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Sam Spade on the Orient Express

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 101 / 103
Date: February 28, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Pros:

1. Everything in The Last Express is topnotch: the graphics and the voice acting; the varied, fascinating characters, and the absorbing story. It's an atmospheric mystery/thriller like "The Maltese Falcon," plunked into a colorful, stylish Art Deco set. As Robert Cath, a young American doctor, you hop a ride on the Orient Express, where you encounter a sumptuous world sliding inexorably toward violence and war.

2. Nearly all the action takes place on the train, which heightens the intimacy and drama. In this, it is reminiscent of Hitchcock's "The Lady Vanishes." Last Express takes place in "real time," which means that events and conversations continue on at their own pace. A rewind feature permits you to go back in time to redo things you missed. If you have played "Titanic: An Adventure Out of Time," in which the end game takes place in (much more frenetic) real time, you will have a sense of what Last Express is like.

3. There are several endings, but the one in which you "win" is a classic. IMHO, the ending alone is worth the price of the game.

Cons:

1. The characters in Last Express were filmed, and then animated; the end result is rather jerky. I found that I noticed this for about the first fifteen minutes, then I adjusted and forgot all about it.

2. The game includes a handful of fight scenes, although there is an easy cheat to get past these (I used it). There are also more subtle adult themes. They might go right over the head of a child playing the game with you. On the other hand, they might not.

3. The save-game mechanism, which doesn't allow you to easily identify your game.

Bottom Line: Wit, Beauty, Romance, Elegance, Intrigue, Action, Suspense.

great game but with a few flaws

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 25 / 26
Date: June 01, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I found the storyline great (better that many other adventure games I've played) and the characters even better. The game is well designed and thought out.

However, I thought there were a few problems that kept me from giving it five stars. This game is real-time (you need to keep track of the time) which means you have to be in the right place at the right time to have a conversation. If you need to sneak into a room and miss your chance it's to late (this happened to me more than once. ugh.)You can't quickly reload the game like you would in other adventure games. Last Express only lets you start over at certain points in the game. It's very frustrating! My other complaint is that I found some of the puzzles to not be very intuitive. I don't want to give anything away since this is a truly great game but I did have to hunt down hints at a few points during the game.

Overall, this game is great entertainment, if you don't mind some of the frustration.

A New Art

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 17 / 17
Date: July 02, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This is the first video game that has ever made me consider that the video game might be the novel of the twenty-first century.

Looking at the screen-shots, it may not draw in the traditional video game player (such as myself). And yet, once you are in the environment, the game is totally aborbing. There aren't enough "puzzles" to qualify the game as Myst-style, but the characterization and story make this game something beyond any other video game I've ever seen. It's emotionally involving, in the way that we merge ourselves into truly good movies and books. The somewhat cartoonish style isn't so much like King's Quest or Space Quest as it is like Toulouse-Latrec. And the background design is stunning and intricate. There are plenty of plot-twists and mysteries to solve -- this is no stale adventure -- but the involvement you experience in the story is unlike anything I've seen since, despite all of our technological advances. This is, still, one of the finest video games ever produced, a first-person story of the highest order, where you determine, every time you play, the flavor of the story.

A storytelling tour de force that almost succeeds

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 14 / 14
Date: June 24, 2000
Author: Amazon User

It's rare for an adventure game to have such an intricate, richly detailed plot, but for fans of literate entertainment (especially mystery fans like myself), THE LAST EXPRESS is a real gem. Around the most well-worn clichés (murder, secret alliances, and international intrigue on the Orient Express, after all, hardly seem like fresh material), Jordan Mechner, the writer/designer, has woven a labyrinthine story so meticulously crafted, it feels like a collaboration between Christie and le Carré.

You are Robert Cath, a suave, sarcastic, resourceful American doctor traveling through Europe on the Orient Express in pre-WWI Europe. No sooner have you arrived, however, than you discover the bloody corpse of your friend and host, Tyler Whitney. This is only the beginning of a story impressive not only for the suspenseful twists and turns, but for its faithfulness to historical accuracy. Mechner's decision to set the game during a particularly complicated era was an ambitious one, but the threads of his story neatly tie in with the bizarre social and political tensions of the period. In short, he's one hell of a writer, and THE LAST EXPRESS demonstrates, in grand form, what the highest aspiration of any adventure game should be--to tell a good story.

There's no doubt that there's a good story here, but a more important question would be, how well is the story told? That's a different matter. Aesthetically, THE LAST EXPRESS is a marvel of impeccable construction. This is a game that does such an astonishing job at creating atmosphere that you can easily lose yourself in its environment for hours. Visuals, music, sound effects, and voice work are all done to a tee, but the real star here is the train itself. The opulence and luxury of the Orient Express have been faithfully reproduced from old designs and photographs--this game really looks and feels like no other. It's amazing how fun it can be to simply stroll down the corridor in the sleeping car, or to explore your compartment from top to bottom, while listening to the constant sound of the train running along the tracks. Equally engaging is the ability to sit around and eavesdrop on the various conversations between passengers--and believe me, you'll be doing a lot of that.

Which brings me to the central flaw of THE LAST EXPRESS. The game runs in real time; a clock is always ticking in the background, and certain events have been pre-programmed to happen at a certain time regardless of whether our hero is there to see them or not. Fortunately, it isn't necessary to hear every scrap of whispered conversation in order to win the game, because it's impossible to be everywhere at once. Unfortunately, because there are so many characters (with foreign names that I lost track of more than once) and so many different plotlines going on, it's easy to get lost, especially toward the game's conclusion, when things get really complicated.

In other words, the interactive game may not be the ideal medium for such a tricky story--THE LAST EXPRESS would have made a first-rate novel or film, but as a game, it's got its shortcomings. For one thing, there is such an abundance of things to read (diaries, secret letters, news clippings, etc.)--and very little time to read them in. There are certain tasks that must be performed, but because you are given very little clue of when or where, you often miss them--along with vital plot information. Through its innovative use of real time, THE LAST EXPRESS tries to reflect reality as closely as possible, and to that end it succeeds brilliantly; unfortunately, it can also make for a very frustrating gaming experience.

I've made this sound fairly difficult--which it is. This is intellectually demanding entertainment, and those looking for a more simple-minded, combat-oriented type of adventure are strongly advised to look elsewhere. Not that THE LAST EXPRESS

doesn't have its share of physical combat; there are a number of exciting action sequences as well. However, these sequences, unlike the shoot-em-up variety found in such games as DOOM and QUAKE, require a considerable amount of hand-eye coordination and timing. In short, even the combat in THE LAST EXPRESS emphasizes brains over brawn.

You'll only really start to appreciate the game's craftsmanship after playing through it a second or third time, with a better understanding of the interface, the train's geography (which takes some getting used to), and the crucial plot points. The whole project is so well-done, however, that you won't mind playing through it several times, as it holds up extremely well on repeat visits. THE LAST EXPRESS is a game not only to be played but experienced, and the beautiful attention to detail, plus the rare intelligence of its design, more than make up for its minor flaws.

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....

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.

My two cents...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 12
Date: July 19, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Having long ago experienced that warm fuzzy feeling of utter emotional satisfaction when completing The Last Express for the first time, I find myself returning to it, like a favorite book, every six months or so.

I won't reiterate the positive comments that have already been made - the rich storyline, the well developed characters, the immersive playing experience - suffice it to say that I agree with all of them.

Indeed, I am furthermore one of a minority that enjoyed the real-time nature of the game.

To my mind, the fact that my fellow passengers' conversations can rise or fall in and out of earshot, that relevant snippets of dialogue aren't always waiting for my presence to toggle them, that appointments can be missed and so on, only contribute to an overall sense that one IS 'Bogart' for the night on a train speeding into oblivion (there is even a Gutman-esque character, albeit Germanic).

I am now at the point whereby I can stroll through the game in under 2 hours - but they are a riveting couple of hours, and at the end of it all I still savor the glow.

The Best Adventure Game Ever Made!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: August 20, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I was fortunate enough to obtain a copy of the Last Express the first time it was made available which was in 1997. I was very intrigued after I saw the preview that was included with MYST. After about five good minutes into playing the game I found this to be no ordinary common variety game. The graphics were spectacluar and very detailed! The artists really have outdone themselves. The animation, I thought, added substance to the game that you probably can't get with FMV. Anyone who has played full motion video games can probably relate. The voice-overs were really something. They were flawless, and very convincing. I have to say the touchstone of the game itself is the train. You are free to roam as you please in a beautifully detailed luxury train that is historically correct in all areas(Except for the color of the blankets in your compartment they were Red not Blue) suspended in "real time." For example if you are in the sleeping cars you may hear the conductors chatting, or at the same time a German man is flirting with an Austrian woman in the dining car -- it really adds a reality that is so effective you forget you are at the computer and almost believe you are right there on the train - as the game is portrayed in first person for the most part. So check it out, take a ride on the fabled Orient Express. You won't be sorry you did, and once you're finished you will hope for a sequel that is long overdue!

A great game, worth playing mainly for the atmosphere.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 10 / 11
Date: September 12, 2000
Author: Amazon User

"The Last Express" is very different from the other games that are now considered popular, since it combines mystery with an attractive period setting (Europe on the brink of war in late July 1914). Furthermore, the game takes place on board the Orient Express, which almost makes the game an experiment in claustrophobia: you know that what you are looking for is somewhere on the train, but you don't necessarily know where it is, or what you are looking for.

It's the way you feel when you start playing the game. You arrive late on the train, and the first thing you discover is that your best friend, Tyler Whitney, who had convinced you to travel on the Orient Express, has been killed. As for yourself, you are an American doctor, Robert Cath, who was involved in a murder in Ireland. You will spend the rest of the game assuming the identity of Whitney (which means that you'll have to get rid of Whitney's body), and trying to understand what he was involved in.

The Orient Express is a great setting for the game, because it crosses several countries which will be involved in the First World War: France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire. Furthermore, the Orient Express was made famous by Agatha Christie's famous Hercule Poirot novel, "Murder on the Orient Express", and was also featured in a few films, including the James Bond film "From Russia with Love". Playing "The Last Express" also reminds one of the Alfred Hitchcock film, "The Lady Vanishes" (the vanishing lady was a spy), and of other films, such as "The Seven Per Cent Solution", which features a train chase and a duel on the top of the train. One has great expectations regarding this game, and in most cases the game meets these expectations.

The best reasons for playing this game are the claustrophobic feeling, the political uncertainty of the period (which includes the fear of being trapped in an enemy country at any time), and its strong sense of history. I will discuss this last aspect in length, because it is one that has become so rare in today's games. The Orient Express as depicted in the game seems very accurate (with its Art Nouveau style), and I particularly enjoyed reading the newspaper on the train (which included articles on the Wagner festival in Bayreuth, the Serbian crisis, the Madame Caillaux trial, and even letters to the editor). The discussions between the other passengers are a pleasure to listen to, because the acting is perfect.

One of the few things I did not like about this game is that it is very linear. Even though the game is in real time, the same events will take place at the same time every time you play it. Also, the "mysteries" in this game are very easy to solve, because there is a conspicuous lack of red herrings. In this game, if you can grab an object, it will certainly be useful later on. That's easy to understand for items such as the passengers list or the train schedule, but other items, such as both the matches AND the matchbox, or even Tyler Whitney's telegram, also serve a purpose later in the game. Apart from these useful items, there are very few objects unrelated to the plot which you can examine or take. The compartments of people who have nothing to do with the plot are virtually empty.

Your movements in the train are also very limited. You can only sit at one place in the dining room and in the lounge, you can't move outside the train at stations, your movements to some places are limited until you have reached a certain point in the game, and you can't talk to other passengers until you are supposed to talk to them.

(Please skip this paragraph if you don't want some clues regarding the story.) The characters, as diverse as they are, are very caricatural and in some cases, predictable. After a few minutes playing the game, you know which characters are important, and which aren't. You know that August Schmidt, the German industrialist, deals in weapons and will eventually put guns on the train; you know that violinist Anna Wolff is more than she pretends to be, etc. You quickly know that the Boutarel family has nothing to do in the story, that those suspicious-looking Serbians are up to some mischief (such as, say, hijacking the train), and that the Russian anarchist, Alexei Dolnikov, is likely to put a bomb on the train (and guess what ? he does!).

As for the story itself, it is a great tale of international intrigue, although I think that it would have been better without the "firebird", because the latter belongs more to a fantasy tale rather than a down-to-earth espionage story. However, the "firebird" is vital to get to the end of the game.

The ending is totally unpredictable, and it takes place a few minutes before Constantinople. It is great and memorable, though sad, with a strong pacifist statement. It leaves you with the feeling that even though you have finished the game, you've won nothing.

It is written on the game package that there is "over 40 hours of game play". In fact, this probably includes all the time you waste rewinding the game because of the mistakes you've made, because I have finished this game under six hours (and this included listening to interesting conversations). Another reviewer wrote that the game could be finished in two hours. I believe this statement to be true, but in order to finish the game in two hours you have to know the game already, and you will have to forget about listening to other passengers' conversations.

In conclusion, I strongly recommend this game.

Immersive, beautiful, well-written Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: November 15, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I loved this game. I had to cheat a little (found a web walk-through) to finish it, but it was a fantastic game, with splendid character development. If it was a novel, it would have been a bestseller. The gameplay was fun, the dialogue realistic and well-written, and I loved the rotoscoped animated cut scenes (I despise those cheezy badly-acted live action characters in many games). I enjoyed playing the Last Express right up to the end, more than any other game I have played.

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