TROLEU Makes a Simple Trolley Ride Feel Like the End of the World (Review)

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Imagine a game that’s like a bizarre mix of *Bus Simulator* and *Papers Please* – that’s *TROLEU*. Created by andrground, it’s a short, funny, and delightfully strange simulator that feels like something you’d see on Adult Swim. While it starts with a simple concept, the game quickly throws in unexpected elements like combat, chases, and even dinosaurs! These additions create a unique personality and a wonderfully chaotic experience. Though not everything works perfectly, the slightly awkward controls actually *add* to the game’s wacky charm, making even simple tasks surprisingly challenging.

Luckily, the game’s funny and unpredictable nature fits well with its challenging gameplay. Although it’s not a long or complex game, its dedication to creating chaos makes it a fun experience, especially considering its low price. With a retro visual style and a wonderfully silly sense of humor, *TROLEU* is a rare game that feels like pure, unadulterated goofiness – and that can be both a good and a bad thing.

RATING: 3/5

Pros: Cons:
Unpredictable turns lead to genuinelly chaotic turns, all for an affordable price Short run-time
An absurdist sense of comedy makes for an entertaining riff on established genres Limited number of levels and gradually repeitive challenges reduces replayability
The best moments perfectly blend chaotic gameplay and a wacky concept for a hilarious expereince The purposefully tricky controls can be frustrating to adapt to

TROLEU Is So Bizarre, This Type of Story Can Only Happen In Gaming

In TROLEU, you play as a trolley conductor responsible for driving citizens around town. Most of your time will be spent checking tickets, collecting fares, and making sure everyone pays. The goal is to earn enough money to finish your route without failing a surprise inspection that could cost you your job.

Players progress to the next level by collecting enough fares. The game, *TROLEU*, is intentionally chaotic and humorous, much like a short, quirky Adult Swim cartoon. This extends to its blocky graphics and gameplay. You’ll be frantically running through the bus checking tickets, dealing with passengers, and even getting into fights – all while the bus travels to ridiculous places like space and prehistoric times.

The game’s visuals intentionally resemble older graphics, which perfectly matches its quirky style. Characters are simple, but the passengers on the bus are wonderfully strange – think walking fish and green aliens! The slightly rough, distorted look of the graphics actually adds to the chaotic and unpredictable feeling of playing *TROLEU*. It creates a sense that anything can happen, and that’s exactly the amusingly stressful experience the game aims for.

TROLEU’s Biggest Fault Is Its Short Length

One common criticism of *TROLEU* is that it’s relatively short, but this could actually be a good thing considering how the game plays. It only has six main levels (twelve if you include the more difficult “Night Shift” versions), resulting in a fast-paced and frantic experience that can be completed in just a few hours. Despite its length, the game is still quite challenging. This difficulty comes from the game’s design, particularly the controls, which feel intentionally imprecise and push players to think carefully before rushing into combat.

The game requires players to manage each hand individually while also moving around, helping passengers, and sometimes fighting. This makes even simple tasks, like collecting money or cleaning, surprisingly challenging and can be frustrating at first. However, the game’s humor turns those mistakes and mishaps into funny moments, with the resulting chaos being the source of the laughs. Running through a train, accidentally kicking an elderly woman, and then trying to evade a relentlessly cheerful inspector by throwing other passengers at him is enjoyable, though the fun doesn’t last indefinitely.

The combat system, which relies on precise timing for attacks and blocks, isn’t the game’s strongest point. While functional, it feels restrictive and lacks excitement, though the unusual enemy designs do add some humor. A better showcase of the game’s chaotic spirit is trying to escape the Inspector. Despite some frustrating moments, the game’s short length and affordable price prevent it from becoming truly irritating.

The Bus Ride From Hell Has Enough Chaotic Comedy To Become Charming

It’s easy to feel stressed in *TROLEU*, particularly when new players join and things get chaotic for the trolley workers. You’ll need to learn the controls, and even then, be ready for anything the game’s strange world throws at you. But that’s part of what makes it fun, especially as you progress and start worrying about the Inspector catching you. As you play longer, you’ll unlock new items and tools that make the game easier – helping you identify fake tickets and keeping each playthrough fresh.

The variety of characters and unpredictable challenges in *TROLEU* make it a game you can play again and again. It’s not a great choice if you’re looking for a calming experience or a deep, story-driven game. But if you enjoyed the humor of games like *Sam & Max* or the quirky style of *High on Life*, you’ll likely have a lot of fun with *TROLEU*. Though it’s a short game, that might be a good thing – it prevents the gameplay from becoming frustrating or the humor from getting stale, leaving players feeling happy and amused.

We received a Steam code from the developers to review the game TROLEU, which is now available on Steam.

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2025-09-17 02:40