Something Random is made up of former SUPERHOT developers, but the studio's debut game couldn't be more different. Toy Trains is a cute, relaxing game that lets you relive the simple fun found in building model train tracks, and it does so quite successfully.
A train set in a dusty attic just so happens to be home to a tiny populace known as Railies. These puny people need your help to make tracks that'll lead trains from mines and woodcutters to construction sites, building adorable establishments like a movie theatre and a power plant. Gameplay is super intuitive; using the triggers on PSVR2's Sense controllers, you pluck the required track pieces, trains, and wagons from the user manual and plonk them onto the board in front of you. It's satisfyingly tactile.
The topography of each landscape will dictate how and where you can build your tracks, but there's no one right answer — as long as your routes meet the requirements, you'll progress through a stage. With no time limits or scores to worry about either, Toy Trains makes for a relaxed, playful time. The presentation aids this too, with an attractive art style that's easy to read and pleasant music throughout.
Each level introduces new elements, such as bridges to cross water or slopes so your trains can move vertically. Once you reach the 10th and final stage, you'll be able to create some fairly complex tracks if you wish. Upon beating the game and concluding the covert but sweet story, you're free to play each level again, but there's little else to see and do here.
It's on the short side, which isn't really a problem, but especially in terms of options it's quite barebones. In fact, there are no real settings to speak of, not even to adjust in-game volume or change height. Fortunately, this is a stationary game with minimal controls to worry about, so it arguably doesn't need lots of options — but some basic stuff is missing.
All told, though, Toy Trains delivers a satisfying experience that'll appeal to players of all ages. If you're after a nostalgic and relaxing VR title, you could do far worse than choo-choo-choose this pleasant little game.
Comments 13
I'll have a look, down the line...
I'm planning to buy this for my son. However, the absence of a "change height" option might be a issue for him...
@ThaBEN I should be clear, if you hold the Options button it should just adjust itself to the right placement. I just thought it was a little strange there was no option to make further adjustments yourself.
@ThaBEN Hi! Project Lead of Toy Trains here. For the release version of the game you will be able to adjust your height mid-game using Y-X buttons on the left controller. And future updates will bring more convenient solutions. We are thinking about them
Have fun playing!
And also - thanks @Quintumply for the great review! I hope you had some fun and relaxed a bit while playing!
@jaymartin Thanks for the reply!
Glad to hear this, instant buy for me!
I am worried about the lack of content but it does look quite fun so if the price is not too steep I am thinking of buying it. Does it have a Plat trophy?
@AFCC It does indeed
Rock on! Glad to hear this is a good experience. The only regret is not being able to show this game to my dad, who passed away a few years ago. He LOVED building train sets.
@jaymartin and @quintumply Any chance we can get an interview on PushSquare about Toy Trains, its creation and its creators, any challenges it encountered during its development process, and the health or lack of health of the PSVR2 market?
Specifically, I’d love to know about the art style. It’s cool. Was there any debate as to whether to go with this art style vs. a more photo-realistic style and why was this style chosen?
Also, Vertigo 2 and Bulletstorm are releasing at the same time, and we just had Resident Evil 4 VR mode release two days before Christmas. As a huge fan (and fairly recent convert) of VR, I want all of these games to succeed to help grow the VR community. Toy Trains is great because it’s different and unique and totally the opposite of an adventure shooter, a blood & guts action shooter, and a survival horror shooter, but I’m concerned the media may overlook Toy Trains because everyone’s so focused on the dang shooters. How can we help get the word out about Toy Trains? Any chance we’ll see/play a demo?
This caught my eye on the PS store, but I was a little wary because the logo was giving me bargain bin vibes. What can I say, I’m shallow. I’m happy to say that his review did enough to push it on to my wishlist.
@AFCC the release version contains a story campaign with several hours of gameplay. We are a small team, so to deliver a good game in a reasonable amount of time we needed to start with the basics. But the future updates will bring more content to have fun with!
@jgrangervikings1 Hi! Our team is always keen to talk.
@Quintumply - if you are guys open for it, we could arrange an interview.
Shame it's VR2 only. Think my son would love this but it's not worth £500 more just play it, especially when he has Tracks - Toybox Edition on the Switch.
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