3. The Last Express
The Last Express is set on the famous Orient Express just before the outbreak of World War One. You play as an American doctor on the run who gets involved with everyone else's problems on the train as well as his own. On his long journey, Robert Cath must do his best to stay alive while interacting with 30 very different characters each with their own unique back story and place in the script. It is extremely non linear with every action (or non action) affecting which way the story progresses. Because of the sheer amount of ways the story can twist, the script for the game was said to be 800 pages long. Of the numerous endings, only four are considered "non fatal" endings where Cath escapes alive or without being arrested. Of these, only ONE is considered the "right" ending while also featuring dozens of "bad" endings where you die or are captured. Akin to Blade Runner, the other NPCs move about the game at their own will, even changing their own plans based on how the player plays the game. Despite Blade Runner's claims, The Last Express ACTUALLY had events that occurred in real time albeit at an accelerated pace that in all takes in 3 days of the train journey. At one point in the game, other characters put on a musical performance which takes up 20 minutes in real time and gives the player the option of sitting and watching or carrying out some business as it happens. The art style was very unique, using an extensive capturing process to give it a look unlike most games of the time. Though not a commercial hit it was widely loved by critics and by die-hard fans of the genre. The somewhat failure was in some ways due to its promotional companies shutting down and another closure putting an end to a planned Playstation port of the game. Again, a new version came out in 2012 and just last week a new "Gold" edition was finally released on Steam with new gameplay improvements and the usual Steam add-ons to boost its status as an already great game.