RT2 is one of the coolest "business simulations" of all time - the goal was to make profits. The simplification was the "business" was achieved by setting the game near the dawn of the industrial age - when there was more of a relation between work vs output. The goal was to connect cities/companies so economic activity could take place. The big obstacles were set at random (i.e. train breakdowns) that added the element of fun. The game took the player through "macro" settings like recession and booms.
My deep appreciation of the game also comes from the fact that the settings were largely historically accurate. The big industrial centers (Albany, Denver (for lumber)) were accurately depicted. An extremely engaging way to learn a lot of early U.S. history, regarding how cities came into existence (answer: based on commodities trade). Also fascinating to learn about tech evolution (engines!)
Customary hyperbole: One of the best "business simulations" ever made! :)
RT3 did the series one better IMHO, since its economic model was more comprehensive and calculated the costs of everything based on alternative transport methods - building a line through the mountains could reap big rewards, and buying up the businesses you were going to expand towards even more so.
I've never played RT2, but my understanding was that RT3 was rather difficult because they added the ability for goods to move independent of the railroad. So a lot of goods that you would have been able to make money on in the past moved down rivers, and away from rail lines, rather than sitting around waiting to be collected.
I liked both of them. The 3D modelling was so much better in RT3 and alot of the economics was more "real-world". I do feel like RT2 had more of the history and charm however than RT3. Also a bit less pressure compared to some of the later maps in RT3 which were more scenario based and less open ended.
Same here, RT2 was one of my favorite games as a kid. I would love to see a modern remaster or, better yet, a new Railroad Tycoon game that preserves the simulation aspects of its predecessor.
I played RT2 as a teenager and spent hours playing every scenario. They had a few futuristic ones like colonizing Antarctica. US historical were the best.
My deep appreciation of the game also comes from the fact that the settings were largely historically accurate. The big industrial centers (Albany, Denver (for lumber)) were accurately depicted. An extremely engaging way to learn a lot of early U.S. history, regarding how cities came into existence (answer: based on commodities trade). Also fascinating to learn about tech evolution (engines!)
Customary hyperbole: One of the best "business simulations" ever made! :)