Railroad Tycoon II

• Platform: IBM PC Compatible
• Release Date: 1998
• Genre: Simulation
• Style: Business Sim
• Similar Games: Sid Meier's Railroad Tycoon (IBM PC Compatible), SimCity Classic (Hybrid PC/Mac), Airport Tycoon (IBM PC Compatible)

Game Description

Railroad Tycoon II is a real-time strategy simulation which puts you in control of a railway company. Specifically, you take the role of an early railway pioneer who has to lay the tracks, build the stations, create (and name) the company, buy locomotives and rolling stock, open for business and issue stocks and shares.

There are 18 scenario campaigns from which to choose, including the British Industrial Revolution, East-West US railways, and even South African colonial tracks from Johannesburg to the Cape. There are 59 different animated trains to use within the game. In addition to the greater variety of locomotives, there are more advanced economics, larger staffs, and many more full motion video clips than were available in the original Railroad Tycoon.

Railroad Tycoon makes impressive use of extended timelines, allowing the player to start a railroad company in the 1800s and see how it has performed by the year 2000. It runs at a maximum screen resolution of 1024 x 768 and has a zoom facility to show equipment to its fullest clarity.

Review: Overall

Railroad Tycoon II from Take 2 Interactive is an improvement on the original Railroad Tycoon. The game is still a real-time railway strategy business simulation. In this version of the game, you take on the role of a railroad pioneer who must start a railroad company from nothing.

There are 18 realistic scenario campaigns to embark upon, ranging from the early days of East-West U.S. railroads, to Canadian railways, early colonial Africa, the British Industrial Revolution, and many more. In fact, it's hard to think of a relevant period or place that isn't covered in the game.

As well as laying the track, planning and building the stations, looking for and buying the different types of locomotives, choosing the rolling stock, planning hotels, and running the company, there is a new twist to the sim. There is also the stock market aspect, through a mode that lets you experiment with margin buying, short selling, and hostile takeovers, with a pushy board of directors breathing down your neck.

With improved graphics, a zoom-in facility, support for up to 1024 x 768 resolution, and a whole host of full-motion video clips, the game is a delight to watch as well as play. The sound effects are full of groaning realism and the very informative and detailed manual gives the player full control of his company.

One of the more interesting aspects of this excellent sim is the ability to stretch the timeline in order to see where the company will be years in the future, based on past performance. You can also take advantage of new trends, such as the introduction of diesel and the motor car for competition.

This game is worryingly addictive; it's not just a business simulation, nor just a power game, but an educational competition where only the forward thinker survives and thrives.

Review: Enjoyment

Hugely addictive, fun and educational.

Review: Graphics

Well presented in a choice of resolutions.

Review: Sound

Authentic, stereo-quality train noises.

Review: Replay Value

A variety of scenarios to attempt.

Review: Documentation

Informative historical manual.

Production Credits