Chris Sawyer's Locomotion™ similar games & best alternatives

Chris Sawyer's Locomotion™

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2015

Should you play it?

Explore a vast and detailed world and build a Transportation Empire!

What works
  • Deep and satisfying transport management
  • High replay value with scenario editor and mods
  • Nostalgic and relaxing gameplay
  • Variety of transport types and vehicles
  • Good value for price
Things to keep in mind
  • Dated graphics and interface
  • Buggy ai and pathfinding issues
  • Limited multiplayer and social features
  • Compatibility issues on newer windows versions
  • Lack of narrative or story

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Railway Empire

  • Railroad Tycoon II Platinum

  • Big Pharma

  • Railroad Tycoon 3

  • Production Line : Car factory simulation

  • Sid Meier's Railroads!

  • SimCity™ 4 Deluxe Edition

  • Airport CEO

  • Industry Giant 2
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Puffin Planes

  • Pax Augusta

  • Restaurant Empire II
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Chris Sawyer's Locomotion™: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Violence, Fantasy, Story, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Domination, Leadership, Competition.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have extensive freedom to build and manage transport networks, create custom maps, and choose strategies."

    Capsule for Transport Fever 2 Transport Fever 2

    "Players have freedom to build and manage transport networks with varied vehicles and routes, including scenario editor for custom maps."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Game offers strategic challenges especially at higher difficulties, requiring planning and adaptation to win."

    Capsule for Buggos Buggos

    "Game offers increasing difficulty with challenging scenarios and requires skillful management and optimization of transport routes."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    2

    "AI opponents provide challenging competition; multiplayer is limited to hot-seat mode, so competition is mostly against AI."

    Capsule for Eador: Genesis Eador: Genesis

    "Presence of AI rival companies competing for market share, though AI is sometimes weak or erratic; multiplayer exists but less emphasized."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Many players report long play sessions, nostalgia-driven repeated playthroughs, and engagement with scenario editors and multiplayer."

    Capsule for Cultures - 8th Wonder of the World Cultures - 8th Wonder of the World

    "Many players report long play sessions, nostalgia-driven repeated play, and high replay value with scenario editor and mods."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -3

    "Mostly single-player focused; multiplayer exists but is limited and rarely active; no strong cooperative gameplay."

    Capsule for WRC 5 FIA World Rally Championship WRC 5 FIA World Rally Championship

    "Mostly single-player focused; multiplayer exists but is limited and not a major feature; cooperation is minimal."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Players can design rail networks, build routes, and use a powerful map and scenario editor to create custom content."

    Capsule for Railroad Tycoon II Platinum Railroad Tycoon II Platinum

    "Players create complex transport networks, customize routes, and use scenario editor to build custom maps."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    1

    "Players can dominate through military or economic means but interactions with AI are balanced and respectful."

    Capsule for Distant Worlds: Universe Distant Worlds: Universe

    "Some players enjoy outcompeting AI rivals and sabotaging them, but interactions are limited and mostly indirect."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as a relaxing distraction and nostalgia trip, escaping real life through city building."

    Capsule for Citadelum Citadelum

    "Players use the game as a relaxing, nostalgic escape with immersive transport empire building and city growth."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and nostalgia, not due to obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Starship Troopers: Extermination Starship Troopers: Extermination

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and nostalgia, not due to obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players explore different routes, trains, and use editors to try new scenarios and content."

    Capsule for Train Simulator Classic Train Simulator Classic

    "Players experiment with different transport types, routes, and strategies; scenario editor encourages exploration."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "Exploration mainly involves discovering new strategies and scenarios rather than physical map exploration."

    Capsule for Age of History 3 Age of History 3

    "Exploration mainly through discovering efficient routes and managing new scenarios; map exploration is limited but present."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Customization through route building and scenario creation allows self-expression."

    Capsule for Train Simulator Classic Train Simulator Classic

    "Customization through building layouts, route design, and scenario creation allows personal expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    -4

    "Game simulates realistic transport logistics and economic systems."

    Capsule for OpenTTD OpenTTD

    "Game focuses on realistic transport management and economic simulation with plausible vehicles and scenarios."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -3

    "Limited social interaction; community exists but gameplay is primarily solo."

    Capsule for GemCraft - Frostborn Wrath GemCraft - Frostborn Wrath

    "Limited social interaction; community exists but gameplay is primarily solo."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills in logistics, resource management, and city planning, with a learning curve and increasing complexity."

    Capsule for Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar

    "Players develop skills in transport logistics and management; game complexity encourages learning and improvement."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for World of Tanks Blitz World of Tanks Blitz

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention to control vehicles and complete levels; not designed for passive or background play."

    Capsule for Offroad Mania Offroad Mania

    "Requires focused attention to manage routes and vehicles; not suited for passive or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing; interactions are minimal and surface-level."

    Capsule for Two Point Museum Two Point Museum

    "No evidence of close social relationships; interactions are minimal and surface-level."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    2

    "Players lead their own oil company and make strategic decisions, but no evidence of leading others in social groups."

    Capsule for Turmoil Turmoil

    "Players lead their own transport company and make strategic decisions, but no evidence of leading others."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong progression through acquiring vehicles, upgrading networks, and expanding transport empire."

    Capsule for Transport Fever 2 Transport Fever 2

    "Strong progression through acquiring vehicles, expanding networks, and completing scenarios."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Many players find the gameplay smooth and relaxing, though some frustration with AI and bugs noted."

    Capsule for Snooker 19 Snooker 19

    "Many players find the game relaxing and satisfying despite some frustrations with AI and bugs."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    1

    "Moderate sensory stimulation with charming art and music but dated graphics"

    Capsule for 侠客风云传(Tale of Wuxia) 侠客风云传(Tale of Wuxia)

    "Moderate sensory stimulation from music and animations; graphics are dated but charming."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "Achievements and progress are mostly personal with limited social recognition or status elements."

    Capsule for Block'hood Block'hood

    "Achievements and progress are mostly personal; limited social recognition or status elements."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    -4

    "No narrative or plot; gameplay is event-driven and context-free."

    Capsule for Crash Drive 3 Crash Drive 3

    "No narrative or plot; gameplay is scenario-based and context-free."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Requires planning, problem solving, and optimization of transport routes and factory layouts."

    Capsule for Voxel Tycoon Voxel Tycoon

    "Requires planning, problem solving, and optimization of transport routes and resources."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    0

    "Some moments of challenge and tension exist, but overall the game maintains a calm and pleasant atmosphere."

    Capsule for One Hand Clapping One Hand Clapping

    "Game has some challenge and tension from competition and management but overall a calm experience."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Highly praised for its value, especially given low price and nostalgic appeal."

    Capsule for Darkstone Darkstone

    "Highly praised for value, especially given low price and nostalgic appeal."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No violent content; focus is on constructive transport management."

    Capsule for Cities in Motion Cities in Motion

    "No violent content; focus on constructive transport and management."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    1

    "Some challenge in avoiding bankruptcy and managing resources, but no life-or-death survival."

    Capsule for City Bus Manager City Bus Manager

    "Some challenge in avoiding bankruptcy and managing resources, but no life-or-death survival elements."

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Last update: 01/06/2026