GameSpot Preview: Railroad Tycoon II

By Loyd Case

Developer:
Pop Top

Publisher:
Gathering of Developers

Target Release Date:
End of October

To try your hand at empire building, railroad-style, download the Railroad Tycoon II demo from GameSpot.
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There is a strangely compelling quality about a good economic simulation that completely warps the passage of time. Hours fly by like minutes, and before you know it your bleary eyes are registering the fact that the new light in your office is emanating from the window.

So it was with the original Railroad Tycoon. It was a classic Sid Meier design, a real-time economic simulation that was combined with all the wonderful nostalgia of model railroading. You didn't just watch your company make or lose money - you watched trains run, break down and deliver. You sweated bullets as your opponents attempted a hostile takeover of your company. You cackled with glee when you saw one of your opponent's trains crash.

So when I first ran into Railroad Tycoon II at last Spring's E3, I was astonished at the Chutzpah of anyone who would attempt to improve on Sid Meier's classic game. I had the opportunity to take a good look at the release candidate for Railroad Tycoon II - which is essentially a very late beta version - and the news from down on the tracks is good.

Next: Railroad Tycoon II at first glance