Train Valley 2 is a puzzle-strategy train simulator video game developed by Flazm as a sequel to Train Valley. It was released in early access on 29 March 2018,[1] and fully released on 13 April 2019.[2]

Train Valley
Developer(s)Flazm
Publisher(s)Flazm
Producer(s)Alexey Davydov
Designer(s)Anton Antsiferov
Programmer(s)Sergey Dvoynikov
Artist(s)Timofey Shargorodskiy
Composer(s)Alexander Ahura
Platform(s)
Release13 April 2018
Genre(s)
Mode(s)Single-player
Screenshot from a level in Train Valley 2.

Gameplay

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Cities demand various goods, such as cattle, furniture, iron ore, or steel plates. Each level is complete once all city demands are delivered to their respective stations, who also supply workers to operate industries. Unlike the original Train Valley, where the player just has to deliver a set number of trains, the player has to manage production chains (for instance: furniture requires glass and boards, which in turn requires sand and logs). In addition to raw materials, nearly every industry requires workers to operate, and some of them also require electricity, which in turn requires a connected, operating power plant. Also unlike the first game, passengers and destinations aren't randomized. Instead the player delivers workers and materials to the various industries using the locomotives available to him in the level. As goods are delivered, the player gains income that can be used to lay more track, upgrade his locomotives to go faster and carry larger loads, and buy more of them to operate more trains simultaneously.[3][4][5]

Each level contains five objectives which create a five-star rating for the level.[3] Two of the objectives are for accomplishing different tasks (such as "do not destroy tracks") while the other three tasks are time challenges (such as "complete the level in under 10 minutes"). Each objective gives the level one star.[4] The early access version of Train Valley 2 contained 20 levels, and the full-release game contains 50 levels.[6]

Train Valley 2 features a completely different art style from the original – Train Valley features a realistic style while Train Valley 2 has a low poly, simplistic art style.[5]

Development

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The prequel to Train Valley 2, Train Valley, entered Steam Early Access on May 9, 2015,[7] and was fully released on September 16, 2015.[8]

On 23 December 2016, Flazm announced that Train Valley 2 was in development.[9] The game was fully released on 13 April 2019.[2]

Reception

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The game has been described as "a beautifully executed hybrid of puzzle game and tycoon sim that charms and challenges in equal measure."[10] The graphics have been described as "aesthetically pleasing",[5] with an "endearing sense of childish innocence",[10] and has been compared to Poly Bridge.[11] The terrain "can be difficult to interpret" but the maps are "still interesting and varied", with the game overall being a "little gem that will keep you entertained for hours."[5] The way tracks are laid down in the game has been criticized, with them being described as "unnecessarily fiddly" with "a bit of trial and error involved in working out where you can actually build, especially when it comes to slopes."[10]

The game won the DevGAMM Moscow 2018 conference's Grand Prize.[12]

References

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  1. ^ "Flazm.com - Indie Games Studio". flazm.com.
  2. ^ a b Elmer-Haerrig, Vincent (2 April 2019). "Train Valley 2 entre en gare très bientôt". Gameblog (in French). Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b Faust, Thomas (30 March 2018). "Picturesque Tycoon Game Train Valley 2 Balances Challenge And Accessibility". IndieGames.com. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  4. ^ a b Mortensen, Eric (31 March 2018). "Train Valley 2 Indie Game Preview". Geeky Hobbies. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d gazzagb (15 June 2018). "Train Valley 2 Blends Management With Locomotive Puzzle Solving". TheSixthAxis. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  6. ^ "'Train Valley 2' Available On Steam Early Access - Trailer". Worthplaying. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  7. ^ "The game is out, here's thanks to all the players!". Train Valley. 9 May 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2017 – via Steam.
  8. ^ Alice O'Connor (16 September 2015). "Choo Choo! Train Valley Leaves Early Access". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  9. ^ @TrainValley (23 December 2016). "Guess what? Train Valley 2 is officially announced! Choo-choo! #indiedev #gamedev" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 July 2017 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ a b c Hawley, Alec (30 April 2019). "Train Valley 2 Review". GameSpew. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  11. ^ "Train Tycoon Puzzle Game Train Valley 2 Exits Early Access This April". TechRaptor. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  12. ^ "DevGAMM Awards Moscow 2018 Winners". DevGAMM.
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