Difference between revisions of "A-Train"

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[[Image:A-Train - DOS - USA.jpg|thumb|256x256px|US DOS box.]]
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{{Video Game
 +
| Title            = A-Train
 +
| Image           = A-Train - DOS - USA.jpg
 +
| ImageDescription = DOS - USA - 1st edition.
 +
| Developer        = {{VideoGameDeveloper|Artdink}}
 +
| Publisher        = {{VideoGamePublisher|Artdink}}, {{VideoGamePublisher|Maxis}}
 +
| PublishedYear    = 1990
 +
| PublishedMonth  = 12
 +
| PublishedDay    = 14
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| Platforms        = {{Platform|Amiga}}, {{Platform|DOS}}, {{Platform|FM Towns}}, {{Platform|Macintosh Classic}}, {{Platform|PC-9800}}, {{Platform|Sharp X68000}}, {{Platform|TurboGrafx-CD}}
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| Genres          = {{VideoGameGenre|Management simulator|Management simulator}}, {{VideoGameGenre|Simulation video game|Simulation}}
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| Themes          = {{MediaTheme|Management}}
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| Series          = [[A-Train (universe)|''A-Train'']]
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| Distributions    = {{VideoGameDistribution|Commercial}}
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}}
  
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'''''A-Train''''' is a train simulation video game and the third in the [[A-Train (universe)|''A-Train'' series]]. It was developed and published by [[Artdink]] and first released on the [[PC-89]] on 1990-12-14. It was later ported to the [[X68000]] and [[TurboGrafx CD]]. It was published in 1992 in the USA by [[Maxis]] and in Europe by [[Ocean]] for the [[Amiga]], [[Macintosh Classic]] and [[MS-DOS]]. In the game, you play the president of a railroad company who must buy trains and lay railroad tracks to best fit the needs of a growing city which you can also buy properties within.
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'''''A-Train''''' is a train [[management simulator]] game and the third in the [[A-Train (universe)|''A-Train'' series]]. It was developed and published by [[Artdink]] and first released on the [[PC-89]] on 1990-12-14. It was later ported to the [[X68000]], [[FM Towns]], and [[PC Engine CD]]. An English version was published in 1992 in the USA by [[Maxis|Maxis Software]] and in Europe by [[Ocean]] for the [[Amiga]], [[Macintosh Classic]] and [[MS-DOS]]. A Japanese-only port was made for the [[Super Famicom]], but it's quite different from the original. In the game, you play the president of a railroad company who must buy trains and lay railroad tracks to best fit the needs of a growing city which you can also buy properties within.
  
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I bought ''A-Train'' awhile after it was released in a bundle which included the ''A-Train Construction Set''. I assumed, because it was published by Maxis, that the game was another ''[[Sim (universe)|Sim]]'' title. I spent a fair amount of time toying with the game, but I never figured out how to play it effectively so my trains kept colliding and I kept going bankrupt. I'd probably appreciate the game more if I cared anything about trains and train scheduling, but I don't. The ''Construction Set'' gave me a little more playability out of the game, but I abandoned it pretty quickly after buying it.
+
An ''A-Train Construction Set'' was also published in most regions which allows you to setup a map to your liking completely for free and the import the map into the game.
 +
 
 +
==Personal==
 +
{{VideoGameStatus
 +
| Own      = MS-DOS. 3.5" disks and manual. MS-DOS ''Construction Kit'' 3.5" disk and manual.
 +
| CantOwn  =
 +
| Won      =
 +
| CantWin  = This game doesn't have a win condition.
 +
| Finished =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
I bought ''A-Train'' after it was bundled with the ''Construction Set'' and put on sale, so probably a few years after it was released. I assumed, because it was published by Maxis, that the game was another ''[[Sim (universe)|Sim]]'' title. I spent a fair amount of time toying with the game, but I never figured out how to play it effectively, so my trains kept colliding and I kept going bankrupt. I'd probably appreciate the game more if I cared anything about trains and train scheduling, but I don't. When I was playing the game, I kept comparing it to ''[[SimCity 2000: The Ultimate City Simulator]]'', which I was playing at the same time, and found it lacking. The ''Construction Set'' gave me a little more playability out of the game, but I abandoned the game not long after buying it. Like most people outside of Japan, I had no idea that ''A-Train'' was a hugely-popular series of games in Japan, and just assumed it was the first game of its kind.
  
 
==Review==
 
==Review==
 +
{{Spoilers}}
 +
 +
{{Video Game Review|3|4|5|5|4|?}}
 +
 
I can't give much of an itemized review for this game because I didn't play it for very long because it was very difficult for my teenage self to learn how to play properly. It has great jazzy music by [[Koji Yamada]] and [[Daisuke Nakakaze]], the graphics by [[T. Yano]] are perfect for the game, and the palette transitions from day to night, and season to season are gorgeous. However, I never found the game to be very engaging.
 
I can't give much of an itemized review for this game because I didn't play it for very long because it was very difficult for my teenage self to learn how to play properly. It has great jazzy music by [[Koji Yamada]] and [[Daisuke Nakakaze]], the graphics by [[T. Yano]] are perfect for the game, and the palette transitions from day to night, and season to season are gorgeous. However, I never found the game to be very engaging.
  
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===Box Art===
 
===Box Art===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
A-Train - DOS - USA.jpg|All US and European releases used this art. I love the quality, and I think the concept of the illustration perfectly encapsulates the game. I just wish there was a little less white space.
+
Take the ''A'' Train III - PC98 - Japan.jpg|The original PC-9801 Japanese box uses a grayscale cityscape with no emphasis on trains.
 +
Take the ''A'' Train III - PCCD - Japan.jpg|The PC Engine CD box uses the same non-train box with a modified layout.
 +
A-Train - DOS - USA.jpg|All US and European releases use this art. I love the quality, and I think the concept of the illustration perfectly encapsulates the game. I just wish there was a little less white space.
 +
A-Train - Consturuction Set - DOS - USA.jpg|Thhe ''Construction Set'' box art is more like the Japanese art: just some buildings, but at least there is a train in the background.
 +
A-Train - Logo.svg|The ''A-Train'' logo.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
 +
===Documentation===
 +
<gallery>
 +
A-Train - AMI - USA - Manual.pdf|Manual - Amiga / Macintosh Classic - USA.
 +
A-Train - Construction Set - AMI - USA - Manual.pdf|Construction Set Manual - Amiga / Macintosh Classic - USA.
 +
A-Train - Construction Set - AMI - USA - Manual - Addendum.pdf|Construction Set Addendum - Amiga / Macintosh Classic - USA.
 +
</gallery>
 +
 +
==Play Online==
 +
{{PlayOnline|https://classicreload.com/a-train.html|MS-DOS}}
 +
 +
==Representation==
 +
{{Representation
 +
| Media                      = Video games
 +
| StrongFemaleCharacterStatus = Fail
 +
| StrongFemaleCharacterNotes  = There are no women.
 +
| BechdelTestStatus          = Fail
 +
| BechdelTestNotes            = There are no women.
 +
| StrongPOCCharacterStatus    = Fail
 +
| StrongPOCCharacterNotes    = All characters are just mugshots with no personality. In the Western versions, everyone is white.
 +
| QueerCharacterStatus        = Fail
 +
| QueerCharacterNotes        = There are no queer characters.
 +
}}
  
 
==Titles==
 
==Titles==
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| English || A-Train || ||  
 
| English || A-Train || ||  
 
|-
 
|-
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| Japanese || A列車で行こう3 || A Ressha de Ikou 3 || Take the A-Train 3
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| Japanese || A列車で行こうIII || A Ressha de Ikou III || Take the "A" Train III
 
|}
 
|}
  
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[[Category: Games]]
 
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[[Category: Video Games]]
 
 
[[Category: Video Game Prime Order - Strategy, Adventure, Action]]
 
[[Category: Video Game Prime Order - Strategy, Adventure, Action]]
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[[Category: Amiga Games]]
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[[Category: Game Mechanic - Management]]
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[[Category: DOS Games]]
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[[Category: Game Mechanic - Sandbox]]
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[[Category: Macintosh Classic Games]]
 
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[[Category: PC-88 Games]]
 
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[[Category: X68000 Games]]
 
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[[Category: TurboGrafx CD Games]]
 
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[[Category: Simulation]]
 
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[[Category: Puzzle]]
 
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[[Category: Strategy]]
 

Latest revision as of 14:46, 7 March 2024

A-Train

A-Train - DOS - USA.jpg

DOS - USA - 1st edition.
Developer Artdink
Publisher Artdink, Maxis
Published 1990-12-14
Platforms Amiga, DOS, FM Towns, Macintosh Classic, PC-9800, Sharp X68000, TurboGrafx-CD
Genres Management simulator, Simulation
Themes Management
Series A-Train
Distribution Commercial

A-Train is a train management simulator game and the third in the A-Train series. It was developed and published by Artdink and first released on the PC-89 on 1990-12-14. It was later ported to the X68000, FM Towns, and PC Engine CD. An English version was published in 1992 in the USA by Maxis Software and in Europe by Ocean for the Amiga, Macintosh Classic and MS-DOS. A Japanese-only port was made for the Super Famicom, but it's quite different from the original. In the game, you play the president of a railroad company who must buy trains and lay railroad tracks to best fit the needs of a growing city which you can also buy properties within.

An A-Train Construction Set was also published in most regions which allows you to setup a map to your liking completely for free and the import the map into the game.

Personal

Own?MS-DOS. 3.5" disks and manual. MS-DOS Construction Kit 3.5" disk and manual.
Won?This game doesn't have a win condition.

I bought A-Train after it was bundled with the Construction Set and put on sale, so probably a few years after it was released. I assumed, because it was published by Maxis, that the game was another Sim title. I spent a fair amount of time toying with the game, but I never figured out how to play it effectively, so my trains kept colliding and I kept going bankrupt. I'd probably appreciate the game more if I cared anything about trains and train scheduling, but I don't. When I was playing the game, I kept comparing it to SimCity 2000: The Ultimate City Simulator, which I was playing at the same time, and found it lacking. The Construction Set gave me a little more playability out of the game, but I abandoned the game not long after buying it. Like most people outside of Japan, I had no idea that A-Train was a hugely-popular series of games in Japan, and just assumed it was the first game of its kind.

Review

— This section contains spoilers! —

Video Game Review Icon - Enjoyment.png Video Game Review Icon - Control.png Video Game Review Icon - Appearance.png Video Game Review Icon - Sound.png Video Game Review Icon - Replayability.png
3 4 5 5 4

Best Version: ?

I can't give much of an itemized review for this game because I didn't play it for very long because it was very difficult for my teenage self to learn how to play properly. It has great jazzy music by Koji Yamada and Daisuke Nakakaze, the graphics by T. Yano are perfect for the game, and the palette transitions from day to night, and season to season are gorgeous. However, I never found the game to be very engaging.

Media

Box Art

  • The original PC-9801 Japanese box uses a grayscale cityscape with no emphasis on trains.

  • The PC Engine CD box uses the same non-train box with a modified layout.

  • All US and European releases use this art. I love the quality, and I think the concept of the illustration perfectly encapsulates the game. I just wish there was a little less white space.

  • Thhe Construction Set box art is more like the Japanese art: just some buildings, but at least there is a train in the background.

  • The A-Train logo.

Documentation

  • Manual - Amiga / Macintosh Classic - USA.

  • Construction Set Manual - Amiga / Macintosh Classic - USA.

  • Construction Set Addendum - Amiga / Macintosh Classic - USA.

Play Online

MS-DOS

Representation

Strong female character?FailThere are no women.
Bechdel test?FailThere are no women.
Strong person of color character?FailAll characters are just mugshots with no personality. In the Western versions, everyone is white.
Queer character?FailThere are no queer characters.

Titles

Language Native Transliteration Translation
English A-Train
Japanese A列車で行こうIII A Ressha de Ikou III Take the "A" Train III

Links

Link-MobyGames.png  Link-Wikipedia.png  Link-VGMPF.png  Link-TVTropes.png 

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