Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor (Xbox) – Review

Wonders of Sodor is a surprisingly heartfelt nostalgia trip that's more interactive storybook than game and wrapped in the glossy tech of Train Sim World. It won’t satisfy players looking for deep mechanics, but if you grew up with the classic TV series, it taps directly into that warm, steam‑scented corner of your childhood.

Booting this up felt like stepping back into a world I thought I’d outgrown. The original Thomas & Friends, the model sets, the gentle pacing, the Ringo Starr/Michael Angelis narration was a staple of my early mornings. So seeing Sodor rebuilt in Unreal Engine, with the familiar silhouettes of Tidmouth Sheds, Knapford Station, and the windmill turning lazily in the distance, hit me harder than expected.

The game leans heavily into that nostalgia. You’re not thrown into a complex sim; instead, you’re invited to ride along with Thomas, Percy, Gordon, Diesel, and Emily through eight narrated stories. Mark Moraghan’s narration is a smart choice as he’s a bridge between eras, and hearing him guide each tale feels like the show grew up with you.

In Story Mode, you play through narrated tales that recreate classics like Thomas & Gordon and Thomas & Bertie’s Great Race, as well as new scenarios told from a first‑person perspective. Outside the stories, Explore Mode lets you freely roam the island at your own pace, while Timetable Mode offers a “day in the life” experience where you run scheduled services just like a real engine. There’s also a Shunting Challenge that asks you to rearrange Troublesome Trucks efficiently, adding a small puzzle element. Across all modes, the focus is on atmosphere and immersion rather than difficulty

This is not a hardcore simulator, despite being powered by Train Sim World tech. Controls are simplified, forgiving, and clearly designed for younger players or adults who want to relax rather than micromanage brake pressures.

You can:

• Drive Thomas and friends on their branch lines

• Ride as a passenger

• Follow story missions with light objectives

• Explore iconic Sodor landmarks

The stories are the real focus. They’re cosy, low-stakes, and structured like modern episodes with simple morals, friendly interactions, and a sprinkle of magic. If you were hoping for something closer to the classic 80s/90s tone, you’ll find it softer and more polished, but still recognisably Thomas.

The Unreal Engine treatment gives Sodor a sense of scale and detail the old model sets never could. The textures, lighting, and environmental detail are genuinely lovely. It’s not photorealistic, but it doesn’t need to be, it’s a storybook world made tangible. The engines themselves look great, though purists might miss the charm of the original physical models. Still, the animations are expressive without being overly cartoonish.

Mark Moraghan’s narration carries the experience. It’s warm, familiar, and pitched perfectly between child-friendly and nostalgic. The sound design with puffing steam, clacking rails, station ambience does a lot of heavy lifting in recreating the feeling of the old show.

Pros

• A genuinely nostalgic return to Sodor for long-time fans

• Accessible, relaxing gameplay suitable for all ages

• Beautifully realised environments powered by Train Sim World tech

• Strong narration that anchors the experience

• Great for sharing with kids or younger relatives

Cons

• Very light on gameplay depth—more interactive storybook than sim

• Only eight stories, which some may find short for the price

• Purists may miss the charm of the original model-era aesthetic

• In‑game purchases and add-ons feel a bit unnecessary for such a gentle title

Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor isn’t trying to be a full train simulator or a reinvention of the franchise. It’s a comfort game and something you play when you want to revisit a world that shaped your childhood, but in a way that fits modern hardware and sensibilities.

If you grew up watching the original series, this feels like sitting down with an old friend who’s aged gracefully. It’s warm, earnest, and quietly magical. Just don’t expect deep mechanics or endless content; this is a nostalgia-first experience

XPN Rating: 4 out of 5 (GOLD)

Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor is available now!