My Model Train 2 - Winter Edition

In the book of cool, one rule of thumb is that rail travel is for nerds. From restoring antique steam engines to operating a ride-on miniature railway, trains just aren't very hip. Even considering the recent news that aging rocker Rod Stewart has completed building a model of New York's rail system in his attic has added little kudos to locomotive-lead hobbies, and only a gang of extremely hedonistic young Scots could take away the connotations associated with the term 'train-spotting'.

So it's with a wry smile and an air of suspicion that we approached My Model Train 2 – Winter Edition. While you'd be forgiven for expecting a rather staid track laying experience, or even a train driving sim along the lines of Japan's inexplicably popular Densha De Go series, in fact you get a rather neat little puzzler.

Effectively assuming the role of a signalman, you must control various junctions and signs to command a tiny toy train in a cartoon world. Given a clear isometric overhead view, you have to complete various objectives by steering your train through simple, tangled networks of track.

A typical level might require you to connect up a carriage, make your way to a station, pick up some elves and presents and take them to another stop on your route. While this may sound simple, it actually requires some brain-taxing work as you wrangle with finding the right combination of signals and actions to complete a level.

The gameplay itself is a little slow and methodical but the game is actually fairly engrossing. The puzzles are well conceived and clear, and the learning curve is perfectly pitched. Hardened puzzle fans may find things a little simple, but as a seasonal distraction this game will provide some Yuletide escapism as the family visits grow tiring.

And seasonal it is. This is unashamedly and absolutely a Christmas game, and is adorned with stockings and wrapping paper and all the trappings of the Noel period. At the right time, it will be captivating, as it exudes the cute pixelated charm of classic puzzlers like Lemmings, but be warned: My Model Train 2 – Winter Edition will drive you mad outside of December, thanks to its jingling soundtrack and snow-clad scenery.

There are other problems, too. The isometric perspective is at odds with the feel of the thumbstick, meaning at the few occasions when the game demands speed you can feel clumsy and oafish as the controls defy the onscreen action. Furthermore, there are the odd instances when you wait for so long for your train to move into position that your phone goes to sleep, which can be hugely infuriating at the wrong moment.

Still, despite only having 25 main levels, a surprisingly comprehensive level design tool adds longevity to this perfect digital stocking filler. It may not be anywhere near revolutionary, but My Model Train 2 – Winter Edition is ideal for its intended role as an enjoyable Christmas novelty.