LocoMania

Developer(s)
Publisher(s)	Lighthouse Interactive
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows
Release	PAL: February 24, 2006 NA: May 8, 2007
Genre(s)	Simulation
Mode(s)	Single-player

LocoMania is a puzzle game developed by Czech studio 7FX, published by Lighthouse Interactive. The player plays as the train dispatcher and controls switches and train directions with the intent to get the trains through the system as fast as possible. LocoMania features 12 maps, 26 trains and 36 train carriages.^[1]

Gameplay[]

The game puts the player in the position of a train dispatcher. Various signals and track switches across the map can be controlled to direct the trains to their respective destinations. There are 12 different maps with varying themes and climates ranging from rocky mountain passes and deserts to country sides and industrial settings. There is also an additional small and simple map for the tutorial of the game.

The game features steam,diesel and electric locomotives, hauling both passenger as well as freight. None of the trains are drive-able and move in a slow and relaxed pace with the exception of one map containing high speed trains.The game features two loco packs ,one consisting of rolling stock of US and the other from Czech. The player can select anyone of the packs before starting a level.

Level Design[]

Each train has a floating icon (colored tunnel logo) above them indicating their final destination. Some trains will also have an additional icon (colored station logo) alongside the destination icon, indicating that the train must stop at the station(s) indicated in the icon before reaching its destination. Some high-speed trains will feature a timer. The player is expected to route these trains and help them reach their destinations before the timer runs out.There is also a special bio-hazard train (indicated with a bio-hazard logo icon and a special livery on the train), player is expected to give this train a high priority and make sure the train isn't stopped in any station of signal before it reaches its destination.

The trains can be stopped by using signals or non connecting track switches. The trains can be run in reverse direction by LMB clicking them .Some levels will actually require trains to be run in reverse to reach their stations properly. However a train cannot reach its destination in reverse.

Scoring System[]

Each level has a target score. The level is complete as soon as the target score is obtained.

One train comes into the map : Score = (-)1 . One train reaches its destination : Score = 2 .

Timer of a timed train runs out before reaching its destination : no score.

A Bio-hazard train is stopped before reaching its destination : Score = (-)5

Game modes[]

Time Attack[]

The main playing mode in Loco Mania. It unlocks the next map.

The map is finished if the score reaches a certain number – a so-called

pass-mark. This number is derived from the number of trains cleared out

of the map and the trains currently present on the map. The pass-mark

is different for each map. If you reach it, the next map will unlock

automatically. The final time is written onto the table and it is possible

to upload it. The score time is sorted in ascending order.

Checkpoint[]

An established principle taken over from racing games transferred to

the train environment. You have 10 minutes of time to provide as many

trains as possible through the map (time decreases). Each successfully

finished train adds 1 min of time to the total. When the time reaches 0,

the score is written in. The scores are sorted in the table in descending

order.

Time Attack Unlimited[]

Working on any unlocked map. There is no pass-mark.

This mode has no set finish. The result is the score count + time. The mode

has a time policy (set for 30 minutes as default) to avoid player non-activity.

You can end this mode at any time and your score will be written in.   

Free-run[]

Working on any unlocked map. There isn't any score counter. In this mode you

can freely ride all of the map with just one train. When the train leaves the

map, a new one is introduced.

System Requirements[]

Minimum System Requirements[]

Windows 98/Me, Windows 2000, or Windows XP

1.0 GHz Intel Pentium III or AMD Athlon processor

256 MB RAM (512MB for XP)

4x CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive

Approx. 300 MB free hard disk space

32 MB 3D accelerated video card with support for Vertex and Pixel shader 1.1

(nVidia GeForce4+ or ATI).

Recommended System Requirements[]

Windows 98/Me, Windows 2000, or Windows XP

1.5 GHz Intel Pentium III or AMD Athlon processor

512 MB RAM

4x CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive

Approx. 300 MB free hard disk space

64 MB 3D accelerated video card with support for Vertex and Pixel shader 1.1

(nVidia GeForce4+ or ATI).

It is to be noted that Loco Mania can run on Windows 10 too.[]

Current Status[]

The servers of Loco Mania, required to access leader boards are no longer active. The game is not available on storefronts anymore. The official website itself is not active anymore. Same goes for the Studio 7FX which developed the game. The can still be played by people who have the game's disc as the game is a fully playable offline except for the leader board functions.

References[]

"Loco Mania Official Site". Retrieved 2009-05-10.[]

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