hat’s not to love about flying through space, fighting pirates and warlords, all while getting to decide which planets live or die? Taking command of the galaxy sounds pretty sweet. Arcen Games has created a visually pleasing, expansive simulation that allows even the most casual gamer to jump into space and rule the universe. There are a few missed marks along the way, but The Last Federation is a good base with lots of potential to improve with DLC.
You are the sole survivor from a destroyed planet of dictators who ruled the galaxy. It’s now up to you to unite the planets of your solar system, choosing who to align with and who to fight. You may aim for peace amongst all planets or destroy those who hinder your plans.
Upon first impression, the opening sequences are stunning, as is the soundtrack. Pablo Vega’s music is so beautiful that I often left the game running in the background, just to hear it. The graphics in the game are done well, with the planets set against a beautiful galaxy backdrop. It’s visually appealing without being too fancy.
The major downfall with this game is that the multitude of features and choices can be overwhelming. At times, these make sense, such as a choice of weapons during combat or the differing political systems you must navigate. But it feels like there is new information being given to you at every turn, and though the narrator does explain what it all means, it frequently feels unnecessary. For example, each planet has ever-fluctuating scores of economic, medical, public order, and environmental levels that you can influence if you want to. However, I found that these had little importance in my game, to the point where I could safely ignore them with seemingly no repercussion. These may be more impactful for a long-term player who is building their federation more slowly, but they felt like clutter.
Although there is a staggering amount of information to take in, the game explains itself step-by-step using a sassy narrator reminiscent of Portal or Borderlands 2. The narrator in The Last Federation speaks to you frankly and playfully, while sufficiently explaining everything. It introduces you slowly into the plot and into combat, allowing players of all levels to understand what’s going on. This makes it an accessible game and a good starting place for those unfamiliar with the genre.
You can customize both your strategic level and your combat level, allowing you to create a game that plays to your strengths. The combat is easy to learn; after a few turns it’s almost intuitive, though it can get repetitive at times. Being turn-based, the combat never gets too overwhelming as you can always take a moment to get your bearings, but it isn’t easy - a few bad turns and you’re forced to withdraw.
There isn’t a lot of excitement or urgency in the game as you are free to opt out of any quests. You can play at a leisurely pace, letting things happen with or without your influence, even just watching on Observation Mode. It is definitely a fun game, but not an exciting one.
Overall, while The Last Federation can be daunting with its’ abundance of information, it’s a rich game with lots to explore and an easy entry to strategic games. The strategic nature allows for plenty of replayability, as you can choose whether to be a benevolent leader or a ruthless tyrant.
