Last Year: The Nightmare
- October 26, 2020
- Elastic Games
- 8h median play time
Get on Steam"Last Year: The Nightmare" is a multiplayer survival horror game where a group of high school students must survive the night against a relentless killer. Players must work together to evade and outsmart the killer, using various tools and environments to their advantage. With a variety of killers to face and a constantly changing environment, each playthrough offers a unique and suspenseful experience.
Reviews
- The game is very fun and enjoyable, especially when played with friends.
- It has a unique horror atmosphere and interesting gameplay mechanics, including crafting and character classes.
- The graphics and sound design are well-executed, contributing to an immersive experience.
- The player base is extremely low, making it difficult to find matches without a full group of friends.
- The game suffers from balance issues, with the killer often being at a disadvantage against multiple survivors.
- There are numerous bugs and connection issues, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- gameplay13 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its engaging mechanics and fun factor, especially when played with friends, though it may require some time to master. While some users note that it lacks balance compared to its predecessor, "Afterdark," and has less smooth gameplay, it still offers an enjoyable experience with intriguing elements and varied environments. Overall, it is considered a worthwhile pick, particularly during sales.
“Very good mechanics; with time, you can learn them all.”
“It has intriguing gameplay; you're not just running around or shooting stuff all day.”
“Stamina will be a bit less than typical if you're used to playing Afterdark as a survivor - but the gameplay is still as fast-paced as Afterdark.”
“The gameplay is fine for the type of asymmetrical game it is.”
“Gameplay-wise, I prefer Afterdark, but the areas in this one are better because it's more open, for example, the gym area.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its eerie ambiance and masterful execution, creating a spooky experience that enhances gameplay. The atmospheric tones and improved graphics, including lighting and reflections, contribute to a scarier tone, making it a standout feature. Despite some concerns about gameplay balance, the overall atmospheric experience is considered a masterpiece, particularly during themed events like Halloween.
“This game is a beautiful masterpiece with an eerie ambiance and spooky atmosphere. It's a shame with the current situation of elastic games, but I think that one day elastic games might get a publisher and continue content.”
“The atmospheric tones in each of the maps are amazingly executed along with the soundtrack.”
“I’m a newbie here, totally enjoying this game, this Halloween atmosphere and 70’s school horror.”
“In each game, there is only 1 killer and 5 survivors, but survivors can be more than 5... it is really killing the atmosphere.”
“This game is a beautiful masterpiece with an eerie ambiance and spooky atmosphere; it's a shame with the current situation of elastic games, but I think that one day elastic games might get a publisher and continue content.”
“The tone and atmosphere are scarier because of the slightly better graphics (lighting, reflections).”
- graphics6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have been praised for their impressive quality, particularly in enhancing the co-op horror experience with improved lighting and reflections. Users note that the visuals contribute significantly to the game's tone and atmosphere, making it scarier and more immersive. Overall, the graphics are considered a strong point, especially in the latest version compared to the classic one.
“Awesome graphics for this kind of co-op horror game!”
“The graphics and sound effects are just wow!”
“If you really want to buy this game, buy the other version called 'Last Year' since that is the one that will continue to receive updates. This classic version, which came out in 2018, has better graphics, but overall, the other version is much better.”
“Graphics are slightly better (lighting, reflections) - tone and atmosphere is scarier because of it.”
- stability5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, lag issues, and unbalanced gameplay. While some players note minor visual glitches, others express frustration over significant technical problems that hinder the overall experience.
“The game is very buggy and the fact that your mic is always on makes me feel uncomfortable.”
“Unbalanced and very laggy/buggy most of the time.”
“I had to look it up on Reddit to figure this out and I ended up wasting half an hour downloading the wrong game and then troubleshooting why I couldn't accept my friend's game invite or find a tutorial.”
- story4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is criticized for its limited variety, featuring only three maps and repetitive missions that can lead to boredom. However, playing with friends can enhance the experience, making the repetitive nature more enjoyable.
“The story feels disjointed and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The characters are one-dimensional and fail to evoke any real emotional response.”
“The plot twists are predictable, leaving little room for surprise or intrigue.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is generally considered inferior to its predecessor, which has received multiple patches to enhance performance. While the newer version boasts improved graphics and easier matchmaking, players recommend opting for the older version for a more stable experience.
“If you still want to buy this game, go ahead. What is better in this version than the other is the graphics; they look better, it is easier to find a game, and it is better optimized.”
“Performance is not as optimized as the other version of the game, which had multiple patches specifically to address performance.”
“The graphics look better, it is easier to find a game, and it is better optimized.”
“First things first, if you really want to buy this game, buy the other version called 'Last Year' since that is the one that, in the case that the game revives, will continue to receive updates. This is the classic version, which came out in 2018 for Discord, while the other is the most recent version of the game. If you still want to buy this game, go ahead. What is better in this version than the other is the graphics; they look better, it is easier to find a game, and it is better optimized. But in the rest, the other version of the game is much better (sorry for my English, I'm not very good).”
“Performance is not as optimized as the other version of the game. The other game had multiple patches specifically to address performance.”
“Performance is not as optimized as the other version of the game. The other game had multiple patches specifically to address performance.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted as a standout feature, with many players finding it genuinely funny and capable of eliciting strong laughter during various events. However, some users express disappointment, feeling misled by promotional content, which detracts from their overall enjoyment.
“There are lots of events that will literally make you roll on the floor laughing; it's a very amusing game.”
“Yes, funny and good.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its atmospheric tones, which enhance the overall experience across different maps. Additionally, the ultimate edition includes a soundtrack that further supports the game's immersive qualities.
“The atmospheric tones in each of the maps are amazingly executed along with the soundtrack.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or multiple attempts to progress effectively.
“Grinding in this game is rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
“The grind is challenging but ultimately satisfying.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is considered limited, with users noting that it offers only a modest amount of content to revisit after the initial playthrough. Many feel that once the main objectives are completed, there is little incentive to return. Overall, it seems to lack the depth or variety needed to encourage multiple playthroughs.
“The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
“The limited variety in gameplay mechanics means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
