DESCRIPTION

A port of the PC title, Railroad Tycoon II for the Dreamcast caters to the megalomaniacal needs of gamers. Players begin their quest in 1804 as a wannabe railroad mogul, with little more than a paltry sum of money and the desire to succeed. Based upon the Second Century expansion pack, the Dreamcast incarnation includes everything found in the PC title, along with exclusive DC scenarios.

At the beginning of each scenario you're given a set of objectives, as well as the required completion date, and then sent on your merry way. Regardless of the specifics, gameplay boils down to purchasing trains, laying tracks, building stations, and ensuring that the cargo needs of the towns your trains commute between are met. Trains can be equipped with a wide assortment of carriages that transport everything from passengers to uranium — and only careful selection of these will ensure success. Micro-management of your company is also a necessity, requiring you to purchase and sell stocks, stave off hostile takeovers, and other similar duties.

Geography too plays a role, as laying tracks up steep slopes and mountains will slow the transit time of your iron army. Spanning almost two centuries, Railroad Tycoon II offers 40 types of cargo and 60 different train engines, up to and including state-of-the-art twentieth century bullet trains. The 3D camera can be manipulated at the player's behest, allowing one to zoom in and out as desired in order to obtain the best view of the action. A sandbox mode is also available, allowing players to build their dream railway network without any constraints. ~ Gavin Frankle, All Game Guide