Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mixed Impressions, September 17, 2004
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
If you like trains, you'll probably like this game.
If you liked Transport Tycoon, or Railroad Tycoon (and don't value graphics too much) you'll probably like this game.
If you liked Rollercoaster Tycoon (it uses the same game engine), you might like this game depending on how much you like trains. But, the same charm is there (although you may miss the peeps), so you'll probably like this game too.
If you like strategy games in general (but, not for the eye candy - are you sensing a theme here?), you'll probably like this game.
In fact, this game has a very likeable quality to it. And, the price seems right. Bottom line: it's a good game for the price.
So, why the lower scores? It's not a great game.
Of course, I must point out that the game's graphics are quite simple and seem dated. The sound is nice, however. Normally this doesn't bother me in the slightest way. In fact, I still enjoy the game's predecessor Transport Tycoon, which is ten years old. But, the game itself seems to be lacking depth. Don't get me wrong, there are a LOT of things you can do in the game as far as building goes (although since the game is based on the Rollercoaster Tycoon engine, your game world tend to look like giant rollercoasters, especially where the AI is concerned - a little unrealistic). But, all the other neat things that COULD have been there, AREN'T. Basically, the game seems simplified. Of course, this can be a good thing, but I don't think it works well here considering the (supposed) scope of the game (being a global transport mogul), and the intended audience of the game.
So, we have a simplistic game with dated graphics. Herein lies the problem. Most gamers that want an in-depth strategy game can certainly forgive bad graphics as long as the depth and "thinking" is there. And most gamers that want cool new graphics can forgive bad story, depth, etc. So, where does this leave "Locomotion?" At the middle of the road, not really fully satisfying anyone in particular. Like I said above, the game will appeal to certain folks. But, I don't see the long-lasting play value that more in-depth strategy games have. Like I said, it's a good game for the price since you'll probably get addicted and build to your heart's content for a while, but it will likely leave you wanting more depth after you've scratched this surface.
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32 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fun, but not for all Rollercoaster Tycoon Fans, September 13, 2004
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
This game is fun, but it's not for everyone the way Rollercoaster Tycoon was (heck, my sister, middle aged like me, played RCT, and she plays very few games of any kind). Locomotion has a simple premise, but it's tougher to get a handle on the game's mechanics than was true in Rollercoaster Tycoon.
The interface is very similar to RCT/RCT2. Laying tracks is very much like making queue lines in the RCT games. Unfortunately, making queue lines was never the strong point of RCT, since the four view choices can leave you with no way to "see" the spot you need to see. Also, having train tracks cross each other is a bit clunky, and getting cargo to industries that use it is tough to time just right. If one needed cargo arrives in a different month than the other needed cargo (e.g. ore and coal arrive in different months), then nothing will ever be made. The first cargo disappears before the second arrives.
It's also not clear how you can make money (hint: go for passengers, not cargo). So you can easily spend all your money making, say, a cargo ship system, and find that you're never going to do well.
Still, the game is simple to jump into for older gamers. Laying track is simple, and other vehicles are even easier. It's getting these to mesh that gets harder. There's a good deal of planning that has to be done in your head to get a good system up and running. Where RCT would tolerate my ten year old's complex queue lines, Locomotion would leave her frustrated.
If you're looking for a simple, fun game, Locomotion is fine for teenagers and other gamers with a good deal of experience. The graphics are functional and don't add or detract from the game. The interface will be simple to pick up for anyone who played RCT, and not too tough for others. The tutorial helps alot with the basics. One big improvement over RCT: you can speed up time (3x or 9x)! I wish I'd had that in RCT.
However, the fun factor is no where near as high as RCT, the graphics will disappoint most who have played Railroad Tycoon 3, and the city-building won't match SimCity4.
You'll have fun with this game, but you're not going to wear it out in the way Chris Sawyer fans like me had hoped.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better than expected, December 28, 2004
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
For $19 or whatever we paid for it at BB, this game rocks. My husband, who is a locomotive engineer in real life, has played all different railroad games - the tycoons, simulators, and all that and loves them all. This one seems to be keeping his interest for a long time... he sits and plays this for hours on end, and is a millionaire (I wish). Like I said, great game for the price paid!
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