MovieChat Forums > The Last Express (1997) Discussion > Whatever Happened to The Last Express

Whatever Happened to The Last Express

posted 18 years ago by idemandeuphoria
11 replies | jump to latest

I grew up with The Last Express. I was and still am completely in love with the story, the graphics, the sounds and sights of The Last Express. Every single person that I have introduced this game to are fascinated and transfixed by it. But why hasn't anyone heard of it? Where are the promised sequels and movie that was supposedly in the works in 1998? For those who don't know--these are the events that transpired to make The Last Express doomed, destined to never receive the accolades it so richly deserved.

The game was ultimately in stores for only a few months. Broderbund's marketing department quit right before the game was to be released. Unadvertised, the game was a commercial failure. A Playstation port version of The Last Express was nearly completed, but Softbank decided to pull out of the gaming industry altogether, cancelling titles that were already in production. The financial strain caused Broderbund to go under and it was then acquired by The Learning Company. The Learning Company was only interested in Broderbund's education software, leaving The Last Express without any hope. As the most expensive game ever developed it was a million units short of breaking financially even. In 2000, Interplay bought the rights to The Last Express and quietly began selling the game. However, this has since stopped. The game is now out of print.

One day I hope that some bright young people who remember growing up on The Last Express will either begin production of the game once more or MAKE A MOVIE. If someone would just get behind this storyline and go for it I know The Last Express could be successful. I want to see it fully realized and get the fame and attention it deserves.

[–] An_American_Gentleman 18 years ago

Ah! It seems that the Last Express has a tiny, but very devoted following. I also adore The Last Express, it's without a doubt the best gaming experience I've ever had. I too mourn the fact that such a brilliant game has been so unfairly forgotten. It's good to know that there are other people out there who feel the same way I do.

[–] drazen-n 18 years ago

Hey, guys, you're not the only one. I also grew up with this game, and got attached to it.
I also feel sad that it wasn't a big success, and I can't imagine how it felt for Jordan after several years of hard work to watch his art drowning :(
I didn't know about the movie... It would be definitely interesting! Or maybe mini-series? There are so much things that can be made out of this wonderful game, but unfortunately those who possess rights over it are not interested :(
I think that every big adventure fan knows about this game, but other people who play other types of games surely never heard of it. Omg, next year it will be 10 years since the game was released.

Btw, I've prepared lots of informations about this game, since I plan to make a fan site of it (I haven't encounter neither one). But I definitely need some help! If anyone is interested, please contact me.

[–] itsfuntostay 18 years ago

I'm sure there would've been a sequal or even a movie if the game was a big success. Unfortunately, very few copies were sold. I loved/love this game, I sat hours and hours with it back in 1997 and pretended I was on the train myself.

[–] hhralways 18 years ago

I was lucky to get a copy of it in 2001, by completeing this survey. It si the most intelligent game hands down.

[–] returnofthenothing 17 years ago

I finally got a copy of it from ebay.
I beat it in basically one sitting.
I remember that game so well, despite the fact that I haven't played it in years.
It's a shame it did so poorly after the first few weeks.
I don't even think it broke even with the production costs.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Chalumeau2 17 years ago

I'm a big fan of strategic/historical games like this, but I'd never heard of Last Express till I browsed it on Gametap. I'm really glad I did. There's nothing out there quite like it.

[–] scarbrandx 15 years ago

Hey, I've been reading these comments and i'd just like to say i'm a up and coming film director. I've always planned to make a film out of this and I get so engulfed in the enviroment and the plot every time I play. Once I have a few films under my belt it would be my honour to capture every detail in one long film. It's just a shame I won't be able to capture the idea of the many paths to take, I think the story is more important anyway, and of course i'd get in everything from the drawings of the conductor in carriage A to the cooks having an arguement. From Rebbeca's diary to the amazing architecture.

So if I ever get to that level. Expect to be impressed at a movie that really does this game justice :D

I think with not very well known games like this there's no point in messing it up by redrafting the story. Not that I believe in that at all anyway. But so many people spoil things by editing the story to save time. I'll get it all in if it takes 4 hours! I'd thought about doing two or three movies but I think the impact will die down and I'm sure I could just get away with one long movie. Watchmen & Casino Royale seemed to get away with 3 hours.

[–] nstratt88 12 years ago

Its funny, I grew up with The Last Express. My brother and I would always play it (and replay it) just because it was such an awesome game. I find it ironic that The Learning Company had no interest in it, yet it was the primary reason why I learned more about the First World War and the events leading up to it. That being said I've always been predisposed to history however this game really brought something else to the table. It was in almost every way ahead of its time. In my opinion the type of intricate plot in this game has really only come into video games within the past 5 or so years. On top of that the use of music and imagery makes this truly one of the best and most underrated video games perhaps of all time. Given I was a young kid when discovered it I am a little biased however the game even today, considering its age especially, still hold its own.

[–] ordinary_decent_dags 12 years ago

If it hadn't been for a review I read in newspaper when I was 11 I never would have found out about the game.
I must have been interested in the article because I was into trains and I think I might have just read Murder on the Orient Express at around the same time.
If I'd have missed any of these thing I, and my sister, never would have played it.

[–] drazen-n 12 years ago

Yes, it's really interesting to hear how people generally found out about the game since it wasn't commercialized. I had a chance to play it around the age of 9 because my best friend at that time received TLE from his cousin from Detroit (we live in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe) and accidentally left it at my place for few weeks, so I really got mesmerized by it and instantly became my all time favorite PC game, which hasn't changed up to today. If it wasn't for that friend of mine, I doubt that I would ever hear for the game.

Despair is not a guest - you don't play its favorite music or find it a comfortable chair.