With Train Sim World 6’s full launch imminent, Dovetail Games has very kindly provided RailAdvent with a key for review and provided early access first looks.
In this article, we will take a first look at the Riviera Line route add-on for the new game, as well as give our early opinions on the game.
Firstly, we must reiterate that all of the content shown in this article is pre-release software and may change or be tweaked before full release.
We have taken the opportunity to take a look at the Riviera Line, as it’s one we have played before, on Train Sim Classic, so it’s great to take a look at what’s new in this up-to-date version.
“What’s In The Box” when it comes to the Riviera Line? Well, the route covers 60 miles between Exeter, Plymouth and Paignton.
14 stations feature on the route, including Exeter St Davids, Dawlish Warren, Newton Abbot and the newly opened Marsh Barton.
As we have come to expect from the Train Sim World franchise, the route is visually stunning. From the sea, to scenery to the lineside vegetation.
We did notice a lack of vegetation around Exeter but this improved beyond Exeter St Thomas, and again, this may change before general release (we will post updates in our full review).
We are playing the game on two systems, one with a Ryzen 9 processor and an AMD graphics card and have been playing the route on Ultra settings at 60fps.
The other system we are reviewing this on is an ASUS ROG Ally.
The Ally plays the route on medium settings at 40-50fps but we think that Dovetail has done a really good job at optimising the route so that even at lower settings, the graphics are really great.
The route has plenty of playability, with the CrossCountry Voyager making its TSW debut with the Riviera Line, along with the GWR 802s and Class 150s.
The route is detailed, as are the scenarios, with the unexpected problems that come with the new game yet to be fully enjoyed.
The 150 and Voyager both have random events, whilst the 802 will get this in an upcoming update.
Here are a couple of other images of our playthrough so far. Keep a lookout for our full review – coming soon!
We are also planning to stream the new game, so keep a lookout on our Twitch channel for more information.
Responses
Bet not many on here done these runs as second man? As steam dwindled then the new king was diesel hydraulic! Late 1964, 65, 66, then I would run Bristol -Newton Abbot on diesel Western Duke, Reliance, Prince whatever as the 2nd man! (Single manning not invented yet)! I might cross Dawlish sea wall in the back cab! I was rather overly keen i spose? To walk back through the engines at regular intervals looking for fire!, Strange noises etc? Well, You were another passenger really? Watching hypnotic rail sleepers at speed! No bright signals, Rule 55 insisted that I protected trains on the running line! Face the Westerns full roar at much speed! A Job for life i thought? And I was versed on several train heating boilers of course! Westerns usually the Stones! But I and many others more experienced than me would be redundant come 1967? Umpteen youngish fit blokes walking the Bath road! With a book of (So what did you do then)? Like Aemon Andrews said (This is your life)! Everyone says Who? Lol.