For the better part of the past decade, Dovetail Games has largely made its name crafting unparalleled realistic train simulations as the developer behind the Train Sim World series, which is still going strong with the recent release of Train Sim World 6 and its various add-ons. However, Metro Rivals: New York sees the UK developer doing something radically different—what Senior Producer Jordan Searle describes as exploring "a lighter side of trains".

"We know from listening to some of our more casual players that they love the idea of train-themed games, but want something more accessible and casual," he explains. "Rather than trying something that might conflict with how Train Sim World works for our players, this felt like a great opportunity to explore some new ideas while we learned Unreal Engine 5."

Listening to the community is also how Dovetail landed on the setting for Metro Rivals: New York. Based on feedback and polls from its "most engaged players" in the beta community, there was a demand for a re-creation of the city's Lexington Avenue Line, also known as the 4-5-6 based on the numbered trains that the route serves. 

The major difference is that rather than railway trains, Metro Rivals: New York is focused on transit trains in a metropolitan environment. Having the game set in a near-future version of New York also allows for more creative freedom than what the studio's realistic simulations have done in the past, including the intriguing premise.

"In our story, the New York Subway Authority has introduced a system of 'Owner-Drivers' for subway cars—kind of like how taxi medallions worked back in the day," Searle explains. "That idea opened a lot of storytelling and design possibilities."

What this essentially means is the city's subway system has been carved into 10 fiercely contested districts, each controlled by one or more of five Track Titans, larger-than-life celebrity drivers who aren't just skilled operators but carry reputations backed by enormous social media influence. Coming into this is the player with nothing more than a hand-me-down train along with the determination to rise and challenge these Titans.

That brings a much more character-driven approach to Metro Rivals: New York's story, with each Titan having their own unique personality and voice, which you'll hear over the radio in your interactions with them. The focus is still on the trains themselves, though, and so you can also expect each Titan to have their own unique train model.

"The Track Titans are super celebrities and everyone driving in this new system is all about building their following," says Searle. By pushing the limits of what these machines can do and gaining new followers, you'll eventually gain a Titan's attention. "If they see you getting too big, they'll challenge you to put you back in your place—but if you beat them, you get access to their zone and the chance to boost your following even more!"  

So just how do you race on the subway? While Searle says the train-driving physics "start from a foundation of realism, the control scheme has been streamlined for accessibility." What jumps out the most are its over-the-top, arcade-like elements, including regular skill checks that operate like quicktime events and even a boost gauge lifted from arcade racers like Need for Speed to give your train a much needed speed boost.

You'll have to be careful, though, because going too fast when turning a corner can cause your train to derail and crash. Meanwhile, braking too sharply will also anger your passengers, which could mean many will get off at the next stop and not leave a nice tip. Even with the arcade influences, Dovetail is still grounding itself in the reality of how trains operate. "Success isn’t just about finishing first—it’s about finishing best," Earle explains. "Players are scored on how well they complete objectives and adhere to the rules, with penalties applied for unsafe driving. Features like vigilance checks and headlight-dimming for oncoming trains are inspired by actual railway practices, helping to maintain that balance between realism and excitement."

Nonetheless, including consequences like derailing a train is also something that Metro Rivals: New York can get away with, unlike in the Train Sim World series, where Dovetail's more realistic simulations are tied up by certain licensing restrictions to ensure everything runs smoothly. Similarly, Dovetail ditched its usual pristine look for Metro Rivals: New York, which layers on a grimier aesthetic like litter on the tracks and walls covered in graffiti. 

The creative license can go the other way too. "We’ve built some lore into the world—for instance, one of the tunnels collapsed years ago, so part of the line was rerouted over the Manhattan Bridge," Searle adds. "It fits the fiction, but it also gives players some incredible views of the city."

That's an important element to note because while the subway may bring to mind lots of dark underground tunnels, the city’s lines lead out to the surface for you to catch glimpses of the Big Apple itself. It's here where the switch to Unreal Engine 5 pays dividends, not just in capturing the tracks but the environments around it. That’s been another enduring huge appeal of Dovetail’s other series, where players can just admire the scenic routes as the trains putter along. 

"Dovetail Games has a strong reputation for re-creating real-world environments, and our artists have developed exceptional skills in achieving that authenticity," Searle explains. "Metro Rivals has been developed in Unreal Engine 5 from the very beginning. By using World Partition and our in-house Procedural Content Generation tools, we’ve been able to create scenery that extends much farther from the track than ever before in Train Sim World. We’re using these systems to populate the world with a wider variety of unique buildings and environmental details—from intricate cabling to small touches along the tracks—helping to make every part of the route feel alive. Even driving through tunnels now feels as engaging and detailed as driving through open sections."

If the subtitle is anything to go by, we might even expect Metro Rivals to become a series that sees future installments in other metropolitan cities.

In the meantime, Metro Rivals: New York is expected to pull in for early 2026. Wishlist it now on the Epic Games Store.