Toca Train is a mobile gaming app available for the iPad and iPhone developed by Swedish developer Toca Boca. The app takes you for a ride on the Toca Train as you chugga chugga choo choo through the Scandinavian countryside.
You have full control over your view. You can choose to operate the train from inside the driver’s cab or select an aerial view as you move along the track. When in aerial view, you can maneuver your fingers to spin the view from front, back or to the side of the train. You can also alter the view from within the cab. Double tapping the screen will blow the whistle on the train. You can also blow the whistle by pulling down the handle when in the cab.
There are 3 speeds not including the brake. This allows you to choose how fast you would like to go through the course. When a sign appears over the number 0 on the lever means it is time to pull into a passenger station or to pick up cargo.
The three passenger stations are: Millvill, Bergsby and Tiltstad. There are cargo stations between each passenger station: a mill, a storehouse and a lumber station. You can carry up to four passengers and one piece of cargo.
Like most Toca Boca apps, this app is very well made. One of the standout areas for me was how there was no pixelation when the selected view would potentially take you through a mountain. The app developers instead chose to automatically change the view so this would not happen. The music is soothing. There is no time limit, so the music just loops. It does not speed up even when you’re chugging along at the highest speed.
The scenery is terrific. There are blue skies with white, puffy clouds, green fields, tall trees and bright flowers. The houses and structures along the way are terrifically drawn and colored. The characters, even though you don’t see them very often, are cute and drawn well.
My only complaint about the app is that if you accidentally press the home button, launching the app again would take you back to the home screen. It does not take you to where you left off. As for wish list items, well, I would like to see a reverse option on the lever. I think it would help if you miss a station. I also feel that the cargo pickup option was just thrown in there for good measure. The cargo doesn’t seem to have a destination. All you do is swap it out at the next cargo station.
Overall, for $1.99 US, this universal app is a steal! Bright colors, great music, terrific animations and sounds. Toca Boca has never contacted me to write a review before. (This time included.) I am simply a fan of their work and after you see your child playing on this app, well, I think you will be as well.