The World

The world of Railborn is an alien planet located 350 light years from Earth. The entire surface is dominated by an enormous network of railroad tracks that carve through every terrain feature: mountains, ocean floors, ancient ruins, and open plains. The origin and purpose of this track network is one of the central mysteries players work to unravel.

Some of the track network runs beneath the sea, and undersea areas are meant to be explored. Players can swim on the surface and underwater to reach them, though the deep water is dangerous early on. See Survival Mechanics for swimming and the hazards of going off the train.

Environment

The planet is in a state of collapse. Its atmosphere is toxic to human life, making survival outside the train extremely hazardous. Food sources are scarce, water must be actively captured from the environment, and the remnants of the planet's natural biomes are fragile and dying. Rare plants still exist in isolated pockets across the world and can be collected to preserve them. The surface is also swept by severe weather, including thunderstorms and sandstorms, which adds another hazard to life outside the train.

The track network passes through diverse terrain, including mountain passes, areas beneath the sea, and ancient ruins. Each region presents its own resources and hazards.

Colonist Outposts

Scattered across the planet are abandoned outposts left behind by previous colonists. These sites contain clues about who came to this world before the player and what happened to them. Investigating outposts is a key part of uncovering the planet's history.

Alien Monoliths

Mysterious alien monoliths appear at various locations across the track network. Unlike the colonist outposts, these structures predate any known human presence on the planet. Their connection to the planet's track-covered surface and dying state is part of the broader narrative mystery.

The Space Track

One of the confirmed locations in Railborn is a track that rises out of the planet's atmosphere and into space. This route represents the endgame objective: piloting the train up this track is described as a last-ditch effort to save the surviving colonists and preserve what remains of the planet's environment.

Information Towers

Information towers are structures scattered across the world that reward players with map information when reached. As currently designed they reveal nearby Core locations and local track layouts. The developers have said towers could later reveal more, such as dungeons or cryopods, but currently hold some back to preserve the sense of discovery.

Tracks Across the World

The surface is crossed by a branching rail network with junctions, climbs, and descents. The game currently distinguishes a well-maintained mainline route (shown in white) from a slower off-road route (shown in orange), with some routes affected by weather. For the full breakdown see Tracks.