Recent reviews by KNDY です

When it comes to basketball games on Steam, you may find yourself playing "Basketball Club Story" a lot.

The ability to start from scratch with a trash team and then suddenly improve their stats, hire new players, sponsors and grow your measly neighborhood basketball court to something even bigger with restaurants, shops, practice courts and more!

Suffice to say, this game is addictive. You will live the agony of having a player doing the dumbest move to come-from-behind moments with a three. And your players going nuts and yelling "Kobe!".

It's rather addictive but what makes it more addicting is that as mentioned, starting from a trash team and making yourself better. You can play 30 hours like I have and only go as far as C level, want to go to B level, A level or S level, might as well grind to get some money to entice better players to join your team (and most of them are difficult and expensive to recruit).

And this is why this game is addictive. You have players you'll have to relegate as primary (Team A), secondary (team B) and tertiary (Team C). You will need to find which offense and defense you enjoy and what works to your playing style. Are you an offense, defense or balanced team on both sides? The decisions you make affects your team.

Overall, this is one of the better Kairosoft sports games and I highly recommend it!

I have been wanting this game for the longest time and waited for a good sale and now I have had a chance to play this add-on.

First and foremost, If you are a Japanese rail-way sim fan and have been to Tokyo, you know this is the common transportation to get from Kanagawa to Tokyo to Saitama. It's packed and you will often see the train with the silver and light blue stripe on it.

While the base game of JR East Train Simulator features the route (video-based but no points and it's pretty much a very fogiving game), the Train Simulator Classic is fun to play.

But remember, this is Train Simulator Classic, not Train Sim World, so that means the game demands nothing but perfection. Train Simulator Classic relies heavily on making it on time. Just like in Japan, you need to be punctual. Can't be late and even if you arrive safely, pickup and deliver your passengers, the game will rack up your lateness plus accidental emergency brake to speeding.

Train Simulator Classic relies on you being a conductor like in real life, get your passengers from point to point in a punctual manner safely.

Finished my first run and while my stops were just fine, accidental emergency brakes, to speeding twice (you have to be prepared and memorize areas where it goes from 90 to 60 km/h) and be there in time. When it says go 90, you go 90....not 80. But while I completed it, I racked up to many negative points, making my final point tally at zero after an hour of playing.

Most Japanese railway sims are forgiving in this manner, Train Simulator Classic is not that type of simulator. No pat in the back, it wants you to strive for perfection.

As a Japanese railway sim fan, I love all train sims featuring trains and routes from Japan, so I show my support in hopes they releases more.

Sure, a lot more could be done by making some stations feel packed and when you see the passenger inside the train, it shows the one older guy just sitting down. But it is what it is. Unfortunately, this route is not on Train Sim World (yet).

I had fun playing it, like the occasional station approach announcements, no jingles (but all train sim games featuring Japanese routes are like that).

Again, Train Simulator Classic is an older game that has a ton of support and DLC but people love it for the challenge and how it takes being a train conductor serious and wanting you to get better and better and aim for perfection. Train Simulator World looks better but doesn't need you to strive for perfection.

Enjoyable add-on, but as expected from a TSC game, unforgiving. Strive for perfection!

I have played Train Simulator Classic off and on for several years now. And while I put more time towards its Train Sim World counterpart (for more forgiving gameplay and better graphics), the fact is that "Train Simulator Classic" is a game that has so much support, so much content and developers finding a way to make a 20+ year game work and look much better.

First and foremost, you are not coming into Train Simulator Classic (Train Simulator Classic 2024) for the best graphics, you are coming into this game knowing its the most challenging train sim game that requires near perfection.

If you don't give it perfection, tough luck, you are going to fail and replay the game which is not fun if the actual route is nearly two hours long. Nor is it forgiving if you were perfect 98% of the way, if you really mess up towards the end, consider it a failure.

Train Simulator Classic is brutal, but so is the life of a train conductor. Punctuality and knowing what to do IRL is a lot of pressure and there are people who are ready for the challenge of having that near real life experience and why this game is beloved.

Again, so much support with trains and routes throughout the world. And sales that happen so often, it'll no doubt make rail sim fans happy.

But in the end, it all comes down to you:

Train Simulator Classic - A lot of support, a lot of train and route add ons, not as great graphically and while fun, it can be frustrating as the game demands perfection on your part. If you want that real life experience and want the challenge to be a conductor and the responsibilities that comes with it. Choose this game!

Train Simulator World - Nowhere close to the amount of routes or trains featured on TSC, but graphically it looks way better than TSC and not as demanding and less frustrating than its counterpart. No need for perfection, being close enough is fine! If you want to have fun but go at your own pace and not worry about being a conductor like in real life and just want to have fun with less frustration.

Definitely worth it and if you can own both, great if you are railway sim fan but choose wisely if you want to save money.

As a fan of Japanese train simulators as far as "Densha de Go!!" (on the PSX and later on PSP), fan of the Sonic Powered train sims and also Train Sim Classic/World, Ongakukan is a company that knows train simulators. And using train simulators to promote safety to the point that these video-based simulators are used to train staff.

Ongakukan the company is owned by musician Mukaiya Minoru (keyboardist of Cassiopeia) but also a guy who has created a lot of music that you hear at Japanese train stations (Hanshin Electric Railway, the chimes for the N700 series Shinkansen) to name a few.

Mukaiya went on to create the train driving simulation game "Train Simulator" (TS). These simulators were played on Windows computers in the '90s, PS2 and PSP in the 2000s (many may remember the Mobile Train Simulator + Densha de Go! Tokyo Express Edition) and the "Railfan" games for the PS3.

But all of this work for the last few decades has culminated into what we have with JR EAST Train Simulator.

These are for the most part, as mentioned simulators that trains people on the safety of operating a train, it's been featured on Japanese television numerous times and why people love it is because it's their chance to either reminisce or to feel like they are front seat in riding a train that they have ridden on before.

Whereas many train simulators focus on operating a train with computer CG elements and the big part of it is earning points or a grade, "JR EAST Train Simulators" is not about the game, it's more about the train experience.

This is where the culture differences are going to be more pronounced, as Japanese railfans are hardcore. Like how people love their music artists or celebrities, in Japan, trains are treated with the most highest regard. People take pictures of them, ride them, celebrate them in their hometown, buy NGauge model trains or Plarail. There is utmost respect and love and if you disrespect these trains, you'll read it on the news or see it in social media (especially if you are on the wrong end of things and you or or your kids do something bad on the train).

So, what you are seeing with JR EAST Train Simulator is the Japanese love for these trains, the routes, the sounds and it's important to note, for many of us who ride on Japanese trains, shoulder to shoulder, packed like sardines, we don't get to see the routes because it's so crowded. This game allows us to see what the conductor sees, but you are in control of departing and arriving and making sure you stop at the right time.

Again, unlike other train simulators, there is no significant gamification of playing for points, grades to unopen more routes. You play until the end and that's it.

With that being said, JR EAST Train Simulator DLCs can either be easy or frustrating. Certain trains, especially that have to go up hills or descend from hills or is a type of train that is not as easy to handle, you are going to face those challenges. So, not all trains operate or look the same.

For those outside of Japan, the games do feature English and is easy to pick up. But if you want more of a game, then look towards Sonic Powered (a few of their Tetsudo Nippon games are available in the West in English aka Japan Rail Sim). But for those who want the live-video experience, to see what conductors see but also taking on the challenge to depart and arrive in time and also stopping as perfectly as you can without of worrying about points or grades, it's pass or fail.

I absolutely love JR EAST Train Simulator because it's literally a labor of love to Japan railfans. It's not mean to be a Densha de Go!! or a Train Sim World/Classic type of game, again, it's used for safety trainings for staff and brought out on STEAM for the world to take part in something different. But understandably, will attract more of those who are fans of Japanese trains and environments.

Now the biggest debate is pricing, but again, looking at it on a Japanese perspective. Whereas many train sim games go on sale, a lot of Japanese-based merch affiliated with a major Japanese train company do not go on sale. So, I see it as this.... a price of a DLC is much lower than a Japanese N-Gauge train, much lower than a Plarail Real Class train, but a little more than a standard Plarail. As a Japanese rail fan who operates NGauge trains with a diorama and has traveled through many trains and shinkansen through Japan, I've always said that being a railfan is never cheap.

But while on STEAM it maybe seen as expensive, in the grand scheme of things in relation to train merch and so forth, if you are familiar with Japanese culture, it's not that expensive at all. It's a different perspective but that's how it is.

As I am enjoying JR EAST Train Simulator, I would be interested in seeing if Ongakukan will explore the JR Tokai (Central), JR Nishi-Nihon (JR West) and JR Kyushu in the future because there are a lot of JR trains and environments I would love to see. And if they do release them, I'm definitely buying!

JR EAST Train Simulator and the many DLCs are highly recommended for those who are fans of Japan rail systems.

For the rail fans who felt JR EAST Train Simulator was "too easy" and wasn't enough of a challenge, meet "JR EAST Train Simulator: Hachinohe Line (Hachinohe to Kuji) Kiha E130-500 series".

One of the more lower-priced DLCs in the collection and also which is a route that lets you drive near the coast line, So, this is a very scenic route but for rail fans who are attentive to sounds, may be a bit disappointed in the of the noise join sounds and the creaking sounds.

Granted, it's a bit overcast weatherwise, but that shouldn't affect your gameplay.

Now, many of you have probably gone through the DLC's and got it completed within two hours or less. But here's the kicker with this route, with the Kiha E130-500, you are using a diesel train that will challenge you in uphill slopes.

But I will tell you, the third route alone, looks so easy right? But getting it to stop in time before the time runs out, in a way, it's a pain in the arse. But that's Kiha for you....

Some DLC's, if you mess up, they are lenient and let you continue on. This is not the case, you don't arrive on time or you go pass your marker, game ends. You can start over from the last station and keep trying to get it right, so you don't have to start over from the beginning.

But it's amusing to me because I found numerous DLC's to be easy until I came upon this DLC which is really challenging. So, I do think Ongakukan listened to the fans who wanted more of a challenge.

Recommended, but be prepared for some frustration as some of the challenges can be nerveracking.

As a big fan of Japanese train simulators and being raised with "Densha de Go" and now enjoying the Train Sim games, along with the Sonic Powered Railway Nippon (aka Japan Rail Sim) series and Ongakukan's JR East Train Simulator.

With that being said, the Keiyo Line is a line which I have used to visit Kasai-Rinkai Park and possibly my favorite aquarium in all of Tokyo, Tokyo Sea Life Park in Edogawa.

But before I review this DLC, it's important to note that this is not like Train Sim Classic or Train Sim World where you have multiple camera mode, nor are they 3D-based trains and backgrounds. This is streaming video.

What makes the JR EAST Train Simulator stand out that the video was recorded in HD and thus these DLC's will take a big chunk of your disk space (especially as you grown your collection of DLCs), so make sure you have a TB or more of space because so far my JR EAST Train Simulator and DLC's are about 250GB. Also, the video is much more clearer and better than the Sonic Powered Railway Nippon games in terms of video.

In terms of gameplay, unlike Train Sim Classic or World, you are not going to be in charge of every button, switch like in those games which add to the intensity (and frustration). If you mess up, it's not the end of the world. As those other Train Simulators are brutal where you can put nearly two hours and one mess up and you lost, you have to start over gain.

Second, there is no gamification points. You are not aiming for a perfect grade, you are not aiming for points. There is no special stores or things to unlock with points. There are no hidden trains or courses.

JR EAST TRAIN SIMULATOR is a) Used heavily to train JR staff b) for those who love Japanese rail/trains and the overall atmosphere c) Those who miss Japan and are familiar with routes they traveled

Is there a game to it? Yes, by trying to adjust speed and brake perfectly. Again, there are no points or grades, unlike other games where they make you grind before you can move on or you need to raise your level, this game, while you can fail, if you really mess up, more than likely even if you mess up a little, you can still play to your hearts content.

The main source of gamifcation are those trying to accomplish getting all the STEAM achievements, which require arriving on time and also perfectly stopping. Both are not easy. But I have done it.

As for the Keio Line, it's one of the cheaper DLC's for JR EAST Train Simulator. For one, the Keiyo Line has only 17 stops (there are 18 but Makuharitoyosuna Station which opened in March 2023 was not up yet at the time of the video was shot) from Soga Station to Tokyo Station. And of those stops, outside of the start and ending stations, there are two stations that are used the most, Maihama (for Tokyo Disneyland Resort) and Kasai-Rinkai Park.

As for weather, it's a little overcase, but to be truthful, everytime I have gone to this area of Tokyo, it was always overcast or rainy. And the weather fluctuates from where it's cloudy and then sunny. Weird weather at times.

Now, I'm going to tackle a few things that I'm sure some may ask:

So, some may ask why so expensive? Why hasn't it gone on sale. To give you a better perspective as a Japanese rail fan, I think many have been spoiled by STEAM because game DLC's go on sale all the time for other train games. But if you are a Japanese train fan, I can say this with confidence: The Ongakukan DLC's are cheaper than KATO or TOMIX N-GAUGE model trains, and a little more than Takara Tomy Plarail but much less than Plarail Real Express.

In the grand scheme of things, it's not that expensive. But if you look for deals on STEAM, from Japanese train games to visual novels, expect to pay a little more.

So, is this DLC worth it? Yes, they all are so far. But if you are looking for more scenic, there are some that go by resort areas or beaches that are worth checking out.

But personally for me, I enjoyed Keio Line. It was a bit more difficult to get it perfectly centered for stopping. Unsuccessful and the tough thing, where you can inch to get the marker towards the center, not this DLC. Once the marker is on the green, people want in the train. And you have to quickly set the brakes because the doors open not long after the train stops.

And last but not least, if you were wondering if you should plunk down money because you loved Train Sim World/Train Sim Classic or the Railway Nippon or RealPro, it's not the same type of game. This is more like a Train Simulator that is more about giving you the feels of riding on the actual train thanks to it's video and more focused on your speed and stops and less about the gamification of other train sims.

If you are a hardcore Japanese rail fan, then this DLC is worth it

As a big fan of Japanese train simulators and being raised with "Densha de Go" and now enjoying the Train Sim games, along with the Sonic Powered Railway Nippon (aka Japan Rail Sim) series and Ongakukan's JR East Train Simulator.

With that being said, Yamanote Line has been a big part of densha games, may it be Densha de go (Switch release to the old PSP release) and it's the line I have ridden on the most, it was a "must buy" for me in that regard.

But before I review this DLC, it's important to note that this is not like Train Sim Classic or Train Sim World where you have multiple camera mode, nor are they 3D-based trains and backgrounds. This is streaming video.

What makes the JR EAST Train Simulator stand out that the video was recorded in HD and thus these DLC's will take a big chunk of your disk space, so make sure you have a TB or more of space because so far my JR EAST Train Simulator and DLC's are about 250GB. Also, the video is much more clearer and better than the Sonic Powered Railway Nippon games in terms of video.

In terms of gameplay, unlike Train Sim Classic or World, you are not going to be in charge of every button, switch like in those games which add to the intensity (and frustration). If you mess up, it's not the end of the world. As those other Train Simulators are brutal where you can put nearly two hours and one mess up and you lost, you have to start over gain.

Second, there is no gamification points. You are not aiming for a perfect grade, you are not aiming for points. There is no special stores or things to unlock with points. There are no hidden trains or courses.

JR EAST TRAIN SIMULATOR is for those who a) Used heavily to train JR staff b) for those who love Japanese rail/trains and the overall atmosphere

Is there a game to it? Yes, by trying to adjust speed and brake perfectly. Again, there are no points or grades, unlike other games where they make you grind before you can move on or you need to raise your level, this game, while you can fail, if you really mess up, more than likely even if you mess up a little, you can still play to your hearts content.

As for the Yamanote Line, it's not the most scenic. In fact, because it's a loop that gets to station to station, just like in real life, I think I am more excited when I am near Ikebukuro Station, Tokyo Station, Ueno Station, Shinjuku Station, Shibuya and so on because I go there so much. But for many people, it will look like tracks within a concrete jungle that some will not care for.

But of course, as a Kanto guy... a Tokyo guy, loved seeing the other trains and the Narita Express and the N700 passing by which was cool.

Now, I'm going to tackle a few things that I'm sure some may ask:

a) Does it have the jingles that Yamanote Line is known for? Nope. Neither does the Densha de Go games.

b) Do you see reactions if you brake hard for those inside the train . Nope. This is not like classic Densha de Go.

c) Can you open up all the past Yamanote Line vehicles? I don't think so. You ride the latest E235-0, but you do see the classic E-231-500. But no, you're not going to see old school 63 series, Tsurumi Line, 103 or the 205.

d) Why so expensive? I think many have been spoiled by STEAM because game DLC's go on sale all the time. But if you are a Japanese train fan, I can say this with confidence:

The Ongakukan DLC's are cheaper than KATO or TOMIX N-GAUGE and a little more than Takara Tomy Plarail and much less than Plarail Real Express.

So, is this DLC worth it? Yes, they all are so far. But if you are looking for more scenic, there are some that go by resort areas or beaches that are worth checking out.

But personally for me, Yamanote Line is a part of my life. Rarely do I get to see through the front of the train because Yamanote Line is so crowded that the best I have ever seen is if I'm near the window, but most of the time, all I see is someone's head or shoulder because I'm packed like a sardine inside the E235.

So, in many ways, yes... It's great to finally see what a conductor sees.

And last but not least, if you were wondering if you should plunk down money because you loved Train Sim World/Train Sim Classic or the Railway Nippon or RealPro, it's not the same type of game. This is more like a Train Simulator that is more about giving you the feels of riding on the actual train thanks to it's video and more focused on your speed and stops and less about the gamification of other train sims.

If you are a hardcore Japanese rail fan, then this DLC is worth it!

I play a lot of music games and shmups and "Touhou" games (the better known ones) tend to be difficult and challenging.

"Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost" is fascinating as incorporates rhythm games, danmaku shmup games and visual novel all in one.

This game....this brutal yet generous game is fun, if you love "Touhou" as many of the hit songs and many of the characters are featured in this fascinating storyline of Reimu trying to figure out why Gensyouko and the world has been covered with desert sand life as you know it has changed.

I started out with easy mode and for one....no...four button mode, it's six buttons and even when you do six, it's tough. I literally lowered the main top setting all the way to the left to slow the keys because even on easy mode...this game is brutal.

Never have I said "easy" mode was brutal in a music, rhythm game ever. Easy is easy for a reason.

Not for "Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost". I can't even imagine those with top notch skills playing the most difficult levels.

I guess that is why the developer offered a DLC to unlock all songs in the base version.

With that being said, I also mentioned "Generous" because no matter how many times you mess up, the game will give you a D ranking and you can easily progress through the game and story. Granted, certain songs requires a "C" or better. But so far in nearly two hours playing, I was at least happy that the game was generous in that manner.

The game also incorporates the danmaku shmup concept, while you are trying to shoot down your opponent and dodge all her attacks, on the side you will see RB and LB buttons that need to be pressed while you are dodging (ughh..) and then later RB and R Trigger and LB and L Trigger while trying to dodge. [Think positive and say that this is good training for eye/hand coordination]

Despite it being brutal and feeling F-this. Because I'm a "Touhou" fan and it incorporates the Visual Novel style of storyline with a log (so you can backtrack if you accidentally pressed the button to skip over a story).

Also, with each battle, you get cards. Do better, and you get more cards. Go to Team mode and you can level up these cards and these cards become part of your team. Using these cards, kind of reminds me of another "Touhou" rhythm game, "Touohou Spell Bubble".

Again, I'm only nearly two hours in this game but those two hours, gave me a good idea to know what I like and what I didn't like.

I do recommend a few things before playing this game.... TURN OFF any other open programs. Otherwise, you will see the game lag at times and it messes with your button presses. [unfortunately streamers may notice this is if .you have OBS open at the same time].

Makes me wonder if the SWITCH version will be smoother, but playing on a smaller screen with the six buttons....not sure how well that will work but SWITCH may benefit from the touch screen.

Other than that, I do recommend the game because I had fun despite the game being brutal and frustrating. Because the QoL of not being able to fail miserably really helps out and even your worse game, you may still get a D and open that song up and you can progress.

So, just know that going in....this is a brutal rhythm game, but yet it is also generous! So just know... Easy (mode) is not EZPZ.

I absolutely loved "Love is All Around" and now we have "Love Is All Around - Love in the Room" and thankfully, a lot of us can now enjoy it with the English subtitles recently added.

While a DLC and not chapter-driven like the first game, there is still a lot of story to go around with about 2 hours per woman (so you can get a good 6+ hours worth of unlocking everything).

The DLC provides just as much goodness as the first and with beautiful backdrop (wherever the set was located, talk about prime real estate property as the city landscape was breathtaking).

The three women are just as fascinating as before and you get to play the same guy but different guy and same buddy (think of it as an alternate storyline) in a different city.

But I completed Chen-Sai's route and looking forward to the other two.

But I feel intiny has a great thing going with these interactive video novels and this DLC was a surprise when it was first announced and bought it immediately (without the subtitles, just waiting for it to be translated). This game is one of the better ones on STEAM and the main game and the DLC are just magnificent!

As for the DLC....5 out of 5 Stars!

I hope there is more DLC planned!

Kairosoft is a software developer that is based in Shinjuku, Tokyo and they create PC and mobile phone games utilizing pixel art. It began with a guy named Usui Kazuyuki who would use the pen name "Oyama Kairo".

And he would create games in college and when companies asked him to develop games for the Nintendo DS, he would end up creating Kairosoft in 2007 and would create apps for a membersite, Kairo Park.

And this company would grow to nearly two dozen staff and focus on new apps for Android and iOS, as well as for the PC and consoles. And these popular games continue since 2008 to the present.

If anything, Usui and his company garnered a lot of followers because he created these fun, management driven type of games with many themes that would attract fans of the games all over the world.

It began in 2008 with "Game Dev Story" and over 45 games later, in October 2015, the company released "Tennis Club Story".

The game starts off with you and a partner founding their own Tennis club. Starting from scratch and taking part in small events to make money, training your players and eventually taking on opponents in the community and later to major events, while growing your tennis club to add convenience stores, department stores, indoor gyms, swimming pools, hot springs, etc.

And also attracting to sponsors and if you use their products, they develop better ones for you to assist with you and your star tennis players.

For the most part, "Tennis Club Story" is addicting. And while you don't play the tennis game per see, you are in control of your players development and also selecting tactics ala strategies during gameplay.

And development of the players is important, so you can take on other tennis players from their own club and earn more money, management points, sponsor items and practice points.

But also knowing that to make money, you need to spend money and some of these structures are expensive and also player clothing can get expensive (especially if you grow your tennis crew as it will be important to develop a team of guys, ladies, seniors, kids who can play the game) and development to play solo or doubles.

It's a very addictive game like other Kairosoft games.

With that being said, it does become a bit grindy (like an RPG Tactics game) especially once you start adding more players, you're going to have to develop each one and also teach them how to coach and that means, making more money, earning more management points and practice points.

I do have to say that I love the nod to Seishun Gakuen (for those familiar with the manga/anime "Tennis no Ojisama"/Prince of Tennis), as one of the better clothing gear are the Seishun Gakuen style of tennis gear.

But I am enjoying this game and slowly trying to get everyone up to level 20...that is a grindfest on its own. But I am enjoying this game a lot.

And while it's one of their older games from 2015, one thing about Kairosoft games is they still look fresh and new because it's pixel-based.

"Tennis Club Story" is a game that will entice those who love tennis done Kairosoft style and are into management-based games.

Recommended!