I started playing Railroad Tycoon on a Mac in 1991 or 92. I still think that original version was the best game made for Mac ever, bar none. (I've kept an old G3 just to be able to still play RRT 1.) This new version on Mac has much more detailed graphics and other advantages, but is inferior in a few other ways.

The principal drawback is the lack of ability to have a wider, more global view. In RRT 1 there were 4 different views that could be slected. Here there is only 1 view but you can zoom in and out with the mouse wheel. However that capability is limited because the zoom travel distance is quite small. I agree with other comments about claustrophobic feeling, especially as the game progresses and your area of operations widens.

There is no comparable way to watch all (or almost all) of your operations at a glace as in RRT 1. The best workaround (partial) is to view the map that appears when building a new train. You can see cities and train routes (but not resources) as in RRT 1. I really miss the little station boxes with pick-ups waiting and deliveries made, as well as the speed bar on the trains list. This information is available in Railroads!, but only individually, one at a time, a much more laborious approach.

Becasue of the lack of a global view of resources, I've taken to making a survey of resources and writing notes as to the most desirable. I have to scroll the entire map to cover all areas, a time consuming approach when the view is so close in.

As others have comented, there are several bugs. Railroads! crashes several times a day on my 2011 Mac mini (i7, 2.7 MHz with 8 GB Ram). Thank goodness for the AutoSave function so I can go back to where I last was just before the crash.

Routing problems include: (A) some trains can't be routed even when tracks to the destination exist; (B) where double tracks exist and several crossovers are built, some trains make numerous needless track changes, slowing operations dramatically; (C) where double tracks exist and several crossovers are built, some trains are routed into each other, causing an irrevesible opposing stop, even when other route choices were available that would have avoided the problem. The only solution is to completely delete at least one train.

As was the case with RRT1, frequent saving is absoutely necessary, especially just before a big construction project.

The game occasionally freezes for no apparent reason. This seems to happen only while the game is paused (which is necessary frequently). The only solution is to Force Quit, again the AutoSave function is invaluable to pick up from where you were at the time of the freeze.

Apparently this game was first released in 2006 (PC version). Only now has a Mac version been made available. While I agree with other comments that a patch to address bugs would be excellent (I had such a patch for RRT 1), given the age of this game I am not optimistic that is likely.

The graphics in Railraods! are just fabulous. I've never seen such detail and intricate animation before. As you get later into the game with many routes and trains, its a real joy to watch. And many of the wonderful sounds from RRT 1 are still in this new version. There are one or two sounds that are not explained in the manual that I have not yet figured out the meaning for. Also track building is easier and much more efficient.

Bonds are missing from this new version, as are automatic year end summaries. All reports are still available, however. Missing is the efficiency report on train pickups, a useful guage of how much cargo is being missed.

The manual does not explain if varying economic conditions affect track building costs, as in RRT 1. However, there is a summary of the cost to lay track (and grade characteristics) before committing to the construction, a big improvement over RRT 1. Also another big improvement in Railroads! is the ability to cross competitors' routes by means of a bridge. Also you can cross your own routes with bridges, as well :)

Also missing from Railroads! are priority pick-ups and rush cargos. The only equivalent are cities soliciting new rail connections, with cash incentives for first to meet the delivery offer. I can not tell if there is any equivalent to the RRT 1 first year bonus for deliveries on new routes, the manual for Railroads! is no where near as detailed as was the case for RRT 1. Also, why is the manual set so you can't print it?

Another big improvement in Railroads! is the ability to pick one of several choices as to the game length (number of years). This gives a lot more flexibility depending on how much time you have to play.

Railroads! also has a multiplayer function, another big improvement over RRT 1. As I have not yet downloaded Game Ranger and tried this out (I've only had Railroads! a few days so far), I can't comment on the mechanics of multiplayer operations yet.

Bottom line, if you remember RRT 1, most of this new game is familiar and picking it up will be a snap, you'll do it in no time. And its just GREAT to have a new version that runs on Macs with OS X! One of the best investments I've ever made in a computer game.

Most board games just display a game board and have your player run around it - basically, the exact same thing all over again. The Farming Game - Software Edition is different. It gives you a full 3D farm to place you crops, equipment, and buildings on, as well as dozens of animated sequences ranging from harvests to special events such as volcanic eruptions. Certainly worth the price tag of $19.99.

I really enjoyed this game! The game play was never boring and the graphics are great. The references to other stories, movies, and games made it even more fun.

This version of the game never went past level 1 for me and I killed everything on the map.

Replayability is somewhat limited as you just follow the one story. Not incredibly difficult or unique, but I thoroughly enjoyed it for what it was. Worth the $7 for a few hours of distraction.

Very challenging game. Especially when you do the solo.

At level 108 you discover you cannot go on. Which is not a nice way to end a game.

I thought the game was cool at first but as the game went on I started losing interest. I did finish the game but was not what I had expected out of it.

Very buggy and keeps freezing up on my mac , have tried 5 times now but with no luck , have had to do hard reboots of the computer every time.

Fun to play in the beginning. Then I found a major bug in the level where you pay back money - it's not extending the attack clock, so you end up constantly being attacked. Disappointed in the game, and deleting it from my system.