Dovetail Games has announced a new “genre-defying simcade” title coming next year, and it’s called Metro Rivals: New York.
Coming to PC (Steam, and Epic Games Store) as well as PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, the team says that “In Metro Rivals: New York, players step into a near-future New York City where the subway system has been carved into 10 fiercely contested districts. Each is controlled by one or more of the five Track Titans – larger-than-life celebrity drivers who dominate their territory with unrivalled skill, enormous social media influence, and unshakable reputations. These figures guard their turf with ferocity, and only the most talented newcomer has any chance of challenging their dominance.”
This is the first time Dovetail Games has worked with Unreal Engine 5, and it seems like a different kind of game to the team’s normal titles, such as Train Sim World 6. There will be lots of customisation with the option to apply unique liveries, and change how your character looks. The team says there will be in-game purchases, but “no pay-to-win” options, and they will be “entirely cosmetic”.
Players begin their journey with nothing but a hand-me-down train and a determination to rise. To succeed, they must take on a variety of missions, earn cash fares, upgrade their train’s performance, build a loyal following, and earn respect. This journey is about more than speed; it requires strategy, precision, and cool-headed execution.
With authentic simulation at its heart, and adrenaline-fuelled gameplay running through its veins, the game blends strategy and story-driven action in a way that demands both nuance and skill. From high-stakes rivalries to carefully planned upgrades, Metro Rivals: New York offers a fresh and thrilling take on the train sim genre.
In addition to its single-player campaign, the game features an intense PvP mode where up to four players can compete online or with friends. Here, drivers race to stop at designated platforms, but victory is not determined by speed alone. Players are scored on their ability to handle their train with precision and control under pressure, and only the competitor with the highest score leaves with the spoils and the bragging rights – and a place at the top of the asynchronous leaderboards.
For those seeking a more relaxed experience, Metro Rivals: New York also includes options for players to set their own paths, hop into their train, and enjoy the sights of the city (and their train!)
Rob O’Farrell, co-CEO of Dovetail Games, said: “Metro Rivals: New York marks a bold new chapter in the Dovetail Games portfolio, offering a real sense of pick-up-and-play, thrill, speed, and excitement within the sim-cade genre.
By merging our deep knowledge of trains with the expertise and talent of our development teams, and by harnessing Unreal Engine 5’s Lumen, Nanite, and procedural generation, we are confident this will deliver an incredibly immersive and exciting experience for players to enjoy in both single player and our first-ever train multiplayer experience.
We are also excited to announce we are working with the team at Reactional Music, introducing its procedural music engine into Metro Rivals: New York. Reactional real time musical interactivity means music is fully native and cinematically integrated in the game, even when swapping tracks.”
Metro Rivals: New York is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2026.
