Train Sim World 7 review: PS5 gets a familiar railway simulation with live weather and new routes

Train Sim World 7 arrives on PS5 as the seventh major installment in Dovetail's long-running railway simulation series. The game represents the most robust version the studio has released to date, though the improvements feel incremental for players invested in the franchise.

The new entry introduces several meaningful features. A live weather system pulls real-life conditions from the web, allowing players to run timetables with dynamically changing weather that matches what drivers face on actual rails at the same moment. Tannoy announcements have been added across the three new routes, significantly boosting immersion. A new Freight Hauler Mode caters to players who enjoy the logistics-focused gameplay of titles like Euro Truck Simulator 2.

Three routes form the core of the new content. The Airedale & Wharfedale line passes through northern England from Bradford through Ilkley to Skipton, featuring the Class 331 train (with the Class 333 available in the Deluxe Edition). The Tri-Rail Miami route runs from Miami Airport through Fort Lauderdale, showcasing American scenery. The Bahnstrecke Nürnberg to Würzburg line in Bavaria includes the DB BR 440 and the DB BR 412 ICE 4 trains.

The PS5 version includes proper DualSense integration with haptic rumble and touchpad light panel support that matches current signal lights. The game features meticulously modelled locomotives with detailed audio capturing the character of each train. Dynamic lighting and volumetric clouds add visual drama to journeys, with effects like thick fog during heavy rain creating authentic atmosphere.

Accessibility has been expanded to help new players get started more easily, particularly as Dovetail develops Train Sim World: Tycoon for Roblox, designed to introduce younger audiences to the genre. Existing DLC routes can be imported into the free Starter Edition, allowing current players to upgrade at no cost and continue with their existing content.

The upcoming content roadmap includes the Tadami Line bringing the series to Japan for the first time, along with Portugal, the Netherlands, and Romania. A dozen studios are now building DLC for the railway simulation. However, past delays warrant caution; the Tadami Line was originally announced for Train Sim World 4.

Train Sim World 7 excels in production quality, with stunning train and audio modelling alongside immersive weather effects and realistic tannoy announcements. The free upgrade path for existing players removes a barrier to entry. However, the game offers limited meaningful new features beyond route additions. For players upgrading from Train Sim World 6, the differences are minor enough that the decision hinges primarily on interest in the new routes rather than fundamental gameplay improvements.