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Railroad Tycoon 3

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7.1 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 19 critic reviews
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Based on 25 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Take 2 Interactive / Gathering of Developers

Developer: Pop Top Software

Genre(s): Strategy

Players: 16

ESRB Rating: RP (Rating Pending)

Release Date: October 23, 2003

Summary

A fully realised 3D gaming world scaling from eye in the sky views of entire continents down to incredibly detailed close-ups of beautifully modelled locomotives, buildings and landscapes. As well as the 25 challenging scenarios to recreate magnificent feats of railroading history, players can pick from over 40 locomotives over 35 different cargoes and in excess of 150 buildings all to be used in a dynamic, fluid economy. Railroad Tycoon 3 defines the essence of tycoon simulations with incredible attention to detail in a living, breathing world, built around a truly amazing game! All aboard. [Gathering of Developers]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Railroad Tycoon II Railroad Tycoon II (Dreamcast)

Also On The Web: Games Domain Preview GameSpot Preview Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Gamezilla!

A rich, immersive strategy title sure to please most dyed in the wool simulation and strategy fans. Highly Recommended to all, even those who may need more of a learning curve.

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Computer Gaming World

The new economic system is marvelous, with more load types than in previous games. [Feb 2004, p.74]

Worth Playing

I'm a big believer in the theory a great game always has that "just one more game" feeling, and Railroad Tycoon 3 delivers that in spades.

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FiringSquad

The game is much more accessible and deeper at the same time, but doesn’t force too much simplicity or complexity on anyone. In those regards, it’s perfect.

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PC Gamer

True to the spirit of its pioneering predecessors, Railroad Tycoon 3 is a richly textured and hopelessly addictive strategy game that's almost certain to steam straight to the top of the sales charts. [Jan 2004, p.114]

IGN

Most of my negative comments center around the AI, or misguided attempts at realism: the inability to erect support structures inside stations, the removal of storage buildings and managers, the hard-to-identify industries.

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GameSpot

Never has there been a tycoon game this visually attractive or effectively designed to minimize micromanagement.

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Game Chronicles

An outstanding game that promises absorbing gameplay and a nice break from other strategy games that either focus purely on combat or economic simulators that are too complex to be enjoyed by anyone other than a select few.

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Armchair Empire

Deep, fun at long stretches, accessible and you just might learn something about economics – Railroad Tycoon 3 is a recommended title.

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GameSpy

PopTop steams onto the scene with a product that's nearly everything a strategy game needs to be: easy to pick up and play, but deep enough to engross players for hours and months on end.

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GameZone

Playing Railroad Tycoon 3 was a breath of fresh air compared to other simulation games. The easy to use interface, excellent graphics, quality music, and wonderful gameplay adds up to an impressive gaming package.

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Gamer's Hell

I can almost guarantee that you’ll like this game if you liked the previous Railroad Tycoon games, or if you’re in the market for a modern game of railroad management.

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GMR Magazine

Few business games currently on the market are as enjoyable as this one.

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GamerFeed

RRT3 provides a good time with no stress- drop away the menus and just follow a train, meandering through the plains, mountains or forests through day and night, and you'll see what I mean.

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G4 TV

This is a simple, laid-back game, but you'll be surprised at just how rewarding it is to create railroads and watch towns grow.

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Game Over Online

Maybe if PopTop could put "Railroad Tycoon 2’s" economic model into Railroad Tycoon 3’s engine, something great would emerge, but as it is now Railroad Tycoon 3 isn’t a game I’d recommend.

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PC Format

The visuals have lost their lustre in the transition from 2D. Instead of being the studious girl who had her own style who you always fancied, it’s turned into the bubble gum-chewing underachiever who, when she opens her mouth, spouts the worst kind of gutter drawl.

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games(TM)

PopTop has spent a significant amount of time creating its own 3D engine to show off the trains. But once you've zoomed in on your new Norris locamotive a few times and watched it disappear into the tunnel you've just built, the novelty does wear thin. [Nov 2003, p.123]

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Computer Games Magazine

There's simply not a sound gameplay model at work here. [Feb 2004, p.70]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.1 (out of 10) based on 25 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Barry D. gave it a6:
Although much improved feature-wise over its predecessors, there is a lack of focus on railways. It is quite simple to gain a boatload of money by buying industries and not laying any tracks except to complete the goal. Otherwise, a good game, especially with the more realistic economy.

Bill L. gave it a9:
The game is fun to play. It is fairly easy to pick up but you can get caught up in lots of details. There are many solutions to the same problems. Sometimes an economic or industrial solution works best, other times simply haul loads between key places on the given maps. Many 3rd party maps and scenarios are available of various qualities. On the downside, I do not like the new track laying controls RRT 2 allowed much more control in laying track in tight places.

Brian N. gave it a9:
Fun strategy, NOT A SIMULATION GAME. Has never crashed after playing months, others must have unpatched or pirate copies. Automatic movement of truckable goods is realistic and GREAT. The level of action is right. The routine for laying track is poor, it often get blocked by houses instead of going around them. Thi si sthe only annoying item in the game, and that says alot. Laying track in a couple of patches allows you to do what is needed, but would love to be able to use the cursor keys like RRT1. Trains do slow down on hills when they have weight with them, they even use momentum. Another falsehood betrayed by others. Hundreds of hours of great entertainment, a fantastic game.

Rich C. gave it an8:
Great way to waste a week of (sleepless) nights. Economic model is confusing, and could use a little guidance, but otherwise a fine product.

Filthy Ike gave it a1:
This is a very late vote, seeing as how you can't find this game anymore, but I wanted to make it clear that this game was pushed out WAY before it was ready and crashes often. Here is a hint to the manufacturers (Tropico), if you want my buisness ever again, make a game that works. Should there be a question as to whether or not it should be compatable with the latest version of Windows?

Mark S. gave it an8:
While I still believe that Railroad Tycoon 2 is still the biggest leap in the genra, RR3 is a great game. The 3D is great, but it wears thin after awhile. Some aspects of the game are limited, like the track building. I do like the new cargo movement. The patches are great. The only major problem is that the game is buggy on Windows XP, the sound breaksup and the game crashes every once in awhile. I believe that this is the next step in the evloution, but I think there is room for improvement, which might be there way of getting me to buy version 4.

Karsten K. gave it a 1:
Don't believe the anonymous critics who are trying to push up the average score on RRT3. The gameplay is broken and the graphics are mediocre. Buy RRT2 instead, if you don't have it yet.

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Railroad Tycoon 3

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