Video games are often judged by their narrative and gameplay as those are usually the two most obvious pillars in the vast majority of titles. However, the recent influx of more story-focused games has thrown off that balance since there is very little gameplay to speak of. This puts almost all of the stress on the writing, which many games still can’t support. Last Stop, however, is different as it’s one of those rare narrative-heavy games that makes up for its lack of gameplay through its witty writing, engaging mystery, and endearing cast.
Last Stop follows three sets of characters in a fairly grounded portrayal of Britain. There’s Meena, a cold, absent wife and mother that spends all of her time working for a mysterious, shady corporation; John, a schlubby, underachieving middle-aged single father; and Donna, an average teenager with an overbearing cop of a sister.
These three souls with seemingly nothing in common live relatively mundane lives with normal and relatable problems. Mundanity does not doom Last Stop into being a boring drama because its script is exquisitely clever and constantly entertaining. Dialogue is quickly paced and quippy, getting to the point while also, depending on the character, usually laying the groundwork for some sort of jab or joke. Its humor is never grating either and that’s true no matter what character is speaking. Even the children and teens have funny moments, something this medium almost always struggles with. With such solid performances all around, Last Stop is full of hilariously crafted laugh-out-loud lines and snappy, efficient dialogue.
Some of this humor also shines through the editing as some scenes will often cut suddenly for comedic effect. It’s a simple but effective tool that Variable State started using in Virginia, albeit with different intent. Last Stop generally has solid cinematography with wide establishing shots and close-ups that focus in on one character when the time calls, but these load-free jump cuts stick out as they either maintain the game’s steady flow or help sell a joke with great effect.
Last Stop initially sounds quite typical, if well done, but it begins to morph into its own as it starts layering on the supernatural. John, Meena, and Donna all have their own issues that start getting compounded by otherworldly surprises that begin invading their lives and complicating things. While this clash of tones could seem out of place, Variable State uses the more realistic portions to humanize the characters so that players are on board when the weird parts start creeping in.
The science-fiction aspects are also no slouch either as they are the primary fuel source for the central mystery at the core of all three threads. The intro lays out an enigma that slowly unfurls itself as each chapter concludes, which is usually a devious cliffhanger of some kind. The trio all have a part to play and each of their sections gradually add a piece to the puzzle all the way until the surprising final act where it all comes together and questions start getting answered.
Not everything is thoroughly explained and the final chapter rushes through some bits (especially in Donna’s segments), but most secrets stay unanswered in order to maintain some enticing sense of mystique. Again, such a surprise might not work in any other context, but the strength of the cast and the writing allows such an oddball finale to be fulfilling and not feel out of place. All three protagonists go through their own personal journey, too, with compelling arcs that are earned; a far cry from the hordes of most other static video game characters. John’s journey stands out as the strongest of the three as it uses its sci-fi premise as a creative means to examine his shortcomings and test his character, which makes his conclusion that much more gratifying.
Even though there are three big decisions near the very end, the game doesn’t give players much control over what happens. Most interactions have three dialogue options, but it’s somewhat of a false choice since they almost have no bearing on the story’s direction. Some of them are just three incredibly similar choices while others even elicit the same response no matter what one the player picks.
Linearity is not bad, especially when the story is already told well and satisfying in its own right. A bunch of permutations could have diluted the narrative if Variable State focused more on quantity, not quality. And many entries in this genre, even ones from Telltale, often have this illusion of choice where they funnel players through the same parts with only a few variations. But the illusion here is much more obvious and results in a more passive experience with fewer meaningful inputs.
The limited scope is apparent in other ways, too. Its art style is simplistic and gets the job done, but there are obvious shortcuts. Featureless, mannequin-like NPCs phase right through the player and objects. Animations are oftentimes rudimentary. And while a few of John’s office-based mini-games are appropriately monotonous, there aren’t many points of interaction.
It’s admirable that Variable State poured its attention and resources into the fundamental pillars of Last Stop — its story and characters — because those are the most important bits. Pedestrians with accurately rendered faces wouldn’t be worth it if the narrative was dull. But it’s hard not to imagine a more ambitious game with a slightly higher budget that takes more advantage of the medium it’s in.
Despite its scope, Last Stop is a wholly captivating tale. Its grounded and fantastical halves work in harmony to create a narrative that has enough humanity to draw players in while also having a supernatural mystery at its center to keep players on the hook. It may not be the most interactive game in its genre, but it’s certainly one of the most charming, intriguing, and British.
SCORE: 8/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the game succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
Disclosure: Review code provided by the publisher. The game was reviewed on PS5.
