It’s been a while since I reviewed a game. Between my July vacation and BattleBit Remastered as a multiplayer distraction, it took a while to get to it. Didn’t help that this game sucked me in for a good while.
Weird West. An RPG by a group of former Arkane Developers in one of my favorite fictional settings. I found this game through recommendations from some Deadlands tabletop rpg players, and picked it up so I could experience more of the weird west in game form. It did not disappoint.
Witches. Cults. Werewolves. Pigmen. Sirens. Wraiths. I spent my time in the west as likely to run afoul of one of these varmints as any snake, bandit, or lawman. Weird West put me through five different character stories, each one delving into some corner of the west and providing a unique perspective. The game forced me to make difficult decisions, to regret former decisions, and to carefully save my game for fear that a dear ally would bite the dust. Death comes easy in most of the west, that’s for sure.
I won’t spoil the many stories, but I will say that I left my mark on the west in many ways, and I’ll remember each story well. I was always disappointed to leave one character story for another, but that disappointment only lasted minutes before I was pulled in again. The final story is the weakest, but it pulls together everything done so far into a big finale and allow a chance to clean up loose ends. I couldn’t complain in the end, it was a unique experience. And it was MY unique experience, given the various bounties, random events, side-quests, and choices I made.
The gunplay in the game took some getting used to, but feels very satisfying. Nothing quite measures up to the ability to dive in slow motion Max Payne-style and riddle my foes with pistol lead. For those who want other combat options, plenty are on offer. Elemental arrows, portable explosives of all kinds, environmental hazards, character-specific abilities, and gun perks all provide some flash to the experience. I didn’t use these abilities much, but there were times that an option like invisibility or silent rifle shots became almost necessary. More passive perks round out the experience. By the end of my adventure, I moved quickly and silently like a snake through the weeds, and could leap onto buildings with the grace of a mountain cat.
The stealth in this game is better than in any other I’ve played. I’ve complained about stealth multiple times on this blog, but Weird West gets it right. Quicksaves, options for when I fail, many tools to get things right, and a top-down viewpoint to help me make decisions. I should probably try Dishonored’s stealth, given the relation between the games.
There are a few tiny issues I have against the game. The gunplay doesn’t wear out its welcome, but it came close for me by the end of the game. After knocking someone out or taking another action, it takes a full second to pull out your gun- which wouldn’t be a problem, but others reacting to your action don’t have the same issue. Followers are often more hassle than help, and I more than once dismissed them so they wouldn’t get slaughtered. I collected a fair few bounties, and it felt like nearly half of them were holed up in the same location.
And finally, regarding side missions… I wish there were more of them. More legitimate side missions, I mean, not bounties or fetch quests. I can’t complain about what I got, but side missions like “The Strangeness” or “Lone Wolf” really showed me what the west had to offer. I may have missed a few quests, but I wish that there had been more unique missable side missions in my playthrough. It really would have fleshed the world out.
Freedom. That’s what the call of the west offered the pioneers back in the day. And when playing Weird West, I felt free to make my decisions, take the path I wanted, deliver justice my own way, and draw irons when death came a’calling. I’m not huge on RPGs, long narrative games, or stealth experiences, but Weird West is an exception. It’s not a perfect game, and the side content can run a little thin, but I loved it nonetheless.
Verdict: Completed the game in 21 hours.
Kyle Adams 