CRITIK

Last Train Home

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Last Train Home
Item: Last Train Home
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2023

GenresAdventure, Indie, Action, Third Person Perspective, Side View Perspective, Strategy, Military and Warfare, Single Player

AvailableNov 28, 2023

PlatformPC

DeveloperAshborne Games

Overview

This is a short horror-adventure game about being stuck on a train. Loosely based on a story of the same name I read on the internet. This game was submitted to MiniJam 47. The whole thing was written in C.

Elsewhere

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

95%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Story of Last Train Home are overwhelmingly positive. The majority of the critics praised the game for its engaging narrative, unique setting, and historical accuracy. Critics such as But Why Tho?? and Finger Guns commended the game for its attention to authenticity and strong exposition of the time period and the conditions faced by the Czechoslovak Legion. They appreciated the game's focus on the conflicts and struggles after the official end of the war, as well as its inspiration from real accounts and diaries of soldiers. The Games Machine also highlighted the linear and well-presented nature of the story, further emphasizing the positive reception of the narrative. While the overall sentiment towards the Story of Last Train Home is positive, there were a few critics who expressed some negative aspects. GameMAG mentioned that the game's story, although based on the diaries of a legionnaire during the Russian Civil War, felt more like a fantasy that glorifies the Czechs and portrays the Bolsheviks as irrational and willing to commit atrocities. This criticism suggests that the game may have taken some creative liberties with historical accuracy, which could be a potential drawback for players seeking a strictly realistic portrayal of events. Despite this minor criticism, the overall consensus of the critics is that the Story of Last Train Home is very good. The majority of the critics praised the game for its engaging narrative, unique setting, and historical basis. They appreciated the game's focus on the Czechoslovak Legion's journey home across war-torn Russia, exploring the experience of being outsiders caught in the middle of a war. The positive reception of the story, highlighted by critics such as COGconnected and Gamereactor UK, indicates that the game successfully delivers a compelling narrative that immerses players in the challenges and hardships faced by the soldiers. Overall, the Story of Last Train Home is highly regarded by the critics, making it a recommended choice for players interested in a strategy game with a strong and historically-inspired story.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics overwhelmingly praise Story of Last Train Home for its engaging narrative, unique setting, and historical accuracy, with some minor criticism for potentially taking creative liberties. Overall, the game is highly regarded for its attention to authenticity, strong exposition of the time period, and immersive storytelling, making it a recommended choice for players seeking a strategy game with a compelling and historically-inspired story.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

50%

Mixed (50-79)

50%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Last Train Home are generally positive. Many critics highlight the engaging and immersive nature of the gameplay, with elements such as resource management, decision-making, and real-time strategy combat being praised. Critics like But Why Tho?? and CD-Action appreciate the challenging gameplay that requires players to manage resources, make strategic decisions, and engage in intense combat. COGconnected also commends the combination of real-time strategy and management simulation, which adds depth to the gameplay. Finger Guns mentions the smooth increase in difficulty and the consequences of poor decisions, emphasizing the importance of time management and resource gathering. Eurogamer Germany draws comparisons to other successful titles like Company of Heroes and Frostpunk, further supporting the positive sentiment towards the gameplay. However, there are also some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. Meristation points out that while the combat is not very deep, the focus of the gameplay is on resource management and survival. This suggests that the combat mechanics may not be as engaging or complex as some players might prefer. Additionally, GameStar mentions that the game is a mix of real-time tactics and troop management, but does not provide further details or opinions on the effectiveness of this combination. This lack of elaboration may leave some players wondering about the execution and depth of these gameplay elements. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Last Train Home offers a challenging and immersive gameplay experience. The combination of resource management, decision-making, and real-time strategy combat is praised for providing depth and engagement. The positive opinions of But Why Tho??, CD-Action, COGconnected, Finger Guns, and Eurogamer Germany support this consensus. However, the negative comments from Meristation and the lack of elaboration from GameStar suggest that there may be some shortcomings in the combat mechanics and the execution of certain gameplay elements. Despite these minor criticisms, the overall sentiment towards the gameplay of Last Train Home remains positive.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics praise Last Train Home's engaging gameplay with resource management, decision-making, and real-time strategy combat. Positive feedback from But Why Tho?, CD-Action, COGconnected, Finger Guns, and Eurogamer Germany highlights its challenging and immersive nature. Some critics mention weaknesses in combat depth and lack of details on gameplay elements, but overall, Last Train Home offers a rewarding and immersive experience.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

50%

Mixed (50-79)

50%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Last Train Home are generally positive. Many critics praised the game's attention to detail and immersive atmosphere. But Why Tho?? commends the beautifully designed mission locations, which contribute to an emotional experience. CD-Action describes the graphics as modest but effective in capturing the spirit of the time period, with bleak and despair-filled environments. Finger Guns highlights the excellently rendered maps and animations that capture the war-devastated land. GameMAG also praises the visually immersive graphics, with dynamic weather effects and changing time of day. These positive reviews indicate that the game successfully creates a visually appealing and immersive world. However, there are some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. Checkpoint Gaming notes that the visual novel-style scenes are underwhelming compared to the live-action cutscenes. Gamereactor UK mentions that the flaws in the graphics become apparent in the middle sequences when the isometric perspective is switched to show the characters up close. They suggest that bigger maps and more emphasis on graphics would have been appreciated. Despite these criticisms, the negative aspects mentioned are relatively minor and do not significantly detract from the overall visual experience of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Last Train Home features visually immersive graphics that effectively capture the chosen time period and atmosphere. The game's attention to detail, atmospheric maps, and engaging narration are praised by multiple critics such as COGconnected, GAMES.CH, and New Game Network. The positive reviews outweigh the negatives, with critics like Meristation and PC Gamer highlighting the visually appealing artwork and rich presentation. The overall sentiment suggests that Last Train Home successfully delivers a visually stunning and immersive experience for players.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics praise Last Train Home for its visually immersive graphics, atmospheric design, and attention to detail, creating a captivating and emotional experience. Some minor criticisms include underwhelming visual novel scenes and flaws in graphics during certain sequences, but overall, the game's positive reviews outweigh the negatives. Last Train Home successfully delivers a visually stunning and immersive world that effectively captures its chosen time period and atmosphere.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

82%

Mixed (50-79)

18%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the sound design and music of Last Train Home are generally positive. Multiple critics praise the immersive sound design, with But Why Tho?? and GameGrin specifically mentioning its contribution to the storytelling and immersion. COGconnected and Finger Guns highlight the fantastic voice acting in the game, which is delivered in the actual languages presented, adding a high level of authenticity and immersion. Games.cz and The Games Machine commend the combat sounds, describing them as punchy, heavy, and full of bravado. The Games Machine also praises the music, stating that it effectively captures the drama of the legionaries' journey, with atmospheric tracks during train sections and more intense pieces during combat. PC Gamer appreciates the music and voice acting for authentically conveying the time and place of the Russian Civil War. While the majority of critics have positive opinions, there are a few negatives mentioned. Gamereactor UK criticizes the music, stating that it becomes anonymous and boring, suggesting that it could have captured the spirit of the times more effectively with local music from the period. Multiplayer.it mentions that the quality of the voice acting in different languages varies, indicating some inconsistencies in the audio experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the sound design and music of Last Train Home are well-crafted and contribute to the immersive experience of the game. The use of native languages, realistic combat sounds, and atmospheric tracks during train sections and combat are highly praised. However, there are some criticisms regarding the music, with suggestions for improvement in capturing the spirit of the times and maintaining consistency in the quality of voice acting. Despite these minor flaws, the positive aspects of the sound design and music outweigh the negatives, resulting in an overall positive reception from the critics.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics praise Last Train Home for its immersive sound design, authentic voice acting in various languages, and dramatic music that enhances the storytelling and combat experience. While some critics find the music lacking and voice acting inconsistent across languages, the overall consensus is positive, highlighting the game's ability to transport players to the Russian Civil War era.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

73%

Mixed (50-79)

27%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in Last Train Home has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the critics. Many reviewers have praised the voice acting for its ability to bring the characters to life and enhance the overall immersion of the game. But Why Tho?? commends the voice acting for making the characters feel like real people with unique personalities and traits, which adds to the immersive experience. COGconnected also shares a similar sentiment, stating that the voice acting in the game is great and contributes to the immersion. Finger Guns appreciates the native voice acting for every faction, highlighting its significant contribution to the overall narrative. GameGrin and Gamereactor UK both emphasize how the voice acting fluently adds to the immersion and keeps the reviewer engaged in the story. Games.cz praises the excellent voice acting in Czech and Slovak, adding to the authenticity of the story. Meristation acknowledges the well-performed real actor scenes that contribute to the atmospheric feel of the game. PC Gamer specifically mentions the soulful and fitting voice acting in Czech, which adds to the historical setting. SECTOR.sk highlights the inclusion of complete Czech and Slovak dubbing, which adds to the sense of pride. The Games Machine specifically mentions the well-done voice acting, particularly the narration by Captain Langer. While the majority of critics have expressed positive opinions about the voice acting in Last Train Home, there are a few mentions of some negatives. Multiplayer.it notes that the quality of the voice acting in Czech, Slovak, and Russian languages varies. Although this criticism is not specific to the overall quality of the voice acting, it does suggest that there may be inconsistencies in the performances across different languages. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Last Train Home is a strong aspect of the game. The positive feedback highlights the ability of the voice acting to bring the characters to life, enhance immersion, contribute to the narrative, and add authenticity to the story. The few negative comments regarding the varying quality of voice acting in different languages do not overshadow the overall positive reception. The positive opinions of But Why Tho??, COGconnected, Finger Guns, GameGrin, Games.cz, Meristation, PC Gamer, SECTOR.sk, and The Games Machine collectively indicate that the voice acting in Last Train Home is a significant asset to the game's overall experience.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics rave about the exceptional voice acting in Last Train Home, praising its ability to bring characters to life, enhance immersion, and add authenticity to the story. While some note inconsistencies in quality across languages, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive. Critics from various outlets commend the voice acting for making characters feel real and contributing to the narrative, solidifying it as a standout feature of the game.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

44%

Mixed (50-79)

56%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the Technical Performance of Last Train Home, the PC platform seems to have received mostly positive feedback from the critics. But Why Tho?? mentions that while there were some issues with combat feeling janky, the game overall is manageable and stable. Finger Guns also notes some minor graphical bugs and a crash to desktop on one occasion, but considers the game to run relatively well. The Games Machine states that no specific issues with performance were mentioned. These positive comments indicate that the game generally performs well on PC, with only minor technical hiccups reported. However, there are some negative aspects mentioned by the critics regarding the Technical Performance on PC. GameMAG highlights flaws in the game's global mode, particularly in the management of resources, making the system impractical when assigning a soldier's role. They also mention issues with the resource transfer menu. Multiplayer.it reports one crash, and SECTOR.sk mentions occasional crashes and slow loading times. These criticisms suggest that there are some technical issues that players may encounter while playing Last Train Home on PC, such as resource management problems and occasional crashes. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the Technical Performance of Last Train Home on PC is generally positive. While there are some minor issues mentioned, such as graphical bugs, crashes, and resource management problems, the game is considered to be stable and playable. GameGrin, New Game Network, and Ragequit.gr all mention that the game had no technical difficulties or stability issues, indicating that the majority of players should have a smooth experience on PC. The positive comments from But Why Tho?? and The Games Machine further support the notion that the game performs well on this platform.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics generally praise Last Train Home's technical performance on PC, citing minor issues like janky combat and graphical bugs. Most agree that the game is stable and playable, with occasional crashes and resource management problems. Overall, the consensus is positive, with few major technical difficulties reported, ensuring a smooth experience for most players.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

22%

Mixed (50-79)

78%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Last Train Home are generally positive. But Why Tho?? highlights that the game offers different difficulty settings, which cater to different player preferences and increase replay value. Eurogamer Germany also mentions that the game allows players to learn from previous attempts and try different strategies, adding to the replayability. Finger Guns adds that there is replay value in choosing different routes and facing varied missions and threats, accommodating players of differing mindsets and skill levels. Gamereactor UK emphasizes that the long train journey, complex systems, and focus on survival keep the player engaged, contributing to the replayability of the game. These positive aspects mentioned by the critics indicate that Last Train Home offers various gameplay options, strategies, and challenges that make it worth revisiting. However, there are some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. Checkpoint Gaming points out that resource management in the game can be challenging without significant in-game experience, which may hinder replayability for some players. Multiplayer.it highlights that while the game offers unpredictable events and layered gameplay, it lacks original and complex level design, which could potentially impact the replay value. Shacknews mentions that the limited save file and lack of character relationships may lead to frustrations, which could also affect the replayability of the game. These criticisms suggest that certain aspects of Last Train Home may hinder its ability to provide a fully satisfying replay experience for all players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Last Train Home offers replay value. The game's different difficulty settings, multiple routes, varied missions, and historical narrative contribute to its replayability. Positive aspects such as the complex systems, focus on survival, and engagement factor are highlighted by critics like Gamereactor UK. However, there are some negative aspects mentioned, including resource management challenges, lack of complex level design, limited save file, and lack of character relationships. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment is that Last Train Home provides enough gameplay options, strategies, and challenges to make it worth replaying for players who enjoy its historical narrative and gameplay elements.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics praise Last Train Home for its replay value due to different difficulty settings, varied missions, and engaging gameplay. Positive aspects include complex systems and focus on survival. However, criticisms include challenging resource management, lack of original level design, and frustrations with limited save files. Despite the flaws, Last Train Home offers diverse gameplay options and challenges that make it worth revisiting for fans of historical narratives and immersive gameplay.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

77%

Mixed (50-79)

23%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In analyzing the opinions of the videogame reviewers regarding the Overall Verdict of Last Train Home, it is clear that there are several positive aspects of the game that stand out. Critics such as But Why Tho??, Finger Guns, and Gamereactor UK praise the game for successfully blending gameplay mechanics with a compelling narrative, creating an immersive and rewarding experience. The attention to detail, historical accuracy, and the emotional connection with the characters are also highlighted as positive aspects of the game. Additionally, the game's unique setting, challenging gameplay, and the careful handling of the historical source material are commended by critics such as Eurogamer Germany and GAMES.CH. However, there are also some negative aspects of Last Train Home that critics point out. Some reviewers, like GameMAG and PC Gamer, mention that the gameplay could have been further polished and that certain aspects, such as the combat mechanics, lack depth. Additionally, GameMAG criticizes the game for focusing on irrelevant details about revolutionary Russia instead of refining the gameplay. These criticisms suggest that the game could have benefited from more attention to gameplay mechanics and balancing. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Last Train Home is a challenging and immersive strategy game that successfully combines multiple genres and offers a unique experience. Critics like Checkpoint Gaming, Games.cz, and Meristation highlight the captivating and challenging nature of the game, while also praising its immersive historical context. The positive reception of the game's narrative, gameplay blend, and attention to detail outweigh the negative aspects mentioned by some critics. The majority of reviewers recommend the game to fans of the genre, with some critics even considering it a surprise and game of the year. The overall sentiment towards Last Train Home is positive, with critics recognizing its strengths and unique qualities.

TL;DR

Critics praise Last Train Home for its immersive blend of gameplay and narrative, historical accuracy, and emotional depth. Some note issues with gameplay polish and depth, but overall, the game is hailed as a challenging and unique experience that combines genres effectively. Most reviewers recommend it to genre fans, with some even calling it a surprise hit and potential game of the year.

CRITIK

Reviews

42 reviews found

Games.cz

Nov 29, 2023