Last Train Outta' Wormtown is a multiplayer mash-up of horror games and classic horror movies mixed with bean character gameplay. Bean characters became popularized in multiplayer games like Fall Guys and Human Fall Flat, and make for some hilarious multiplayer gameplay physics involving friends teaming up or wreaking havoc on each other.
In a recent interview with Game ZXC, Last Train Outta' Wormtown dev Trevor Vaughn from Get(Color) Games spoke more about how horror movies and video games became an inspiration alongside party game influences. Vaughn also discussed how popular games like 'the floor is lava' influenced the game and explained how its co-op and PVP gameplay works.
Last Train Outta Wormtown, Tremors, Dead by Daylight, Hot Lava, Fall Guys, Oh My!
It will probably come as no surprise to many horror fans that Tremors, one of the best sci-fi "horror' movies of the 90s, was a big inspiration for Last Train Outta' Wormtown. However, the classic game 'the floor is lava' or 'hot lava' was also influential. Vaughn explained how these inspirations provided the perfect combination,
I grew up loving monster movies in general, but Tremors really stuck with me. It seems like a monster type and genre that lends itself perfectly to a game, yet I’ve never seen it done before. I find it interesting that seemingly everyone growing up, regardless of where you lived, played 'the floor is lava'. There’s something intrinsically fun about avoiding the ground and jumping around on things - so replacing the ground hazard with a giant monster trying to eat you instead? Just felt like a perfect mix.
When asked what makes Last Train Outta' Wormtown unique compared to other multiplayer party or bean games, Vaughn described its strength as its mix of genres, combined with how it lets players be the monster, like in video games like Dead by Daylight. As Vaughn said,
I think what separates Wormtown from other party games is the melding of multiple genres while still focusing them through the party game lens. It takes inspiration from competitive asymmetrical horror games like Dead by Daylight and Video Horror Society , from silly physics-y platformers like Fall Guys and Human: Fall Flat , and elements of social and playground games too. Also, you get to be a sandworm! Can’t say I’ve done that in a game before.
How Co-Op And PVP Works In Multiplayer Party Game Last Train Outta’ Wormtown
In addition to mixing genre inspirations, Last Train Outta' Wormtown combines co-op multiplayer gameplay with PVP, enabling players to team up against or be the sandworm. Players avoiding the worm must fuel the train using various objects, get dynamite to destroy the blockade, and find the train key. In contrast, the sandworm "can only detect players or objects when they first touch the ground or when they’re moving on the ground." Vaughn explained how this makes for some strategic and exciting gameplay moments,
If the Worm is focusing on your buddy, you can run around and make a lot of noise elsewhere to try and lure them away. Throwing props on the ground will also ping the Worm, and it’s a whole meta-game in itself finding ways to make the Worm think a prop is a player.
Vaughn spoke more about what letting players be the sandworm adds to the multiplayer party game. As Vaughn put it,
Having the worm be another player, the psychology, and mind games adds such a fun level of depth to the game. After every match, there are so many stories and moments that people discuss about near misses and harrowing escapes, and it’s been a blast play-testing it with everyone.
​​​Last Train Outta' Wormtown is available now on PC.