Yakuza maps have never been particularly huge. Even in the most recent game, the new map is maybe on the scale of GTA III or Vice City. Still, they manage to pack 15-20 minigames into each game’s word map, some of which involve driving or riding around the map, plus the inevitable scavenger hunts and hidden collectibles.
Wouldn’t it be more energy efficient to just electrify the line rather than charging & hauling around batteries? The technology has been around since checks notes the late 1800s.
Such an upgrade over the previous two. Three whole cities to explore, plus the countryside. They managed to stream the world data from the disc as you moved about, so no more loading screens between islands like III and VC had. This was the first GTA where you could swim, so water was no longer a death trap, and the first to introduce skills, so you could swim further and faster as you got better.
If you go, pay attention to the schedule. They still run one steam loco per day, so two round trips, but most runs up and down the mountain are powered by the biodiesel fleet. The cog railroad dieselized to reduce operational & maintenance costs, and to reduce emissions. Parts for the steamers were getting hard to source, and while the coal smoke coming out of the steam locomotive makes for good photos, it’s not always the best image, if you know what I mean.
The big thing to differentiate 7D2D is every seventh night you’ll be besieged by a zombie horde. You spend the week reinforcing your defenses, stockpiling ammo, and upgrading your gear, then you’re tested. If you’re interested in this kind of game loop, it’s worth a in-game week or two. Like many of these games, they’re more fun with friends.
This game has been in Early Access so long it’s lost all meaning. Good for the devs, I guess, to continue to put time and energy into the game for so long.
Separate infrastructure and operations. Nationalize the infrastructure, allow private companies to pay to operate over it, but place limits on things like train length and require regular inspection of the rolling stock using the national infrastructure. Basically, adopt an infrastructure & regulation system similar to that trucks operate under.