Last Train Home: Everything We Know

THQ Nordic and Ashborne Games’ love letter to the Czechoslovakian Legion and the perilous events in the aftermath of The Great War is about to be posted. And what better way to chronicle the trials and tribulations of the war-torn nations than to port them over to a full-fledged real-time strategy game—a vessel built on historical knowledge and a repertoire of modern gameplay mechanics? Two and two go hand in hand with this one, and we’re all for seeing the so-called Last Train Home jolt to life as early as this year on PC.

Of course, it isn’t quite ready yet. That said, thanks to both THQ and Ashborne Games, we do have a basic understanding of what Last Train Home will look like. So, if you’re even the slightest bit interested in the RTS project, then be sure to read on. Here’s everything we can tell you about it based on the data provided by its creators to date.

What Is Last Train Home?

Let’s cut to the chase. Last Train Home is an upcoming real-time strategy game—a war-themed adventure, of sorts, that depicts the great struggles of the Czechoslovakian Legion as the worn troops battle to cross the borders toward their newly formed republic. With The Great War over, the only thing that remains for the encumbered troops is an epic train journey through icy climates and towering cities ravaged by chaos and the spoils of war. This is where you, the overseer in charge of the route leading back, will have to face your toughest mission of all — to get home, whatever the cost.

“Inspired by historical events, of the Czechoslovak Legion and their determination to return to their newly formed republic following The Great War, this mission will test your courage and your will to survive,” the elevator pitch reads. “The Last Train Home is in your hands.”

Judging from the looks of the in-game footage and details that both THQ and Ashborne Games have left out to date, Last Train Home will blend a mixture of real-time combat with several base building and team management aspects. What’s more, it’ll look to introduce a series of key exploration elements, too, with Siberia being open to explore outside of your valiant quest to trek across the land by rail.

Story

Last Train Home follows the Czechoslovakian Legion during World War I, in their desperate struggle to pass through the civil war between Russia’s Red and White armies in Siberia. As the commander of the lost legion, you will be tasked with riding an iron locomotive through the heart of the battlefield—a journey that will take you through fractured cities and war-torn countrysides, right through to a newly built republic. Your goal, in short, is simple: make it home on the last great train, even if it means sacrificing yourself for the greater good.

“As you journey through the heart of the conflict, the horrors of war will surround you,” the description adds. “The fate of your legion rests on the actions of a few key soldiers, as you engage in real-time battles that will determine the outcome of your mission. You must choose your tactics wisely, using every skill at your disposal to safeguard your troops and complete your mission. With careful training and development, your squads will become a seasoned legion of comrades, brothers and sisters, ready to face any challenge that comes their way.”

Gameplay

Just to echo the fact that Last Train Home, in a nutshell, is a real-time strategy game, and one that will make full use of your expertise in the art of conflict. With an armoured locomotive to escort you, your time will be spent between fleshing out its sectors with the appropriate equipment, as well as guiding your soldiers through various battlefields and key landmarks around the Siberian boroughs.

Aside from having to manage your soldiers and their attributes, objectives will also include having to upgrade your train, stockpile rare materials, and build local alliances as you move through the districts of a world split in two. According to the blurb, “the decisions you make along the journey will determine the fate of your comrades.” So, no pressure there, then.

Development

Ashborne Games, a member of the THQ Nordic division, initially brought the concept of Last Train Home to its streaming handle back in the beginning of June 2023. It was revealed at the time that the game would be heading to PC at first, and that it would be available to wishlist via Steam ahead of its planned launch. Unfortunately, that’s where the publisher left the trail to go cold, with the final release window left unannounced. According to its site handle, though, Last Train Home will be coming out at some point in 2023.

Trailer

As luck would have it, Ashborne Games did actually post a rather insightful sneak preview trailer of Last Train Home a little earlier this month. But don’t let us spoil it for you; you can see the announcement trailer for yourself in the video embedded above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Last Train Home will be shaping up for a hopeful 2023 release on PC via Steam. Does this mean we won’t be seeing it arrive on consoles, then? Honestly, it’s a little too early to tell, though at present it appears PC will be the only option on launch. Still, never say never.

At the time of writing, there’s just the one edition: the Standard Edition, which can now be added to your wishlist over on Steam here. If THQ does have any plans to roll out any special editions or pre-order bonuses, then news is sure to spread a little closer to the time of its launch. Q4 2023, if we’re lucky.

If Last Train Home has caught your attention, then be sure to check in with the team over on their official social feed for all the latest updates here. We’ll be sure to let you know just as soon as THQ announces a concrete release date right here on gaming.net.

So, what’s your take? Will you be picking up a copy of Last Train Home when it eventually arrives? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.