Train Sim World 2 is finally available. Released without fanfare, Dovetail has, once again, chosen to take care of the communication around the coming of this “new” opus. Taking up the torch of TSW 2020, this railway simulation was announced as an evolution, in particular of the internal engine, the Simugraph. Graphically, the game is still powered by Unreal Engine 4, and as such remains magnificent, with precise models and textures. The gameplay remains unchanged and puts you in the shoes of a train conductor.
The cold shower
When the game is launched for the first time, it's a bit of a misunderstanding. Why a new simulation? We end up here with an evolution that does not seem deep enough to justify the purchase of a new full title. Fortunately for us, players who have invested heavily in the DLC of TSW 2020, Train Sim World 2 will be (because for the moment it is not the case) compatible with the DLC of the previous opus. Proof of this is that there is not much change. At the launch date, only “Peninsula Corridor” was offered to us as compatible.
New game, new save. You will have to resume all your progress. Worse, you have to redo all the learning tutorials, even if you are an experienced player. A simple question "Do you want to do the tutorials?" ”Would have been enough to save us precious hours not to relearn the basic commands. The 2 big novelties are finally to be seen at the level of roads and trains.
The pleasure, after the disappointment
Overall, we've always had a lot of fun playing Train Sim World. It is the same with this suite. After criticism of Dovetail's strategic choices for the development of TSW 2, we end up with what could have been 2 additional DLCs for TSW 2020: the ICE 3 train and the London Underground.
The ICE 3 is a high speed train pointing at 300 km / h. The feeling of speed is totally bluffing, we take immediate pleasure at the controls of this train. In contrast, the London Underground and its 30 km / h is ideal for new players. Basic functions and quiet speed, what better way to take your first steps.
Two new functions, which absolutely do not revolutionize the game, have nevertheless arrived. The scenario creator, and the train editor. The first, complex to understand, allows you to go further than the basic routes offered by the game. Dovetail recently posted a video (in English) to understand its use. The second tool allows you to customize the trains. Colors, graphics, texts, you will be able, after long minutes, to arrive at a correct result, as the tool lacks ergonomics. Here too, the developers have posted a video to show the capabilities of the Livery Designer.
In the end, this edition, sold under the bar of 30 € only on Steam, is similar to a DLC pack. An edition containing the first DLC "East Coastway" is also available for 20 euros more, or 49,99 €. The compatibility with the existing DLC reassures and pushes us necessarily to advise you the passage on Train Sim World 2. Anyway, TSW 2020 will not see any more additional content.