Trains can be cool, I guess. I mean, who doesn’t love the antics of ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’? Everything I first learnt about trains was from that show, and now I can extend that knowledge with’ Metro Simulator 2’ developed and published by KishMish Games.

You can read our previously written Nintendo Switch review for a fully comprehensive breakdown of ‘Metro Simulator 2’, but this review will only compare the differences of the now-released Xbox series version.

Visually, Metro Simulator 2 is sound technically on the Xbox Series X. The tunnels look like tunnels, the stations look like stations, and the inside of the two trains looks like what you would expect a train in Russia would look like. While the inside of the train is quite impressive teaming with details within the cabin and the carriages, the other visual features are disappointing.

The NPCs on the platforms are so robotic and characterless, and every platform is devoid of real features that make this a realistic simulation and depiction of a functioning town transportation system.

The U.I. used in the controls is dismal. To actuate any action is a fight with the joysticks to move the cursor slowly across the screen. It moves so slowly to get from one side of a train’s control panel to the other is painful.

Also, every button is so small that you need to be very precise, even with a zoom, it can be very difficult to activate a button needed, especially when timing can be everything in slowing down or speeding up your train.

I agree with the previous review that it would be perfect for a PC where a mouse can dart across the screen to flick switches better. Luckily, there is a version also available on Steam.

Overall, it’s hard to recommend Metro Simulator 2 as your ‘go-to’ train simulation experience on a console, not when there are other similar titles on the market. If you are still convinced the train lines of Moscow are for you, then Steam seems like the way to go.

Written by: Stacey