City Transport Simulator Tram Review (Steam)

Summary

City Transport Simulator Tram boasts decent, realistic graphics and a manageable download size of 11.66GB. It supports Steam achievements and offers optional Dovetail live integration, along with full controller support. The graphics settings are comprehensive, including options for colorblind support, colorblind strength, and camera movement intensity. Display settings cover window mode, resolution, v-sync, and frame rate limit. The graphics quality settings are extensive, allowing adjustments for preset, 3D resolution, global illumination, shadows, anti-aliasing, view distance, textures, effects, reflections, post-processing, motion blur quality, AI car visibility distance, AI car density, pedestrian density, and mirror performance. There are three controller presets and easy mode settings that simplify driving controls, automated door controls, automated lights, AI traffic, AI trams, and AI cars. Vehicle options include deadman, automatic destination displays, derailing, increased brake force slider, automatic rail switch, and automatic rail switch set. The game also supports custom controller setups for third-party controllers, wheels, and other peripherals.

One of the game’s strengths is its flexibility, allowing players to make the experience as simple or as advanced as they like. The profile setup includes a name input (with a text box for controller users) and six avatar choices. The gameplay involves tram driving and management, with an opening tutorial that features ongoing pop-ups and a reference menu. There are four driving views: cockpit, passenger view, out of the tram, and behind the tram. The game world is fully 3D with 360-degree camera control, and the throttle is designed to allow gradual speed adjustments. Players can look around in any view and use mirrors to monitor passengers. A notable feature is the speedometer, which displays the current speed limit and the distance to the next speed change.

The game offers a living, breathing world that players feel a part of, with two ways to play: regular and easy play. This essentially means having automation actions on or off and determining the depth of tram control. The game can be set to be a simulator or more of an arcade experience. It uses the highway code, teaching players how to read tram lights and speed signs. The game provides a zen-like experience with enough activity to keep players engaged without feeling overwhelmed. There are two game modes: career and sandbox. Sandbox mode allows players to choose any route or location to drive at their leisure, while career mode is the core of the game, where players create their own tram company, set up routes, drive trams, and manage other aspects. There are seven trams to drive, each with unique liveries and stats for max speed, seats, standing room, tram length, and type. In career mode, players can select their starting station, which is where they will always begin a new day.

Road rules are always in effect, from speed limits to indicating turns. When creating routes, players can choose the time of day and start and end locations. Players earn EXP for performance and rule adherence, building up combos, and receiving EXP-earned pop-ups. Leveling up unlocks new trams, liveries, and resources. Each route has a time limit, and players are expected to stop at designated stops within a certain timeframe. The game features day and night cycles with different weather effects. Even with a controller, players can access a long list of commands, such as high and low beam lights, doors, and alarms. Players share tramlines with cars, and it is satisfying to see the XP combo pop up constantly or when nailing a tricky situation or obeying the rules. Bonus points are awarded for perfect stops.

However, the City Transport Simulator Tram has some drawbacks. Controls cannot be remapped, and there is no benchmark test option for graphics and performance. The game does not offer an option to change from km/h to mph. The mirrors are not very effective for checking on passengers and are quite small. While the throttle allows for precise speed control, it is easy to speed or brake harshly. Some parts of the game world look blocky and unrealistic, and the music is not particularly impressive. It can be difficult to see tram lights in built-up areas or when there are multiple lights and traffic lights. AI can be problematic, with pedestrians walking out of nowhere and cars hitting the tram when stationary, yet the player gets penalized. There is no radio or similar feature on the tram, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the icons and markers and try to remember their meanings. The AI models and movements look robotic.

In summary, City Transport Simulator Tram offers a comprehensive and flexible tram driving and management experience with realistic graphics, extensive settings, and a living game world. It provides a zen-like experience with enough engagement to keep players interested without feeling overwhelmed. However, it has some drawbacks, such as the inability to remap controls, ineffective mirrors, and blocky graphics in some areas. Despite these issues, the game remains a satisfying and immersive experience for tram enthusiasts, and it is a game that is a nice chilled-out experience.