The RTS genre used to be huge with the likes of Command and Conquer, but it seems to have taken a backseat in the last couple of years. This has left fans of the genre with nowhere to turn to, but it seems like THQ Nordic may have the answer. While it may not involve base building or sci-fi elements, THQ Nordic's upcoming Last Train Home may be exactly what RTS genre fans have been looking for.
Last Train Home will be one of the first major releases from Ashborne Games after Comanche and will bring players on an exhilarating new journey through World War 1. It will blend RTS mechanics with management features for an interesting new experience inspired by real world events. The Best War Games was recently able to get a brief look at some of the gameplay, and RTS fans may want to keep their eye on it.
Last Train Home Has a Lot to Offer RTS Fans
Last Train Home will put players in control of an armored train at the end of World War 1. The war is over, but the fighting is not, and it will be up to the player to get their people home. They will have to manage the crew, prepare their soldiers for a fight, choose their battles wisely, and traverse the treacherous lands of Siberia. They must fight through insurmountable odds to get through and will likely lose a couple of people along the way.
The brief gameplay preview that The Best War Games got to see showed off a bit of the train gameplay and the battles. The train works like most management games do as players have to ensure that it runs smoothly. Each room serves a specific purpose like healing soldiers or making food, and players will add on to their train as it goes. Various upgrades will let players upgrade carriages and the locomotive to get the most out of their armored train.They can also control the speed, the crew onboard, and must ensure that they have all the supplies they need to get through.
Players can also switch between multiple different viewpoints as their train chugs along. They can zoom out and look at surrounding countryside and cities that they are approaching. The worldview also features multiple map markers indicating resource spots and noteworthy locations. Players can also zoom in close and get an up close and personal view of their train. This is perfect for managing and getting a better feel of the locomotive. The game can also be sped up or paused from these viewpoints, and it gives players a rundown of all the resources they have on hand,
As the train goes, players are able to send out groups of soldiers to gather resources. These resources will be vital in progressing through the world, and players will want to ensure that their soldiers are ready for whatever they encounter. Throughout Last Train Home, players will also engage in various RTS-like battles across Siberia. These battles seem to share some similarities with Men of War and will force players to think strategically as they desperately fight against massive armies. They will have to do their best to sneak around conflicts and choose their battles wisely, otherwise they may lose everyone in the process.
During Last Train Home's battles, players will have a set of objectives that they need to complete if they want to win. These objectives seem to often involve destroying things or infiltrating enemy bases. They can be pretty difficult at times, but luckily not every situation warrants violence. Players will have to use cover and various gadgets to get through the battles, and each soldier features an assortment of traits that can impact the flow of combat. They also all have their own attributes, schedule, and will need to be fed if players want them at the top of their game. As they fight, they will also become stronger and hopefully be able to withstand whatever the enemy throws at them.
Last Train Home seems to have all the hallmarks of the RTS and management genres and blends them together for what seems to be an engaging experience. History buffs will probably want to check this out as it is based on actual historical events, and RTS fans may find something they love here too. Players will just have to see if it is worth it when the release date nears, but anyone who is interested can wishlist it on Steam now.
Last Train Home will be available in 2023 on PC.