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When I found out about On Track, I immediately added it to my Wishlist on Steam. I’m a huge fan of another productivity management game – Spirit City: Lofi Sessions – so it felt like a perfect match. On 31st July, 2024, it was released to the public for free. This was exciting because I know how much effort goes into making any kind of game. Indie developers will usually have significantly fewer resources than well-known game studios, so I appreciate the time and effort. I’ve spent the last few days building my On Track review to ensure I cover every aspect of the game.

What Are Productivity Games?

Before I get started with my On Track review, let me briefly explain what productivity games are. I had this same question earlier this week in the Facebook group Cozy Gamers. Answering it led to more people being interested in trying On Track, which made me very pleased.

A productivity management/tracker game is designed to keep you on-task and give you a sense of progress. These games typically feature soft, relaxing music, like Lofi or instrumental tunes.

Some in-game features might include:

• A to-do list that lets you check off tasks, providing a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
• A journal for writing down your thoughts, documenting your day, and tracking various aspects of your life.
• A timer with reminders to help you focus on tasks for a set amount of time before taking a break.

But these are just examples. It’s also important to note that productivity games don’t usually have many “game” elements. You may find that you stay in one place; you don’t move around or explore outside of that area. The game is made to help you manage your time, so having minimal exploration features is important. Otherwise, you’d just be distracted by the game.

Now that you know what it is, let’s continue this On Track review as if this is a productivity manager, not a game that you “play”. I’ll also talk about why it’s worth having on your Steam account if you’re someone who struggles with completing tasks.

Gameplay – Watch the World Go By

On Track is not a traditional game with objectives, collectibles, or enemies that you need to fight. There’s no farm, shop, or home to decorate. It’s a simple productivity and time management tool designed to help you complete your tasks in a cosy setting.

When you want to “board” use the ticket at the start screen to set your goal and start your timer. You’ll find a blank to-do list in the bottom left corner of the screen. You can add to it with the + button, and cross off tasks by clicking the small squares. The aim is to complete this list in the time you’ve set for your journey. You’ll feel more accomplished as you check off each task individually. Unfortunately, you have to end a journey if you need to change the timer. There’s no way to add or take time away from the timer while a session is active.

The most charming thing about On Track is its relaxing atmosphere. As you work, you can watch the landscape change, with occasional surprises to keep things interesting. When I played today, I noticed some hot air balloons in the sky that I hadn’t seen before.

There are no areas to explore or game mechanics to master when you play On Track. The sole purpose of this cosy game is to help you manage your time and tasks efficiently. If you need a calming environment to boost your productivity, On Track is a great addition to your Steam library.

And, hey, while you’re here – if you like cosy games, I highly suggest checking out our review on Everafter Falls and Before We Leave. Both are scored high and have great replay value.

Suggestions for additional features

While On Track excels as a productivity tool, it lacks a true gameplay experience. I’d like to suggest a few features that could make it feel more like a game:

• Switching Sceneries. Allowing players to “disembark” from the train and switch to different settings. This would add variety and keep the environment fresh. Imagine moving from a serene nature setting to a train running through picturesque farmland or a bustling cityscape. This change of scenery could help maintain interest and make each session feel unique.
• Boarding Animation. Adding an animation of boarding the train before seating players could increase immersion. This could be as simple as showing train doors opening when you start your journey. Once that’s done, transition to the view from the window seat that is already shown. It would make the experience more interactive and make each session more realistic.
• Window Decoration. It would be fun to decorate the viewing window. Players could add curtains, change the frame color, or place stickers on the window. These small customisations would allow for personalisation and make the environment feel more inviting.
• Curtains. An option to “close” curtains over the window or black out the screen. This could be perfect for players who want to use the game to sleep instead of study/work.

These changes could make On Track a delightful, interactive experience that combines efficiency with a cosy, more customisable environment.

Audio and Visuals – Lofi Relaxation

At the time of writing this On Track review, On Track features 13 instrumental lofi-style songs composed by Luke Holizna. Lofi, or “low-fidelity,” music typically features a relaxed, mellow sound with imperfections that give it a nostalgic, cosy feel. This genre often includes elements such as vinyl crackles or tape hiss. Some other ambient noises may be included that evoke the warmth and simplicity of older recording techniques. The imperfections and ambient sounds contribute to a laid-back atmosphere, making it perfect for background music during work or relaxation.

I hope the team at GIGATANK 3000 considers adding more songs in the future. Perhaps collaborating with other artists to diversify the soundtrack. Although the developers haven’t provided many updates during the game’s development, it feels like there’s still room for growth. Additional sound options and music tracks would enhance the experience significantly.

Currently, players can only add three types of white noise. These include the sounds of the train, people in the carriage, and general background noise. The beauty of these productivity games lies in the ability to customise the audio to perfection. Imagine adding rain sounds and setting the day cycle to late at night for a truly relaxing experience!

Visuals – A Peaceful Cycle of Colours

On Track features a day/night cycle that you can either leave on automatic or set to static. When on static, you have control over the time of day displayed in the passing scenery. The range of colours throughout the day phases is beautiful. You can enjoy everything from a bright blue sky to a dusky sunset and beyond. My personal favourites are the later times of day… Such as when the sky turns pink or the flowers glow under the moonlight. I’m a romantic, what can I say?

In addition to more sound options, I’d love to see weather effects incorporated into the game. Imagine rain trickling down the window or lightning flashing in the distance. Get that IRL feeling with the sun’s glare creating a rainbow or golden effect on the glass. These visual enhancements would add more depth to the already great aesthetic of On Track.

Alternative Games – It’s No Match For Its Competition

Compared to its competition – Spirit City: Lofi Sessions, which dropped on 8th April – On Track is… Lacking. I consider Spirit City to be direct competition for any productivity game that is released this year. Not only are the devs constantly working to add more features, but they are also active in Discord. It’s incredibly easy to get help with bugs, or make suggestions.

On the other hand, we have On Track, which has almost no features and can barely be considered a game. I don’t mean to be harsh, but having lighting options and 13 songs just isn’t enough. There are YouTube lofi videos out there with similar features, from wonderful animators. The best part of this game, for me, is the pretty scenery.

However. That does not mean that On Track is without its charms. It’s free, for one, which is… Well. It’s the main selling point of the game. If it wasn’t free, people would absolutely make the same arguments I’ve heard for Spirit City. Those amount to “Why would I pay for something I can get on YouTube for free?”

But, here’s the thing. What Spirit City does, you can’t get on YouTube. It has collectables, avatar customisation, room customisation. Not to mention that the devs have added three free updates to the game since April. Every update has new decor, new clothing, new spirits… It is, quite frankly, amazing. The song catalogue is much bigger, too; and you can play songs from YouTube.

On Track doesn’t bring any of this to the table.

Verdict

Choosing a final score for my On Track review was almost unfairly easy. If you want something more than a lofi YouTube video sitting next to your notes app, try On Track. It’s something new, and it’s pretty chill, if nothing else. There are some Steam achievements, too, but they’re just linked to your time in-game.

Reviews can be tough, and this On Track review was no different. But, I think this is as fair as possible. My final thoughts are that it’s a free productivity tool with a couple of decent features and some beautiful scenery.

If you enjoy the feeling of riding a train and watching the world pass by, this is your game. If you can’t see the point of it, you’re in the wrong genre of games. Productivity games are made for people who need tools like this to break down tasks and stay focused.

Do you play productivity games? Which is your favourite? Join the discussion over in our Facebook community or tweet us on Twitter!