Last Train Home

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,593 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Last Train Home Game Cover
A dramatic retelling of the events of WWI through the faces and names of members of the Czechoslovak soldiers on their way home.
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In "Last Train Home," players lead a group of Czechoslovak soldiers on a perilous journey through war-torn Siberia, aiming to reach home on an armored train. They must manage resources and maintain morale while navigating the harsh environment and conflicts between Russia's Red and White Armies. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes DLC "Last Train Home - Legion Tales," a digital Artbook, and an atmospheric Soundtrack.

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Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,593 reviews
story381 positive mentions
stability25 negative mentions
  • Engaging mix of resource management and tactical RTS gameplay.
  • Compelling story based on the historical journey of the Czechoslovak Legion.
  • Beautiful visuals and immersive atmosphere, enhanced by live-action cutscenes.
  • Enemy AI is often predictable and can be easily exploited, making combat less challenging.
  • Resource management can become repetitive and lacks depth as the game progresses.
  • Some gameplay mechanics, such as stealth and pathfinding, are poorly implemented and can lead to frustrating experiences.
  • story1,104 mentions

    The story of "Last Train Home" is a compelling narrative centered around the historical journey of the Czechoslovak Legion during the Russian Civil War, blending elements of resource management and tactical combat. Players engage with a richly detailed plot that emphasizes the struggles and moral dilemmas faced by soldiers, enhanced by well-crafted cutscenes and character backstories. While the gameplay can become repetitive and some missions may feel formulaic, the emotional weight of the story and the choices made throughout the game keep players invested in their journey home.

    • “The storytelling is effective and really captures the setting and tension of what it was like after the Great War in Siberia through the eyes of the legionaries.”
    • “The story is immersive, gameplay is challenging yet enjoyable.”
    • “The game tells a wonderful story in a very interactive and thought-provoking way, and it forces you to make decisions you might not want to make for the betterment of your journey.”
    • “The story is basic, but my main gripe with the game is its poor mechanics.”
    • “The missions are all bespoke, but the difficulty can be punishing.”
    • “The story is incredibly bland, though, and the few characters that do talk are not exactly interesting or memorable.”
  • gameplay416 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a blend of resource management and real-time strategy, featuring engaging mechanics that allow for tactical decision-making and unit management. While many players appreciate the immersive story and unique setting, criticisms arise regarding the depth and execution of certain gameplay elements, particularly the stealth mechanics and repetitive mission design. Overall, the game offers a solid experience with enjoyable mechanics, though it may feel shallow or unbalanced at times.

    • “The gameplay blends perfectly ingredients from different strategy branches: it's a real-time strategy when on the ground exploring, looting and approaching enemies; it's a real-time tactics while in battle, due to the tactical pause and the possibility to make really stealth kills; and it's also a resources/squad management inside the train.”
    • “Both the resource management and the real-time strategy sides to the game work so well to complement each other, keeping gameplay dynamic and engaging.”
    • “Great storytelling, absorbing combat, and flexible gameplay options, together with good art style combine to make this, to my mind, something of a masterpiece.”
    • “A resource management game that mitigates the need for resources with a poorly implemented stealth mechanic.”
    • “An otherwise excellent game completely ruined by complete garbage RTS gameplay.”
    • “Overall, while the gameplay was not completely bad, it's mostly all meh and leaves a very bad taste in the mouth, as a piece that pretends to be historical and supposedly should offer deep management and decisions, it somewhat tries to do all of that, but in a poor manner, which is really, really disappointing.”
  • graphics127 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals, art style, and immersive atmosphere, often comparing them favorably to titles like Frostpunk and Company of Heroes. However, some users note that the graphics can be mediocre or outdated, particularly on lower settings, and there are occasional technical issues. Overall, while the visuals are generally well-received, opinions vary on their quality and impact on gameplay.

    • “The art style, atmosphere, environment, and game mechanics are absolutely amazing!”
    • “The stunning visuals and well-crafted narrative make every hour invested in the game a thrilling adventure, offering a compelling journey from start to finish.”
    • “Amazed at how much care went into the artwork, accuracy of the world war, and seriously in awe at the live action acting that went into this phenomenal game.”
    • “Gameplay is decent, graphics are mediocre with washed out colors.”
    • “The game graphics are below average.”
    • “Why I 'hate' it... AI is stupid, graphics are lacking for 2023, more like early 2000s.”
  • music57 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with a well-crafted soundtrack that adapts to the gameplay, shifting from calm to dramatic during battles. Many reviewers noted the effective use of period music and classical adaptations, which contribute to the immersive experience, while some pointed out occasional repetitiveness in tracks. Overall, the combination of music, voice acting, and art design creates a compelling and atmospheric backdrop for the game's narrative.

    • “The music in the game changes according to the current situation, where at first it is calm, but as the battle progresses, the music becomes faster and more dramatic.”
    • “The soundtrack is great, featuring musical themes that are variations on famous Czech classical music.”
    • “The moody music, combined with the graphics and the details of your train, creates an amazing atmosphere.”
    • “The music is sombre, depressing, and fits perfectly with the vibe of the game.”
    • “Music plays over other music in some levels (specifically the last level, where there were three songs playing over each other).”
    • “Caution: don't turn on the game's soundtrack!”
  • atmosphere42 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, effectively blending art, music, and gameplay to create a captivating experience. Reviewers highlight the game's historical authenticity and the emotional weight of its setting, particularly in relation to anti-Soviet themes and war-torn environments. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals, compelling storytelling, and atmospheric sound design contributes to a deeply engaging gameplay experience.

    • “An immersive, atmospheric, and historically engrossing title that masterfully combines the RTT, RPG, and resource management genres.”
    • “The moody music, the graphics when zooming in from the nicely built landscape of the map down to the details of your train to see your crew work and drive from one war-torn village to the next are all things that create an amazing atmosphere.”
    • “I absolutely love the atmosphere of this game and the care and attention put towards being historically authentic.”
    • “The game is filled with an atmosphere of anti-Soviet and later Russian government.”
    • “Atmosphere.”
    • “It nails the mood and atmosphere and covers part of WW1 history that is rarely if ever talked about in games.”
  • stability33 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant crashes and bugs, particularly during startup and mission loading, while others report a mostly smooth experience with only minor glitches. Many users noted that while the game can be buggy, especially with certain mechanics like stealth, most issues are not game-breaking and seem to be addressed by active developer support. Overall, the game appears to be well-optimized for some, but others find it frustratingly unstable at times.

    • “So far, no glitches or bugs; it looks very polished.”
    • “The game is almost bug free (I encountered three minor bugs during the 70 hours of gameplay, none of them game-breaking).”
    • “Excellent game that has been bug free as far as I have gotten.”
    • “Spent half an hour trying to get the game to even get out of the main menu because it either crashes on startup or when trying to start a new game. I can't seem to find a fix for this, and the devs have posted some troubleshooting steps, none of which are helpful.”
    • “Not to mention, my computer freezes invariably after about half an hour of play, especially when reloading a saved position.”
    • “However, it has a lot of fundamental flaws, glitches, and issues which are on a basic level. I think they really need to be polished up as it's a bit ridiculous they're already advertising their future DLC when there are missions I cannot actively do because if I load in one of my squad members will glitch and run to a random part of the map and become impossible to exfil.”
  • grinding31 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with many describing it as tedious and requiring excessive management of resources and troops. While some enjoy the resource gathering and train upgrades, the repetitive nature of tasks and lack of auto-save features contribute to a sense of frustration. Combat and stealth mechanics also suffer from a lack of depth, leading to a feeling of monotony as the game progresses.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I'm really trying to find the fun, but I'm really finding the game tedious.”
    • “Upgrading the train is just a tedious exercise in gathering resources, reassigning people, and then assigning them back to their regular job a minute later.”
    • “The crew management just feels tedious, even on lower difficulties.”
  • replayability27 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its multiple paths, character development, and decision-making that enhance replay value, while others find it lacking due to repetitive content and limited incentives to replay. Many users report enjoying 30 to 60 hours of gameplay, but opinions vary on whether the experience warrants multiple playthroughs. While some highlight significant replay potential, others express concerns about the game's linearity and the feeling of slogging through familiar content.

    • “50 hours of fun easily, with significant replay value.”
    • “Lots of different ways to beat missions and plenty of replay value due to constant decision making that has various effects and outcomes.”
    • “The character development for your teams, base management for the train, path options on the track and varied tactics in each scenario are all pieced together so well to make this a highly replayable addition to my Steam library.”
    • “Overall, it's enough to last you around 30 hours, not much replayability though.”
    • “I'm somewhat curious how skipping optional missions would affect later ones (if at all) and what the alternative routes would have been like, but repeating a lot of content feels like too much of a slog for the extra replay value.”
    • “There is not much in terms of replayability except for increasing the difficulty.”
  • optimization21 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing crashes, pathing issues, and performance drops, particularly in later chapters and on lower-end systems. While a few users noted smooth performance and minimal bugs, many expressed frustration over poor optimization that can lead to stuttering and high resource demands, suggesting that the game could benefit from further refinement. Overall, while there are positive aspects, the consensus indicates that optimization is a significant area for improvement.

    • “Cool tactical strategy game, modern visuals, catching story, well optimized.”
    • “Overall the game feels really well made, performance is smooth and I haven't encountered any bugs or glitches.”
    • “The game runs great and is well optimized, while the graphics is really nice to look at.”
    • “Six crashes in about sixty hours isn't too much, but I'm of the opinion that a well-optimized game definitely shouldn't crash like that.”
    • “Some pathing issues block your soldiers, which leads to avoidable deaths, and reloading your saves (you can quick save) takes ages; that doesn't seem optimized.”
    • “Stuttering on medium settings on an RTX 4070/7800X3D while running DLSS on a real-time strategy game is unacceptable.”
  • humor17 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mix of dark and absurd elements, with players finding amusement in the tragic side stories and the exaggerated incompetence of enemy AI. Moments like the overpowered stealth mechanics and the absurd portrayal of the Red Army contribute to a comedic experience, while the game's detailed management systems and quirky achievements add to the lightheartedness. Overall, the humor often shines through the game's serious themes, creating a unique blend of hilarity amidst the chaos.

    • “It's funny that you can lower the Red Army's attack on your train (the red bar) by simply starting and stopping the engine of the train quickly (start, stop, start, stop, start, stop), and there you go, the threat is gone even though you haven't moved much! Lol.”
    • “The propaganda is present and hilariously blunt.”
    • “A hilarious example is the fact that the Russian soldiers are just so, so bad.”
  • emotional15 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, particularly for players from Central and Eastern Europe, as it explores themes of camaraderie, despair, and survival amidst chaos. Players report a deep emotional investment in the characters and their journeys, with the game eliciting strong feelings of heartbreak and beauty through its narrative and strategic decisions. Overall, it is praised as a must-play for those seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally engaging experience in the strategy genre.

    • “It's tough, it's heartbreaking, it's beautiful.”
    • “Witnessing the camaraderie and despair of your soldiers amidst the chaos of revolution adds emotional depth to the strategic decisions.”
    • “This game broke me emotionally and had me fully engaged for 80 hours.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is seen as uneven, with some paths being more advantageous than others, leading to a sense of imbalance among characters. While the integration of character development with gameplay elements like team management and tactical choices enhances replayability, players express a desire for deeper character arcs, particularly for female characters and beyond the advisor's limited storyline. Overall, the potential for richer character development is acknowledged, but current execution leaves room for improvement.

    • “The character development for your teams, base management for the train, path options on the track, and varied tactics in each scenario are all pieced together so well to make this a highly replayable addition to my Steam library.”
    • “I’d say that there are some paths for character development that are easier or more beneficial than others; some characters are just better. But if you want to truly enjoy the game, you should keep the train running with whoever you have.”
    • “A little more character development would be nice, especially since the game includes females in combat roles.”
    • “The only character development you get is your advisor Langer, and his entire schtick is developing PTSD, even though he just sits in the train all the time.”
    • “I’d say that there are some paths for character development that are easier or more beneficial than others; some characters are just better, but if you want to enjoy the game truly, you should keep the train running with whoever you got.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy for the game includes advertising future DLC, which some players find premature given the existing fundamental flaws and glitches that hinder gameplay. Users express frustration that the game is being promoted despite unresolved issues, suggesting a disconnect between the game's current state and its monetization efforts.

    • “However, it has a lot of fundamental flaws, glitches, and issues that are basic level, which I think really need to be polished up. It's a bit ridiculous they're already advertising their future DLC when there are missions I cannot actively do because if I load in one of my squad members, they will glitch and run to a random part of the map, making it impossible to exfil, to give one example.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

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Play time

38hMedian play time
39hAverage play time
12-60hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 17 analyzed playthroughs

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