The Last Federation

The game was cool during first few hours, but then it became a boring grind. The turn-based battle system is similar to one from Space Rangers; it has some new aspects like power distribution and special abilities, but also flaws (e.g. with a right special ability retreating will be very easy, but you will still need to skip 30 first turns, and that's just boring) so in the end it's rather a step back from the mentioned Space Rangers game. The main concept of the game is refreshing and interesting: you're not a ruler nor a god, but simply a single guy able to influence civilizations and thus shape the solar system. Unfortunately your ways of 'meddling', including battles, quickly become repetitive and boring.

The Last Federation's biggest problem is that it can't get out of its own way for long enough to just let you play the damn game. It's like that guy who hovers over your shoulder when you're trying to learn to use a new computer program, ready to grab the mouse out of your hand and say 'No, this is the way you do it...' when you just wish he'd leave you the hell alone for five minutes. Honestly, this is the first time I've ever wanted to punch a tutorial. There is a core of a good game in here that tries to put a cool twist on the 4x genre. But a good 4x strategy game provides a framework and then lets the player play in it, so that by the end, s/he's created a new universe. The Last Federation instead has a universe that has been rigidly designed from the outset by the developers. Its races interact in hard-coded ways. Big chunks of the tech tree don't open until hard-coded points in time, no matter how fast you research. So what would have helped here? In my opinion: Customizable races, customizable maps, a more abstract tech tree, and better starship upgrades. That would have been a game I'd play again. On the whole, the game reminds me less of MOO 2 and more of Long Live the Queen. You're navigating through a universe, not creating one. Maybe that appeals to some people, but if you're looking for a 4x game, look somewhere else.

One of the most accessible and deep strategy/simulation games I've yet played. It manages to be complex without being overly complicated. Are there screens of charts, graphs, and tables? Sure, but you slowly acclimate yourself to them at your own pace. You can be successful at the game without digging into them too deeply. To me, one of the turn-offs I have to these sorts of games is learning to play feels like a grind, or a chore. With The Last Federation, the act of learning to play the game is itself fun. The strategy portion even has a separate difficulty from the simulation, so if you're having trouble with one, you can dial it back without making the other too easy. The interface is quite intuitive and the artwork is mostly very attractive. Pablo Vega's soundtrack is easily his best yet, and would be worth a purchase on its own, but luckily there is a fantastic game to go along with it. If these sort of games are you thing, then you'd be doing yourself a disservice by not playing it. Even if they are not, give it a shot. It might surprise you.

The Last Federation contains elements from many other genres that we are familiar with, but combines them uniquely to create an experience all it's own. The turn-based combat is reminiscent of Space Rangers, but more accessible. The meta-game is comparable to a grand strategy game such as Crusader Kings with all the scheming and observational aspects. The Last Federation is an influence simulator with turn based combat elements, a unique new combination of previous genres, and it executes it beautifully. The turn based combat is an enjoyable and often times satisfyingly difficult experience, and the political meta game is a hilarious balancing act of persuasion and aggressive actions. To top this off the visual style is easy on the eyes as you watch the solar system sort itself out, and the soundtrack by Pablo Vega is instantly catchy. To those who are fans of turn based and/or grand strategy games, and are now looking for something unique, do not hesitate to pick up The Last Federation. You will not be disappointed. And to Arcen games, keep doing what you're doing. I hope the positive feedback from this game is evidence of what you are doing right, and that there are many who hope that this isn't the last we have heard of The Last Federation.