Lay tracks, buy trains, and set their routes using board game-inspired mechanics to optimise your network. Run your enterprise efficiently while avoiding backlogs, jams, or angry passengers, and you'll be recognised for the unsung train hero you know you are.
Iron Roads is a top-down 2D train management game in which you lay tracks, buy trains, and set their routes until you have an efficient network carrying passengers and cargo between your towns and factories. Use resource tokens to run your enterprise efficiently while avoiding backlogs, jams, and angry passengers, and you'll be recognised for the unsung train hero you know you are.
The humans have been wiped off the face of the planet. The other animals survived and thrived, but have been too afraid to leave their towns.
Here’s where you come in.
Set up train networks connecting towns and industries and see the new civilisation grow and thrive.
Scenarios: Hand-crafted experiences with distinct narratives and gameplay features
Challenges: Play time-bound challenges to compete for a spot on the high-score board
Sandbox mode: A low-pressure game where you set parameters and play the way you want (coming soon)
Minimalistic interface Well-suited for setting up sprawling and complex networks, while being approachable for new players
Manage your resources Earn resource tokens by growing towns or completing contracts. Use your tokens strategically to expand your network and keep your erudite animal passengers happy
Carry cargo Transport goods efficiently in interconnected production chains
Research Unlock new trains, technologies, and things to transport
Listen to the sound of your network Music in Iron Roads is a combination of notes generated from your trains and passengers, and authored melodies. The music you hear will be as unique as the layouts you build
Performance graphs The main goal of Iron Roads is to optimise your network, so you may wish to use the charts to analyse data relating to your finances and passengers
Build large, complex networks Or small-to-medium sized networks, if that's what floats your boat
The demo represents a slice of the game that will arrive in Early Access on Jan 20, 2025.
We will add more hand-crafted scenarios and timed challenges
Multiplayer
Mod support
Sandbox mode: We are building a map generator so you can set the parameters and play the way you want
This is not a complete list, and we are not promising the order in which we'll add features. Our plan for each update is based on feedback from the community and the state of the game at that moment. So if there is something you'd especially like to see in Iron Roads, get in touch!
Buses, boats, planes or any other form of transport
3D graphics: our focus is on allowing you to build large networks easily, and we find 2D better for that
NFTs, lootboxes or microtransactions
OpenTTD
Mini Metro
Two Point Hospital
Lets Build a Zoo
Opus Magnum
Iron Roads is being developed by a BAFTA-nominated husband-and-wife team, Marina and Duncan. You can find out more about us and our work on our website.