Difference between revisions of "A-Train"
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Image:A-Train - DOS - USA.jpg|thumb|256x256px|US DOS box.]] | [[Image:A-Train - DOS - USA.jpg|thumb|256x256px|US DOS box.]] | ||
| − | '''''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 [[ | + | '''''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]], [[FM Towns]], and [[PC Engine CD]]. It was published in 1992 in the USA by [[Maxis]] 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. |
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. | 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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Status== | ||
| + | I own ''A-Train'' and the ''Construction Set'' on 3.5" floppy. I still have the manuals, but not the box. | ||
==Review== | ==Review== | ||
| + | {{Spoilers}} | ||
| + | |||
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. | ||
| Line 11: | Line 16: | ||
===Box Art=== | ===Box Art=== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
| − | A-Train - DOS - USA.jpg|All US and European releases | + | 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. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| Line 20: | Line 27: | ||
| English || A-Train || || | | English || A-Train || || | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Japanese || | + | | Japanese || A列車で行こうIII || A Ressha de Ikou III || Take the "A" Train III |
|} | |} | ||
| Line 35: | Line 42: | ||
[[Category: Amiga Games]] | [[Category: Amiga Games]] | ||
[[Category: DOS Games]] | [[Category: DOS Games]] | ||
| + | [[Category: FM Towns Games]] | ||
[[Category: Macintosh Classic Games]] | [[Category: Macintosh Classic Games]] | ||
| − | [[Category: PC- | + | [[Category: PC-98 Games]] |
| − | [[Category: X68000 Games]] | + | [[Category: Sharp X68000 Games]] |
| − | [[Category: TurboGrafx CD Games]] | + | [[Category: TurboGrafx-CD Games]] |
[[Category: Simulation]] | [[Category: Simulation]] | ||
[[Category: Puzzle]] | [[Category: Puzzle]] | ||
[[Category: Strategy]] | [[Category: Strategy]] | ||
Revision as of 14:00, 4 November 2019
A-Train is a train simulation video 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. It was published in 1992 in the USA by Maxis 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.
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 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.
Status
I own A-Train and the Construction Set on 3.5" floppy. I still have the manuals, but not the box.
Review
— This section contains spoilers! —
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.
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
