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Last Call BBS

Last Call BBS feels like a collection of great games that will make you think, wrapped up in trappings that fondly call back to PC gaming.
Last Call BBS Game Cover
90%Game Brain Score
graphics, story
optimization, grinding
92% User Score Based on 1,267 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

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Last Call BBS Game Cover

About

Last Call BBS is a single player and multiplayer casual simulation game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Zachtronics and was released on July 5, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Last Call BBS is a single-player and local multiplayer science fiction arcade game with stunning visuals and fantastic music. It offers eight mini-games, including 20th Century Food Court, STEED FORCE Hobby Studio, X’BPGH: The Forbidden Path, Sawayama Solitaire, and Dungeons & Diagrams. The game features puzzle-focused challenges, co-op and PvP modes, and a split-screen for an immersive and highly emotional experience.

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Last Call BBS screenshot
Last Call BBS screenshot
Last Call BBS screenshot
Last Call BBS screenshot
Last Call BBS screenshot
Last Call BBS screenshot
Last Call BBS screenshot
Last Call BBS screenshot
Last Call BBS screenshot
Last Call BBS screenshot
Last Call BBS screenshot
+3
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92%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,267 reviews
graphics26 positive mentions
grinding9 negative mentions
  • Last Call BBS is a nostalgic trip that captures the essence of early computing and BBS culture, complete with charming pixel art and ambient sound design.
  • The game features a diverse collection of mini-games, including challenging puzzles like 20th Century Food Court and X'BPGH, as well as relaxing experiences like the Gundam model builder.
  • The inclusion of two unique solitaire variants adds extra value, making it a well-rounded package for puzzle enthusiasts.
  • Some mini-games lack clear instructions, making it frustrating for players to figure out the mechanics without external help.
  • The forced waiting time for downloading new games can be tedious and disrupts the flow of gameplay.
  • Not all mini-games are equally engaging, with some feeling less polished or interesting compared to the standout titles.
  • graphics
    87 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic pixel art style that effectively captures the essence of early internet aesthetics, complete with ambient soundtracks reminiscent of the 90s. While many players appreciate the charming visuals and unique art styles of the various minigames, some critiques highlight limitations in graphical quality and resolution, suggesting that the retro presentation may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the game's aesthetic is celebrated for its creativity and ability to evoke fond memories of past gaming experiences, despite some reservations about its simplicity.

    • “The aesthetic is fantastic: pixel art that’s simple but full of character, combined with an ambient soundtrack that perfectly captures the late-night BBS vibe.”
    • “Super pleasant visuals and music.”
    • “Incredible art design, both graphics and audio - the nostalgia-inducing sound of the fan turning off when you shut down the computer is worth the cost of admission.”
    • “A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
    • “While there are options to change the resolution for the game, all this does is scale up the simplistic 2D art assets used to make the game, which makes little or no difference to the graphics quality.”
    • “Without any other substantial graphics tweaks, it's not possible for gamers to improve the lackluster 2D visuals.”
  • story
    69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a layered and nostalgic exploration of computer culture, presented through a series of emails and mini-games that reflect on the lives of fictional software developers and their creations. While some players appreciate the bittersweet and personal narratives woven throughout, others feel the story lacks depth and cohesion compared to previous titles, often relegating it to a background element that enhances the gameplay rather than driving it. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a charming addition that complements the puzzle-solving experience, though it may not satisfy those seeking a more substantial narrative.

    • “What impressed me most was how the game encourages curiosity—you're not just clicking through messages, you're piecing together a story that’s oddly moving and personal.”
    • “A bittersweet, restrained story reflecting on a world now vanished ties it all together; echoing the end of this truly one-of-a-kind development team.”
    • “They could've left the story out completely and the game still would've been great, but I'm so glad they didn't because the world that is painted with all these little details comes together in such an amazing way.”
    • “There's also a nostalgic story for every game that offers a snapshot into a semi-fictionalized world of computing in the late 80's and early 90's.”
    • “There is also pretty much no story, which is also a big letdown compared to their other games.”
    • “I can not, in good faith, give a game a good review (in a system that only allows 'yays' and 'nays') that requires me to win multiple games of solitaire for complete story progression.”
  • gameplay
    56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by a charming retro aesthetic and a diverse collection of mini-games, each with unique mechanics that encourage exploration and experimentation. While the game captures a sense of wonder and nostalgia, some players find the lack of tutorials and complex mechanics challenging, leading to a reliance on external guides. Overall, the gameplay offers a mix of fun puzzles and engaging challenges, though some mechanics may feel vague or lead to frustration due to their complexity.

    • “For me, this game really captures the essence of what a game is: something that you boot up and it's a complete mystery what you might find. It's not about gameplay, content, genres, etc.; it's about fun and wonder.”
    • “The gameplay is very comparable to something like Sudoku, where you need to find a thread to pull on, and the more you reveal, the more threads open up.”
    • “All the puzzle games are at the level we've come to expect, while also managing to be incredibly diverse both in mechanics and presentation.”
    • “The game assumes you know what's going on, and a few of the games required me to look up a guide to understand the base mechanics.”
    • “I wish there was a little more tutorial/mechanic walkthrough for some of the more complex puzzle/coding games, as sometimes I spent a while just not knowing what I was supposed to be doing.”
    • “The mechanics are intentionally vague, and it takes a lot of trial and error to figure them out.”
  • music
    41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers praising its ambient quality and nostalgic vibes reminiscent of the 90s. The soundtrack is described as both catchy and fitting for the game's aesthetic, contributing to a chill and immersive experience, although some tracks may become repetitive over time. Overall, the combination of engaging visuals and a well-crafted musical score solidifies the game's status as a fitting farewell from the developers at Zachtronics.

    • “The aesthetic is fantastic: pixel art that’s simple but full of character, combined with an ambient soundtrack that perfectly captures the late-night BBS vibe.”
    • “The music, the visuals, the vibes, it's all impeccable.”
    • “As usual, a stellar soundtrack by Matthew Seiji Burns.”
    • “Drab, software-package style aesthetic, minimal sound effects and no music.”
    • “The only nitpick I have is that it is the only mini-game without background music, which fits with the theming, but is still mildly annoying as you have to either sit in silence or alt-tab and start up some music yourself.”
    • “Chipwizard™ professional: circuit making/space management puzzle game presented as a piece of CAD software - very clever - again very high difficulty curve - lack of music is thematically fitting but it feels a bit of a loss.”
  • emotional
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of nostalgia and heartfelt experiences, evoking feelings of childlike joy and warmth through its charming storytelling and retro aesthetics. While some players found the puzzles frustrating, leading to feelings of inadequacy, others appreciated the game's ability to rekindle fond memories of early computing and gaming. Overall, it serves as a heartfelt tribute to a beloved developer, leaving players with a sense of connection and appreciation for the journey through its diverse and unique offerings.

    • “This game made me feel a sense of childlike joy I have not felt in about a decade.”
    • “Seeing some remakes of games from Zachtronics' flash era made me feel emotions I didn't know existed.”
    • “A charming, heartfelt sendoff to a developer that has forever changed how I see puzzle games.”
  • optimization
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the challenging puzzles and the focus on space optimization, while others find the difficulty curve inconsistent and the scoring system lacking. Although it offers a solid entry into the automation and optimization genre typical of Zachtronics, the limited tools and missing performance metrics in certain puzzles can hinder the overall experience. Overall, while the game may not reach the difficulty heights of previous titles, it still provides a rewarding challenge for fans of the genre.

    • “The puzzles may not be for everyone as they are definitely the programming and optimization style that the Zachtronics team excels at.”
    • “Levels start off easy but quickly start to present problems: your tools are very limited: machines only have single input and output ports, meaning you’ll constantly be placing splitters around unless your solutions are well optimized from the beginning.”
    • “Optimization is incredibly challenging.”
    • “This one is kind of meh because the entire difficulty is based around space optimization.”
    • “Sadly the 3 bar graphs/high score system are missing from a few of them that should have them, which made it hard to know if solutions were poorly optimized, thus harming the difficulty curve for some of the latter puzzles.”
    • “I usually don't get that far into zachtronics games - my brain just doesn't really spin fast enough for optimization and logic puzzles.”
  • atmosphere
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its mysterious and engaging qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and unique art style. Players appreciate the immersive experience it creates, although some note that the unintuitive user interface can detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the player's experience.

    • “The presentation is very mysterious and atmospheric.”
    • “Another brilliant Zachtronics game with fun puzzling and an engaging atmosphere!”
    • “In all seriousness, the atmosphere of the game is great; I love the sounds of the dial-up modem and that you have to wait for the 'downloading' of your games.”
    • “It should however be noted that this also means Last Call BBS should probably not be your first Zachtronics game, as there are no manuals (which is a plus for the atmosphere, by the way).”
    • “It's not without its own quirks and pitfalls, and you might not enjoy every game it has to offer, but I just dig the atmosphere.”
    • “It's all baked into the game atmosphere and makes me appreciate everything in the package so much more.”
  • humor
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in these games is characterized by intentional absurdity and clever writing, often blending bizarre elements with retro aesthetics. Players appreciate the comedic aspects of poorly explained rules and quirky narratives, though some find certain puzzles uninspired or frustrating. Overall, the humor is a significant draw, enhancing the enjoyment of the gameplay experience.

    • “X'bpgh is intentionally bizarre, hack*match is intentionally presented with instructions in a different language, 20th century food court has several great music tracks and a lot of humor in the pre- and post-level screens.”
    • “It blends the spatial and programming puzzles perfectly, it's funny, and it canonically makes no sense.”
    • “A collection of minigames that are both funny and clever (chipwizard and 20th century food are the best).”
  • grinding
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight a significant issue with grinding in the game, describing it as excessively tedious and boring, with convoluted tasks that make simple actions feel like a chore. While some players appreciate the variety of puzzles, many find the overall experience to be a mind-numbing grind, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment.

    • “This is really boring and the achievements are extremely grindy.”
    • “20th century food court is quite possibly the worst Zachtronics game I have ever played; it's seemingly designed with the goal in mind that every action should be convoluted first and tedious second, far more than any previous titles could ever even imagine, making tasks that should be simple a mind-numbing hours-long experience.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    While the game features only four mecha to assemble, players find that the ability to create custom paint schemes enhances replayability, encouraging experimentation and personalization.

    • “With 4 mechas to assemble, the replay value may seem limited until you start creating custom paint schemes.”
    • “The variety of choices in character builds and strategies keeps me coming back for more.”
    • “Each playthrough offers new challenges and experiences, making it hard to put down.”
    • “With 4 mechs to assemble, the replay value may seem limited until you start creating custom paint schemes.”
    • “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play again.”
    • “The lack of diverse gameplay options makes replaying feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users report significant issues with stability, citing frequent bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience. Many players express frustration over crashes and performance inconsistencies, indicating that the game's stability needs considerable improvement.

    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
    • “I experienced constant lag and glitches that ruined my experience.”
    • “There are so many bugs that I can't progress in the game without restarting.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate a strong sentiment against the monetization practices in gaming, particularly criticizing the rise of AAA studios that prioritize profit through always-on models, DLC, and microtransactions, which many feel have detracted from the overall gaming experience.

    • “Before AAA studios, always-on requirements, DLC, and microtransactions rolled in, they corrupted the gaming experience into a multi-billion dollar enterprise.”
    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, prioritizing profit over player experience.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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23h Median play time
25h Average play time
13-56h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Last Call BBS is a casual simulation game with science fiction theme.

Last Call BBS is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows, Linux and others.

On average players spend around 25 hours playing Last Call BBS.

Last Call BBS was released on July 5, 2022.

Last Call BBS was developed by Zachtronics.

Last Call BBS has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its optimization.

Last Call BBS is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include The Zachtronics Solitaire Collection, Opus Magnum, SHENZHEN I/O, EXAPUNKS, MOLEK-SYNTEZ and others.