New Route, The Story of Forest Rail

[NorthernWarrior]

First impressions are...indeed mixed.

Just a 30 minute drive and I can now kind of fathom why this didn't quite make the bar for a DTG sponsored release.

The first thing that struck me is that I almost thought I was driving a Trainz route. The scenery is delightful, but everything looks a bit saturated and intense green, almost cartoon/anime like. Perhaps that was a deliberate artistic decision on behalf of the route builders but after the almost photo-realistic look of routes like Surfliner, Stevens Pass, or closer to (my) home ECML South and Preston to Carlisle it takes a couple of steps back. Track laying is a bit rough - the builder seems to have elected to follow the exact lie of the terrain rather than use embankments and cuttings resulting in some pretty severe gradients, up to 5.2% on the bit I've driven so far which is bordering on Swiss metre gauge or tramway style inclines rather than conventional rail. The profile is like driving a rollercoaster in some places. There's no ballast or similar paint under the track to soften the hard edge of the track loft to the terrain (which under the 3D foliage seems to be standard Kuju textures).

Lot's of 3D models as advertised though I haven't looked in the editor yet to see how useable these might be.

The Kiha 07 is nicely 3D modelled but the sound is very harsh, almost identical to the Kiha in default MSTS, so maybe it is accurate but not so pleasant on the ears. Physics - well it accelerates like Frank's Audi in the Transporter films and straight to 100% throttle without a whisper of wheelslip though, not surprisingly, struggles on those unrealistic 5% gradients.

There are a good number of scenarios included but the very first career scenario had me scratching my head as the "main to main" crossover in the signalled station area was using manual points.

I don't think you can fault the route authors for their vision and imagination and you have to admire their determination in producing such a long route (considering all I managed last year was one scaled up miniature railway). I will enjoy it in a quirky off-beat kind of way but it's not quite the epic that was being promoted and certainly not a successor to Densha de Go or SL de Ikou. The authors probably need to refine their route building technique a little. On balance 3 stars (out of 5) at present and probably worth what I paid - £17.99 with my JT rewards plus 500 rewards back towards a future purchase.

[Antwerp]

This just in from the Facebook Page

Coming soon to Steam from Union Workshop, The Story of Forest Rail for Train Simulator 2015!

[NorthernWarrior]

Well that's going to be interesting - how do those of us who purchased through JT get any updates or patches that might arrive via the Steam version, or the ability to reference assets etc. from the route in something for the Workshop? I know it's not the first time an initial release via a third party has been followed by a Steam version, but there's usually a few months or couple of years between! :)

[OpenRailer90]

JT owners should get a Steam code if they already have it.

[DrewG]

People who bought it through JT decided to buy a TS add-on via a 3rd party outlet. DTG is also selling the route, why should DTG give a free copy of a product they are selling to buyers from a 3rd party outlet. Any updates will be disturbed by JT. Since the files for the two copies would be the same there is a chance workshop scenarios might work with the JT copy.

[NorthernWarrior]

It was bought via the third party outlet because it vanished from DTG's release schedule. There was no indication from the developer or JT that the add-on was still going ahead on Steam. The folder structure *might* be the same for end users downloading a route which references the assets, but when the route creator with the JT version tries to upload to Workshop it will, presumably, blow a very big raspberry in their direction as it's not an authenticated Steam purchase. (Steam might even think you've pirated it).

To have a new add-on sold via two separate means at the same time is (IMHO) un-necessary hassle for customers who have handed over their money in good faith. The Developer, JT and DTG need to work together to come up with a solution - if need be JT need to come up with an agreement with DTG to provide Steam codes for those who request it.

[Antwerp]

Out on Steam and at a price of $24.99. Shockingly it's cheaper on Steam!

http://store.steampowered.com/app/27774 ... _230_150_1

[OpenRailer90]

Alright, Just Trains better distribute Steam Codes now; JT owners should get steam codes of they buy it next time, or reduce their price

[ArcticCatZRT]

Alright, Just Trains better distribute Steam Codes now; JT owners should get steam codes of they buy it next time, or reduce their price

This isn't Walmart, there won't be any price matching. Just Trains is not obligated to do anything, some distributors charge more for a product and other distributors charge less.

[jwtheiv]

Alright, Just Trains better distribute Steam Codes now; JT owners should get steam codes of they buy it next time, or reduce their price

This isn't Walmart, there won't be any price matching. Just Trains is not obligated to do anything, some distributors charge more for a product and other distributors charge less.

Also, doesn't Just Trains have their own reward/loyalty system in place via points or some such?

[NorthernWarrior]

A fly move on DTG's part!