Amazon Maximum Age: 240 months
Amazon Minimum Age: 144 months
Binding: CD-ROM
Brand: Interplay
EAN: 0047956191017
ESRB Age Rating: Teen
Format: CD-ROM
Label: Interplay
Manufacturer: Interplay
Packaged Height: 220 hundredths-inches
Packaged Length: 970 hundredths-inches
Packaged Weight: 44 hundredths-pounds
Packaged Width: 790 hundredths-inches
Platform: Mac OS 9 and below
Platform: Windows 95
Platform: Windows 98
Publisher: Interplay
Release Date: 2000-03-31
Studio: Interplay
Product Description:
The Last Express allows you to move freely through the rich and detailed 3-D environment of the world's most luxurious train, circa 1914, during its final European crossing prior to the outbreak of WWI. Game play involves interacting with characters, exploring objects, engaging in action sequences, and uncovering multiple story threads--with your perspective shifting from first person to third person for maximum dramatic effect. Information gained is used to piece together a series of interrelated puzzles, which advance you through the story. If you are clever enough, you ultimately discover the shocking secrets of The Last Express ... before it's too late!
Customer Reviews:
2 of 2 customers found the following review helpful:
 An unforgettable adventure across a Europe on the brink of war, 2008-03-13
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.
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