Train Sim World VR: New York doesn’t have much in the way of a story at all. The only story here is that you’re a train operator on the job around New York City.It would have been nice to have a story mode with a background on you as the train operator. Like why you’re in New York, maybe have some friends and dialogue options. Though I feel that if this kind of thing were added, it would be more in line with being a first person take on the Sims than a train simulation game.
As its name suggests, the game consists of operating trains around New York City. You take on the role of a train operator that operates trains around New York. You will pick up passengers at each stop, and abide by track and train operating rules. You will get points based on how well you do your job. Do well and you get bonus points, while doing a poor job will result in either not getting a lot of points, or even get your points deducted.
Once you get enough points, you can move on to the next job and continue your progress through the game. After you do well enough at your job and progress through the game, you will open up two additional ways to play the game. The additional ways to play are Journeys and Exploration. Journey Mode allows you to play the game without the rules of Career Mode. You don’t have to follow speed limits or make sure to clear the tracks, you make your own rules as you take on the track of the city! Exploration Mode allows you to become a tourist of sorts in New York. You can ride trains as a passenger, get out and explore the city, take pictures, find collectibles, and bring them back to your apartment for safe keeping.
Train Sim World® VR: New York isn’t the most graphically impressive game that’s available on the Meta Quest 2, but it’s still impressive. What the game lacks in graphics department, it makes up for in it’s realistic depiction of being a train operator, or at least I would assume this to be the case; as I’ve never operated a train in the real world.
Despite it not being graphically impressive, I am surprised how good the game looks over all. Graphically, the game makes you feel like you’re really in the heart of New York. Buildings are tall and crisp looking, there are people and traffic, as well as the Harlem line train that goes by every so often. This is the very same line that you drive while in career mode.
With all of this attention to detail, I expected the game to have some issues with it’s performance. This is due to having played the game on the Meta Quest 2 which is the oldest of the Meta Quest headsets that this game supports. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there are zero performance issue with this game. The game was very well optimized to provide the best possible experience regardless of which generation of Meta Quest headset you may have.
The only sound that Train Sim World® VR: New York offers are the sounds of the trains you operate and those of the world around you. You can hear people talking as they get on and off trains, you can hear people holding conversations as you walk by or as fellow passengers on the train you’re riding. Aside from the train and people sounds, you also have general city sounds that you can hear while in your apartment or waking around town.
With the games focus on being a train simulation game, I was again surprised by the amount of detailed audio that’s presented here. I didn’t expect this much detail for a game that is focused so heavily on being a train simulation game. There isn’t much music outside of the radio in your apartment, which is fine. In my opinion with there being no music in game, it helps to keep you focused on the immersion the game offers.
Train Sim World® VR: New York is easily one of the most immersive simulation games I’ve ever played in VR. There is so much attention to detail and variety here, that it’s definitely worth playing, even if your not a fan of simulation games.
The reason I say this is that it works as both a simulation game and an adventure game that will let you just live your life as a tourist/resident in New York City. The only issue I had with this game was the fact that the other game modes are locked behind doing well in career mode.
This feels like you’re being rewarded for doing well at your job so you get the chance to live and do what you want. This gives the perception that the game treats you living out your life as a tourist/resident, is a vacation.
All of the game modes should have been made available from the start of the game. I think this would have made the game that much more enjoyable. Despite this, the game is still an awesome experience and a game I would highly encourage you to pick up!
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
In addition to writing articles, Ryan Byers also creates content for his YouTube channel called "Obscure Games and Consoles", collects video games, and dabbles in video game development.