Even though I spend most of my time on the web, I still come across sites that manage to surprise me. This time, it is the case of Paris Metro Driver, a Parisian metro simulator playable directly in your web browser.
Imagine yourself at the controls of a train of the famous Paris metro, winding through the dark tunnels and iconic stations of the capital. No need to download any software, or take out your Navigo card, just open your browser and there you are, a driver on metro line 6, the overhead line with its spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower and its magnificent crossing of the Bir Hakeim bridge! It's a little guilty pleasure, which can transform a coffee break into an immersive experience where you play a real RATP machinist. And frankly, it's unexpected, but rather addictive.
16 metro lines and 2 RER lines available in Paris Metro Driver
To slip into the shoes of a metro driver, you will be able to choose from the 16 lines of the Paris metro or the RER A or B, directly on the Paris Metro Driver home page.
You can play it classic or change the type of metro, its livery or access different options to adjust the realism of your experience. Indeed, you will be able to decide whether or not to activate certain rules such as unlimited speed, the absence of incidents, the presence of platform facades or even playing during rush hour.
Once all this is set up, you will access your train, parked at the terminus of the chosen line.
And there, it's the hard way. No page explaining how to drive or any possible procedures, you're going to have to figure it out on your own and learn the hard way to drive in the dark tunnels of the capital. But don't worry, you'll understand the few subtleties of the game pretty quickly. But Here are the main principles to get you started.
To open the doors of your train, click on the green button… then give the passengers time to climb in, then click on the red button and hold it. This will start the door closing procedure: sound signal, then after a few seconds, the doors will close. A small “ding” and the lighting of the green “Doors Lock” indicator will indicate that everything went well.
Then use the speed control lever to start your train. Be careful not to exceed the maximum speed indicated on the left of your cockpit. Once you arrive at the next station, you will have to make sure to stop in the green zone... then the routine begins: opening the doors, getting passengers on and off, closing the doors and then setting off.
You will sometimes be confronted with incidents such as personnel on the tracks... you will then have to be vigilant with regard to the signs.
Finally, if you fiddle around with all the buttons in the cockpit, you'll eventually find options to make announcements to your passengers for even more realism: " Please mind the gap, between the train and the platform…"
In the end, the simulation is very realistic and really takes you into the underground world of the Parisian metro drivers. Paris Metro Driver is ultimately a little game that will please all those who want to understand a little better the mysteries of the metro, but also those who want to have a good time remembering their daily journeys.
Article updated on January 10, 2025 by Byothe
