Railroad Corporation vs Railway Empire

[johneski]

Which is better and why?

[ryjamsan]

They both suck
Buy railroad tycoon 3 instead

[gardlt]

Railway Empire is a finished game. Railroad Corporation is early access: there are known bugs.

Gameplay-wise, Railway Empire is all about building, 80%+ of a typical game, traffic volume is quite high so you need a lot of tracks. You can build a massive network with hundreds of trains.

In Railroad Corporation volume is lower and you spend more of your time setting up your trains individually. This includes matching supply and demand of cargoes which have unique variable pricing.

Railroad Corporation has multiplayer, Railway Empire has fairly clever AI. Which game you like more will depend on your preferred playstyle.

[coenvijge]

A simple question, with a difficult answer (if you don't consider the first 'answer'). I think it's hard to answer because RRC is very very very early access and RE is (almost) finished. Probably the most important difference is the volume (see the answer of gardlt above). In RWE you will need very soon 'ton's of tracks' and a lot of trains. In RRC you can do the missions with a limited number of tracks and trains.

There are a lot of video's on youtube that can give you good information about both games.

Maybe 'at the end' they turn out to be more or less equal if you consider quality-price. At the moment I think that RRC will be 'the best', but that has to be seen.

If you're short on money and/or don't like early access maybe buy now RWE (it's in the summer sale) and wait with RRC so you plaay RWE and watch RRC and follow it's progress (for RRC is announced a update that probably will be released in a few days/weeks).

(update: RRC has also a discount in the summer sale now)

[genemead]

Good News: RRT3 has more depth than either of the other two.
Bad News: RRT3 is 16 years old.

[johneski]

Thank you everyone! One feature has attracted me to Railway Empire is the ability to see the train up close and follow along with it. It appeals to me anyway. Anybody else from that way?

[David Ford]

I never could get into RE just because the cargo is so few, specially in the early stage. Either meat or beer. I've just got RC over the weekend and so far I like what I see and it does show some promise if the DEVS make the right choice's during early access development. Still a lot that needs to be added, signals, double tracks, stock market, AI controlled company that competes, sandbox mode, complete USA and Europe map with out having to spend a fortune on DLC for what should be base game content. Wait I just described RRT3

[throknor]

I picked up RE on sale (after watching some playthroughs) and it just doesn't do it for me after all. The series of goals seemed more like work than challenges somehow. This game just feels more like the speed I want, with goals to challenge but not all scripted. And it doesn't have those crazy opponents butting in.

If I'm in the mood for an easy (but great looking) train game I'll fire up Transport Fever. But for a challenge I expect I'll be turning to RC.

[johneski]

Thank you all for your comments. These are my observations from watching video reviews of both games. See if you agree or disagree and feel free to offer your opinions. Note that I have not yet played either game. For one thing, I really like the way track layout is done in RE. It seems like you have much more freedom in laying track. I also love the fact that you can zoom in close to buildings and surroundings and watch people going about their lives. I very much love the fact that you can ride along with your trains and get a close up look of the tracks you laid down. Also appealing for me is sandbox mode which RC doesn't have, at least yet. RC reminds me a lot of RRT with lots of emphasis on the strategy and economic side of the game. The fact that campaigns are timed in RC really turns me off but that's just me. Others may like it. I hate to be rushed! Anyway, a sand box mode will take care of that problem once it's put in the game. I would also like to be able to zoom in closer in RC. I think RC could be a good game but it has a ways to go before I decide to buy it. It's too bad that even the sale price of $22 is too steep for me to take a chance on this game. If it was around $10, I'd take a chance on it so that I can really compare the 2. I already have RE but have not played or even installed it yet but I plan to. It will be interesting to see how the developers progress with RC but at least for me, it's not ready to take my cash. Let me know what you think and feel free to comment.

[throknor]

The timed missions are a lot harsher in RE. They're even in the sandbox; at least the one I started. I was quite annoyed when I realized I had 20 years to turn a town of 50K to 200K that I wasn't even planning on connecting to. The timed missions here are more like a bonus if you beat them. Even the RRT series had Bronze/Silver/Gold awards depending on how quickly goals are accomplished.

[David Ford]

I was turned off by the time missions when RC came out and was real reluctant to buy the game because of it. But once the Devs released a patch and made it optional I decided to buy. Just like you said I don't like being rushed and I don't play to see how fast I can complete it. I'm not concerned about the XP points I don't get because I figure if they make a game I want to put many hours into playing that will take care of it's self.