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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.

Great Game, Obviously Outdated Graphics (8 years later)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 So the graphics are way outdated at this point.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.

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.

One of the last great adventure games

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: December 17, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This game is simply beautiful. I lost my copy a few years ago, so I can't go into as much detail as some of the other reviewers, but I feel it my duty to say that any adventure gamer who didn't take a chance on this game missed out on something great. The real-time element is executed very well--in my opinion, better than any other adventure game I've ever played in which real-time was attempted on that scale (i.e. throughout the whole game). The story is engaging all the way through, and the unfolding international intrigues ought to keep many nerds hooked, not a little because, even in the relatively-isolated environment of a train, you are witness to the birth of a world war. The period environment is subtly and expertly put together: you will overhear workers on the express debating about socialism, and travel companions (some of whom are very "close") talking about the evolving mores of the time, and more! Who knew that spying on other people's lives could be so enriching? In my opinion, the other passengers are generally interesting enough (especially since most of them are more than what they seem) that just walking around on the train--which you'll be doing a lot, especially earlier in the game--is a pleasurable experience. Throw in spies, arms dealers, time bombs, fist-fights, and Serbian terrorists, and the comparison with Indiana Jones is more than fair.

Justus Pendleton is right that there are a few flaws in the game, and these do cause potential anachronisms. I also was frustrated by how the game designers handled that puzzle where you steal the rich African guy's "rather heavy briefcase", because to me it also seemed that the only logical way to handle things would have been to sneak back out through the skylight. But when I finally decided to try just walking through the door into the concert, I actually found the solution rather pleasing. First of all, it does make a little sense: you know the rich guy's goon is going to realize the briefcase is gone, find you alone on the way to your room, and then take you out. If nobody saw you anywhere on board the rich guy's personal car they'll have no reason to believe your disappearance had anything to do with him. If, on the other hand, you quite ostensibly walk through the room and get everybody's attention, the rich guy no longer can easily deny connection with your mysterious death--nor can he call "thief" on you without causing a scene and calling attention to the contents of the briefcase. As in the case with dumping Tyler Whitney's body and impersonating him, sometimes the player is in such a tight bind (with so little time to act) that an unorthodox, even disrespectful solution might be the only one available--I think the game is actually a little adult in this respect. Plus, it was hilarious to see the look on Mr. Rich Guy's face as you just casually stroll through.

Yeah, maybe the game could have offered a little more latitude in your actions, but I think the designers worked hard enough to put together what they had, especially considering how novel much of the game was to begin with. 5 stars anyway, for the overall beauty of the game, the engaging story, and the novelty of the gameplay. If you haven't played this game, and you ever get a chance to, don't miss out by any means!

A Little-Known Classic

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 13
Date: October 08, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This game had a hard time being widely accepted, as it came out at a time when the gaming industry was hyping cutting edge graphics, and more thoughtful (but less graphically exciting) games like this were basically ignored.

This is a beautifully crafted game that takes the player back in time to an earlier era. The story takes place in the last days before the Great War changed the face of Europe forever. You are a rogue American adventurer named Robert Cath, and all the action takes place aboard the Orient Express on its final trip from Paris to Constantinople (modern day Istanbul).

Players will first notice that the game uses a sort of stop-motion comic-book style of animation. This is the game's only serious hurdle. Some folks dislike it, others don't mind it at all. I thought it added to the game, as the Art Nouveau style of the graphics lent the requisite old-fashioned air to a game set in Europe in the early years of the 20th Century. Had it been made using a more modern style, I feel it would have lost something. As it is, the visual choice that the developers made seems perfect for the period and serve to draw you deeper into the story.

Another choice the developers made was to make all the game action take place in real time. Again, this choice may be disliked by players who want fast-paced excitement all the time. At certain periods you have time to just drink in the atmosphere of Europe on the brink of war. This is part of the game's allure. It's a game for people who like to change into a robe on a winter's evening, set a roaring fire in the fireplace and curl up in an overstuffed armchair with a well-written historical novel.

The game presents players with a traditional adventure story, and a rich and deeply involving one at that. The action starts in a Paris train station, and you are soon aboard the Orient Express. As you board the train you have no idea what the next 48 hours will bring, but you will be called on to perform deeds that will determine the very future of Europe. As the story unfolds, you are torn between your allegiance to yourself and your responsibility to save Europe as it plunges into chaos. You will experience adventure, the temptation of riches, love, and tragedy as the Orient Express takes you inexorably towards your destiny.

This game is probably the best game I have ever played. I have owned it for 8 years and I think I've had it on my hard drive all of that time. In terms of atmosphere and story it is unmatched. I am not ashamed to say that it is the only game I've ever played that has made me weep for the characters. Emotionally engaging, deep and ultimately unforgettable, for me this is the perfect game.

This game is no longer available in stores, but if you can find a used copy, buy it. If what I've written above appeals to you, you will love this game. Although it was written for Windows 95 it plays perfectly on modern Windows XP systems.

Regarding the negative reviews: yes, the game has puzzles you have to solve, and some of them require a bit of thought - i.e. the 'roach' and the 'stupid whistle' requires you to make a relatively simple connection between two objects shaped like a beetle - I guess that's too complex for some - and yes, if you don't do it you lose the game. It wouldn't be a game if it allowed you to win without accomplishing the game's tasks. Then there's the review stating that the player should report his friend's death to the authorities - yeah, sure! The newspaper clipping that Cath has in his pocket makes it clear that he's wanted by the police, but I guess that reviewer didn't bother to read that. This is a case of a reviewer who was in such a hurry to finish the game that he didn't bother to actually take any notice of what was going on. Similarly, the idea that the people in the concert had no reaction to Cath's appearance with the gold is wrong. They had a reaction but it was muted because they wanted to avoid suspicion. In short, if you don't take time to understand what's going on you will have a hard time understanding the game. There may be a couple of instances where you can avoid getting the proper information, but 99 times out of 100 you will be in the right place at the right time. Conversations do sometimes occur in different areas of the train simultaneously, but this is a feature, not a flaw - it gives the game more playability beyond the first time, and the whole point is to try to figure out what's going on without needing all the clues.

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.

The best computer game ever?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 11
Date: August 26, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I've owned this game for two years, and still play it on my iMac. It is timeless and THAT good, with excellent characterizations, well-thought out plots and timelines. The game is so unusual, as it has separate timelines going on at the same time; i.e. depending where you are on the train as Robert Cath, you may/may not hear certain conversations and interactions between characters. The characters will interact with each other and go about their business regardless of whether you are in "ear-shot" or not, yet if you approach characters to interact, you may get different responses, depending on what you have done or haven't done in the game, etc. A beautifully conceived game by Jordan Mechner, creater of the Prince of Persia games. Although this game won accolades upon release, it wasn't incredibly well-received, and the Smoking Car Productions (Mechner) that produced the game folded quietly after the game's release.

Fans of this game can also purchase the excellent CD Soundtrack through amazon, as well as the "how-to" player's guide through amazon. One can only hope for a sequel by Mechner if there is enough interest....

Very good game for person sick of pointless puzzles

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: September 29, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I liked this game a lot. It had an interesting storyline, I really felt for the charcters in the end, I haven't felt that way since Gabriel Knight 2. I had to save a lot in the game but I really had no complaints about that. Some people found it tedious to go back a redo sections of the game if they missed a crucial conversation. I guess if you like to finish games quickly then this game is not for you. I liked that you got to know each character in the game, and the dual love stories added romance. I liked the historical background and the artwork of the movie. It was probably one of the best adventure games I have played.

The Last Express is one of a kind

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: June 13, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is truly one of a kind. There is absolutely no other game that can come close to it. I bought this game in 1997 and have played it as recently as today! It's that entertaining. Beautiful visuals aside, the story of The Last Express is breathtaking. Although a sequel had been planned, Smoking Car Productions has sadly disbanded, ending the deal. However, I have exciting news that a movie version is in the works, with both Jordan Mechner and Tomi Pierce supervising. My advice is to buy this game and then go see the movie:) More game developers need to take their cue from this game, if more games came close to this one I'd buy them as fast as they could make them.

Europe, Trains, Murder, Romance - The perfect adventure game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: June 10, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I would highly recommend this game for those history buffs who like trains and like to solve murder mystries on them. The soundtrack for this game is nothing short of classic Hollywood. The game takes to you inside The Orient Express. Europe is literally on the brink of World War I. You are a young American doctor who is invited by a close friend to join him on a trip to Constantinople. Before you even board the train certain events have transpired, which affect the rest of your journey.
The story revolves around the charcters on the train.
And you meet several interesting ones - a German industrialist, a Russian anarchist, a young and innocent Russian girl and her grandfather, a remnant of the Czar, a Serbian rebel couple, a North-African tribal chief, just to name a few. In all, about 30 charecters. You really have to understand each character, their mannerisms, and their movements and behavior in general. They all play an intricate role in making the story.

There are lots of death-defying stunt fights, magic, romance and great music. This game is nothing short of the Indiana Jones Trilogy.

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