Your goal is to set up an efficient rail network that keeps your passengers happy and on-time
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.
Who are your passengers?
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.
Stay on the rails
Iron Roads is being actively developed and will launch in Early Access on 20 January, 2025. You can download it and play the demo for free at any time. If you do, we'd love to hear from you: what you liked, what you didn't and what you think we could change.
Choose between 3 modes of play
Scenarios: Hand-crafted experiences with distinct narratives and gameplay features
Endless mode: A low-pressure game where you set parameters and play the way you want
Challenges: Play time-bound challenges to compete for a spot on the highscore board
Features
- A minimalistic interface that is well-suited for setting up sprawling and complex networks, while being approachable for new players
- Earn resource tokens by growing towns or completing contracts. Use your tokens strategically to expand your network and keep your erudite animal passengers happy. You also need to transport cargo efficiently in complex production chains
- 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
- Build large, complex networks. Or small-to-medium sized networks, if that's what floats your boat
Early Access roadmap:
- We will add more hand-crafted scenarios and timed challenges
- Sandbox mode: We are building a map generator so you can set the parameters and play the way you want
- Multiplayer
- Mod support
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 our thoughts as well as feedback from community, at that time. So if there is something you'd especially like to see in Iron Roads, get in touch!
Press Kit
Read more about Iron Roads in our press kit.
About us
We are Marina and Duncan, a BAFTA-nominated husband-and-wife team, and we develop games and art inspired by our love for management games, literature, puzzles and travelling. While we don't have defined roles, Duncan tends to be responsible for writing the engine and game design, and Marina does the writing and illustrations. Cowleyfornia is a nickname for the area of Oxford in the UK where our little studio is based.
Get in touch at marina@cowleyforniastudios.com , or sign up for updates.