365 Games To Play Before You Die - #2: Transport Tycoon Deluxe

By mracoon July 22, 2009 11 Comments

365 Games To Play Before You Die

Previous Games

• #1: The Secret of Monkey Island

#2: Transport Tycoon Deluxe

Platform(s): PC, Playstation
Release: 1994
Developer(s): Chris Sawyer
Best Quote: No dialogue but awesome music
GB Wiki Page

Controlling transport infrastructure of a city doesn't seem like a fun concept for a game but somehow TTD takes a mundane task and turns it into an addictive simulation game. The game isn't overly complicated or dependent on too much micromanagement but instead is simple and straightforward; build a train network to transport timber to city that needs it and you'll get more money, if doesn't then you won't.

While not as vast as a game like SimCity, by focusing on single aspect of city management TTD was able to give a lot of options. You could use rail, ferry, bus, air or other modes of transport to get goods and passengers to their required destinations.

TTD may not be the most visually impressive game but the isometric viewpoint serves its purpose really well as it lets you see all that you need to. You've also got to remember that this was basically made by Chris Sawyer himself so I'd say he's done a pretty good job. The music, on the other hand, is brilliant and you'll be humming along to all the catchy jazz tunes as you build roads and whatnot.

The game's biggest legacy is that it started the whole '____ Tycoon' genre, which has spawned some good games, RollerCoaster Tycoon, and some not so good games, Carnival Cruise Line Tycoon (yes it's a real game and I'm glad that nobodies made a Wiki page for it).

If you want to check the game out you can download the free open source version of the game called OpenTTD. It's free and it's the same game so there's no harm in giving it a try.

2 down 363 to go.

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