Pandemic Train

• DEVELOPER: Trigger Labs
• PUBLISHER: Games Operators, PlayWay S.A.
• PLATFORMS: PC
• GENRE: Survival
• RELEASE DATE: October 19, 2023
• STARTING PRICE: 16.49€
• REVIEWED VERSION: PC

Pandemic Train is a survival game with rougelike and strategic elements in which you control passengers on an old train powered by a steam engine. The action takes place in an alternate timeline of the 20th century when a catastrophic virus epidemic has ravaged the world. Don't expect too much from this title, it offers exactly what the game advertises. It is very shallow in terms of content, progression, variety and gameplay. The sequences where we are on the train are just a quick interlude, so it all boils down to a very average exploratory third-person shooter. The story holds water and has its own twists, from playing as experimental soldiers each with their own special skills, who can revive when they die, to each character in the game having their own story. I don't know what the developers' plans are, but they will need to really add a lot to make the game engaging.

What definitely works in the game is the idea itself, exploring the world while managing the passengers on the train. You'll feel like you're playing two games; first you are in the main headquarters, where you can meet all the "protagonists", take special quests from them and get a little better acquainted with the background story of the game with the help of various newspaper summaries. In addition, you can upgrade all the characters (some you have to buy) and improve the start of the game by upgrading the warehouse, hospital, etc. Second, you ride the train and choose which areas on the map to stop at. Each area brings different resources and benefits, be it water, food, scrap, safety zones, interaction with special characters, etc. However, all these areas are the same and identical with each playthrough, only three regions change. Perhaps the greatest variety is provided by the region where you need to survive the winter, but even then you don't have much that can affect the gameplay itself.

In Pandemic Train, you'll encounter five chapters that unfold within the main storyline, focused on finding a cure for the virus. After completing each chapter, you're inexplicably returned to square one, starting from the beginning. This means that all the additional wagons you've acquired and any promoted individuals simply vanish. It seems more sensible to retain these advancements and continue from where you left off, rather than resetting everything. This reset feature needlessly heightens the game's difficulty, which it already lacks. Replaying the same content makes little sense, but there is a ray of hope: the option to skip regions, which allows you to rejoin the journey nearer to its conclusion. My strong recommendation is to skip manual play and opt for simulation, as it yields more resources, significantly reduces losses, and the game fails to offer any substantial rewards for those who decide to explore the map manually.

The train's gameplay initially appears intriguing, but regrettably, it becomes evident that there are only five primary upgrades available for each playthrough, which proves sufficient for completing the game. The first priority is securing a stable source of food, ideally through the acquisition of a chicken coop and a garden for fresh vegetables. The next essential facilities to establish are a workshop for bullet production and a kitchen for food preparation. Additionally, having an infirmary to attend to travelers' medical needs is highly advisable. These upgrades essentially encompass your core requirements. You can largely disregard endeavors like alcohol production, crafting grenades, or baking cakes. These not only involve complex crafting recipes that can be challenging to locate but also demand a variety of resources and the labor of your passengers, a resource constrained in this regard. Each worker functions in shifts and typically specializes in two specific activities, such as crafting, food preparation, or animal care. Furthermore, extracting medicine from the corpses of defeated enemies is crucial for combatting the virus to some extent.

All of this becomes inconsequential due to the specific attributes of your main protagonists. Your primary objective consistently revolves around choosing between Anna and Zhang. Anna is favored early on as she facilitates the acquisition of a chicken coop and boasts exceptional sniping skills for swiftly killing the enemies. Zhang, on the other hand, possesses a diverse skill set. He exhibits swiftness in movement, can easly conserve ammunition, and proficiency in throwing knives. The game's lack of balance then becomes evident, as you are compelled to execute the same routine repeatedly. For instance, each action is governed by individual timers, and there is no mechanism for multiple selections or planning. For example, if you require preparing five meals, you must laboriously repeat the same action five times.

In terms of the shooting mechanics, they are executed very well. Aiming is intuitive, and there's no need for pinpoint accuracy. You also have the option of using knives for close-quarters combat and can roll to evade enemy attacks and bullets effectively. While there's a variety of enemy types, they tend to be somewhat repetitive across different regions. You'll frequently encounter foes shooting at you, encounter leaping monsters, or face flamethrower-wielding adversaries. The game also incorporates stealth elements, which leave much to be desired. Approaching enemies from behind is often ineffective, as they tend to spot you almost every time. They will relentlessly pursue you, benefiting from a more extensive field of vision compared to your limited line of sight. Additionally, the game features three recurring bosses, which can be somewhat disappointing. The story-related bosses offer a bit more challenge, but even they can be dispatched with relative ease.

Exploration in the game is notably straightforward and somewhat uneventful. Items of interest are conspicuously highlighted for easy identification. You may encounter sealed chests that require an iron lever to unlock, or navigate through hazardous infected fog to reach valuable items. To mitigate the risk of succumbing to the virus, you possess a protective injection. However, upon returning to the train after your exploration, the repetitive cycle of actions within the train commences once more, detracting from the overall gaming experience.

I'm not sure if you've ever played those survival games on mobile, the kind where you have to survive a zombie apocalypse and play in real-time, meaning you have to wait for certain things to happen. This game gives me a similar feeling and atmosphere. The graphics are quite decent, the music is good, and the concept is solid, but the repetitiveness, gameplay, and other elements are lacking. Pandemic Train starts off as a decent game but soon buries itself. The more you play, the more you'll notice its numerous shortcomings. I believe the developers will improve and change this game, making it better than it currently is. At this moment, I can't recommend Pandemic Train despite its low price.

Review copy provided by the publisher