Rating: 
Summary: Lame
Review: I've owned this game for two years, and still play it on my iMac. It is timeless and THAT good, with excellent characterizations, well-thought out plots and timelines. The game is so unusual, as it has separate timelines going on at the same time; i.e. depending where you are on the train as Robert Cath, you may/may not hear certain conversations and interactions between characters. The characters will interact with each other and go about their business regardless of whether you are in "ear-shot" or not, yet if you approach characters to interact, you may get different responses, depending on what you have done or haven't done in the game, etc. A beautifully conceived game by Jordan Mechner, creater of the Prince of Persia games. Although this game won accolades upon release, it wasn't incredibly well-received, and the Smoking Car Productions (Mechner) that produced the game folded quietly after the game's release.
Fans of this game can also purchase the excellent CD Soundtrack through amazon, as well as the "how-to" player's guide through amazon. One can only hope for a sequel by Mechner if there is enough interest....
Rating: 
Summary: A storytelling tour de force that almost succeeds
Review: It's rare for an adventure game to have such an intricate, richly detailed plot, but for fans of literate entertainment (especially mystery fans like myself), THE LAST EXPRESS is a real gem. Around the most well-worn clichés (murder, secret alliances, and international intrigue on the Orient Express, after all, hardly seem like fresh material), Jordan Mechner, the writer/designer, has woven a labyrinthine story so meticulously crafted, it feels like a collaboration between Christie and le Carré.You are Robert Cath, a suave, sarcastic, resourceful American doctor traveling through Europe on the Orient Express in pre-WWI Europe. No sooner have you arrived, however, than you discover the bloody corpse of your friend and host, Tyler Whitney. This is only the beginning of a story impressive not only for the suspenseful twists and turns, but for its faithfulness to historical accuracy. Mechner's decision to set the game during a particularly complicated era was an ambitious one, but the threads of his story neatly tie in with the bizarre social and political tensions of the period. In short, he's one hell of a writer, and THE LAST EXPRESS demonstrates, in grand form, what the highest aspiration of any adventure game should be--to tell a good story. There's no doubt that there's a good story here, but a more important question would be, how well is the story told? That's a different matter. Aesthetically, THE LAST EXPRESS is a marvel of impeccable construction. This is a game that does such an astonishing job at creating atmosphere that you can easily lose yourself in its environment for hours. Visuals, music, sound effects, and voice work are all done to a tee, but the real star here is the train itself. The opulence and luxury of the Orient Express have been faithfully reproduced from old designs and photographs--this game really looks and feels like no other. It's amazing how fun it can be to simply stroll down the corridor in the sleeping car, or to explore your compartment from top to bottom, while listening to the constant sound of the train running along the tracks. Equally engaging is the ability to sit around and eavesdrop on the various conversations between passengers--and believe me, you'll be doing a lot of that. Which brings me to the central flaw of THE LAST EXPRESS. The game runs in real time; a clock is always ticking in the background, and certain events have been pre-programmed to happen at a certain time regardless of whether our hero is there to see them or not. Fortunately, it isn't necessary to hear every scrap of whispered conversation in order to win the game, because it's impossible to be everywhere at once. Unfortunately, because there are so many characters (with foreign names that I lost track of more than once) and so many different plotlines going on, it's easy to get lost, especially toward the game's conclusion, when things get really complicated. In other words, the interactive game may not be the ideal medium for such a tricky story--THE LAST EXPRESS would have made a first-rate novel or film, but as a game, it's got its shortcomings. For one thing, there is such an abundance of things to read (diaries, secret letters, news clippings, etc.)--and very little time to read them in. There are certain tasks that must be performed, but because you are given very little clue of when or where, you often miss them--along with vital plot information. Through its innovative use of real time, THE LAST EXPRESS tries to reflect reality as closely as possible, and to that end it succeeds brilliantly; unfortunately, it can also make for a very frustrating gaming experience. I've made this sound fairly difficult--which it is. This is intellectually demanding entertainment, and those looking for a more simple-minded, combat-oriented type of adventure are strongly advised to look elsewhere. Not that THE LAST EXPRESS doesn't have its share of physical combat; there are a number of exciting action sequences as well. However, these sequences, unlike the shoot-em-up variety found in such games as DOOM and QUAKE, require a considerable amount of hand-eye coordination and timing. In short, even the combat in THE LAST EXPRESS emphasizes brains over brawn. You'll only really start to appreciate the game's craftsmanship after playing through it a second or third time, with a better understanding of the interface, the train's geography (which takes some getting used to), and the crucial plot points. The whole project is so well-done, however, that you won't mind playing through it several times, as it holds up extremely well on repeat visits. THE LAST EXPRESS is a game not only to be played but experienced, and the beautiful attention to detail, plus the rare intelligence of its design, more than make up for its minor flaws.
Rating:
Summary: Horrible
Review: Maybe I am jaded by games like Grim Fandango, and the longest journey. I just want more to a game than jerky graphics and trying to find a plot, by being in the right place at the right time. The plot should be the programmers responsibility and not mine.
Rating: 
Summary: Sam Spade on the Orient Express
Review: Pros: 1. Everything in The Last Express is topnotch: the graphics and the voice acting; the varied, fascinating characters, and the absorbing story. It's an atmospheric mystery/thriller like "The Maltese Falcon," plunked into a colorful, stylish Art Deco set. As Robert Cath, a young American doctor, you hop a ride on the Orient Express, where you encounter a sumptuous world sliding inexorably toward violence and war. 2. Nearly all the action takes place on the train, which heightens the intimacy and drama. In this, it is reminiscent of Hitchcock's "The Lady Vanishes." Last Express takes place in "real time," which means that events and conversations continue on at their own pace. A rewind feature permits you to go back in time to redo things you missed. If you have played "Titanic: An Adventure Out of Time," in which the end game takes place in (much more frenetic) real time, you will have a sense of what Last Express is like. 3. There are several endings, but the one in which you "win" is a classic. IMHO, the ending alone is worth the price of the game. Cons: 1. The characters in Last Express were filmed, and then animated; the end result is rather jerky. I found that I noticed this for about the first fifteen minutes, then I adjusted and forgot all about it. 2. The game includes a handful of fight scenes, although there is an easy cheat to get past these (I used it). There are also more subtle adult themes. They might go right over the head of a child playing the game with you. On the other hand, they might not. 3. The save-game mechanism, which doesn't allow you to easily identify your game. Bottom Line: Wit, Beauty, Romance, Elegance, Intrigue, Action, Suspense.
Rating:
Summary: great game
Review: Superb voice acting, touching and engrossing story. A little difficult, but most pc games are difficult. This game however, is worth the effort.
Rating:
Summary: A Really Great But Challaging Game!
Review: The Last Express is a wonderful game! It's great how you get to wonder around the train, like you were really there! Some parts are very puzzling though =P There are many different paths to take, If you do this you might die, if you do that you will win! It's really good for those of you who like a challenge! Once you start you can't stop playing ^_^ I've played it 9 times!
Rating:
Summary: A classic worth buying even 5 years later
Review: The Last Express is all that an adventure game should aspire to be - artistic, enthralling, humorous, and captivating. Up until recently, this classic was out of print. Originally published by Broderbund, TLE was a sleeper hit garnering rave reviews, but backed up by modest sales. I had to track the game down on Ebay before finding out a week later that it was being re-released under Interplay. Damn! At any rate, the graphics are more "art" than flair. The animation is slightly jerky, but like most people who play it, you'll get used to it and appreciate the finer elements before you. Without a doubt, this is some of the best voice acting you will find in any game. All the different languages you'll hear immerse you in the story - close your eyes, and you'll think you're on board the Orient for the murder mystery of a lifetime. The only potential drawbacks (every game has flaws) is the awkward game-save system, and the sometimes confusing feeling that you're not where you're supposed to be. The game plays out in realtime, and all the characters on the train have a routine. If you're not in the right car at the right time, you may miss something. Then again, that's also half the fun - running around trying to figure out what to do, where to go, and who to trust. I can't stress this enough. If you like adventure games, and want something really unique in your collection, buy this game...
Rating:
Summary: A classic worth buying even 5 years later
Review: The Last Express is all that an adventure game should aspire to be - artistic, enthralling, humorous, and captivating. Up until recently, this classic was out of print. Originally published by Broderbund, TLE was a sleeper hit garnering rave reviews, but backed up by modest sales. I had to track the game down on Ebay before finding out a week later that it was being re-released under Interplay. Damn! At any rate, the graphics are more "art" than flair. The animation is slightly jerky, but like most people who play it, you'll get used to it and appreciate the finer elements before you. Without a doubt, this is some of the best voice acting you will find in any game. All the different languages you'll hear immerse you in the story - close your eyes, and you'll think you're on board the Orient for the murder mystery of a lifetime. The only potential drawbacks (every game has flaws) is the awkward game-save system, and the sometimes confusing feeling that you're not where you're supposed to be. The game plays out in realtime, and all the characters on the train have a routine. If you're not in the right car at the right time, you may miss something. Then again, that's also half the fun - running around trying to figure out what to do, where to go, and who to trust. I can't stress this enough. If you like adventure games, and want something really unique in your collection, buy this game...
Rating:
Summary: The Last Express Is Back!
Review: The Last Express is finally back in stores! The firstreal-time adventure game quickly became a cult classic among Mac and PC users, particularly women. In a dozen countries, it won numerous awards and received phenomenal reviews both in print and online. Sadly, distribution problems pulled it from the shelves only a few months after its release. Fortunately, because of its compelling gameplay and enduring design, it is as amazing now as when it first debuted...
Rating:
Summary: A Better Computer Game Does Not Exist
Review: The very best computer game ever made; you can argue that others equal it, and maybe there are a few that on their own terms are also excellent. But no game is more intelligent, has better acting, or captures better the early Hitchock like feel of espionage and danger in early 20th Century Europe. This is a fabulous, intelligent game made, one can tell, with love; not a single thought was given to cutting corners or rushing things for profit. Quality was the ONLY goal here; a rare attitude, and it paid off with a timeless classic. If you have ever played an adventure game, or if you love early Hitchock, or the stories some of his films were based on, then you MUST buy this.
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