Real-time strategy fans will no doubt be well acquainted with huge armies, epic battles, and campaigns that span years. In contrast, Ashborne Games’ new title tries something completely different, exploring what the RTS genre can offer when stripped down and focused on a personal story of survival. Real-time strategy fans will no doubt be well acquainted with huge armies, epic battles, and campaigns that span years. In contrast, Ashborne Games’ new title tries something completely different, exploring what the RTS genre can offer when stripped down and focused on a personal story of survival.
Taking place in the aftermath of the Great War, Last Train Home follows the Czechoslovak Legion, who find themselves stranded in Russian territory during a vicious civil war. Our heroes’ only way home is via the Trans-Siberian railway, but the road won’t be easy as they’re accosted by attacks from both sides of the conflict.
A forgotten war
The red Bolshevik army, led by Vladimir Lenin, is waging brutal warfare against the anti-communist white army, and citizens are getting caught in the middle. As a very limited force, the odds are stacked against you as you embark on this long and perilous journey. You’ll have to consider much more than your combat capabilities to make it to your destination in this harrowing story based on real history. You’ll also have to choose whether to save civilians or prioritize your soldiers’ safety as you fight formidable enemies.
To keep your soldiers alive you’ll have to maintain their wellbeing, as well as the vehicle delivering them to safety. You’ll have to scavenge for resources, keeping the locomotive stocked with fuel and provisions to keep the crew alive, and the only way to do this is by venturing out into danger. You’ll need to look for food, fuel, and other materials to keep your campaign going, while also weighing up the danger that acquiring these resources will bring.
Crew quarters
You’ll also need to think carefully about where you station each member of your crew. Some crew members may have to take on double duty, keeping the train’s engines running and defending its progress in combat. Spend experience points wisely by upgrading your crew’s skills and stats, but don’t spec too far in one direction or you’ll leave yourself underprepared for the challenges ahead. Make too many mistakes and members of your crew could die, leaving you short-handed and underpowered.
To avoid this disastrous outcome, you’ll need to outfit your crew with the best equipment you can find. As your soldiers fight and complete objectives, they’ll earn medals and promotions. Find the best roles for your crew and help them reach their true potential. The senior members of your squad will be responsible for making key decisions throughout your campaign, such as who to ally with, how to approach battles, and more. These choices will change the way the story plays out and could even mean the difference between life and death.
Combat ready
With limited firepower at your disposal, you’ll need to plan out engagements and adapt on the fly as you face down forces stronger than your own. Use stealth attacks, clever positioning, and balanced squad composition to achieve victory in the face of near-insurmountable odds.
There are plenty of battlefield mechanics that you can use to even these odds, however. Being a small force, your soldiers can move silently, stealthily thinning out enemy ranks one by one. Go into Silent mode and send your soldiers in to deal with sentries and soldiers, but be wary that if a soldier is caught in the open it could spell doom. To get a good lay of the land, send out a scout, and to ensure your safety, keep a medic on hand.
When it comes to firefights, there is a cover system you can use to protect your soldiers from harm. Hard and soft cover is procedurally generated, so you’ll almost never encounter the same battlefield twice. You can also make use of grenadier units that can deploy explosives to flush enemies out of hiding or take out multiple units at once.
If you need a moment to consider your next move, you can pause the action using the tactical view. This will allow you to survey the battlefield and make an informed decision, but for the highest challenge you can choose not to use this feature.
Steaming ahead
You can also upgrade the train, strengthening it against attacks, increasing its speed, and more. When the train sustains damage, you’ll need crew on-hand to repair it. Get stuck in enemy territory and you’ll often have to make some tough decisions to ensure survival.
The locomotive you’ll use is the ‘Grandpa’, one of the first types of Russian steam train. This First World War locomotive delivers a balance between speed and power, with its small size allowing it to be outfitted with armor. Will you make your train an indestructible powerhouse or soup it up for optimal speed?
Begin your journey today and discover the stories of these unsung heroes. Last Train Home is out now on Steam.