| Last Call BBS | |
| Developer: | Zachtronics |
| Released: | August 4, 2022 |
| Genre: | Puzzle |
| Modes: | Single-player |
Last Call BBS is a puzzle video game developed by Zachtronics. Released on August 4, 2022, it was the studio's final game before its closure.
Set on a Z5 Powerlance, a fictional 1990s PC, Last Call BBS features eight small puzzle games with distinct gameplay.[1] To install the games, the player needs to dial an in-game BBS.[2] All games contain elements of previous works developed by Zachtronics. For instance, 20th Century Food Court, a factory simulation game where the player arranges machines to make food, incorporates the assembly line elements of SpaceChem. With point-and-click controls, the games begin with easy introductory levels, before increasing in difficulty as new gameplay elements are introduced. In addition to the puzzle games, the game contains a circuit creation game, model-building simulator and a retro-style minigame of solitaire, similar to those present in previous Zachtronics games.[3] [4]
The closure of Zachtronics was announced in June 2022, along with the announcements of Last Call BBS and a compilation of all solitaire minigames in the studio's previous works.[5] Last Call BBS official trailer was released online later that month.[6] The game was released on Steam via early access on July 5, and its final version was released on August 4.[7] In an interview with Kotaku, Zach Barth, Zachtronics' founder and lead designer, said that the reason for their breakup was that they "felt it was time for a change." The team officially disbanded following the release of The Zachtronics Solitaire Collection, though some of its members, including Barth, are still active in game development.[8] Last Call BBS received favorable reviews from critics upon release.