RAIL NATION Reviews

Rail Nation is a train simulation strategy MMO featuring the American rail system over six eras. Players pick between two factions: the Western Pacific Railroad or the Eastern Atlantic Railway, each battling for control of the continent’s rail system. Purchase, upgrade, and schedule your engines to move goods across the nation

Publisher: Tavian Games
Player base: Medium
Type: Train Simulator MMO
Release Date: January 13, 2013
Pros: +Historically accurate trains. +Unique train simulation elements. +Lots of content.
Cons: -Slow load times. -Leggy UI. -Learning curve.

Rail Nation Overview

Rail Nation is a browser-based 2D strategy MMO where players manage railroads. Players begin by picking a faction: the Western Pacific Railroad or the Eastern Atlantic Railway unions. Choose a hub city for your main train station. The train station houses multiple buildings that benefit a player's railroad operations, including an engine shed, lottery building, and laboratory. Buildings can be upgraded to further bolster their reach on the country’s rail system. Players can pick from multiple trains to pick up and deliver goods for profit, with more trains unlocked as eras go by. Eras advance as server time passes regardless of whether or not you are actively playing, meaning you can come back to Rail Nation in a month to find that the game has progressed to the third era, unlocking new trains and goods to use.

Rail Nation Key Features:

Tactical Strategy Gameplay – browser-based with unique train simulation elements.
Unlock New Tech – advance from era to era, unlocking new trains and technologies.
Buy and Upgrade Trains – multiple trains to purchase and upgrade.
Game Map – play on a field that extends across the entire United States of America.
Two Factions – choose between the Pacific Railroad and Atlantic Railway.

The game itself can be quite fun but, the hidden rule system and poor wording is set up to rake in real money for image currencies. It's advertised that you can "win" two bonus engines per round but in the fine print it says there is only one available. Other players are allowed to mess with you any way they want and you aren't allowed to verbally retaliate otherwise you're banned for "abusive behavior" regardless of how simple the reproach. Save yourself the headache and either play for free or stick to RRT