The new "metra" maps allow you to focus exclusively on building a passenger railway inside a major metropolitan area. Instead of freight, there are four types of commuters to be hauled to specific locations
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Railroad Tycoon II received rave reviews and was a major hit. This is not all that surprising given the popularity of the original game and of playing with trains in general. This popularity led to a lot of desire from the players for more stuff. PopTop has answered this desire with an expansion pack, The Second Century, and although there are improvements to the game as well as a few new things to play with, it probably won't capture as much attention as the game did last year.
The first big improvements come in train control. In Railroad Tycoon II, the computer chose the path your train followed between stations, and it was impossible to stockpile cargo in a station. The Second Century addresses both of those shortcomings directly. First, it is now possible to set way points for your train that allow you to pick the path your train follows between stations, making it much easier to guide your trains through complex junctions. The add-on also allows you drop off various goods in your stations rather than sell them automatically. This allows for much more efficient and profitable train routes.
The most important new industry type added to the game. The distillery turns grain, sugar, or produce into alcohol that will raise the "spirits" of any city
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Another big addition comes with the "metra" scenarios. These scenarios take place on maps that cover less area that the others, but with a lot more stuff on them. They also focus exclusively on hauling various types of commuters around in the metropolitan areas. It is very similar to the transportation system in SimCity, only you are limited to just the rail portion of moving people around.
The biggest drawback to the game comes from the time period chosen. Trains saw their heyday in the 1800s with the massive expansion and the robber barons. The Second Century starts around World War II and goes into the future, completely ignoring the most popular era for trains. The time period also causes many of the scenarios to become forced affairs where you are using trains to haul goods that are currently handled by airplanes and trucks. Also, modern trains just don't have the same charm as the classic steam locomotives, and they lack the history that first inspired model railroads.
The addition of the status page to your company report keeps you up to date on the generally more complex goals of The Second Century
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For Railroad Tycoon II fans, The Second Century will provide more maps to play on and less frustration in doing so. However, for people who weren't interested last year, this expansion pack probably won't change their minds. It also won't win the hearts of gamers who want to capture a little bit of the history of the trains and follow in the footsteps of the infamous robber barons.
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