Last Train Home (video game)
| Last Train Home | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Ashborne Games |
| Publisher(s) | THQ Nordic |
| Designer(s) | Karel Kališ[1] |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | November 28, 2023 |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Last Train Home is a real-time strategy video game developed by Ashborne Games.[2][3] It was released on November 28, 2023.[4][1]
Story[edit]
The story follows a group of Czechoslovak Legion soldiers during the Russian Civil War and roughly aligns with the Revolt of the Czechoslovak Legion. Following World War I, Czechoslovak soldiers are trapped in Russia and have to set on a journey through Siberia on the Trans-Siberian Railway to get Home.
Gameplay[edit]
Last Train Home is described as survival real-time strategy video game. Players control a train on Trans-Siberian Railway and a group of Czechoslovak soldiers with the task to get home. In order to survive the lengthy voyage, players have to manage the train and its crew. There are various obstacles on the way during which the players control soldiers during combat operations. Points of Interest - such as lakes, forests and settlements - serve as means to replenish supplies and trade goods on the way. In combat missions, players must fight against enemies that outnumber their units which forces them to use various tactics such as stealth and explosives to even the odds.[5]
Overhead map[edit]
The train is controlled on an overhead map of the current chapter, where simulation happens in real-time. The player's crew can be individually assigned to maintain the locomotive and special cars (a driver and a stoker must be present, so that the locomotive is operational), as well as grouped into squads to interact with map elements and take part in fights. Moving the train forward consumes coal (referred to as fuel), while the crew requires food and military equipment and the durability of cars deteriorates over time. Later, the Red Army will also be hunting the Legion, eventually conducting strikes against the train if it spends too much time not moving.
With each story chapter, gameplay gets progressively more difficult, as resources become scarce and winter becomes harsher, necessitating proper stock management and protection against the Siberian cold. Cars can also be outfitted with upgrades that provide resilience against the elements, improve working conditions and make more room for accommodating additional troops, for example. Resources may be obtained from encounters and combat scenarios.
Crew management[edit]
In addition to resource management, the train's crew must also be managed to ensure continuous operation. Crew members have health, morale and stamina, which may be lost due to unfortunate events and suffering combat wounds, as well as spending time working and being away from the train. Furthermore, soldiers may suffer injuries, traumas and exhaustion if any of the above values get very low, reducing their attributes, work efficiency or preventing them from being deployed altogether. Soldiers may recover over time by spending time in their living quarters away from work, or through the use of consumables.
Crew members and their abilities are defined by attributes, traits and available roles, which may improve or worsen after certain actions and events. Combat roles (such as grenadier, machine gunner and medic) define what weapon loadout and abilities a soldier may carry to combat encounters, while train roles (such as worker, cook and doctor) allow working in specialized cars and the locomotive. As a crew member takes part in activities and duties, they gain experience toward their character and current role, which in return improves their base efficiency on the train, or grant new abilities for combat. Eventually, crew members may take on multiple roles, making them more Traits also have significance in encounter outcomes and efficiency for gathering resources.
Combat encounters[edit]
In a combat scenario, the squad taking part in the mission must complete various objectives, then exit the level in designated areas. Soldiers can be controlled in a traditional real-time strategy manner, by issuing them move, stop or attack commands. The level is shrouded in Fog of War, reducing visibility to areas that units and capturable watchtowers uncover. Unit sight is affected by terrain and buildings, blocking line-of-sight. Some obstacles can be used as cover, mitigating damage taken from explosives and chance to hit from enemy projectiles. Foliage such as trees and bushes may be used to hide units. Resource stashes may also be present that are added to the player's train inventory upon pickup.
While the player has full control over their squad, enemy units (mostly those of the Red Army) possess individual intelligence that are either stationary, or follow pre-defined patrol routes. Hostiles may check out areas where they spot a player unit, or become alerted to unit movement, gunfire and explosions. More soldiers may form temporary groups, seeking cover and responding with their own firepower, pursuing the Legion soldiers. Enemy awareness is gradually reduced as friendlies cease combat and leave their sight. Silent Mode can be activated for player troops in order to make them harder to detect, at the expense of lower movement speed.
Development[edit]
Last Train Home was in development since 2020.[4] It was announced on 11 June 2023 during PC Gaming Show 2023.[6] The game includes live-action actors such as Karel Dobrý as Captain Langer (loosely inspired by František Langer).[1][7] It draws inspiration from the video games Original War and Commandos.[8]
On 9 October 2023 Ashborne Games released a demo version while announcing that the game would be released on 28 November 2023.[9][10] The demo version was part of Steam Next Fest, during which it became the 12th most played demo.[11]
Reception[edit]
Last Train Home received "Generally Favorable Reviews" from critics on Metacritic receiving 83% from 14 reviews.[12] The game also received 92% recommendation on review aggregator OpenCritic.[13] The game was review bombed by Russian and Chinese nationals for perceived historical inaccuracy and for depicting the Bolsheviks as evil.[14]
After its release, the game ranked among the ten best-selling games worldwide on Steam, and in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the game was on the first place.[15]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Burian, Michal. "Last Train Home s českým dabingem přinese strastiplný návrat československých legionářů". INDIAN (in Czech). Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Franzese, Tomas (11 June 2023). "Last Train Home turns World War 1 history into a strategy game". Digital Trends. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Brown, Andy (11 June 2023). "'Last Train Home' trailer reveals a gritty strategy set in the aftermath of WW1". NME. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ a b Bigas, Jiří. "Nová hra z Brna vypráví příběh československých legií v Rusku". Vortex. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Hon, Jason (11 June 2023). "Last Train Home Preview: Real-Time Strategy Based On Real WW1 Events". ScreenRant. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Wutz, Marco (11 June 2023). "Last Train Home is an intriguing survival RTS launching in 2023". Video Games.si. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Srp, Honza (12 June 2023). "Chystaná hra o československých legiích chce naučit svět naši historii". iDNES.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Koch, Ondřej. "Last Train Home dorazí v listopadu. Přinášíme první dojmy z hraní". czc.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ "Last Train Home Gets New Demo Before November 28 Launch on PC". Tech Power Up. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ Zach, Ondřej (9 October 2023). "Vyzkoušejte demo české hry o legionářích Last Train Home". iDNES.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ Srp, Honza (18 October 2023). "Steam ukázal nejhranější hry skončeného festivalu demoverzí. Zaujali i Češi". iDNES.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ "Last Train Home". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ^ "Last Train Home Reviews". OpenCritic. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ^ Malchárek, Jakub. "Rusové vyčítají Last Train Home historické nepřesnosti | GAMES.CZ". games.tiscali.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ^ Burian, Michal. "Česká novinka Last Train Home nejprodávanější hrou Steamu v rámci našeho území - INDIAN". indian-tv.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 3 December 2023.
