Game: RAILGRADE
Genre: Simulation, Strategy
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Epic Games Store)
Developers | Publishers: Minakata Dynamics | Epic Games
Age Rating: US E | EU 3+
Price: US $19.99 | UK £15,99 | EU € 19,99
Release Date: September 29th, 2022
I purchased the game myself, so no review code was used.
RAILGRADE, a simulation strategy game with trains, has been released on Nintendo Switch and Epic Store. Unfortunately, for those that don’t like the Epic Store, there isn’t any sign of the game being released on Steam which is a pity as Steam users will miss out.
I’ve been playing the Nintendo Switch version, and it is a pretty good sim/strategy game. So let’s have a look at what it is about!
Play with Trains
RAILGRADE is a management sim about using railways to transport resources and power industry on an off-world colony. You play the role of an administrator working on behalf of the Nakatani Chemicals corporation. But, of course, that means it’s up to you to help restore industrial production following a disastrous collapse of the planet’s infrastructure.
Similar games such as Railway Empire, which I reviewed a few years ago, offer large maps for players. However, RAILGRADE is on the smaller side to keep things relatively small-scale and regional. Though the map is a decent size with plenty of levels to play through, fifty in all.
Admin for Nakatani Chemicals Corporation
As an administrator, you arrive on a distant planet to help implement a new mode of transport for the colony and develop a transport network.
You’ll be tasked with completing challenges on each level to progress to the next. Getting oil from the oil pumps to the Oil refinery and moving stock from factories to the Zepplin Dock for transportation back to earth.
Tutorial
The first few levels of the game cover the tutorial to get you used to how it works. The tutorial is excellent and explains the game well to the player.
You will lay down train tracks and stations on each and purchase trains to run from A to B, moving resources around. Lay the track down any way you want, as the game is very forgiving on track placement. You can also customize your trains with different engines and freight types as you aim to build the most efficient transport network possible.
Info Boxes Are Key
To find out what resources each building needs, it is a simple case of clicking on a building, and a detailed info box will pop up. You can then clearly see which resources are required and where the products can be sent. Even white lines point precisely to each building that is necessary to send resources.
In addition, by using the info box, you can upgrade a building if you have the cash. However, your facilities, such as the Steel mill, can receive a bonus by using catalysts that make things run much smoother and quicker.
Visuals and Controls
Controlling everything in RAILGRADE is done via the joy-cons. Every developer should take note from RAILGRADE of how an intuitive control system works. It’s smooth and works so well, right down to placing tracks, click and drag.
The music is toe-tapping and upbeat, which I like, with different environments to travel through, from forests to snowy areas.
Conclusion
RAILGRADE presents itself as a strategy game; after playing, I think there is also a bit of puzzling involved as you work out the best route for your trains to travel. In addition, the game isn’t overly complicated but offers a good challenge nevertheless with plenty of levels to complete.
Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot 