The Last Express

Lore & Background

The game operates primarily from a first-person perspective during exploration, with third-person cutscenes. Gameplay takes place almost entirely in real-time, accelerated by a factor of six, except when the player's character sleeps or the pause menu is active. Events are scripted to occur at specific times on the in-game clock. The pause menu allows rewinding time to a specific point or destination, and fast-forwarding to a later time already reached in the story. The main areas are the train's carriages, where the player can look around, move down corridors, enter compartments, knock on doors, and talk to people. Items can be examined or collected for later use. The story features around thirty characters, each with their own artificial intelligence and individual agendas, who conduct actions to complete personal goals, changing plans only due to player intervention. The non-linear storytelling means player actions or inactions affect how the story plays out, leading to a script of around 800 pages. The story includes multiple endings: around thirty game overs where the main character is killed or arrested, and four alternate endings, only one of which is the 'true' ending.

Reader's Guide

The Last Express was a commercial disappointment upon release but received highly positive reviews and a positive post-release response. A Sony PlayStation port was in development but was cancelled before completion. The game was later reacquired by Mechner, who worked with DotEmu to create portable versions for iOS and Android, and later released a remade version for Steam titled The Last Express – Gold Edition. The game's real-time mechanic and non-linear narrative were innovative for its time, and its detailed historical setting and large cast of characters with independent agendas contributed to its lasting reputation. Despite its initial commercial failure, the game has been recognized as a unique and ambitious title in the adventure game genre.

Did You Know?

• The game's events take place in real-time, accelerated by a factor of six.
• The script was around 800 pages long due to the many possible player actions.
• A Sony PlayStation port was cancelled before it was finished.
• The game was later reacquired by Jordan Mechner and released as The Last Express – Gold Edition on Steam.