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Euro Truck Simulator (PC CD)

from: First Class Simulations

August 30, 2008
I enjoyed previous titles for this game, and while this latest one is still good in terms of graphics and gameplay, I can't understand why so much stuff is missing.

There is no radio chatter, no music option, and much less interesting sound effects. There are no bridges to drive over, no tunnels (so far), very few side roads or alternative routes to take,(no more choosing between taking the fast highway and treacherous back road). There is much less variety in the city and open road scenery, and there are also fewer loading docks to choose from, with only one, or maybe two per city.

Gone is the excellent cargo planner from previous versions, and gone is the ability to buy second or third trucks and hire drivers. The ... Read More:

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Midland Mainline - London to Bedford (PC CD)

from: First Class Simulations

November 14, 2008
Yes! Another great Add-on, I got it today, and already played it..

The trains are good, altho are Same(Just as the Midland Mainline coatings) to some in WCE Part1 and London South Coast, and the Voyager is a 222 not a 220 in this one, and there is a few differences,

Now, the route, it's very good, lots to see constantly, with lots of good looking tunnel entrances etdc.. Luton Airport, is good too, altjho the plane lands almost on you cos it's been placed like not even a trek away, but its fun lol

Graphics are impressive too..
I am very impressed with this add-on..
Very worth your money..

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Fritz Chess 11 (PC DVD)

from: First Class Simulations

February 01, 2008
As previous reviews may have suggested there are at least 2 versions of this Chessbase product. The "Popular version", as offered here by Amazon is considerably cheaper than the one you would purchase directly through Chessbase or a specialist supplier. You would normally expect to pay between £35.00 and £40.00 for one of these. If you are simply looking for a silicon opponent to play against when you feel like it or perhaps to encourage a child to take up chess, this version here is exceptional value. The actual chess program looks virtually identical too.

The main difference appears to be that the cheaper version does not have the included subscription to the "Playchess.Com" website. This difference, in my opinion, is greater than it ... Read More:

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Great Eastern: London to Ipswich - Add-On for MS Train Simulator (PC CD)

from: First Class Simulations

October 26, 2006
I have been train simming since MSTS1 was introduced. To be honest I temporarily gave up after finding that the default routes were not very realistic at all. I have tried various freeware routes and became frustrated with regard to stock error messages when trying to run the activities. This is a shame, as there are a wealth of excellent freeware and payware downloads out there. I will qualify that I am not really a rail buff, but enjoy "driving" the trains on the sim. A few years ago I decided that the only worthwhile add-ons were the excellent ones from various creators outlining the German scene, past and present. The US commercial add-ons are also very good, but few of us have the time or dedication to try out the 4 and 5 hour freight marathons that ... Read More:

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Gner East Coast Express Part 1: London to Peterborough - Add-On for MS Train Simulator (PC CD)

from: First Class Simulations

February 24, 2006
This add-on is great. I rate it 5 stars for fun because there is quite a wide range of rolling stock and activities, which are excellent. The train sounds are realistic, the starting sounds of the Class 91 and 43 are little different from the real thing, and the activities are brilliant. But I rate it 4 stars for overall because there are a few things that are different in this add-on. For example, King's Cross station does not have the entrance to the London Underground like it does in real life, also in some locations where fast points should be placed there are quite sharp slow crossovers, so hitting these at over 100 MPH and crossing over would not be realistic, but other than that grumble, the add-on is perfect. I use the ECML quite regularly from Newcastle, ... Read More:

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London City South Coast: Add-On for MS Train Simulator (PC CD)

from: First Class Simulations

December 01, 2006
I've been on most of the LSC routes many times and was stunned at how well represented all the towns and stations are. Most of the time I'm happy to put up with some element of compromise in train simulators but the South Coast add on cuts no corners. It does need a decent graphics card to run at best quality. The trains are varied enough to keep the challenge element alive - and who wouldn't want to drive the Voyager? Ten out of ten.

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West Coast Express Part 1: London to Birmingham - Add-On for MS Train Simulator (PC CD)

from: First Class Simulations

September 21, 2007
Well, Let me first Start off with, WCE Is A Good Add-on, The Route is virtualy The Same As the Real Route, accept Long Buckby where in the add-on it curves around a bend, the station, but in real life Long Buckby is actually straight, but despite this, they curved it nicely to look quite good.. So That is all good...

Secondly, The Stock is a little limited, But all is good But my major concern and confusement is why the hell isnt the Pendilino in it's VT Paint? The manual says due to license laws, they could not, but in London South Coast Add-on, they used the VT Paint on the Voyager, also in Cross City ADD-ON too they have done that, so i am very confused..

A Few Slight Differences at the Northampton Station too, It's slightly Different ... Read More:

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X-Plane 9 (PC)

from: First Class Simulations

June 20, 2008
A great simulator, but less of a game. This will keep the budding aerospace engineer busy for hours as the software comes with tools to create your own aircraft, scenery, buildings etc. Because of the way it works the software actually simulated the aircraft, most flight 'games' just use preset files to describe flight behaviour, but X-plane actually uses the 3D model of the aircraft, so a new shape means a new flight characteristic.

However the low budget development means that some of the bells and whistles of more polished rivals (FSX) are absent. Mostly this doesn't matter and the gap between FSX and X-Plane is now very narrow in terms of polish and features. Overall I prefer X-Plane to FSX, it is in the end all about flight which is far better modelled ... Read More:

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East Coast Express 2: Peterborough to York - Add-On for MS Train Simulator (PC CD)

from: First Class Simulations

June 30, 2006
I got this add-on during Summer 2006, I love it. I use the ECML quite regularly from Newcastle and the route is very realistic. The rolling stock is high quality, the trains sound almost exactly like the real thing. I like it that they have added the Class 89 "Badger" locomotive and the A4 Mallard. The passenger views and cab views of the rolling stock are excellent. My only criticism would be to say that there should be some extra trains in stations, sidings, and loops, people on the platform waiting for your train instead of seeing a deserted platform when approaching a station, and in some locations where fast points should be placed there are quite sharp slow crossovers, so hitting these at over 100 MPH and crossing over would not be realistic at all. Other than those the ... Read More:

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Cross City: WCE Add-On (PC CD)

from: First Class Simulations

March 28, 2008
I have to admit, I'm not particularly a TrainSim fan. I find that after a couple of runs up and down a line, it gets very boring and I lose interest. However I was interested in buying this simulation as I've commuted over the northern section of the line for many years.
My main complaint is the lack of accuracy of the track layout, for example the disused track between Aston and Duddeston have been brought into use, connecting in at Proof House Junction. This is inexcusable as accurate books of track diagrams are easily available. As other reviewers have pointed out, buildings beyond the boundary fence bear little resemblance to real life, though the stations do seem to be quite accurate.
If you're a keen TrainSim fan, want to build up a network and aren't too bothered ... Read More: