FreeTrain is a game by Kohsuke Kawaguchi, written in C# using Microsoft’s .NET platform. It is inspired by the A-Train series of games which focuses on a combination of train and business simulation.
FreeTrain is the quintessential sandbox game. First of all, you start in a literal sandbox: a flat barren piece of land greets you when starting a new game. After that, it’s completely up to you to create your world, including natural features such as mountains or lakes.
As the name of game implies, FreeTrain is all about trains. It could in some aspects be likened to those model railways you uncle keeps in the attic. Other modes of transport can and have been implemented through plugins. Nevertheless, trains remain at the core of the game.
While the business aspect of FreeTrain is well developed, it is unlike other superficially similar games completely non-competitive. You are the lone master of your world with no rivals to worry about. And even if you manage to go bankrupt, it doesn’t mean the end of the game.
Another aspect of FreeTrain is that it is a Japanese game. The graphics of the game depicts a Japanese scenery with paddy fields, Japanese cedar, and even Osaka Castle. The currency is the yen and you’ll be dealing with fictional Japanese companies such as Itsubishi or Toyoto.
FreeTrain was originally created by aforementioned Kohsuke Kawaguchi as Japanese-language game. Thanks to dedicated fans game was ported to English and is still being enhanced.
Download contains core game, plugins and tools. It does not contain original Japanese game.
One of the cool features of the game is the possibility to make a map out of whatever picture you have on your computer and wan to adapt to a train-simulator map. That means that the game enterprits the photo and makes it into a map. The second screenshot is an attempt at a map based on our logo here at CWF. None of us had some decent screenshots so if you have a big map set up, please take a screenshot of it and send it to us. 🙂
Another thing that really makes FreeTrain enjoyable for me is how it manages to stay interesting even after playing it multiple times. Many games feel repetitive after a while, but here, the experience still feels fresh because of the small details and different ways you can approach the gameplay. As you continue playing, you naturally start improving and understanding the mechanics better, which makes everything feel more rewarding. I also appreciate the balance the game maintains—it’s not too difficult, but it’s not too easy either. You can play it casually for a short break or spend longer sessions without getting bored. That flexibility is one of the biggest reasons why I keep coming back to FreeTrain. Overall, it’s the kind of game that doesn’t just entertain you for a moment, but actually gives you a consistently enjoyable experience every time you play.
