Choo-Choo Charles, unlike some gimmick mascot horror games that have come out as of late, does have some things to bring to the table. Its gameplay is largely smooth, its train system is innovative and fun, and in general the game doesn't feel like a slog to play. But there isn't much to sink your teeth into.

It's main baddie, charles, doesn't provide a significant threat for more than thirty minutes. By the time you get enough armor and damage upgrades you can very easily damage him enough to have him leave. And even when he does take you down the scrap loss is so minimal you practically use him showing up as a way to warp back to your train.

Not only that but anything not train related is awkward to play. The stealth system put into place when dealing with human enemies is shoddy at best. With no way for enemies to lose detection they follow you to the ends of the earth. The most optimal way I found to deal with them was to literally run them all the way outside and shoot them with my train's guns. Something that can take minutes at a time to do. Beats trying to get the stealth system to work.

There are side quests that seem reasonably interesting but most are simple fetch quests. The character's feel well acted and decently written. But it doesn't stop the concept from feeling utterly ridiculous. Making you quickly desensitize and skip through dialogue like a speed demon. The map overworld feels similar to an graphically amped up area of Skyrim. The music is dull, feeling like its genuinely trying but frankly feels flat. And finally the nail in the coffin, the models. Many of them ripped directly from asset stores gives the whole experience a cheap bland feel that fights against the games attempts to jar you with its main antagonist.

I wouldn't call Choo Choo Charles a truly horrendous game. And I wouldn't say that you wouldn't enjoy some bits of it. But I don't think its a truly good game and I think there are others that are much more worth your time.