# Train SIM

19 Hacker News commenters recommended Train SIM and 0 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 1 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Recommended for its realistic visuals and effortless install, a train simulator built by one developer that runs well on Linux and in VR. Critics mostly note it is highly repetitive and lacks Steam Deck support.

## Why people recommend it

- Photorealistic, polished visuals (5 comments): "if your game's assets look custom and look good in Unreal 5, it does indeed demonstrate effort and skill" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48853112)) "Looks great. Too bad that steam deck isn't supported" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48857468)) "this train game has that type of lighting" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48856367))
- Impressive work by one developer (3 comments): "if your game's assets look custom and look good in Unreal 5, it does indeed demonstrate effort and skill" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48853112)) "Game looks amazing from a solo dev" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48853675)) "Very impressive! Well done" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48859508))
- Easy install, runs well on Linux (2 comments): "This particularly game works great on Linux. I just clicked "Install" and "Play."" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48862453)) "literally just buy the game, download it, and hit play. Runs pretty well" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48865117))

## What people warn about

- Highly repetitive gameplay (1 comments): "It's good, very pretty, but highly repetitive." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48859965))
- No Steam Deck support (1 comments): "Looks great. Too bad that steam deck isn't supported" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48857468))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Dwarf Fortress](https://hackerapproved.com/p/dwarf-fortress.md): 74 recommend
- [Airport Simulator](https://hackerapproved.com/p/airport-simulator.md): 41 recommend
- [Firewood Splitting Simulator](https://hackerapproved.com/p/firewood-splitting-simulator.md): 32 recommend
- [RollerCoaster Tycoon](https://hackerapproved.com/p/rollercoaster-tycoon.md): 21 recommend
- [RimWorld](https://hackerapproved.com/p/rimworld.md): 19 recommend

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Train SIM", https://hackerapproved.com/p/train-sim/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).