Does anyone actually find the AI opponents challenging?

[bleuflamenco]

The only challenge is dealing with the quirks of the game to grow cities to the max. I could beat the AI in my sleep. Anyone know of a better rail game?

[Oakshield]

The first 3-4 years the AI is a challenge.

But I found that the moment you're able to use seperate types of trains for freight and for express, you're getting an advantage over the AI, as it never upgrades its trains.
So even when the AI keeps expanding faster as you do, you're eventually going to outpreform them due to you using the better trains.

After that the AI becomes a money sink - when buying their shares - a big money sink when merging with their company and a nice distraction if you want to play with sabotage for a bit.
But a challenge........?

No, not really.

Thorin :)

[jmuria]

No, the AI is the weakest part of the game imo

[Tsubame ⭐]

I hate them with a passion, even more the sabouteur/blackmail mechanics.

As for rail game, depends on what you are looking for, there are plenty outside. Not too many though with competition, even if flawed.

OTTD is nice if you are ok with isometrical 2D gameplay. AI and multiplayer.

Transport Fever 2 is better looking and much much more flexible and customizable, but no AI competitors, which seem to be a core attribute for you.

Mashinky has multiplayer.

Ultimately, in all such games, once you get the hang of it, they are all easy in which you are able to expand exponentially.

[mukkman13]

the AI is entirely limiting me from buying and enjoying this; played so much on game pass but there is no reason to play 10 years in I beat everyone else hands down but there is 90 years of trains left to explore!!!!