Islands & Trains

Islands & Trains is a cozy, charming sandbox game that invites players to build dioramas featuring trains circling picturesque islands. The game features a cute, plastic-like art style and pleasant music that contribute to its relaxing atmosphere. Gameplay is simple and accessible, focusing on placing tracks and scenery pieces freely across a sizable map. However, it lacks a clear end-goal, making it more of a casual experience suitable for short play sessions or younger audiences. Quality of life issues, such as restrictive placement rules and limited track piece variety, somewhat hamper creative freedom and reduce replay value. Achievements are easy to obtain, appealing to completionists. Some players experienced minor bugs and camera limitations, but overall the controls are intuitive and the sandbox offers satisfying creative potential. While it may not offer deep complexity or longevity for adults, it remains a delightful, stress-free experience for train enthusiasts and those seeking a relaxing pastime. The game is reasonably priced but may not justify full price for everyone.

Highlights

Players praise Islands & Trains for its relaxing and cozy gameplay, with many enjoying the simple, intuitive controls and creative freedom in building train networks and scenery. The cute, low-detail art style and pleasant music enhance the calming atmosphere. The sandbox nature allows for extensive customization, and the game appeals to both children and adults looking to unwind. Achievements are straightforward and add a completionist appeal. The game is noted for being accessible and enjoyable without complexity, making it a great casual experience.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include restrictive quality of life features that limit placement flexibility, such as inability to overlap scenery or build multi-level tracks freely. The limited variety of track pieces and scenery can feel sterile and reduce creative options. Some players encountered minor bugs, like objects that can't be deleted or camera control issues. The game lacks brightness/gamma settings and a zoomed-out camera view, which frustrates some users. The absence of an engaging end-goal and limited longevity make it less appealing for extended play. Suggestions for improvement include more environment themes, better camera controls, and added gameplay depth.