Sid Meier's Railroads!

Add in online multiplayer support for up to four wannabe tycoons, and you've got the best railroading sim since the original Railroad Tycoon. Some gamers may find Sid Meier's Railroads! a little on the simplistic side, but it makes for a nice, light snack.

Overall, Railroads! is a fun experience that's suitable for anyone who likes trains and/or has fond memories of train sets. The challenges lay more in railway planning and competitive design than any hardcore economic simulations. Creating a rail network is simple as can be thanks to the intuitive track laying interface and supply chains are simple to figure out.

Sid Meier's Railroads is a game that comes frustratingly close to excellence without ever justifying such a tag. Though the gameplay has depth and simplicity, it often feels more like a multiplayer game with single-player tacked on, than a genuine single-player title in its own right. Without any kind of campaign mode there's a significant lack of structure and incentive, and this restricts Railroad's appeal, making it a fun, but ultimately short-lived experience.