Train controls

[klskls]

I play on PC without VR and I find the controls a bit unsuitable.
(or maybe I am not using the game correctly. So feel free to tell me if I’m doing wrong)
I find it very restrictive to have to drop the control tool to modify a switch, go back to control tool, speed-up the train. Ah, I have another train coming, quickly point to the other train, slow it down. Damn, the switch, put the tool down, rhaaah... (knowing that half the time I drop the tool or I clone it. (but the "alt" key to scroll on the inventory is a nice addition, forget it sometimes but that, it's just a habit to take))
However, all of this is very frustrating when trying to manage several trains.

While the game is really beautiful. I really like the artistic direction (lack of characters, even static, to make it all more alive, but there must be some in the mods) and here is finally a real simulation of a railroad model and I really appreciate it.

The game has a lot of potential and so I allow myself to suggest some optimization things about UI:
I understand the approach of playing on a realistic aspect of the game with the control tools in the hands but I don't find it very practical on PC. I find that it would be easier to have a list of the trains (or a tab) that I have active on the map (ideally with the display of their status (stopped, speed, controlled by AI (even a mention of their position could be nice "at the station", "waiting the free way"...))) and the possibility of selecting them in this menu to quickly find them on the map (I sometimes struggle on this, "where is this f... train? In the tunnel? Argh, no it is already all over there...". This selection would make it possible to quickly play on their speed without having to point them with the tool. I click on the train on this tab, I change its speed. (ok, you can't click directly due to the 3D navigation, but you can use the same system like the inventory. In fact, the inventory goes in the right direction of improving the user interface. Simply, on PC, I will find it better to be able to slide and find my active trains there than my tools.)

And I think, it could be nice to maintain the possibility of acting at any time on a switch. It's very restrictive to put down what I have in my hands so that I can then manage the switch. (but again, maybe I miss something)
Afterwards, I will find it practical to be able to display a 2D mini-map or the synaptic panel of the switches and to be able to act on it. (without having to go in front of the synaptic panel. Ok, it's not realistic, but in fact it's real life that sucks, haha. In real life I would love have my synaptic panel displayed in superimposition in front of me without having to run to the panel ;))

Detail, but it bothers me that the "esc" key does not return to the previous menu but returns us to the game. I curse every time. It's a reflex. I think i’s logic when I am in the main menu, but not in sub menus. And personally, I don’t like the menus in 3D mode. It's a choice that I find interesting, but in fact a good old menu with navigation by arrows is still more practical. Especially when "But why can't I click ? Ah, I still have this damn tool in my hand…” ;) But there, it touches the core of the game so I respect this choice.

Congratulations again for this game. Maps are stunning, can't wait to see more european content.

Glad to discuss it.

[Smurff-a-thon2k]

Originally posted by Ixia Irisborne:

Okay, so, you can put the train controller back into your inventory. Like, I normally have the edit tool in slot 1 and the train controller in slot 2. If I need to operate a switch, while operating a train, I hit the 2 key, and that pops the controller into the inventory, freeing up my "hands." Same for things like when building, if I need to pick something up, I hit 1 to drop the edit tool into my inventory and then when I click on the thing I need to pick up, I don't end up dropping the edit tool.
I, too, would like to be able to flip switches without having to do this little dance, but I've gotten used to it. I'm to the point where I'm better at remembering to put the controller away to flip a switch than I am at remembering to pull the controller back out when I click on a locomotive I want to control (which would mean I clone it and have a copy in my hand).

^ all of this, basically the trains cant move fast enough to out do you being able to instantly hide the tool, switch all the switches you need (while trains are moving), take out the tool multiple times and pick different trains to speed or slow, and then hide the tool again...

you can basically play the game like a twitch first person shooter (side note: please add zombie invasion mode so i can shoot zombie hordes attacking my trains)