The Last Stand: Aftermath

The Last Stand: Aftermath may be a bit light on its gameplay loop, but there are enough unique mechanics to interact with in this zombie roguelike.

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"The Last Stand: Aftermath" is a survival-action role-playing game set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. The player must scavenge for resources, craft items, and navigate through a dangerous landscape while managing their health and stamina. With a focus on melee combat and strategic decision-making, the game offers a challenging and immersive experience in a grim, post-apocalyptic setting.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

74%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,052 reviews

gameplay157 positive mentions

stability82 negative mentions

Engaging gameplay loop that keeps players coming back for more.
Unique infection mechanic adds a sense of urgency and strategy to each run.
Nostalgic elements from previous Last Stand games enhance the experience.

Frequent bugs and glitches can lead to frustrating deaths and lost progress.
Repetitive gameplay can become tedious after multiple runs.
Limited character customization and lack of meaningful story impact the overall experience.

gameplay
470 mentions
33 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "The Last Stand: Aftermath" is characterized by a compelling roguelite loop that combines resource management, combat, and a unique infection mechanic that adds urgency to each run. While many players find the core mechanics engaging and addictive, there are significant criticisms regarding bugs, repetitive gameplay, and a lack of depth in certain systems, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game offers a satisfying blend of action and strategy, appealing to fans of the genre, though it may require patience due to its rough edges.
- “The gameplay loop is fun.”
- “Fluid gameplay; easy to learn, but hard to master.”
- “The core gameplay loop consists of a few elements which I think work well together.”
- “This is a rogue-like flash game riddled with annoying bugs, frustrating mechanics, and suffering from a severe lack of fun.”
- “The gameplay is very repetitive and dull.”
- “The final 'endgame' area is too buggy to finish with teleporting enemies, invisible enemies that are still hitting you, etc.”
story
310 mentions
22 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as light and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting its simplicity and predictability. While some players appreciate the world-building and the integration of gameplay mechanics with the narrative, others find the character development and plot progression to be underwhelming and uninspired. Overall, the story serves primarily as a functional backdrop to the gameplay rather than a compelling driving force.
- “The story itself was enjoyable and easy to follow from beginning to end.”
- “The game actually has a full-fledged story as this game takes place 15 years after the apocalypse and the collapse of society.”
- “The story and writing is serviceable enough - but the dialogue boxes have a bit of a delay to them.”
- “The story is very plain; there is no character depth.”
- “The story was very poor.”
- “The story is laughably cliche and so predictable.”
graphics
140 mentions
51 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the overall visual quality, atmosphere, and attention to detail, particularly in lighting and effects. However, some users noted issues with optimization, performance drops in demanding areas, and a lack of variety in art style, leading to a somewhat generic aesthetic over extended gameplay. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good, there are concerns about technical performance and repetitiveness in visual design.
- “The graphics are surprisingly good for a company that's mostly worked in Flash before; the characters are basic but memorable, and the story is engaging enough despite being very simple.”
- “The game is absolutely stunning with nice graphics and ambiance.”
- “I thoroughly enjoy this title at the moment; the graphics are great, the sound is immersive, the lighting is outstanding, and the overall aesthetics of this game are really engrossing and a pleasure to play.”
- “It's a mistake to judge the demo based on the low budget, outdated graphics (from 10-20 years ago) and lack of expansive character dialogue options.”
- “I also wish the game had a better art style, as it just looks very generic and even underdeveloped, hence the previously mentioned lack of charm.”
- “The graphics aren't anything to brag about and maps are bordered off with invisible barriers that sometimes let you slip through some cracks and you can get stuck.”
stability
86 mentions
5 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting a variety of bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in later levels. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these issues, many express frustration over game-breaking bugs, softlocks, and unresponsive mechanics, leading to a sense of abandonment by the developers. Overall, the game is described as fun but plagued by stability problems that detract from the experience.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck with low-medium settings.”
- “The game runs great on GNU/Linux through Wine/Proton.”
- “Compared to some AAA launches, it is fairly bug-free. I have noticed a few bugs that a good beta tester should have found, but nothing has straight broken my game or stalled progress.”
- “And then, after 25 hours, I reached the end, the last level (a bit buggy) and what I think was supposed to be the final boss (the last stand, you might say), and the game just... bugged and softlocked me in place.”
- “The game itself is a fun looter shooter without too complicated gameplay systems, but the final 'endgame' area is too buggy to finish with teleporting enemies, invisible enemies that are still hitting you, etc. I do want to see how the story ends and am going to find a let's play from YouTube, but sadly it's now time to uninstall it without having the patience to finish it.”
- “However, the game is so buggy that it spoils your playing experience; you cannot shoot enemies from the high ground (you must be on the same height with those enemies); there are enemies invisible until your character dies; strong enemies teleport when they crash into out-of-bounds areas; the loot spawns in places your character cannot reach; fires/traps are behind walls players cannot watch out for; enemies can recognize your character from further distances than you can scout; and when you get out of the car, you can step on a landmine within three steps.”
replayability
73 mentions
51 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is frequently praised, with many players highlighting its addictive gameplay, randomized maps, and progression systems that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some users express concerns about the campaign's length and potential repetitiveness, suggesting that while there is significant replay value, it may not be infinite for everyone. The combination of roguelite elements and unique mechanics contributes to a generally positive perception of replayability, making it appealing for fans of the genre.
- “The gameplay is addictive and replayable.”
- “Last Stand: Aftermath has a ton of replayability through upgrades which both boost the character's survivability and give access to a wider range of weapons and materials.”
- “The game has a huge amount of replayability with its roguelite gameplay.”
- “One con is that the replayability isn't great even in the end game.”
- “The game's campaign mode is also relatively short, with little replay value once you've completed it.”
- “Get repetitive over time and not much replayable, but can keep you busy for a few evenings, especially if you are into this kind of games.”
optimization
59 mentions
22 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, low frame rates, and crashes, particularly in graphically intensive areas. While some users noted that the game runs smoothly on high settings with decent hardware, others experienced severe lag and poor optimization even on capable systems. Overall, there is a consensus that the game requires further optimization and bug fixes to enhance the gameplay experience.
- “No major UI/technical issues, negligible bugs; overall, it runs smoothly.”
- “The game looks great and runs smoothly.”
- “I encountered a few bugs from the day 1 build, but most have been patched out quickly within the first few weeks, and the devs seem committed to improving the player's quality of life and the game's performance.”
- “Very poorly optimized, and a lot of gameplay features are poorly implemented as well.”
- “Needs bug fixes and an optimization update; the game runs poorly, and you need a decent PC to play it properly, and it's not even that good looking.”
- “Once you get to hell, the last map, performance takes a nosedive with all the particle effects and lighting, which is extremely ridiculous for a game that recommends a 5-year-old GPU.”
grinding
47 mentions
2 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, especially in the later stages. While some appreciate the addictive nature of the progression system, others feel that the necessity of grinding for resources and achievements detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to frustration and a sense of wasted time. Overall, the game is characterized as grind-heavy, which may appeal to some players but can become a significant drawback for others.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “After unlocking the last location, the game feels super repetitive, and after the boss fight, the game is basically grinding to get the needed achievements.”
- “Towards the later part where I assume I am, there is a lot more grinding and wasted time trying to get through the early levels towards the later levels; kind of a big miss there in my opinion.”
- “At its best, Last Stand: Aftermath is a grindy roguelike, with initially addictive but ultimately repetitive and pointless gameplay.”
atmosphere
42 mentions
74 % positive mentions
19 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and tense qualities, effectively capturing the essence of a post-apocalyptic zombie world. Players appreciate the combination of haunting visuals, compelling sound design, and atmospheric lighting that enhances the overall experience. Many reviews highlight that the game's atmosphere is a significant factor in its enjoyment, making it a standout title in the genre.
- “The attention to detail in the world design, from the hauntingly abandoned buildings to the atmospheric lighting and weather effects, creates a sense of desolation and dread.”
- “Very, very atmospheric - probably one of the best interpretations of a post-zombie apocalypse.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is on point and it really looks like the apocalyptic world and death of human civilization.”
- “The music and atmosphere are very dark.”
- “It gets the atmosphere and immersion right for a zombie game, but other than that, there is nothing else positive.”
- “An eerie atmosphere and 'realistic' feel to the world adds to the immersion.”
music
25 mentions
44 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
Overall, the music in the game is praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and fit the game's setting, with many reviewers noting its effectiveness in creating tension and immersion. However, some players found the music to be repetitive or bland after extended play, suggesting a mixed reception regarding its long-term appeal. The sound design, including effects and ambience, received positive remarks, contributing to a solid auditory experience.
- “The art and music are just great.”
- “Great atmosphere, music, and graphics.”
- “The ambiance and music are insane; you really feel the stress when infected start to overrun you.”
- “On the other side, I found the music a bit bland after some time (indeed it took like 10+ hours to notice that).”
- “The music is a bit... boring.”
- “- ambience and music”
humor
16 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, featuring amusing mechanics like character animations and absurd enemy behaviors that often lead to laughter, especially during combat. However, the experience is occasionally undermined by frustrating bugs that detract from the overall enjoyment, creating a blend of hilarity and irritation. Players appreciate the comedic elements, but the game's technical issues can overshadow the fun at times.
- “Very nice, and funny, with the right balance of good combat and easy but meaningful crafting.”
- “The fact that the leaving area animation with the car is the same in all of the areas regardless is the most immersion-breaking and funny thing I've seen.”
- “Never in the many hours of playing video games (not even League of Legends), have I ever been so frustrated and laughing at myself at how each death is suffered.”
emotional
8 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the emotional depth of the game, highlighting the impact of moral choices and the immersive connection to the game world. While some moments evoke laughter and joy, others create a sense of detachment due to the inevitability of character deaths. Overall, the game balances heartfelt details with a rogue-like structure that fosters a sense of progression and investment.
- “The moral choices and consequences faced by the player add depth and immersion, creating an emotional connection to the game world and its inhabitants.”
- “Nonetheless, I must say the game has many touching details, too.”
- “I love the rogue-like elements it holds and with heartfelt updates I can see it becoming even better over time.”
monetization
7 mentions
29 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
71 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players feel it leans towards a cash grab with limited updates and content, others appreciate the lack of pay-to-win mechanics and find the game rewarding for its price. Overall, it seems the game has managed to avoid excessive microtransactions, which is a refreshing change compared to many recent releases.
- “Honestly worth every dollar, and it really rewards the grind without bolstering pay-to-win properties or in-game purchases.”
- “The game is great and has had one of the best releases I've seen all year. Almost every game that's come out has been a buggy mess with a multitude of issues or immediately plastering you with microtransactions.”
- “Updates and patches are few and far between; it feels like a cash grab from the first two games.”
- “I went in, expecting this to be some cash grab, banking on a name and nostalgia.”
- “The graphics and advertisement look good, but there's no content in the game.”
character development
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is inconsistent, with some players appreciating the RPG elements that allow for strategy and customization, while others criticize the lack of depth and meaningful choices, particularly in the story and NPC interactions. Overall, the character development is seen as either interesting or severely lacking, leading to a mixed reception.
- “The RPG elements, including character development and skill progression, add layers of strategy and customization.”
- “Not bad... interesting character development.”
- “Additionally, the game's story is lackluster, with a generic post-apocalyptic setting and little in the way of character development or meaningful choices.”
- “No NPC character development.”
- “Giving this game 0 depth in any sort of character development, the story gets boring after like the first 2 hours then is just like... uggh I want a refund but then you're too late, this game is a catfish.”