Top 4 Western Games To Give A Try

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The Wild West conjures images of lonesome cowboys, fearsome bounty hunters, and resolute native fighters. From epic shootouts to grand heists, Hollywood’s enduring love for westerns has done much to popularise stories of the Old West. Yet, the gaming industry has long caught up on the western genre. From action-packed first-person shooters to epic open-world entries, the following games are the perfect bits of escapism to travel back in time to the good ol’ American Frontier. 

Desperados III

Developed by Mimimi Games in 2020, Desperados III takes a fresh approach to the usual style of Western-themed titles. Instead of a standard shooter, the latest instalment in this PC series focuses more on stealth than on brutish shows of strength. Thus, players crouch in bushes to approach foes without getting spotted. They may eliminate enemies and bandits silently before hiding the bodies and even cause accidental deaths not to betray their presence. 

This real-time tactics video game also allows players to coordinate the actions of an entire squad of criminal-chasing badass outlaws. And while critics called out the game for its mostly uninspired visuals, Desperados III is great at capturing the tense atmosphere of the Wild West in the 1870s.

Wild Guns Reloaded

Old-time gamers may have fond memories of this western game meet science-fiction. Released in the mid-90s on the Super Nintendo, Wild Guns quickly reached cult status among critics and fans. This quirky space western follows the personal vendetta of Annie, a young woman seeking help from famed bounty hunter Clint to avenge her family’s murder. The player can either control Annie or Clint to progress through the game, shooting enemies and dodging bullets. 

A remastered version was released in 2014 on PS4 before hitting PC and Nintendo Switch. Putting a more modern spin on the game, Wild Guns Reloaded adds a series of new characters without losing the appeal of the original. This shooter game also features a multiplayer mode so that up to four players can enjoy its old-school, arcade-style graphics, and fast-paced action.

Red Dead Redemption II

The third entry in the Red Dead franchise made definite history. Lauded as one of the greatest games ever developed, Red Dead Redemption II won several awards. The game even outsold its predecessor in two weeks. With an enthralling story, ever-so realistic graphics, and stunning cinematics, this prequel to Red Dead Redemption raised the bar for all games to follow. Reviewers even deemed this gripping western a near miracle. But fans were even more ecstatic about the game’s immersive open world. 

Critics praised the game’s likeness to real-world Wild West landscapes, while players could not get enough of the endless exploring of this ruthless but fascinating environment. From hunting wolves to robbing trains, players have countless activities to enjoy besides the main campaign. Red Dead Redemption II also features gambling mini-games. A staple of the Old West, casinos have long drawn inspiration from the western genre. And gamblers can find a wide range of western-infused slots online. North American players can even benefit from hefty rewards like no deposit free spins in Canada. This type of bonus helps fund a bankroll committing no real money. Players might claim free spins upon registering or enter a code further down the line. Thus, they can try out any casino’s game library risk-free.

Darkwatch: Curse of the West

Available on PS2 and Xbox, Darkwatch: Curse of the West is a first-person shooter published by Capcom in 2005. Shooting elements of steampunk and horror into the western imagery, the game follows a weary American Civil War deserter turned gunslinger and train robber. After working for a vampire-hunting organisation called the Darkwatch, Jericho Cross finds himself irreversibly turning into a vampire. 

The game was acclaimed upon its release for its bold and imaginative spin on the jaded western genre. As an anti-hero, the main protagonist and his moral struggles add extra depth to the classic Wild West take. Despite its artistic merits, though, Darkwatch: Curse of the West failed to perform well enough to pull off a sequel. What was intended as the first instalment of a long-running franchise remained a niche title. A movie was in the works, never to see the light of day. Still, gamers revisiting this semi-forgotten gem might be in for an unexpected treat.