{"rewrite":{"id":"r_c0029bf7e8484c69a317e46d","clusterId":"c_8e32d9ee01844d7e9a43fbe8","slug":"train-sim-running-train-launches-early-access-on-steam","model":"deepseek-v4-flash","headline":"Realistic Train Sim 'RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車!' Launches in Early Access on Steam","summary":"Novatetsu Games released the early access version of the railway simulation game 'RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車!' on Steam on May 25, 2026. The game is priced at 2,980 yen, with a 10% launch discount bringing it to 2,682 yen until June 1. Developed by individual developer Liz over more than three years using Unreal Engine 5, the game features two fictional routes spanning a total of 40 km: the coastal Hayamori Railway Sanyama Main Line and the rural Takafuku Railway Fukugawa Line. Players drive four types of trains based on real vehicles across over 40 scenarios, operating from a first-person cab view with reproduced safety devices like EB and ATS. The game natively supports the Zuiki Master Controller, Zuiki Master Controller PRO, and Densha de GO! Controller. It has earned a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam with 98% positive reviews from approximately 370 reviews. The developer has published a roadmap that includes multilingual localization in Q3 2026, a passenger system and passenger POV mode in Q4 2026, route extensions in 2027, and a conductor mode. The full release is targeted for the second to fourth quarter of 2027.","whyItMatters":"The game's rapid achievement of a 'Very Positive' Steam rating and its support for multiple master controllers signal that a solo developer can deliver a polished train sim that competes with larger studio titles in the niche railway simulation market.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eThe developer, Liz, has said that creating 3D passenger models and animations that fit the game's realistic world view without looking out of place is an extremely difficult task for a solo developer, and that handling all the modeling, animation, and in-game implementation alone would significantly delay the release. That is why the passenger system was not included at launch, though it is a high-priority item on the roadmap.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe roadmap also includes specific station extensions. The Fukugawa Main Line is planned to extend to Tenryuko Station in the second to third quarter of 2027, bringing the final line length to approximately 20 km. The Sanyama Main Line is planned to extend to Hayase Station in the second to fourth quarter of 2027, reaching a final length of approximately 80 km. After version 1.0, the developer is thinking of making the next project or DLC more user-generated content friendly, based on real routes rather than fictional ones.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor players who want a relaxed experience, the game includes an automatic driving function that lets AI take the wheel, and a photo mode to capture customized vehicles in the scenery. The game also allows changing seasons and weather. Menu BGM, onboard announcements, and departure melodies are scheduled to be implemented in mid-June. The installation size is less than 5 GB despite the detailed visuals.\u003c/p\u003e","blueskyPost":"RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車! hits Steam early access with 98% positive reviews, native Zuiki and Densha de GO! controller support, and a roadmap to full release in 2027. A solo dev's UE5 TRAIN sim that delivers on the hype.","twitterPost":"A solo developer spent 3+ years in Unreal Engine 5 to make RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車!. It's out now in early access on Steam, supports multiple TRAIN controllers, and already has a 'Very Positive' rating. The full release is planned for 2027.","threadsPost":"RUNNING Train's early access launches without passengers. The developer, Novatetsu Games, stated that modeling and animating 3D passengers alone would delay the release significantly, so the feature was moved to the roadmap for 2026 Q4. The roadmap also extends line extensions into 2027, suggesting a multi-year early access phase before version 1.0.","newsletterBlurb":"Novatetsu Games released the early access version of the railway sim 'RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車!' on Steam on May 25. The game has earned a 'Very Positive' rating with 98% positive reviews and supports Zuiki and Densha de GO! controllers. A roadmap details future additions including a passenger system and route extensions, with a full release targeted for 2027.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"4Gamer.net\",\"url\":\"https://www.4gamer.net/games/009/G100998/20260525054/\",\"title\":\"Realistic Scenery Beautiful Japanese-Style Train Simulator 'RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車!' Launches on Steam\"},{\"source\":\"ASCII.jp\",\"url\":\"https://ascii.jp/elem/000/004/404/4404830/?rss\",\"title\":\"ASCII.jp: Train game with too-realistic graphics starts early access - \\\"RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車!\\\"\"},{\"source\":\"Denfaminicogamer\",\"url\":\"https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/news/2605253n\",\"title\":\"Railway Game 'RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車!' That Lets You Run Through Beautiful Japanese Scenery Releases Early Access Version on Steam Today. Highly Praised as 'Graphics Too Realistic' and 'Quality Unbelievable for an Indie Development'\"},{\"source\":\"Automaton\",\"url\":\"https://automaton-media.com/articles/newsjp/20260526-445253/\",\"title\":\"Realistic Japanese Railway Operation Sim 'RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車!' Starts with Overwhelmingly Positive Reception, Exceeding High Expectations. Supports Zuiki Master Controller, Smooth and Authentic Train Game.\"},{\"source\":\"Game Spark\",\"url\":\"http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/05/25/166867.html\",\"title\":\"Train Sim 'RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車！' with Incredibly Realistic Backgrounds Releases Early Access Version! Partial Master Controller Support and Roadmap Announced\"}]","lintFlagsJson":"[]","lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":11564,"outputTokens":1563,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1779826510,"createdAt":"2026-05-25T07:02:38.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-05-25T07:15:48.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-25T07:15:48.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_8e32d9ee01844d7e9a43fbe8","canonicalTitle":"背景がリアルすぎて話題のトレインシム『RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車！』早期アクセス版リリース！一部マスコン対応やロードマップも発表 | Game*Spark - 国内・海外ゲーム情報サイト","representativeArticleId":"a_b83377ffc2f6fe6283a327f4","sourceCount":6,"writtenSourceCount":5,"writeAttempts":0,"isSolo":false,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"studios\":[],\"people\":[],\"type\":\"release\",\"domain\":\"games\",\"is_roundup\":false}","contentType":"news","status":"written","firstSeenAt":"2026-05-25T05:00:04.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-05-27T02:49:04.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-27T04:35:45.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"4Gamer.net","url":"https://www.4gamer.net/games/009/G100998/20260525054/","title":"リアルな風景が美しい日本風列車シミュレーター「RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車！」，Steamで配信開始"},{"source":"Automaton","url":"https://automaton-media.com/articles/newsjp/20260526-445253/","title":"リアル日本風鉄道運航シム『RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車！』高い期待に応える好評炸裂スタート。ズイキマスコンにも対応、ぬるぬる動く本格精巧電車ゲーム"},{"source":"Denfaminicogamer","url":"https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/news/2605253n","title":"美しい日本の風景を走れる鉄道ゲーム『RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車！』早期アクセス版がSteamで本日発売。「グラフィックが実写過ぎる」「個人開発とは思えないほどクオリティが高い」と高評価"},{"source":"ASCII.jp","url":"https://ascii.jp/elem/000/004/404/4404830/?rss","title":"映像がリアルすぎる電車ゲー、早期アクセス開始　「RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車！」"},{"source":"Game Spark","url":"http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/05/25/166867.html","title":"背景がリアルすぎて話題のトレインシム『RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車！』早期アクセス版リリース！一部マスコン対応やロードマップも発表 | Game*Spark - 国内・海外ゲーム情報サイト"},{"source":"The Indonesian Anime Times","url":"https://www.kaorinusantara.or.id/newsline/244599/suka-kereta-ayo-mainkan-running-train","title":"Suka Kereta? Ayo Mainkan RUNNING TRAIN！"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"studios":[],"people":[],"type":"release","domain":"games","is_roundup":false},"keyFacts":["Novatetsu Games released 'RUNNING TRAIN | 走ル列車!' on Steam Early Access on May 25, 2026, priced at 2,980 yen with a 10% launch discount until June 1.","The game features two fictional routes totaling 40 km: the coastal Hayamori Railway Sanyama Main Line and the rural Takafuku Railway Fukugawa Line, with four train types based on real vehicles.","It has a 'Very Positive' Steam rating with 98% positive reviews from about 370 reviews.","The game natively supports the Zuiki Master Controller, Zuiki Master Controller PRO, and Densha de GO! Controller, and includes an automatic driving function and photo mode."]}