind paywalls, also contribute significantly to this sentiment. The high price point for what is seen as an incremental update further exacerbates the feeling of unmet expectations and poor value.
Frustration stems primarily from persistent, unfixed bugs carried over from older versions, poor optimization leading to performance issues like lag and frame drops, and game-breaking glitches that hinder progression. Players are also frustrated by the high price of the game and its DLCs, especially when coupled with minor changes, large download sizes for seemingly insignificant updates, and a perceived lack of effort or responsiveness from developers regarding long-standing issues.
Satisfaction is reported by players who appreciate bug fixes, general refinements, and new features like improved announcements and visible timetable layers. Many are pleased with the quality of new routes and locomotives, shorter loading times, and the overall smooth performance of the game. The availability of free upgrades or starter packs, along with DLC transferability, also contributes to a positive experience for some, particularly those who enjoy the core simulation and find it relaxing.
Players express excitement for new features such as announcements, delayed signals, and train faults, which enhance immersion and challenge. The inclusion of specific routes and locomotives, along with overall improvements in atmosphere and sound design, also generates enthusiasm. Many fans of the genre are delighted with the game's content and immersive experience, viewing it as a brilliant and amazing addition to the series.
Hope is centered on the potential for future improvements, such as new features being transferred to older routes and the desire for longer, more detailed routes and additional content. Players also express hope for a significant technological upgrade, like the adoption of Unreal Engine 5, and for developers to address constructive feedback and expand features, particularly for specific regional markets.
Verdict
Mostly negative
Summary
Positive 52% · Negative 48%. Score: 48 / 100
Positives:
- Players are very happy with the new locomotives and routes, especially highlighting the variety of new trains and the overall enjoyment derived from driving them. The inclusion of diesel trains was also a welcome change.
- The addition of high-quality station and train announcements significantly improves immersion. Players also appreciate new random events and train faults that add variety and spice up gameplay.
- Specific train sounds, such as the Baureihe 294 and the interior of the Baureihe 146, are well-received for their quality and immersive feel. There's also a slight improvement noted in ambient sounds.
- Many players view this release as a strong continuation of the series, appreciating the developers' efforts to keep the franchise alive and deliver a quality experience that surpasses previous titles.
- Players praise the improved graphics, particularly on routes like the Cornish Riviera, and appreciate the enhanced lighting and dynamic weather systems, including volumetric clouds and fog, which add to the game's atmosphere.
Negatives:
- Players feel the game offers minimal new content and innovation, resembling a re-release of previous versions rather than a new installment. This leads to a perception of poor value for its price, with many features feeling dated or copied.
- Reviewers criticize the game's graphics for being outdated and lacking modern options like DLSS or Ray Tracing. Performance issues like pop-in, flickering, and general poor optimization are prevalent, even on new routes.
- The game is plagued by a high number of bugs, including frequent crashes, stuttering, and frame rate drops. Many of these are old bugs carried over from previous titles, indicating a lack of consistent fixes and polish.
- The Conductor Mode is reported as broken or unfinished, with issues like non-recognition of station arrivals and a lack of passengers. AI traffic and passenger animations are also criticized for being unrealistic and stiff.
- The new German route is seen as a mere extension of an existing one, lacking new trains and significant visual overhauls. Players are disappointed by the absence of new German rolling stock and bland scenery.
Gameplay:
- Players perceive the game as an incremental update to previous versions (TSW3, TSW2020), suggesting a lack of significant new features or changes that would differentiate it as a full new iteration. It builds upon existing foundations rather than introducing revolutionary elements.
- The game incorporates random events and errors, which some players find disruptive. The ability to disable these features suggests a mixed reception, with some preferring a more predictable gameplay experience.
- Specific locomotives, such as the Baureihe 204, 364, and 185, are noted to have sound issues, including quiet signal horns and a need for general sound overhauls. This indicates a desire for more immersive and accurate audio design.
- The game introduces new announcements and speed reductions as features, which are expected to be present on all new routes. This suggests an effort to enhance realism and operational complexity.
- One player noted their focus on adhering to speed limits and semaphores, indicating an appreciation for realistic train operation and signaling systems within the game.
Performance:
- Many players report severe and constant FPS drops, freezes, and stutters, even on high-end PCs. The Unreal Engine appears poorly optimized, leading to crashes during environment loading. Some users found workarounds with custom settings.
- Some players note a marginal improvement in performance compared to the previous title, but emphasize that further optimization is still necessary. Micro stutters persist despite these minor gains.
Recommendations:
- Player sentiment is highly divided regarding purchasing the game. Many advise against buying it now, suggesting waiting for sales or patches, while others recommend it for train enthusiasts or those who accept its current state.
- Players note that TSW6 will be necessary to access future content releases, implying an upgrade path for continued engagement with the series.
- Some players recommend the game specifically if they enjoy the included routes or have a personal connection to them, indicating that route selection is a key factor in their satisfaction.
- A number of players have requested refunds, indicating significant dissatisfaction with their purchase experience.
- A segment of players highly recommends the game to those who are passionate about train driving simulations, highlighting its appeal to the core fanbase.
Miscellaneous:
- The game follows a typical DLC business model, with the standard version essentially being a bundle of three DLCs. While some players understand the financial reasons, others suggest core features should be free with new routes bundled, or that other simulators use DLC sales to improve the base game.
- Players express a strong interest in more diverse routes, particularly within specific regions like Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and New Jersey. There's also a hope for new features to be backported to older routes.
- Players feel the game offers very few new features compared to its predecessor, TSW5, with many core elements like the loading screen remaining identical. This leads to a perception of the game being a re-release rather than a significant upgrade.
- A free upgrade or starter pack from older Train Sim World versions to TSW6 is available for a limited time. This allows players to access the base game without purchasing the full new version, though some confusion exists regarding what is included.
- Many players suggest moving away from yearly releases to a single, continuously updated platform. They believe new game versions should only be released for major technological upgrades, such as a shift to Unreal Engine 5 or the introduction of multiplayer.
