User Reviews (1 - 11 of 40)

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Intriguing, yet Frustrating

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: May 05, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Those who enjoy this genre will probably have much less trouble playing this game than I did. I am a complete novice at this type of game(similar to games like Myst), and was about as frustrated as one could possibly be without actually resorting to physical violence against the computer. I finally broke down and downloaded the "helpful hints" from a sight on the internet...which made ALL the difference! In general, I would say that the graphics, the design of the game,etc. were beyond excellent...unbelievably good, actually. The frustration comes in knowing that you have obviously missed something (because the computer kills you off), but having no idea just how far back you need to go (when so many of the events are very precisely timed)in order to try to figure out what you've missed. For those who normally enjoy playing this type of game, it would probably grab all 5 stars and maybe more; for me, the frustration factor was just a little too high.

The Greatest Game Of All Time!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 20, 2007
Author: Amazon User

It is a real shame that more people have not heard of "The Last Express" because it is such a PHENOMINAL game! Ten years ago I played it in sixth grade and I have been playing it over and over for the past ten years! I learned a lot from this game, political history, geography, music history, as well as a little bit of French, German, and Russian. So it is not only entertaining but it is educational to boot! Everything about the game is first class! The charchters are well written, the dialogue is beautiful and at times tear-jerking.If they ever decided to make a movie of a mini-series out of this I want to be involved. That would be a dream come true. It is a damn shame it is considered such a flop because it is the most phenominal writing I have ever seen. There was clearly so much hard work put into this game! At the same time I'm glad more people have not heard of it because the whole thing seems that much more real to me! I have been a hardcore fan of this game for over ten years now and I recomend it to anyone, any age, who wants to be entertained, learn some history, learn some French, and just feel a whole lot smarter by playing a video game. Robert Cath is the sexiest cartoon of all time (is that wrong?) He is the ideal man: smart (a doctor), handsome (look at those broad shoulders), couragous (who else woul climb on the roof of a moving train?), and modest. To hell with Scarlett O'Hara! Anna his love interest is one of the most fascinating heroine's I have ever seen, and this is just a video game! My only criticism is that you have to wait for long periods of time for anything to happen (ex. someone to get up so you could talk to them or waiting for someone to leave their compartment!)But the story and excitment of this great game is worth waiting.

Great Game, Obviously Outdated Graphics (8 years later)

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: February 18, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Awesome game! Lot's of fun. I played and then my mom actually played it. Very engaging, mysterious, challenging. It's got it all: murder, mystery, a little romance, international intrigue, stolen antiques, etc.

Of course, it was released 8 years ago. So the graphics are way outdated at this point. Still worth playing though.

An unforgettable adventure across a Europe on the brink of war

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 13, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Jordan Mechner's riveting The Last Express was unusual for a number of reasons: the game allowed the player to explore the legendary Orient Express, with details recovered from vintage Orient cars and photos, and there were several countries involved in political intrigue on board (Russian, Serbs, Persians, Germans, etc.).

Most striking are the game's visuals; artists used real-time video capture, then translated the images to 2D pen-and-ink outlines (much like those black-and-white books of Art Nouveau clipart). This is not always successful; characters are more like expressive, oversimplified cartoons, and motions are jerky, but combined with top-notch voicework, this is easily overlooked. Also, the characters' dialogue is recorded in the various languages of each nationality: as American Robert Cath, you will eavesdrop on conversations in various languages (which will appear translated in subtitles, but only for languages that Robert speaks!).

Your fellow passengers may not be what they seem; there are hidden deals and dark secrets afoot. The inventory-based puzzles are generally straightforward and intuitive, and the game's small environment eliminates tedious backtracking. The several arcade-style action sequences are not as successful and suffer from slow, jerky controls, meaning that if you die you'll have to play again and again before you can move on.

Overall, the combination of detailed backstory, attention to period detail, the many languages and nationalities, the cinematic score, and rich visuals make this a game to treasure.

Lame

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 25
Date: October 21, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The stereotypes are only mildly irritating. Germans are fat, French are snobs, Brits are chatty, etc. The American is Indiana Jones of course (what else?)

The real nuisance came at the end. If you don't catch a roach and trade it for a stupid whistle in mid game, the game continues but will prevent you from winning. It doesn't get any lamer than this.

I NEED HELP

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 4
Date: May 21, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I AM NOT CLEVER ENOUGH TO KEEP MYSELF FROM BEING KILLED IN TYLER WHITES COMPARTMENT. NO MATTER WHAT I DO OR HOW MUCH I STALL I STILL RUN INTO THE RUSSIAN. AND OF COURSE HE KILLS ME. CAN YOU HELP ME TO AVOID THIS??

THANK YOU SHARONE

A different kind of game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: August 17, 2000
Author: Amazon User

First of all I payed about $30 for this game used on ebay. But it was probably worth it. It is a different kind of game that focuses on character development rather than puzzle solving (typical adventure games) or action. There are puzzles to be solved but none are particularly difficult like the brainstumpers in so many adventure games. The main fun is in learning about the other passengers on the train. Also the graphical style is somewhat old-fashioned, but kind of neat and appropriate to the setting of the story.

Horrible

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 15
Date: December 20, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Maybe I am jaded by games like Grim Fandango, and the longest journey. I just want more to a game than jerky graphics and trying to find a plot, by being in the right place at the right time. The plot should be the programmers responsibility and not mine.

Excellent!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: May 25, 2001
Author: Amazon User

A gripping and moving piece of business, this. The absence of background music, the real-time action, the many languages, and the historical setting combine to give you a feeling of having actually ridden the Orient Express in the years before the Great War. I'd recommend it for experienced gamers or people with a lot of patience, however; it's not a simple game to play, and the puzzles are difficult and rely on your being in the right place at the right time. (And it's in real time, which means a half-hour concert really does take thirty minutes. Be prepared!)

Adventurers Out There!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: June 01, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Where do I even begin? I have no complaints! The music arrangement was beautiful. The scenes dramatic and exciting! This game contains international intrigue, suspense, mystery and romance. I enjoyed playing Robert Cath, an American fugitive with a mysterious background who has come onboard the Express to visit an old friend. When he arrives, he discovers his friend has been murdered. Robert then embarks on a quest to find out who did it and why. There are a few fighting scenes but if you get killed, you can set the clock back and try again. The game is in real time, which I found to be an advantage giving you a true sense of your surroundings. There is a need for urgency in some scenes where you have so much time to complete a particular task, which I found challenging and exciting. There are times when nothing is going on so I kept myself busy reading the paper or exploring the train. The time frame is just before the outbreak of WWI so if you like history, you'll enjoy reading the newspaper articles regarding that era. You eat, sleep, explore, talk to people, listen to conversations just like you would in real life. The effect is amazing! I would recommend this to history buffs, adventurers and romantics.

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