Rating: 
Summary: Fun, but misleading in some respects.
Review: My biggest beef with this game is that Microsoft does not publish "recommended system requirements." You should have at least 1.2 GB available on your hard drive. I am running the game on a Celeron 450 with 8MB on the video card and 256 MB of RAM, and the video is still choppy. Fortunately, that's not as critical on a train simulator as it is on a flight simulator.
Rating: 
Summary: Embarrassing gift - avoid the hassle
Review: I gave this to my father, an avid train enthusiast, sight unseen - and do I ever regret it. His computing skills are, like many people, modest. Unfortunately I don't live in the same town and the installation problems he is having - incompatible hardware, etc. make it very embarrassing. I've suggested he call MS Tech Support but I already know how frustrating that will be for him. From other reviews it sounds like he doesn't have the latest hardware that will be needed. Also it needs DirectX 7 -- wouldn't you think that they include that on the installation CDROM?I am going to suggest that he return the software and get the money back, to spend on a more appropriate gift.
Rating:
Summary: Highly Disappointed
Review: I was highly disappointed. First of all, it won't even install properly on my Dell laptop, running Win98. Later, whenever I launched it, it will come with error message and request to dial into MS web site for reporting errors, still giving me no clue how to launch it. I was so fed up that I decided to uninstall it. It took me many attempts over one day to uninstall it. I returned it the store for refund. No more games from big brother. My laptop is fine and running every other software perfectly. My biggest beef is that it will try to talk to MS web site without me knowing about contents of transfer. On top of that, MS charges for tech support.
Rating: 
Summary: Train Operation Realism
Review: If you want a realistic train operation experience, MSTS is for you. The graphics are awesome. There are plenty of play options and scenarios to keep the rail-fan busy for hours. I have been an Amtrak passenger and the scenery is incredibly realistic. My Dad, a retired railroad towerman, was very impressed with the railroad operation aspects. He found the signals, signs, details, sounds, etc., quite accurate. I congratulate the team that developed this sim, they did their research well. You can choose the simplified control option if you don't want to bother with the minutiae of locomotive operation. Also there are lots of help features and very nice tutorials. If you want a game for your toddler or are looking for intense action, skip this simulation; the intent is REALISM.
Rating: 
Summary: Incredibly Realistic!!!
Review: I guess I can't give any reccomendations based on computer speed as I have a fully decked out 1.5G, 512MB computer with a 32MB 3D card and 22" monitor. Needless to say, the game runs fine. I can see where some people might find it boring, but try and run the Japanese commuter line and actually arrive and leave the stations on time.....My only wish (as with almost all Microsoft simulations) is that Microsoft would show more realistic crashes / derailings /people / cars on tracks. Maybe it's just the Gomez Addams in me, but when I'm heading down a mountain at 100+ mph in Austria, I want the train to jump the tracks and fly down the hill in a blaze....instead, a little prompt comes up advising me that I have derailed. I really need to see people getting on and off the trains as well. What's the point of running a commuter line with empty cars??? Microsoft, please listen and add these features...
Rating:
Summary: This is my favorite game
Review: Eventhough I haven't gotten the game yet. I know once I get it it'll become my favorite game. The graphics are good and the detailed train lines, sounds, signal bridges, tunnels, and bridges are the best. I don't like the idea that if you run a red signal it automatically stops the simulation. But, everything else is good. I think Microsoft Train Simulator is the best train simulator I have ever seen.
Rating:
Summary: Train simulator
Review: I entered the microsoft competion for the train sim, and won. I work the english railways and was unsure what to expect. I recieved the game this morning 7/7/01. First go i was amazed at how much attention was paid to the details on this product and the realism which draws you in the game. When i first learnt of this product i was unsure what to think and was hesitant to purchase it, after trying this product i will without reservation reccomend this to everyone. If you are an enthusiast or just curious about the railways it is a must, it is like the flight sim by microsoft, once you start you just cannot stop. In a nut shell, outstanding. Happy driving.
Rating: 
Summary: Great game but to many probs
Review: First I have to say the 3 stars does not have anything to do with the actual game. The actual game is 5 stars without a doubt. Such a relistic game and very fun. The 3 stars is because of the constant problems this game causes to your PC. I installed it and had it running fine. Then during game play the screen would constantly break up then after so long would stop working all together. Even after uninstalling it and re-installing it I couldnt get past the main menu for it. Kept getting error messages saying report it to microsoft. I couldnt get the game working since. I have a pretty new PC to with Windows ME. So be careful when buying this game. You may encounter many problems that cause plenty of headaches. If you get it to work and stay working then you'll love it.
Rating:
Summary: Train Simulator
Review: MSTS is a wonderful game for train enthusiasts and want-to-be engineers. It takes a little bit to learn all of the keyboard controls, but there is a good shortcut sheet provided. The graphics are great, the sound effects real, and the various display options allow you to be a passenger or the engineer - or just a railfan. The major drawback in MSTS is its huge list of incompatibilities with graphics cards - chances are if you have a popular video card, you'll be updating drivers or the game simply won't work. Don't go by the error message in MSTS - READ THE README FILE!!! Also, you'll probably need the MSTS Troubleshooter - after I updated my video card drivers (twice) the text was still unreadable - I had to use the troubleshooter to get that to look right...now I don't see highways and automobiles...
Rating:
Summary: sweeeeeet!!!
Review: this game is so cool!!! you can creat your own activaties if you want and build your own line! or if you don`t want to play around with that just use the preloaded lines and activaties. rule # 1 never go with a diferent brand other then microsoft for a train sim.
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