For those who want to know the historical context of this game, and why the story of the Czech Legion is such an underrated epic... well, let me tell you. Buckle up, because is a wild ride. So, context: WWI. Big clusterfuck. Among all this mess, there was one nation among many that sought to obtain its independence in the conflict: that of Czechs and Slovaks. At the time they were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but they weren't happy with it and were looking for a way out. The Great War seemed like a perfect opportunity. The Russian army granted certain Czechs politicians the power to set up a Czech Legion to fight on the Russian side against the Central Powers; similar formations appeared in France and Italy, although much smaller. At first things moved slowly, because the Czech Legion was supposed to be an all-volunteer force. But after a couple of remarkable performances, they got permission to recruit ethnic Czechs and Slovaks from prisoners of war taken in battle against Austria-Hungary. The Czech Legion swelled into a force of more than 60,000 strong. However, it was now 1917 and we all know what this means: Russian Revolution! When the Bolsheviks seized power from the Socialists, the Legion found itself stranded in Russia. They wanted to continue the fight against the Central Powers (because independence) but the Bolsheviks were in the process of making peace with Germany and Austria-Hungary. So the chairman of the Czechoslovak National Council wanted to move the Legion to France, in order to keep fighting. But there was a problem: how to get there? The land route was obviously blocked by millions of angry Germans and Austrians, so that was a no go. Russia was also obviously not going to allow them to fight the Central Powers from their territory. So they had to escape Russia by sea. But how? The northern ports were blockaded by the Kaiser's navy, and the Bosphorus in the south were closed by the Ottomans. So the only way was Vladivostok. In the fucking end of the continent, almost 10,000 km the wrong way. That didn't deter the Czech Legion, of course. Their journey started hot already, with them having to fight a rearguard action against advancing German forces from the west, who were not amused by Trotsky's 5D chess "no peace, no war" move.. Troubles didn't cease there, however, because the Bolsheviks were growing increasingly distrustful of a large band of heavily armed and battle hardened Czechs crossing their territory, in the middle of a political climate that looked like it was going to explode into a civil war any moment. On the other hand, the Czechs were wary of the Bolsheviks trying to sway part of their forces to the communist side. And in the middle of all of this, the Central Powers were very keen on having the Bolsheviks stalling the potential arrival of a large body of hardened veteran reinforcements to the Western Front. After many disputes and clashes, the Bolsheviks finally ordered the disarmament of the Legion and the arrest of all its members. The Czech political leadership, seeing no other way out, caved in. It looked like the end of a crusade to nowhere. But of course it was not going to end this way. The soldiers ignored the wishes of the leaders and refused to disarm, instead redoubled their efforts into making their way towards Vladivostok, via the Trans-Siberian Railway, clashing with the Bolsheviks all along the way. By July 1918, their vanguards were in control of Vladivostok, which they declared an Allied protectorate and started receiving Allied troops destined to fight the Bolsheviks. Are you keeping up? Because now it gets complicated. Soon the city was overflowing with Japanese soldiers in direct intervention against Russia, seeking to secure their sphere of influence in the region. Now fully in the fight against the Bolsheviks, the Czechs began moving _west_ again (remember, west was the wrong way, they wanted to go east), in order to help their comrades at the end of the railway line get across. Due to the chaos of the war and the appalling state of Russian infrastructure, the Legion didn't journey to Vladivostok as a single entity, but it was rather strung out all along the railway, from Samara to Vladivostok. It was about that time that a _naval battle_ took place. The mountain passes surround lake Baikal were controlled by the Bolsheviks, situated in strong positions. The Czechs, instead of attacking the passes, captured two steam ships and armed them with four howitzers they had, and used them to attack the Bolshevik port on the other side, sinking one ship and wrecking the harbor and the train station. Thus Czechoslovakia, a land locked country, managed to win a naval battle. Another incident of note was the execution of the Tsar and his family; you see, they were being kept in the remote location of Yekaterinburg, but with the Legion getting closer and closer, the local Bolshevik leadership panicked and executed the entire family and their servants, dumping the bodies in a mine shaft. By now the Czech Legion was almost in complete control of Trans-Siberian Railway, and began to slowly retreat east once again. In the middle were the Red and White armies, battling each other in the bloody Russian Civil War. Amid the ongoign chaos, the Czechs stumbled upon (I swear I am not makings this up) the imperial gold reserves, which were being transported by one of the White leaders, admiral Kolchak (recently, a movie was made about him) The Czechs later exchanged Kolchak and the gold reserves for safe passage in an agreement with the Socialist Revolutionaries of Irkutsk (they were a splinter leftist group that fought against the Bolsheviks during the Civil War, but were also persecuted by the Whites. It is complicated). It was 1920, almost two years later, and there were still over twelve Czech trains west of Irkutsk. Once safely in Vladivostok (in addition to the Czechs, there were some 70,000 Japanese troops in the city), the members of the Legion were evacuated in Allied ships, returning to western Europe, and then to Czechoslovakia, by now a nation emerging from the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. Their journey was complete. It took three years, more than 10,000 km over land, and more than twice that over sea. Along the way they fought Germans, Austrians, Bolsheviks, Socialist Revolutionaries, White Russians and even Japanese-backed Transbaikal warlords. Sounds made up, I know. And it was all true.

Czech bro here. The march of Czechoslovak legions is in my opinion one of the most fascinating events that took place during WWI. Caught in the middle of crossfire between the Reds and the Whites, power hungry opportunists and warlords birthed by chaos. Travelling half the world for a chance to fight for a free nation that does not yet exist. United with your brothers by a dream and love for your nascent country. The actions of Czechoslovak legions during the war helped convince the allied nations of the worth of Czechoslovakia to govern itself, as a sovereign nation after 400 years.

I love the fact you used the Legiovlak (a replica of the train which serves as a traveling museum for those who don't know) to film parts of the trailer.

Finally someone decided to aproach such interesting historical topic in videogame, this has so much potential! Good luck Ashborne!

Sometimes actual history is more epic than any fiction. I hope the game will turn up to the up for the challenge.

Love the live action cutscene intermixed with the gameplay, gives me C&C vibes.

So cool getting to see some stories about Czechoslovakia! - As a proud American, it always warms my heart when people of other nationalities get to see their countries in the limelight in digital media and film. Much love from the US! 🇺🇸🇨🇿

HOLY CRAP! The mad lads actually made a game about this story! I can't wait for people to read up on what happened. It's an absolute mad story filled with heroic individuals. Everyone should know about it, and the Czechs and Slovaks should always hold their heads high when the story is recounted.

The soundtrack is exceptional. If you listen closely, you can hear piano in the background, which vaguely uses the tone of the arguably most famous Czech musical masterpiece: Moldau (Vltava) by Bedřich Smetana. Hearing that alongside the trailer's narration truly brings a tear to one's eye.

As soon as he said that all they want is to return home I figured that this was about the Czech Legion. What a blessing for the Czechs to have their national stories portrayed in a video game! I could only wish such thing for my people.

Borci z Ashborne Games. Naprosto BOŽÍ trailer. Fantastický! Okamžitě si to dávám do seznamu na Steamu. People from Ashborne Games. That trailer is absolutely GOD. Fantastic! I'm putting it on my wishlist on Steam.

Wow, this looks really amazing. I found this video by accident and knew nothing about this game, so mention of Czechoslovakia and realization that its game about our legion was quite a shock. Instantly added to the wishlist👍

I'm excited to try this out. It's not just the snow but I'm getting Frost Punk vibes from the grittyness of the journey.

2 year long journey, around the globe just to get home

I'm not Czech like a lot of the others in this comment section but I've always loved learning about the world wars, so the story of the Czechoslovak Legion is one I've come to know well, and this trailer excites me to no end. One of the most epic stories from the Great War, combined with my favourite genre of video game? Fastest wishlist of my life.

Panebože!!! To je můj splněný sen!

in the Russian post-Soviet school, the story about the Czechoslovak legion was usually in the chapter about the interventionist troops during the civil war, and never fully reflected the facts from the people themselves. I am glad that now something is changing and thanks to the Internet and the global community, we can learn more and therefore understand other people. It’s hard for me to imagine what hardships lay on the legionnaires all these years while they were returning to their homeland.

Tak to vypadá, že o udržování národní hrdosti se bude starat českej herní průmysl. A víte co? Mě to neva! Fantastickej trailer, husí kůže, desire to cross Siberia in an armored train intensifies. Hodně štěstí s launchem, jdu wishlistovat!

Now this is a game I'm hype for. I'm also just happy that this time period is getting more and more recognition with games and everything.

i will definitely play this

One of the best trailers i have ever seen.

My fastest wishlist. I'm a sucker for RTS and a sucker for history. Looking forward to adding this to my game library. Excellent performance of Smetana's Ma Vlast, I should add!

That's the best video game trailer ive ever seen. Kudos to you, czechs and slovaks.

Glory to the Czechoslovak legion. From your belgian brothers who went on the same journey. The belgian expedionay Corps never forgets. Thanks for getting so many others out.

Really hope it's going to turn out well, you guys got me hyped. I was really hoping for this event in history to get more coverage.

As soon as he said wanting to return home, and mentioned going through Siberia, i knew this was about the Czech Legion. Looks great, already wishlisted.

Train model looks amazing. Piece of art. ❤️

The only decent trailer of the PC Gaming Show 2023.. .you have all my support, looks promising !!

I was waiting for this story to be made into film or a game. Best of luck with it devs!

This is great! Czechoslovakian legion voyage through Russia is one of the most fascinating parts of Czechoslovakian history. I highly recommend anyone to read about it. Entire army trying to get home through country in brutal civil war. They fought bot sides, claimed several cities, controlled trans-Siberian railroad, delayed 300,000 Germans from getting back to front, claimed Russian national treasure, supported Korean revolution and made it home.

We should make this a tv series

The tones from Smetana's Vltava/Moldau at the end of the trailer is a nice touch.

So glad we are still getting historical games about some of the most forgotten about yet interesting stories of our grandfathers thanks THQ

I'm a quarter Czech and it is the second biggest heritage I have but arguably the one I have the most pride in. The story of the Czechoslovk Legions is so inspiring and I am looking forward the this game and living the story of the brave soldiers!

At first I was like "oh yay, another survival strategy game." By the end...."This is so freaking awesome!"

I saw his hat, I saw “train” I knew this had to be the Czechoslovak Legion. Not a setting I was expecting, but certainly one I’m excited for

The sounds of Moldau / Vltava song by Bedrich Smetana interwoven into the music got me! Goosebumps from the moment I realized this is about the Czechoslovak Legion!

Thank you for bringing such a game to us. The story of Czechoslovak legion trapped in Russia is highly unknown story which should be known!

I'm surprised that as a Pole I never heard about this story, seems so epic and important to or neighbours, why wasnt that in school? Excited to learn more.

Greetings from Brno, Czechia, birthplace of this game. Call me biased because of this, but I am really looking forward to this journey. The immediate post-WW1 period is criminally underrepresented in media, and I am glad it is the Czechoslovak Legion that leads the way.

This could be the trailer of the year. Amazing job!!

Dude! So happy to see these frickin heroes represented properly!

I did a presentation on the Czech legion's "Siberian Railway Adventure" in one of my history classes and thought it was the coolest war story ever. Always wondered what a TV series or game about it might look like, now I can wonder no longer! Hope this turns out awesome! ^^

As a Slovakian i genuinely can't wait to play this game ❤

Will there be a mission in the game about the betrayal of Admiral Kolchak by the Czechs and the theft of Russian gold reserves?

A nice touch in the music that in the end you hear the first notes of Smetana's "Moldau". He was a great czech composer. Very nice little touch.

Ah, yes. The Czechoslovak Legion. It's march through Russia is something I've thought there should be a movie about. But a PC game would also be great.

This being a THQ nordic game, I'm hoping some of the RPG elements of the spellforce series come into play here, leveling up officers, having certain abilities, even if its something as simple as morale buffs, or being specialized in combat medical, etc.

I must be dreaming. I was watching some documentaries about their history and fascinated by their journey home along the railway, then thought to myself "It'll be amazing if someone pick this up and make a video game based on it". Guess shower thoughts can be true someday...

I hope they will recreate one and only Czechoslovak naval battle (Battle of Lake Baikal).

I need a movie about legion, the scenes look in very good quality.

Story how Czechoslovakia became best naval power :D Watch Battle of Lake Baikal

This looks amazing! Can't wait to play. Interesting turn on the genre with RTS strategy as well

THQ knocked out of the park again. This had like zero build up and after this trailer Last Train Home become one of my top 5 waited games. And an RTS also? ANOTHER RTS?! Tempest Rising is already my wetdream, no other studio have the guts to make proper real time strategy games anymore and here we have THQ announcing a third one in 1 year. Hands down.

Czechoslovakia bros, rise up! Finally we have our game! (Certified grand-grandson of Legionare soldier who fought in Siberia)

This looks amazing and it's such an interesting new take on WWI. Great trailer. Makes you really like those guys and want them to succeed. Wishlisted.

I have wanted a film or tv show from these madlads for years. This looks perfect.

Pecka, tak na to se těším!

Hell of a trailer, bravo

In a time where everything is CGI, what a breath of fresh air to see cutscenes made with real actors. I felt like I was watching the trailer of a movie that I really want to to go the cinemas to see. Knowing this will be a game, only make my expectations even higher. Just hope the cutscenes between stages were filmed with actors as well. 🙂

MEGA HYPE TRAIN MATERIAL! This trailer makes my arm hairs stand on end. I'm getting commandos 3 vibes from this. Hope the gameplay matches up to the trailer hype.

Damn, this looks good.

Pretty epic, I feel like eastern european countries history are always way too much underrated, it is so nice to see game about it. Glory to Czech and Slovakian brothers from Poland!

The more I re-watch this......The More I need a SERIES OF IT!

Truly a bold setting and set of circumstances to portray can’t wait to get my hands on it!

The trailer's leaving me wanting to see a film about this!

This is a genuine surprise to see a game about the Czech legion ! It looks like an interesting game for sure I wanna try! Hope there’s a demo

The soundtrack is awsome. I like how occasionally it's possible to hear Vltava from Bedřich Smetana in the music. Ten soundtrack je úžasný. Líbí se mi že občasně jde v té hudbě slyšet Vltava od Bedřicha Smetany.

Už se těším! Dávám si to hned na wishlist

Wow. Awesome! Definitely waiting for it!

Looks beautiful!

All right, so I love trains, weapons, snow-covered plains, and my heart yearns for the Czechoslovak Legion, and you come to me with this?

This looks so great. Can’t wait to play it

Immediately onto the wishlist you go!

Wow! Now that’s a way how to make a trailer! Had to just take it in for a minute. As a Czech myself, I am very excited to see that this small but unique aspect of the great war gets some more coverage. Best of luck with development. Will wish list and hope for the best.

This...this is a true story?! Holy shit this is bad ass man!

Needed to check in, just to say how awesome it is that the opening of Smetana's "the Moldau" can be heard several times... so many great details here. I've got my hopes up for this one!

wow! looks very promising! can't wait for it!

The Czechoslovak Legion is a thing of legend. I'm glad it's getting more attention.

Lools very nice, cant wait to play. The story of the Czechoslovak legion deserves to be told and I applaud you for it. Instant wishlist and I hope there will be collectors edition.

They better include the naval battle. Yes, Czechslovakia had a naval battle. On Lake Baikal. With armored trains and steamships.

Czekam z niecierpliwością

When I saw the title, this was the first story that came to my mind and I was sooo hoping it would be based on this! Will buy the game and spend hundreds of hours for sure!

Vypadá to opravdu skvěle, moc se na hru těším. 😍

The Czech Siberian lads. A Shining star in History.

I love the Vltava melody at the end

god damn... 10/10 trailer and the historical theater got me hyped so much

Superb trailer, game looks great and a very interesting time to focus on.

A mission-based tactical game based on the Czech Legion? Hot damn, why hasn’t this been done before?!

This is such a fascinating historical event and I’m glad it’s getting some exposure. For those interested, just look up the Czech Legion

I am SOOOO psyched for this!!!!

Vypadá to na výbornou hru, jde do Wishlistu. Karel Dobrý se do tohoto traileru zatraceně hodí, doufám že bude provázet i hrou.

I come from a small town in eastern siberia, next to Volochayevka, where one of the last battles of the russian civil war was fought. The Orlik armoured train, shown in this trailer, was used in this battle on the whites side. first constructed in Penza and Odessa, it fought against Austria-Hungary in WW1. During the revolution the crew joined ukrainian anarchists, and later the Reds, who transferred it to their eastern front on Volga. After that, it was captured by the Czechs and used in battles and in the long journey to the East. Once the Czechs left, the Japanese, who were stationed alongside the Americans in Vladivostok, captured the train and gave it to the White Russians, who fought against the Far Eastern Republic (Red-alligned de-jure independent state in eastern siberia). That's how it ended up in the battle of Volochayevka, where the Republic managed to turn the tide of the war with Zemskaya Uprava (Whites independent state under japanese patronage) forces. As Whites and the Japanese left the country after the defeat, they brought the train to Harbin, a city in China (Manchuria) with a large Russian population and seat of all anti-red forces close to the russian borders. Later on, in 1930s Japan annexed Manchuria from China, capturing the train as well. There are some reports of the train being used by the Japanese, but no reports what happened to it next (or at least I don't know of any). Anyway, can't wait to play, finally something about this time. even if gameplay wouldn't be to my liking, I would still enjoy the setting and story I hope. Also I'm quite happy for the Czechs, finally this important part of their history is depicted in a game. Yay!

I am quite happy people are seeing more and more of the lesser known fragments of history, thanks to games like these.

I am so happy for this!

Oooh, interesting! Look forward to seeing more about this and really hope it turns out a gem. :)

Jsem hrdý na to že jsem Čech. Jsem hrdý na naše hrdiny a mé předky. Ať se daří 😊❤

this got my attention. This whole affair is so bizarre but barley know by most people (I myself only know the basics), that it is a very unique opportunity.

What a great trailer about the really nice piece of (our) history

Nordic makes such damn good games. Gonna have to check it out.