Train Sim World 5 Thomas and Friends DLC Review for PlayStation 5: All Aboard for Nostalgic Fun!
Get ready to embark on a journey through nostalgia with the “Train Sim World 5 Thomas and Friends DLC review” on PlayStation 5, where classic childhood memories meet modern gaming. With its highly detailed graphics, fully voiced characters, and a roster of exciting scenarios, this DLC promises an interactive experience that fans of all ages can enjoy. But does it deliver on the charm of the original series while offering compelling gameplay? Dive into our in-depth review to see if this is the must-have DLC for your gaming collection!
Train Sim World 5 Thomas And Friends DLC Review Pros:
- Beautiful, highly detailed graphics.
- 2.13GB Download size. (That’s the size of the West Somerset DLC, and Thomas doesn’t have its own entry)
- Fully voiced characters for Thomas, the narrator, and Sir Topham Hatton.
- Playing the scenarios will trigger in-game cutscenes as it tells the story of Thomas’s adventure.
- A great bit of DLC for kids.. And adults!
- Earn experience for playing the DLC and rank up Thomas.
- When the narrator and characters are talking, you get speech bubbles coming up, and it has their name on the bubble.
- The in-train view lets you see all the workings of the Steam train, you can look through the window and hang out the side.
- Performance breakdown of each completed scenario.
- You can still earn main game trophies whilst playing the DLC.
- I found reading all the dials on the train a lot easier with the Steam train setup.
- All scenarios can be replayed.
- It is very well presented, and it feels like an interactive episode.
- You get to ride Diesel and experience a whole new cockpit? Driving seat view. I dunno, but it’s a new look.
- Excellent, the realistic sound effects and music from the show.
- You can save when you want, so if you remember this, it could help when you make mistakes.
- Stand up and walk around the train whenever you want.
- As you interact with elements of the train, you can watch it animate.
- Earn experience towards your driver level when playing the DLC.
- Any and all trains you drive in the DLC have their own level and exp earned.
- Ten scenarios to play.
- Free roam is available, and you can set the weather, date, and mess with individual weather elements with a slider; it’s things like fog density, wind strength, etc.
Train Sim World 5 Thomas And Friends DLC Review Cons:
- Very wooden-faced people with no animation people in the world.
- Requires the Somerset line DLC to be bought.
- You cannot skip the cutscenes, and this is annoying when replaying a scenario.
- No checkpoints through a scenario so any screw up and you start again from the start.
- There are markers for scenarios, but it only says a brief one-liner of what to do, and that in itself is not always clear.
- Restarting is slow and annoying.
- I couldn’t find a way to load a save when I messed up in the scenario mode.
- Thomas is only playable on the West Somerset line.
- On the scenario selection screen, the theme tune plays over and over.
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Train Sim World 5 Thomas And Friends DLC:
Developer: Dovetail Games
Publisher: Dovetail Games
Store Links –
Summary
The Train Sim World 5 Thomas and Friends DLC delivers a visually stunning experience with its beautiful, highly detailed graphics that truly bring the world of Thomas the Tank Engine to life. The addition of fully voiced characters, including Thomas, the narrator, and Sir Topham Hatton, enriches the storytelling, while the in-game cutscenes seamlessly weave the story of Thomas’s adventure. The DLC feels like an interactive episode, appealing to kids and adults alike. Players can enjoy driving Thomas and Diesel, each offering unique perspectives and an immersive in-train view where the intricate workings of the steam train come to life. The realistic sound effects and music from the show elevate the experience, making it truly nostalgic for fans. Features like earning experience to rank up Thomas, replaying scenarios, and customizing the weather in free roam mode add depth and replayability.
However, the DLC does come with its drawbacks. The necessity to own the Somerset line DLC adds an extra cost, and Thomas’s availability is limited to this line. While the scenarios are fun, the inability to skip cutscenes becomes tedious, especially during replays. The lack of checkpoints in scenarios means that any mistake forces a complete restart, and the slow restart process can be frustrating. Additionally, the one-liner scenario markers provide little clarity, and the absence of a load-save option in scenario mode can be discouraging. The theme tune playing on repeat in the scenario selection screen may grate on some players’ nerves. Lastly, the wooden, expressionless characters and lack of animation for people in the world detract from the otherwise vibrant and engaging presentation.
In summary, the Train Sim World 5 Thomas and Friends DLC combines enchanting graphics, immersive gameplay, and beloved characters to create a delightful experience for fans, young and old. Despite its shortcomings in scenario management and animation quality, the DLC offers plenty of charm and replayability.
“Choo-choo your way into adventure—Thomas and Friends are back on track!”
