The Last Story is an action role-playing game set on Lazulis Island, where the player controls Zael, a mercenary leader. A band of mercenaries, led by Zael and his surrogate brother Dagran, are hired to complete a task for Count Arganan, taking them across the island and over the ocean.
The gameplay focuses on handling enemy attention, as the player attacks with Zael while giving commands to other party members. This mechanic allows players to control which enemies focus on different characters, creating strategic combat experiences.
The game features two multiplayer modes: a co-operative mode for up to six players and a competitive mode where players battle each other in a fight-to-the-death format.