Railroad Tycoon II is PopTop’s strategy game of financial empire building in the 19th and 20th centuries. Inspired by the Sid Meier classic Railroad Tycoon, Railroad Tycoon II is an original creation by designer Phil Steinmeyer. Those expecting a pure update of the original should be aware that this isn’t your father’s Railroad Tycoon.

Railroad Tycoon II is many things. It’s a resource management game. It’s a stock market game. It’s a ruthless business game. The key point is: it’s a game, not a simulation. This is an important distinction. As a game, it is quite deep and complex, the fiction of running a railroad empire strong and compelling. Look too closely, and it’s apparent this is not a simulation, and certainly not a virtual train set. Financial models are simplistic, cargo transport is unrealistic, and yes, there are no tunnels.

The first thing you’ll notice is how gorgeous this game is. The game environment is three-quarter view 3D isometric, and can be rotated in 90-degree increments. The game only runs in 1024 x 768 mode. If your hardware doesn’t support 1024 x 768, then it’s time to upgrade your hardware – it’s worth it for this game alone! 3D acceleration is not supported. Despite the high resolution, the details are crisp and easily readable on my 15" monitor.

Gameplay proceeds in accelerated real time, with ten speeds available. The game can be paused at any time, and all game functions are accessible while the game is paused. Adolescent reflexes are not necessary to play Railroad Tycoon II. Multiplayer support includes Internet play via TCP/IP, network play via an IPX LAN, and direct serial or modem connection.

The interface is well laid out, with various information and game play screens accessible through icons on the left and bottom of the screen. Important information is always available wherever needed – for example, goods available from a given station can be easily viewed from the main screen, the station screen, and the consist assignment screen.

Placing track and stations tends to be a little trickier. While placement is drag-and-drop, it is often difficult to get items to fall right where you want them. This can be especially costly should the track accidentally bridge a river, or a station fail to include that steel mill in its radius. This can be mitigated in part by laying track in short spans, and pre-selecting a station orientation before dropping the depot.

Railroad Tycoon II includes a campaign and an assortment of scenarios and maps that spans the globe. An editor is included that allows you to create your own, as well. It's possible to play the game in "sandbox" mode, running your company perpetually for the sole purpose of creating a thriving railroad. The real challenge, however, comes in the scenarios and campaigns, which require the player to exploit different facets of the game to meet a set of goals in a fixed amount of time. In most scenarios, the player must complete some set of predetermined. These goals can involve corporate or personal net worth, joining certain cities and establishing cargo runs between them, or gaining access to certain territories and connecting them to your railroad. Often you must complete several of these tasks concurrently, so simply focusing on diverting all of your railroad’s profits into your bank account might not be sufficient. The scenarios all have three levels of victory, with bronze, silver and gold medals awarded if successful. There is also a hall-of-fame for keeping track of your accomplishments.

In Railroad Tycoon II, the player manages both their company and their personal finances. Depending on the victory conditions of the scenario you are playing, you may find yourself concentrating on one at the expense of the other. In most cases, however, you must strike a balance between the two.

When starting a new game, the first order of business is to connect two cities by rail, establish depots at each end, and run a train between them. Your company makes money by hauling passengers and cargo between stations. It is also possible, and sometimes necessary, to raise money through other means. Depending on your company’s credit rating, you may be able to issue bonds (interest rates based on prime, the economy, your company’s financial position, and your attitude. Okay, not your attitude – most robber barons are assumed to have a bad attitude anyway). You can also issue more stock, the proceeds depending on the current stock value.

Stocks and bonds are no substitute for profit. Revenue is generated when passengers and cargo are delivered to a station which demands them (in basic mode, this might be any station; in advanced mode, only those with appropriate industries or size may demand passengers and cargo). As cargo is delivered, its value, if any, is added to your bankroll. Each item has a base value, which is then modified by distance and time. Passengers are the only cargo whose value can be raised beyond its fixed limits. Hotels, restaurants and saloons add a percentage to the value of passengers. Trains that set speed records (and become "named," e.g. "The Uijongbu Express") also add and additional 15% for passengers riding that particular train. Economic conditions and managers also may affect the final value of your cargo.

At this point, we should consider the train runs themselves. Arguably, the essence of the game is the coordination and efficiency of the train operations that will ultimately result in the success or failure of your company. Ideally, your trains will travel between two or more stations, with supply and demand the overriding consideration. Train speed and traffic should not be ignored – sometimes you can accomplish more with fewer trains running faster than with many stuck in gridlock. Pay attention to your engines’ speed status – it is almost always better to run with less than six cars. Also keep in mind the terrain – if your train needs to climb some mountains, it’s best not be overloaded, if you expect that cattle to still be alive when it arrives at the slaughterhouse.

Before we can count our profit, we must consider expenses. It takes money to make money, and there are expenses about to take your money. Maintenance costs must be paid for track and trains. Fuel costs also occupy a chunk of change. Management salaries, interest on bonds, and general overhead all require continuous cash outlay. Leftover money, if any, can accumulate in the company’s bankroll or be paid as dividends to the stockholders. Dividends will automatically be scaled back by the Board of Directors if they are out of line with profits.

Personal finance is a game unto itself. In fact, it is possible to play Railroad Tycoon II without ever getting your hands dirty in the business of running a railroad! Some of the computer opponents will do just that, making money the old fashioned way – off somebody else’s hard work.

The basic financial model involves owning stock in your own company and reaping the benefits (or lack thereof) all to yourself. Intermediate level allows investment in other railroads, some of which may in fact be preferable to own than yours. The advanced level allows all sorts of stock market tricks – you can buy on margin, spending money you don’t have, or sell short, selling stocks you don’t own.

All in all, the advanced financial model is most interesting to play. I can’t say for sure that the computer doesn’t play by the same rules as the player, but it is amazingly accurate when playing the market. In most cases, you will find yourself quickly behind the computer players when using other financial models. The tactics available in the advanced model are invaluable when trying to keep up with the Goulds.