Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor, developed and published by Dovetail Games, is available now on PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X and the Nintendo Switch 1 and 2.
As a child, I was obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine. It was a wonderfully crafted and narrated show that even parents could get behind because of the storylines. (We don’t talk about Henry being trapped in a tunnel). Over the years, after seeing small snippets of what Thomas had become, it just didn’t capture that same magic from years ago. After browsing Steam as I usually do, I came across Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor. “What’s this?” I thought to myself, and lo and behold, Dovetail Games has come out with a video game that looks similar to the show that I and many had grown up with.
Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor lets us live out our childhood dreams of becoming our favourite engines from the old TV shows. Whether you want to relive the episodes or just freely explore the island of Sodor, the choice is yours. Reliving episodes of the past is a joy; there are no other words. At first, I didn’t recognise these stories as part of the show, but as I progressed, it was like memories started firing off and I thought, hey, I’ve seen this before! I can’t imagine the excitement I would have felt as a kid having a game like this. Reliving the memories of the show with my family was a wonderful experience. Not only was it nostalgic, but it was incredibly fun. If you’d prefer the more relaxed experience, you can just take a train of your choice out for a day of ferrying your customers around the island.
Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor is a fairly simplistic game; the controls are pretty basic, and there isn’t a vast train simulator feel here. I imagine, though, this game is more directed at families, so it can’t be too complicated. The adults who buy it may crave more control over the engines; however, due to not being overly complicated, it becomes a very relaxing game where you can take in the scenery and just enjoy the ride. The beauty of Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor is that it’s a game you can take at a steady pace. I didn’t enjoy having to repeat unskippable cutscenes because I didn’t brake fast enough, and let me tell you, you need to give plenty of time to brake. For those looking for more challenges, Sodor has a wealth of collectables to find along the way, and being able to leave your engine and explore on foot comes in handy with this.
Sodor looks stunning in Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor. The game gives you the freedom to explore the wonderful island of Sodor, and it is so similar to the old show. From its quaint little villages, you’ll pass through to the bridges over valleys. It is breathtaking and relaxing, and I never got tired of it. They have put a lot of love into the environment around you. The engines themselves look highly detailed, all with different features, animations and control styles, so you never feel like it’s a rinse and repeat experience. Those who have watched the show probably remember the original narration style, and I’m pleased to say that it has returned here and truly adds to that feeling you’re reliving the TV show.
Verdict
I had an incredible time with Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor, probably more than I anticipated. I have noticed it seems popular with people like me who grew up with the show. People on Steam reviews are flocking in with positive reviews and sharing their time with the game; it’s great to see. I don’t know whether Dovetail Games set out to let us relive the nostalgia from the stories or not, but what they’ve created is something wonderful for all ages to experience. While I think there could be some added features for adults, like more control over the train, the game is mostly faultless, it’s an enjoyable time, and I hope to see more from it.
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