Last Stop is a new multi-character game from Virginia developer Variable State. Players switch between three different characters, all operating within their own stories, until eventually they cross over somewhere toward the end of the game. Outside of one or two slightly supernatural common threads early on, each story is radically different from the others. Gameplay is light and similar to 2021's Adios in of routine gameplay. Last Stop is focused on being a cinematic story and doesn't allow for any exploration, at least in the first three chapters.
Unlike other games that prioritize narrative over mechanical implementations, like Telltale and Quantic Dream titles, Last Stop is linear. There are some variations in the ending, according to the developer, but it was made clear there's no branching paths outside of some different reactive dialogue from other characters. The ending is more or less determined by the events that happen towards the end of Last Stop's story.
Variable State places an importance on crafting a cinematic indie game by adding fixed camera angles that vary in impact. This leads to some pretty clunky movement, as the player will find themselves struggling to walk in a simple straight line and can eventually lead to colliding into walls both physical and invisible. It's made even more annoying by the fact that sometimes it's not totally clear where to go right away, so the player may just walk the complete opposite way until they realize they have to turn around and slowly slink back the way they came.
Given that's the only real gameplay factor outside of some uninvolved quick time events, it's not the most exciting gameplay experience. It's not bad, but it's certainly weaker than other indie games of its genre based on the first three chapters that Screen Rant played for this preview. Nonetheless, even without extensive background info, Last Stop has super fleshed out characters.
John is a middle-aged single father with heart problems, struggling to keep up with his growing daughter as time es. He's become complacent in his negligent life, is a push-over, and isn't able to do basic tasks for his daughter. He's essentially at rock bottom as his narrative arc begins, but a chance encounter with a strange old man and a neighbor places him in a Freaky Friday-esque situation.
There's also the much more in-control Meena, a sort of James Bond character in the way she navigates distinctly separate styles of life, trying to keep it hidden from friends, family, and colleagues. The stress of it all is coming down on her, though, especially with a new recruit at work starting to show her up in front of her own boss.
Finally, there's Donna, a teen who gets in way over her head when innocent sleuthing with her friends goes awry. These characters couldn't be any different if they tried, which could cause issues, but it doesn't. Variable State evenly divides its characters, no one feels cheapened or lesser, and they all feel meaningful in their own ways.
While Variable State seems to be focused on making a great story, currently, Last Stop is lacking a little as a distinct indie game. It feels more like it's giving players control of the narrative wheel every now and then because Last Stop is intended to be a game, so it's almost obligated to at certain points. If Last Stop had a more choose-your-own-adventure approach, where choices mattered and the narrative branched more meaningfully with increased frequency, this approach would feel more apt. As it stands, Last Stop seems more like an ittedly gorgeous animated movie than a game that challenges its players to interact with it, even if that would only mean more options in dialogue or a few gameplay segments with a meatier hook than QTEs.
If Last Stop's main goal is to tell a great story, it's doing an excellent job in its early chapters. It has a great hook, three-dimensional characters, and a remarkable visual style. However, Last Stop also needs more in the way of gameplay besides half-baked QTEs to help define itself as a stand-out indie game, and hopefully that's reflected in the final version of the game and it's full offering.
Last Stop will release sometime in July 2021 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Screen Rant was given a Steam build of the game for the purposes of this preview.
