Train Sim World® 7 Review Summary

DLSS and upgraded lighting boost visuals, but poor optimization, frequent crashes, unrealistic physics, and buggy AI conductors still hurt.

DLSS boosts performance and visuals: Multiple clusters highlight DLSS as a key addition that improves both performance and visual sharpness, often paired with new lighting. It is frequently cited alongside DX12 and other upscaling technologies.

Major graphics and lighting upgrade: Reviewers consistently praise the new graphics engine and enhanced lighting system for making the game look significantly better. This includes improved light and shadow effects that add detail and realism.

Excellent new routes and detail: Specific new routes such as the German route and Airedale/Wharfedale are highly praised for their detail and visual quality. Players find the route environments incredibly detailed and beautiful.

Accessibility and quality-of-life improvements: New beginner controls and AI conductors make the game more accessible to new players and reduce micromanagement. Numerous quality-of-life fixes and upgrades are also appreciated.

New graphical settings options for PC: The addition of new graphical settings, including Epic quality and various upscaling options, is welcomed by PC players. These options allow for greater customization and enjoyment.

Poor Performance and Optimization: Many users report frame drops, stuttering, and general performance issues, especially on certain routes like Nürnberg-Würzburg and Airedale-Wharfedale. Optimization is criticized as poor, with low FPS even on high-end hardware.

Frequent Game Crashes: Multiple clusters report frequent game crashes to desktop, often occurring during gameplay or at specific points such as station stops or route transitions. These crashes are widely experienced and significantly impact playability.

Unrealistic Physics and Controls: Users report unrealistic physics, especially for the ICE4 and BR 440, with poor braking behavior and train control issues. Levers and buttons often do not respond correctly.

AI Conductor Bugs and Crashes: The AI conductor feature is frequently buggy and can cause game crashes, especially on routes like Nürnberg-Würzburg and with the BR 440. Disabling the AI conductor often resolves the crashes, but the feature remains problematic.

Timetable and Route Issues: Timetable errors, missing timetables for certain trains, and routing problems are reported. Cross-route services are still not possible, and some timetables are unrealistic.

Train simulation with routes: Players frequently mention a train simulator with various routes, including new lines, scenarios, timetables, and route selection such as the Leeds branch. It also supports AI Conductor, AFB system, LZB signals, and NVIDIA features.

Live weather system: The game features a live weather system that uses real-world, location-specific conditions and synchronizes in-game weather with real-time data. This dynamic weather adds realism to the simulation.

Includes ICE 4 and 440: The game includes the ICE 4 and 440 trains, with some players noting the ICE 4 is better than the ICE 3. The ICE 4 also comes with an AFB switch.

Freight mode and hauling: A freight mode allows players to transport freight without schedule constraints, including marshalling, shunting, and moving freight around the railway. This adds variety beyond passenger services.

AI Conductor functionality: An AI Conductor feature automatically opens doors and can be enabled via Settings > Player Assistance > AI Conductor. It enhances the simulation experience.

Stuttering and frame drops: Players report stuttering and frame drops in various situations, such as on medium settings, near Würzburg, when trains pass each other, or due to lack of shader precompilation.

Poor performance on Nürnberg-Würzburg route: The Nürnberg-Würzburg route suffers from frequent crashes and severe frame drops, often dropping to 20-30 FPS or lower. This is a major optimization issue.

Performance generally smooth on capable hardware: Many players achieve stable frame rates (60+ FPS) on high settings with capable hardware, especially with DLSS or FSR enabled. The game runs very well for some.

EPIC settings require powerful hardware: The new EPIC graphics settings demand high-end hardware and may need individual adjustment on older systems for certain routes. They can cause frame rate decreases.

Initial stuttering then smooths out: Several users experience stuttering on first run, but performance improves after shader compilation or initial loading.

Wait for sale or free update: Many reviewers suggest waiting for a sale, free update, or for the game to be optimized before purchasing. They believe the current price is too high for the issues present and recommend holding off until the game improves or gets discounted.

Positive recommendations and value: Some players find the game worth the money, praising graphical improvements and recommending it to train simulation fans. They consider it a good entry point for newcomers and a satisfying experience for existing players.

Mixed or negative recommendations: Several reviewers express disappointment and do not recommend the game, citing reasons such as the game not being worth the hype, the business model being greedy, or it being a waste of money. Some even plan to request a refund.

Optimization issues hinder recommendation: Functional problems and poor optimization prevent reviewers from recommending the game at full price. They are willing to change their review once these issues are fixed.

Purchase Deluxe Edition instead: Reviewers suggest that the Deluxe or Ultimate Edition offers better value, even for those who own many DLCs. They recommend buying these editions over the standard version.

Community fair range: $24.99 - $39.99.

Session length: 2.5h.

Accessibility-Focused Newcomer: Uses Beginner Controls, learns gradually, and focuses on basic driving and route completion. Motivation: To enjoy driving trains without being overwhelmed by complex systems and controls. Stance: buy.

Critical Sim Veteran: Plays extensively with full simulation controls, uses mods, and compares routes and locomotives across simulators. Motivation: To experience a realistic, moddable train simulation that meets or exceeds previous titles and alternatives. Stance: sale.

Enthusiastic Series Fan: Plays regularly, enjoys the series, buys the standard edition, and may wait for sales on extra content. Motivation: To experience the latest and most improved entry in the Train Sim World series. Stance: buy.

Performance reports vary by VRAM cohort: 12-15GB and under-8GB are mixed with both smooth DLSS/FSR results and stuttering or crashes, 8-11GB is mostly positive with some optimization caveats, and 16GB+ is negative due to frequent crashes and settings issues.

Windows 12-15GB VRAM: mixed. Reports are mixed: some users get 90-120 FPS with DLSS/FSR and improved visuals, but others still see stuttering, frame drops to 20-30 FPS, and occasional crashes.

Windows <8GB VRAM: mixed. Mixed results: some players reach 60-100 FPS with DLSS and lighter settings, while others report crashes, laggy routes, and severe drops to 10-20 FPS.

Windows 8-11GB VRAM: positive. Mostly positive: users commonly report running at 70-100 FPS or Epic settings with DLSS/FSR, though some note poor optimization, performance drops, and rare crashes.

Steam Deck: The audit finds a mixed Steam Deck picture. Steam Deck compatibility and Linux/Proton performance are explicitly praised, and modern upscaling features improve the technical outlook. However, severe frame drops near Nuremberg and Würzburg and recurring crash and AI door bugs create high friction, making the experience far from seamless on affected routes. No external launcher or small-text barrier is reported. The final score reflects the dominant stability and performance issues rather than the positive compatibility notes.

Linux and Proton: The filtered reviews contain only positive Linux/Proton evidence. One reviewer explicitly reports that the game runs 'really great' using proton-cachyos-slr on CachyOS with KDE-Plasma, with no mention of crashes, launch failures, workarounds, or required tweaks. Another review lists Steam Deck compatibility as a supported improvement. The remaining content concerns DLSS/DLAA/FSR graphics options that are not Linux-specific. There is no evidence of Linux-specific friction, anti-cheat/DRM blocking, or instability.

New routes and content added: The update includes three new core routes: Nürnberg-Würzburg, Airedale & Wharfedale, and a US route. The ICE 4 is a notable addition, though not in the Standard Edition.

Graphical enhancements: DX12, DLSS, lighting: New graphical settings include DX12, DLSS, DLAA, FSR, and enhanced lighting options, with compatibility across DLC. A community modder collaborated on the lighting improvements.

Annual release feels like update: Many reviewers feel the game is essentially an update to Train Sim World 6 rather than a new entry, with minor differences and reused content. Some consider it just another yearly iteration sold as a new game.

Multiple editions and pricing concerns: The game is sold in Standard, Deluxe, and Ultimate editions, with some reviewers finding the price too high for the content, especially for DLC and when not on sale. The ICE 4 is only in the Deluxe Edition or sold separately.

Deluxe Edition extras and early access: The Deluxe Edition allows playing five days early and includes exclusive content like the ICE 4 and Class 333. Reviewers note these perks as selling points.