With a name like Public Transport Simulator, you would guess that this game is about managing trains and buses or hiring staff. Wrong. This game is about driving a tram along a track and transporting commuters around the track. Yet it’s fun!
The game’s interface may seem confusing, but the game itself is very simple. You use the Q-T keys to set your target speed from 0-60, and the D key to open your doors once you’ve come to a complete stop. You have to manage your overall time between passenger stops while hitting the stoplights and car crossings, which you have to slow down for. You’ll know that your passengers are happy by the big smiley/frowny face they display.
The graphics here are minimal, yet oddly endearing. You basically drive a 2D tram in front of a photographic backdrop. The menu items are all primary colors and very “loud”, yet the only bit you really need to pay attention to is the lower right hand corner where it displays upcoming stops and car crossings.
The developer, Daniel Viktorin, is Czech. As a result the English in the game isn’t that great. Yet the gameplay still keeps me fascinated.
A game about driving a train on rails between predetermined stops still manages to be fun.
Talking Points: What is so endearing about this game? Why is it so fun? What’s the appeal? If anybody didn’t like it, why is that? Is this literally “on rails” game proof that almost anything can be made into a fun game?
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Comments
I like the sound of this.
Gamertag: Mister Magnus
PSN: mister_Magnus
Wii: 1541 2865 0801 9696
This reminds me of another game that I read about in Kill Screen recently -- "RailFan," a train simulator designed around the public transit systems of specific cities. I'm not much of a sim guy, but I do like the idea of putting games in real world spaces.
Here's a link to some video from RailFan, which as a Chicagoan makes me want to go get it....
http://wn.com/Railfan_Chicago_Brown_Line_PS3
This both raises my mistrust of hipsters and makes me hungry for Korean food.
It's super effective!
Words... are a big deal.
Jill Lapore wrote:Editing is one of the great inventions of civilization.
First thing that entered my mind when I saw this article:
"When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up" - C.S. Lewis
Interesting but where's the longevity? And why the red lights always making me late. >_<
Certis: Quintin is both smart and attractive.
Fedaykin98: Good lord, I wouldn't have expected brilliance like that from that nemeslut Quintin Stone!
Yonder: It's weird to say this, but Quintin Stone may be the wisest person here.
We are adults, not students to be talked down to. Why not just ask your questions, instead of ramming them down our throats as 'talking points'?
I actually like the "talking points" idea. It's pretty clear from the responses that he's not making anyone stick to those questions.
BTW the game looks like it would be fun for a bit but I think I would lose interest quickly
Edit: Oops, wrong FB thread.
Words... are a big deal.
Jill Lapore wrote:Editing is one of the great inventions of civilization.
What a charming little game. That they took something so mundane and made it seem important for a few minutes is kind of clever. I also enjoyed the awkward text, like the way it says things like "Man you missed your stop!"
"Yeah, well, uh, just keep your Power Gloves off her, pal, huh?" -Corey, from "The Wizard"