Japanese Rail Sim: Journey to Kyoto
This is the only game that you can enjoy operating a train with full motion video.
* Experience being there!
Through high-quality,full HD and full motion video make you feel like you are actually there!
Moreover, with enhanced image quality, and improved frame rate,
you will be able to see how smooth the visuals are.
It’s so smooth, you might think that you are ACTUALLY operating a train in Japan!
* YOU ARE THE DRIVER simple and realistic driving!
Experience how it feels to operate a real train.
Operate the master control and apply the brakes with a simple touch.
* Welcome to Kyoto!
One of the local lines’s trains called “Eizan electric train” run passed many popular tourist spots such as historical buildings and shrines.
You can experience Kyoto from the comfort of your own home!
Steam User 78
Quick summary of thoughts:
Having played a lot of Densha de Go through the years I was excited to see another Japanese train driving game become available. I am glad I purchased it as the game does exactly what it says on the 'tin'. Namely, a live-action video and a realistically reproduced driver's seat. I believe there is something to be said for a game that does precisely what it says it will without unnecessary thrills, sweet little lies or microtransactions.
A lot of work has been put into this game as is apparent from the handling, sound, optimisation and lack of bugs. Something which you think would be a given with computer games yet we live in the same universe as Diablo Immortal.
The original price might be a bit steep, and I did get it during a sale a few hours after its release, yet this is a game with a niche audience so has to make its money back somehow. I cannot honestly say though that I would feel robbed if I was to pay the full price.
I'll finish off with a quick comparison with Train Sim World 2 in case you are debating which one to get:
1) The difficulty with TSW2 comes from keeping to a schedule, interacting with changing signals and other trains. Further there are scenarios to change things up. The horn can be pressed at any time and emergency brakes applied.
1a) The difficultly from Japanese Rail Sim comes from being timed to the second and distance from the stopping point in cm. The player will get extra points and rewards for doing well here. Further excessive braking, horn blowing and speeding will see points and time deducted. Run out of time and it is route over. There is no concept here of changing signals or other trains running their schedule as this is a live footage.
2) TSW2 offers multiple routes around the world via extra DLC.
2a) Japanese Rail Sim is two routes with two trains.
3) TSW2 offers a whole multiple of bugs and excuses that fixing them, allowing some tutorials or trains to work properly, along with the save system will cause the heat death of the Solar System. Some can be fun, others will see a train fly into the air losing a 40 minute run because a brake system was lightly applied.
3a) I have only experienced one bug with a horn that was just fixed by the developers. It is possible to actually start a train game and drive a train.
4) TSW2 offers the ability to get up and walk around in its simulation along with 'collectables'. External cameras are also present. Passengers will board and leave a train at the right points on a station.
4a) Japanese Rail Sim does not have this as it is a live camera capture. I personally do not think this is an issue and the game is better for it.
5) In TSW2 each route is modelled based on real life scenes.
5a) Japanese Rail Sim uses footage from a live camera capture so it is a true to life replica of the route. This can look a bit odd at low speeds as the developers have slowed down the footage to get it to match train speed. There are also occasions where the camera loses focus. Neither of these points ruins the game however and I'd buy the game again without hesitation.
Steam User 35
One of the most immersive and visually impressive locomotive simulator finally arrives for PC and in English. Highly recommended to all railways lovers. The route is beautiful and very scenic.
I hope they release more routes that only exist in japanese and/or for playstation.
Steam User 23
If you:
1. want to see how looks the scenery of a typical japanese town and vibing for some urbanistic aesthetics in general,
2. like the good old 'meditative game + podcast/stream on a background' combo
3. have somewhat melancholic mood -
then you should buy it. Good time killer, and FMV , while not done via good camera (hope the next game will have better), brings some good relaxing vibes. Just don't expect true simulation - this game clearly intended for more casual gamers, and therefore filled with arcade elements (which is not bad)
it's a niche product, so i can't evaluate it with simple numbers like 8/10 or something, because there isn't much to compare to on PC. The only thing that's lacking in my opinion - is summertime reverse train route (why? Autumn one has both normal and reverse...) , and i personally wouldn't mind longer routes (or bigger quantity of them) in future.
Steam User 13
It's a video player-like game that scores your... tempo. That is, being able to make the trip maximising the time you're given. You're also scored on how close your stops are. Least interactive "train game" with only power throttle and brakes. Make the video play smoothly and you'll get the 'A' and 'rainbow' scores. Video is quite poor, not up to HD standards - too much blur and mpeg artifacts - looks like it was recorded on a dirty old phone. Sound is decent. Best used with a controller. It's quite enjoyable really.
Steam User 17
Just great. Admittedly, too expensive for the amount of content but this is one of a kind and I want to keep supporting awesome games so more will be made.
Steam User 11
以实录视频的方式制作的典型日式铁道游戏,对叡山电车的忠实模拟!很有小时候玩的《電車でGO》的味道!
Steam User 12
It's an interactive video and it works and looks very well!
Feels like it has some basic driving physics.
It's relaxing.
You don't need a powerfull PC!