Trainz™ Simulator 12 similar games & best alternatives
Trainz™ Simulator 12
2011
Related articles
Quick resume
Released 2011. See also Trainz A New Era and TRS19.
Global score
75/100
Genres
Simulator, Racing
Similar games
Pros
- Extensive route and train customization
- Large modding community with free content
- Powerful and intuitive route editor
- Realistic train operation modes
- Low system requirements for older hardware
Cons
- Poor optimization and frequent lag
- Outdated graphics and engine
- Limited and unstable multiplayer
- Complex mod installation and management
- Lack of narrative and structured gameplay
Motivations
-
Autonomy
Game with the same Autonomy vibe
5"Players have extensive freedom to create, modify, and control routes, trains, and operations, including building layouts from scratch and issuing commands to AI trains."
Trainz: A New Era
"Players have extensive freedom to create, modify routes, and control trains with customizable settings and editor tools."
-
Competence
Game with the same Competence vibe
3"The game offers realistic train driving challenges and requires skill to operate various locomotives, though some tasks can be repetitive."
Train Simulator Classic
"The game offers skill challenges in train operation and route building, though some find the driving mechanics less realistic."
-
Competition
Game with the same Competition vibe
-3"Focus is mostly on solo play and personal progression; multiplayer exists but is rarely played and no strong competitive features noted."
Aliens vs. Ghosts
"Focus is mainly on personal pace and creativity; multiplayer exists but is limited and not a major competitive feature."
-
Continuation
Game with the same Continuation vibe
4"Many players report long sessions and habitual play, often spending hours building and exploring."
Tracks - The Train Set Game
"Many players report long play sessions, building routes and driving trains for hours, indicating strong habitual engagement."
-
Cooperation
Game with the same Cooperation vibe
2"Multiplayer mode allows cooperative play with friends, but most gameplay is solo; cooperation is present but not dominant."
Uncraft World
"Multiplayer mode allows some cooperation, but it is limited and not widely used; mostly individual play."
-
Creativity
Game with the same Creativity vibe
5"Strong emphasis on creative building and customization of routes, trains, and scenarios with powerful editing tools and extensive downloadable content."
Trainz: A New Era
"Strong emphasis on building and customizing routes, trains, and environments with a powerful editor and extensive modding."
-
Domination
Game with the same Domination vibe
-4"Interactions are balanced and cooperative; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."
Bus Simulator 18
"Interactions are balanced and cooperative; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."
-
Escapism
Game with the same Escapism vibe
4"Players use the game to relax, immerse in train simulation, and escape real life through detailed environments."
Trainz Railroad Simulator 2022
"Players use the game to immerse themselves in train simulation and creative building, often as a relaxing escape."
-
Expectation
Game with the same Expectation vibe
-4"Engagement is driven by personal interest and intrinsic motivation rather than obligation or external pressure."
Trainz Railroad Simulator 2019
"Engagement is driven by personal interest and intrinsic motivation rather than obligation or external pressure."
-
Experimenting
Game with the same Experimenting vibe
4"Players explore complex mechanics, try different buses, routes, weather conditions, and experiment with mods and settings."
OMSI 2: Steam Edition
"Players explore new routes, try different trains, and experiment with the editor and mods extensively."
-
Exploration
Game with the same Exploration vibe
3"Game offers discovery of new routes and environments, though within predefined maps rather than open-world exploration."
Train Sim World® 5
"Discovering and creating new routes and environments is a key part of gameplay, though within known simulation contexts."
-
Expression
Game with the same Expression vibe
4"Customization of routes, trains, and environments allows for personal expression and unique creations."
Trainz Railroad Simulator 2019
"Customization of routes, trains, and scenery allows for personal expression and unique creations."
-
Fantasy
Game with the same Fantasy vibe
-3"The game simulates realistic train operations and environments rather than imaginative or fictional scenarios."
Derail Valley
"The game focuses on realistic train simulation and real-world routes rather than imaginative or fictional settings."
-
Fellowship
Game with the same Fellowship vibe
1"Some community interaction via multiplayer and modding community, but mostly individual play."
Winter Resort Simulator 2
"Some community interaction through multiplayer and content sharing, but mostly individual play."
-
Growth
Game with the same Growth vibe
3"Players develop skills in train operation and route management through practice and learning."
World of Subways 2 – Berlin Line 7
"Players develop skills in train operation and route building, learning complex controls and editor tools."
-
Health
Game with the same Health vibe
-5"Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced
"Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."
-
Idle
Game with the same Idle vibe
-3"Requires focused attention for building and driving; not typically used as background or filler activity."
Trainz Railroad Simulator 2019
"Requires focused attention for building and driving; not typically used as background or filler activity."
-
Intimacy
Game with the same Intimacy vibe
-4"Limited social interaction; multiplayer is competitive or hotseat but lacks deep emotional or close relationship building."
Unity of Command: Stalingrad Campaign
"Limited social interaction; multiplayer exists but lacks deep emotional or close relationship building."
-
Leadership
Game with the same Leadership vibe
-4"No evidence of leadership roles; gameplay is individual or cooperative without hierarchical authority."
Geometry Wars™ 3: Dimensions Evolved
"No evidence of leadership roles; gameplay is individual or cooperative without hierarchical control."
-
Progression
Game with the same Progression vibe
3"Players accumulate routes, locomotives, and upgrades via DLC, expanding their collection over time."
Train Sim World® 6
"Players accumulate routes, trains, and mods, progressing by expanding their collections and creations."
-
Relaxation
Game with the same Relaxation vibe
3"Many players find the game relaxing and meditative despite occasional bugs and technical issues."
OMSI 2: Steam Edition
"Many players find the game relaxing and meditative despite occasional technical issues."
-
Sensation
Game with the same Sensation vibe
1"Moderate sensory stimulation with music and visuals; not highly intense or thrilling."
Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown
"Moderate sensory stimulation from sounds and visuals; not highly intense or thrilling."
-
Status
Game with the same Status vibe
-3"Achievements and recognition are minimal; focus is on personal satisfaction rather than social status."
Simutrans
"Achievements and recognition are minimal; focus is on personal satisfaction rather than social status."
-
Story
Game with the same Story vibe
-4"No significant narrative or plot; gameplay centers on sandbox building and simulation."
Trainz: A New Era
"No narrative or plot; gameplay centers on sandbox simulation and user-created content."
-
Strategy
Game with the same Strategy vibe
2"Requires planning and problem solving in driving and managing train operations, though not deeply strategic."
Train Simulator Classic
"Some strategic planning involved in route building and train operation, but not deeply complex."
-
Thrill
Game with the same Thrill vibe
-3"Gameplay is low risk and predictable; lacks suspense or high-stakes excitement."
Mr.Mine
"Gameplay is low risk and predictable; lacks suspense or intense thrill elements."
-
Value
Game with the same Value vibe
3"Good perceived value due to extensive content, replayability, and mod support, though some find price high."
Door Kickers
"Good perceived value due to extensive free content and modding community despite some technical drawbacks."
-
Violence
Game with the same Violence vibe
-5"No combat or destructive gameplay; focus is on constructive building and simulation."
Trainz Railroad Simulator 2022
"No combat or destructive gameplay; focus is on constructive building and simulation."
-
Survival
Game with the same Survival vibe
-5"Stable, low-risk environment without survival or failure avoidance mechanics."
Trainz Railroad Simulator 2019
"Stable environment with no survival or failure avoidance mechanics."
Analysis
A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fantasy, Violence, Story, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Cooperation, Fellowship, Expression.
How to use the graph
Similar games map
Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.
- Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
- Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
- Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
- Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.
Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.
Last update: 30/04/2026