A-Train Construction Set

Game Review by Jeff James



If you've ever owned and enjoyed a miniature train set, the A-Train Construction Set (ATCS) could be just what you've been looking for. Forget about using that bulky miniature train diorama covered in green glitter and plastic trees: ATCS lets you build mountains, lay rail and oversee a thriving train business all within the tidy confines of your Amiga.



ATCS requires -- and is now bundled with -- A-Train from Maxis. Whereas A-Train supplies the basic scenarios, trains and main program, ATCS allows you to create new and customize existing A-Train scenarios. The program ships in two versions, just like A-Train: a low-resolution version that requires only 1 MB of RAM, and a high-resolution variant that needs 1.5 MB. Regardless of the resolution used, the game's look and feel closely follows that of A-Train, facilitating program use for users familiar with the original A-Train program.



To start editing or altering your landscapes, you'll need to either load in an existing A-Train scenario or create one from scratch. Once the scenario you want to edit is loaded, ATCS gives you a wealth of program options with which you can manipulate your virtual railroading empire. A toolbar located at the bottom of the screen provides access to most of these features, including a train and subsidiary menu that allows you to place trains, lay rail and perform other railway duties. In addition to the more traditional track-laying features, you can buy and place properties as you see fit, ranging from golf courses and amusement parks to office and apartment buildings. Perhaps the most interesting collection of tools reside in the map edit windows, accessed by selecting one of eight buttons from the toolbar. Using these program options, you can level and raise terrain, plant trees, and carve rivers, islands and lakes out of the landscape with just a few mouse clicks. Finally, a limited on-line help system provides short explanations and descriptions of some game elements. Once you've tweaked your scenario to perfection, you can save the scenario and test your construction prowess by playing the scenario in A-Train.



On the more technical side of things, program graphics are a little on the plain side (sporting not more than sixteen colors), and sound effects are limited to moving trains and other minor sound effects. Granted, these limitations are inherent to the original A-Train program. ATCS fully supports hard drive installation, complete with a polished point-and-click hard drive installation program. Once installed, ATCS occupies approximately 1 Mb of hard drive space. As with A-Train, scrolling about the map is a bit pokey on slower Amigas; owners of accelerated Amigas are treated to snappier response and loading times. Multitasking is not supported, although ATCS did exhibit complete compatibility with a wide range of Amigas running both AmigaDOS 2.0 and 3.0. The instruction booklet is a brief document of about twenty pages, and covers both the Macintosh and Amiga versions of the program. 





Although an attractive purchase for railroading aficionados, ATCS -- and A-Train, by extension -- might not be every Amiga gamer's cup of tea. More so than some Maxis products, ATCS is long on simulation detail and somewhat short on playability. If you prefer a faster pace to your railroad simulations, you should journey a bit farther down the tracks and pay a visit to Microprose's venerable Railroad Tycoon. ATCS definitely extends the usefulness of the original A-Train, making it a must-buy for avid A-Train gamers. If you've always wanted to build your own railroading empire (and move a few mountains and part some water in the process), ATCS should be just what the conductor ordered.





A-Train Construction Set



Retail Price: Bundled with A-Train ($69.95)

Requires: A-Train, 1 MB RAM 



Maxis

Suite 230

Orinda, CA 94563-3346



Tel: (510) 254-9700









