By Joseph Luster

When it comes to war games, there’s no situation that can truly be described as anything but bleak and unforgiving, though we often see all the shades imaginable in the various era-spanning depictions across many genres. Last Train Home is another unique example, as publisher THQ Nordic and developer Ashborne Games aim to offer a mission fraught with peril in the devastating setting of the civil war between Russia’s Red and White Armies following the events of World War I. Last Train Home doesn’t have a specific release date at the time of this writing, but with strategy and resource management at its core it’s already showing plenty of promise.

The story puts you in the shoes of Czechoslovak soldiers as they attempt to return home onboard an armored train, and the real challenge comes in ensuring your squad has enough resources to survive the trip. Over the course of the mission you’ll zip across Siberia with an exhausted crew at your command in a brutal environment, as the horrors of war echo all around you. Training your soldiers effectively will have them ready to take on the real-time battles littered throughout the campaign, and the decisions made in the process will determine their fate.

That training involves things like acquiring new and more effective equipment, unlocking new skills and more, and you’ll be treated to expanded stories for members of your crew as you progress. Beyond combat, each member of the squad has their own unique role that can be assigned on the train, from taking care of other wounded soldiers to crafting items and boosting overall morale. The train itself is customizable, too, with upgrades available for different sections and maintenance tasks waiting to be performed to ensure a smoother journey.

There aren’t many games that take inspiration from the historical events surrounding the Czechoslovak Legion and their attempt to return to their newly-formed republic after World War I, and we’re always keeping our eyes peeled for fresh takes on these harrowing tales. Closed Beta test sign-ups opened back near the end of July 2023, so we should know more about how everything plays out by the time this issue is in your hands.

Genre: Strategy
Platform: PC
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Available: TBD

Back to the issue this appears in