Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor on the PS5 is a difficult game to review. I am not the target audience here. Not even close. It’s not for you, and you know that from the outset. But that is one of the joys of having kids. Now, I had my small 4-year-old human sitting beside me called Aimee, controller in hand, curiosity piqued with a beaming smile on her face.
I have little to no interest in trains, and I was never a big fan of the Thomas & Friends cartoon because I was more of a MASK guy. And yet, within about ten minutes of play, I found myself softening to the whole thing largely because my four-year-old was absolutely hooked.
I Choo-Choo-Choose You
Wonders of Sodor is a gentle, exploration-driven experience set across a bright and colourful version of the Island of Sodor. You’ll take control of familiar engines like Thomas, Percy, and friends, completing simple tasks, ferrying cargo, and chugging along tracks that bring you through idyllic countryside, seaside towns, and busy train stations. There’s no grand or complicated throughline here and certainly no high-stakes drama. It’s just a series of small, self-contained activities and stories that reward curiosity and ask you to be attentive.
From a presentation standpoint, the game looks like a pretty high-level train sim. The visuals are bright and colourful without being overly unrealistic, with a kind of toybox charm that feels perfectly suited to its audience. I had a few problems with the performance or with the graphics, but there were only two framerate issues. Not enough to complain about, though. One slight drawback is that there is a little delay in the loading times, which can be a slight problem when your co-pilot has the attention span of, well, a four-year-old. The character models are faithful to their TV characters, and the environments really stand out, with a good variety of things to see and do.
The audio design follows suit. Familiar tunes and cheerful sound effects create a cosy atmosphere, while the voice work leans heavily into that reassuring, educational tone that parents will recognise instantly. It’s the kind of game you won’t mind hearing in the background, which is perfect for a parent. It would be nice to be able to skip the introductions, though.
How to Conduct Yourself
Gameplay is also spot on for younger players. Controls are a little complicated for very small children, but objectives are clearly spelt out. It’s designed to build confidence and teach kids patience rather than test skill, and in that regard, it succeeds brilliantly. It’s simple, but it does require attention.
For an adult player, though, there’s not much here to sink your teeth into. But criticising Thomas & Friends for lacking challenge is like complaining that a colouring book doesn’t have enough plot twists.
If your child has any interest in Thomas the Tank Engine or even trains in general, this is the perfect game for them. Watching her figure out how to drive down the tracks, complete a delivery, or just explore the world at their own pace was really as much fun for me as it was for her. It’s nice to see a game that meets its audience exactly where they are. Sometimes, overcomplicating things or talking down to them ruins the end result.
Off The Rails
These days, even children’s games can feel overly busy or cluttered. Wonders of Sodor takes a more child-friendly approach. It allows moments to breathe. It gives players time to enjoy their surroundings and engage with the world in a relaxed way. For parents, that translates to a calmer, less frantic play session, which is no small thing. Stimulating the child’s imagination without making them hyper.
Ultimately, Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor is a game that knows exactly what it is and who it’s for. It delivers a warm, accessible, and enjoyable experience for younger players. The game is perfectly suited to short bursts of play and shared time with family. It certainly won’t be suitable for older kids or adults.
Finally, on those terms, Wonders of Sodor is perfect for small children who have an interest in trains. Not every game needs to be for everyone. It’s a hard game to score. Sometimes, it’s enough for a game to bring a smile to the face of a four-year-old, to spark a bit of imagination, and to create a small, memorable moment between parent and child.
I recommend, but with caveats. Don’t expect it to interest people who have no interest in the subject matter, but for the right child, this is great.
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